Rating: 2 Units

New England has a three-game rest advantage over the Giants, having played their last preseason game on a Thursday, while New York played a week ago today. The clincher: The favorite (New England) scored more than 17 points and beat the spread by 7 or more ponts, and won 1 or more preseason games last year, is 15-0-1 since 1983.

Rating: 2 Units

When Tampa Bay travels to Houston in the final preseason game for both teams tonight the Bucs will do so knowing that defending Super Bowl champions are 6-0 SUATS away in exhibition games when facing foes coming off consecutive wins, with the last coming as an underdog. For what it's worth five of the wins came SU as underdogs. In addition, Tampa head coach Bruce Arians is 8-3-1 ATS away in his NFL preseason career, including 5-1 ATS in his first road traveller. And for what its worth, winless defending Super Bowl champions are also 3-0 ATS in their final preseason game since 1995.

Rating: 2 Units

NFL teams who open the preseason with a pair of home games are 31-15 SU and 31-12-3 away in Game Three when facing a foe in its preseason home opener, including 26-9-1 ATS when taking points. Not only is Chicago 3-0 SUATS in Game Three of the preseason, including 2-0 SUATS under head coach Matt Nagy, the Bears pair up nicely in this matchup with added fuel from THE CLINCHER: Tennessee is 0-4 SUATS at home in preseason games under head coach Mike Vrabel

Rating: 2 Units

This is just simply a play on HC John Harbough as he is 19-0 SU and 17-1-1 ATS in the preseason since 2016.

Rating: 2 Units

Minnesota HC Zimmer has a 37-16 SU and 36-17 ATS career log in games against AFC foes, including 20-5 SU and 17-8 ATS in NFLX games. While  defending Super Bowl losers are 7-15 SU  and 5-16-1 ATS in Game Three of the preseason since 1998.

Rating: 2 Units

Playing against any Game Two favorite of 4 or more points off a SUATS win versus an opponent off a SU loss is 25-7-1 (78%) ATS.

Rating: 2 Units

Playing against any Game Two favorite of 4 or more points off a SUATS win versus an opponent off a SU loss is 25-7-1 (78%) ATS.

Rating: 2 Units

Playing against any Game Two favorite of 4 or more points off a SUATS win versus an opponent off a SU loss is 25-7-1 (78%) ATS.

Rating: 2 Units

We’re riding yet another NFL coach who realizes the importance of winning in the preseason, Mike Zimmer. Then again, between Zimmer’s 37-16 SU and 36-17 ATS career log in games against AFC foes, including 20-5 SU and 17-8 ATS in NFLX games, he commands our attention. Toss in the fact that last season’s 28-11 loss at Indy in Week Two of the regular campaign contributed to
the Vikings’ fi rst losing season since 2014, the first year Zimmer took over the program. Meanwhile, Indianapolis chips in with a dismal 9-25 SU and 10-22-2 ATS preseason log in non-division frays. The Colts’ first ever preseason meeting with an NFC North division foe does not end well. Not according to THE CLINCHER: Viking head coach Mike Zimmer is 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in
all games when avenging a loss against AFC opponents.

Rating: 2 Units

Playing against any Game Two favorite of 4 or more points off a SUATS win versus an opponent off a SU loss is 25-7-1 (78%) ATS.

Rating: 4 Unit NFLX Game of the Week

The critical keys to successfully handicapping the NFL preseason
are rather simple: being aware of head coaches and their approach to the preseason, identifying games of importance, and knowing the quarterback rotation. In the case of the Ravens, they check all three boxes tonight. There is no coach in the league that makes winning a priority during the preseason more than John Harbaugh. In fact,  Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh is
18-0 SU and 16-1-1 ATS in the preseason since 2016.

Rating: 2 Units

KC head coach Andy Reid has struggled in Game Two of the preseason, going 4-7 SU and 3-8 ATS since 2009, including 1-5 ATS if coming off a win. Reid has also struggled against NFC West division foes during these fake games, including 0-6 ATS when not taking points. Flip the script and you’ll find an Arizona squad that stands 12-5 ATS at home when not favored in Game Two of the preseason. Play the percentages. Play the Cardinals.  

