THURSDAY'S NFL PREVIEW 09/04/03 - Charlie Maxwell
http://www.therx.com/nm/templates/article.asp?articleid=1202&zoneid=2
Jets at Redskins
An interesting match between the New York Jets and Washington Redskins will open the 2003 NFL season. The two squads will begin the season Thursday with a nationally televised (ABC) night game.
Most offshore sports books opened the Redskins as three-point home favorites, with the total set at 41.
The interesting part of the match comes into play because the Jets saw three of their best young players - wide receiver Laveranues Coles, guard Randy Thomas and kick returner Chad Morton – bolt to the Redskins in the offseason.
The Jets also must hope that veteran Vinny Testaverde can help the team overcome starting quarterback Chad Pennington’s injury. Pennington is expected to miss up to 12 weeks with a dislocated left wrist.
New York, 10-8 SU and 9-7-2 ATS last year, was just 15th in scoring offense and 14th in total defense during the 2002 campaign. The ‘under’ was 5-4 in New York’s nine road games and 10-8 overall. The Jets also had more takeaways (27) than turnovers (23) last year.
Washington has several very talented players, including OTs Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen, CB Champ Bailey and newly signed WR Coles. However, the club has no running backs of note and an inexperienced (though promising) quarterback in Patrick Ramsey.
The Redskins finished 7-9 both SU and ATS last year and were never able to register more than three wins in a row. The team was also 0-2 ATS as a favorite of three points or less during the 2002 season.
FedEx Field in Washington is a grass surface, where the Redskins were 5-3 SU and 4-4 ATS last season. The ‘over/under’ was also split evenly during the squad’s eight home dates.
Washington had problems hanging on to the ball last season, evidence by its 40 turnovers (20 fumbles and 20 turnovers) compared to just 26 takeaways.
These two teams have not met since 1999 when the Redskins registered a 27-20 win as a one-point road favorite. The combined 47 points leaped ‘over’ the closing 44-point total.
TRENDS:
The Jets are 25-9-1 ATS as an away underdog the last six years and 13-5-1 the last 19 road games against teams with a winning record.
The Redskins are 1-8 ATS in their first favorite role of the season and 4-16 ATS in the first month of the season..
http://www.therx.com/nm/templates/article.asp?articleid=1202&zoneid=2
Jets at Redskins
An interesting match between the New York Jets and Washington Redskins will open the 2003 NFL season. The two squads will begin the season Thursday with a nationally televised (ABC) night game.
Most offshore sports books opened the Redskins as three-point home favorites, with the total set at 41.
The interesting part of the match comes into play because the Jets saw three of their best young players - wide receiver Laveranues Coles, guard Randy Thomas and kick returner Chad Morton – bolt to the Redskins in the offseason.
The Jets also must hope that veteran Vinny Testaverde can help the team overcome starting quarterback Chad Pennington’s injury. Pennington is expected to miss up to 12 weeks with a dislocated left wrist.
New York, 10-8 SU and 9-7-2 ATS last year, was just 15th in scoring offense and 14th in total defense during the 2002 campaign. The ‘under’ was 5-4 in New York’s nine road games and 10-8 overall. The Jets also had more takeaways (27) than turnovers (23) last year.
Washington has several very talented players, including OTs Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen, CB Champ Bailey and newly signed WR Coles. However, the club has no running backs of note and an inexperienced (though promising) quarterback in Patrick Ramsey.
The Redskins finished 7-9 both SU and ATS last year and were never able to register more than three wins in a row. The team was also 0-2 ATS as a favorite of three points or less during the 2002 season.
FedEx Field in Washington is a grass surface, where the Redskins were 5-3 SU and 4-4 ATS last season. The ‘over/under’ was also split evenly during the squad’s eight home dates.
Washington had problems hanging on to the ball last season, evidence by its 40 turnovers (20 fumbles and 20 turnovers) compared to just 26 takeaways.
These two teams have not met since 1999 when the Redskins registered a 27-20 win as a one-point road favorite. The combined 47 points leaped ‘over’ the closing 44-point total.
TRENDS:
The Jets are 25-9-1 ATS as an away underdog the last six years and 13-5-1 the last 19 road games against teams with a winning record.
The Redskins are 1-8 ATS in their first favorite role of the season and 4-16 ATS in the first month of the season..