Rating: 2 Units

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts looked comfortable in his preseason debut last weekend, moving the ball efficiently down the field. So did Joe Flacco in reserve. And while New England's quarterbacks didn't have the same success as Philadelphia's, its running game did as rookie Rhamondre Stevenson went over 100 yards. The Eagles' defense still is a work in progress, and I would expect the Patriots to have a much better outcome in the second half.

Rating: 2 Units

The motivation edge in this contest is clear. The invading Bengals bring plenty while the host Bucs have next to none. That’s been the case for defending Super Bowl champions, who have been money burners when laying points during the preseason, going 45-62-2 ATS since 1983, including 4-14 ATS since 2011. Then there is Tampa head coach Bruce Arians and his 4-5 SU and 3-6 ATS career mark when laying points at home in these exhibition contests. We doubt seriously if we’ll see Tom Brady tonight, yet fully expect to see Joe Burrow operating behind a new offensive line as Cincy looks to meld together ASAP, knowing the Bengals are 4-1 SUATS versus NFC South foes in the preseason since 2011. And finally, game one preseason favorites of 6 or more points are 10-5 SU but only 5-10 ATS.

Rating: 2 Units

No coach in the league makes winning a priority during the preseason more than John Harbaugh, especially right out of the gate. His outstanding 7-0 SUATS ledger at home in preseason openers – and the Black Birds’ 5-0 SUATS record in preseason openers when facing NFC South foes – confirms it. On the flip side, New Orleans head coach Sean Payton enters with a cold hand in the preseason, as evidenced by his 7-14 SU and 6-15 ATS mark in his last twenty-one preseason contests. Consider also that Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh is 17-0 SU and 15-1-1 ATS in the preseason since 2016.

Rating: 2 Units

Mike Zimmer has coached the Vikings for seven preseasons, and he's won his opening game in all seven en route to putting together an impressive 20-5 record overall. And yet we're catching a point at home here, likely due to Minnesota's so-so depth behind Kirk Cousins while Denver brings in two fringe NFL starters batting to be named QB1. But it's not like the Vikings were stacked at QB in those previous 20 wins for Zimmer, so I'm trusting the excellent coach to give us a win here.

Rating: 2 Units

Looking at this matchup from a defensive perspective, the Arizona Cardinals have tremendous depth at all three levels. When you combine that with scheme continuity, you are more than likely going to get a consistent performance from their reserves, as you would from their starters. Offensively speaking, when dealing with the preseason, you're mainly dealing with the QB depth chart and the decision will come down to who do you trust the most. For the Cardinals we are likely to see Kyler Murray, albeit briefly, then Colt McCoy and then Chris Streveler. McCoy is a long-time vet, and Streveler has been in this offense for two full seasons, starting a game last year late in the season. I trust all three more than I trust the trio of Cowboy QBs we'll see in this game.

Rating:2 Units

The Falcons flipped from underdogs to favorites, and I agree with the move. Mike Vrabel is 2-6 ATS in the preseason since taking over in Nashville. Perhaps that's because he learned under Bill Belichick, who also doesn't care much about winning exhibition games. This is a much bigger night for Arthur Smith; the first-year Atlanta head coach spent nine years as a Titans assistant and wants to get off to a good start in front of the home crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Although Matt Ryan won't play, rookie Kyle Pitts should. Look for Smith to showcase the new offense he's installed and feature Pitts, the highest-drafted tight end ever, for some potential big plays.

Rating: 2 Units

"We're gonna play our guys." So says Washington coach Ron Rivera, which means the starters will get their uniforms dirty. One regular figuring to break a sweat is newly acquired QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Since taking over in D.C., Rivera is 7-5 in the preseason, and his teams have averaged 26 ppg in their openers — well above the norm. Who knows how coach Bill Belichick will dole out minutes for the Patriots, though his teams have gone 3-1 in each of the previous two preseasons. Mac Jones figures to accumulate some snaps, and rookie QBs often have a rough go in their debuts. Both coaches have declared their starting QB jobs open, and Fitz figures most likely of the four contenders on both teams to shine.

Rating: 2 Units

Rating: 2 Units

Home team is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings.

Rating: 2 Units

New Orleans is  0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games,  0-5 ATS in their last 5 games overall, and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games on field turf.

Rating: 2 Units

Detroit is 5-11 ATS in their last 16 Thursday games while Cleveland is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Thursday games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.

Rating: 2 Units

Baltimore is 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games on grass,  4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games, and 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games. While Washington is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.

Rating: 2 Units

Minnesota is 10-1-1 ATS in their last 12 games on turf and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games. while Buffalo is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.

Rating: 2 Units

Atlanta is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games on grass, 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall, and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.

Rating: 2 Units

The underdog (Los Angeles) is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 meetings between these two teams.

Rating: 2 Units

The Kansas City Chiefs are 2-22 ATS coming off a loss when facing an opponent coming off a win.

Rating: 2 Units

Arizona is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. Minnesota is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Saturday games, 35-15-1 ATS in their last 51 games on field turf, and 36-16-1 ATS in their last 53 home games.  In addition, Arizona is 0-3-2 ATS in their last 5 meetings overall and 0-2-2 ATS in their last 4 meetings in Minnesota.

Rating: 2 Units

Buffalo is only 3-12 SU and 2-12-1 ATS in the preseason against NFC North foes. Buffalo has lost six of the past seven preseasons. The Lions bring a 14-2 SU and 15-1 ATS record into this exhibition season against AFC East opponents (9-1 SUATS in this series) – including 10-0 ATS at home.  Buffalo is 1-9 SUATS in its final preseason road game the last ten years.

Rating: 2 Units

Oakland is 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games on fieldturf.

Rating: 3 Units

Atlanta is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games, 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games on grass, and 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.  The road team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.

Rating: 4 Unit NFLX Game of the Week

San Francisco is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games.  The home team is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

Rating: 2 Units

Minnesota is 35-15-1 ATS in their last 51 games on field turf and 36-16-1 ATS in their last 53 home games. In addition, the favorite is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings while the home team is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.

Rating: 2 Units

Dallas is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 Saturday games while the Rams are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NFC and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Rating: 2 Units

Browns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.

Rating: 3 Units

Carolina is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.

Rating: 3 Unit NFLX Play of the Week

Green Bay is  2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 road games and 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games on field turf. While Baltimore is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.  In addition, the favorite is 4-0 in their last four meetings.

Rating: 2 Units

New York is 21-13-2 ATS in game Two of the preseason while the Falcons HC, Quinn, is 1-11 SU and 0-12 ATS last twelve preseason games.  In addition, Atlanta is 0-7 ATS on Thursday in the preseason.

Rating: 2 Units

Oakland will have excitement tonight surrounding Antonio Brown’s debut with the Black-and-Silver – along with a boost from the fact that the Raiders are in a unique scheduling situation today (lost twice to the Rams in both regular and preseason skirmishes last year) – and we have ourselves another bummed out Super Bowl loser hitting the highway in a sketchy role. Th clincher: the Rams are 1-9 SUATS in their last 10 NFLX away games.

Rating: 2 Units

Minnesota HD, Mike Zimmer, plays to win these meaningless preseason games going a money making 14-7 ATS while New Orleans HD, Sean Payton is just the opposite going a money burning 5-12 ATS his L17.  No brainer here.  Take the Vikings.

Rating: 2 Units

Defending Super Bowl winners in the preseason, in their first road outing of the campaign are only 7-20 SU and 8-17-2 ATS since 1991. In addition, Bill Belichick, is 0-4 SUATS as a favorite in his NFL preseason career in initial road games. Meanwhile, the Lions are 14-2 SU and 15-1 ATS in preseason games when playing AFC East opposition. The Pats’ are also 0-5 ATS against NFC North foes in exhibition play, while Detroit is 5-1 SUATS  in preseason openers the past six years

Rating: 2 Units

Cleveland is 23-17 as an underdog their L40 preseason contest including a stellar 8-1 their L9 as a home underdog.

Rating: 2 Units

The Texans are 7-2 SUATS preseason away off home  game while the Rams are 2-10 ATS preseason versus AFC South; and 2-8 preseason  home off home.

Rating: 2 Units

In this series  the visitor is 6-0-1.  Kansas City is also 4-1 SUATS away  on Saturdays.  Chicago is 0-7 at home vs the AFC West.

Rating: 2 Units

Teams are a solid 56-30-2 ATS (9-2 SUATS last three seasons) when taking to the road off a pair of home victories in the preseason since 1983. Better yet, send them away off a double-digit win and they become a 30-10-1 ATS winning proposition. Let them come in as dogs and they stellar 20-5-1 ATS!

Rating: 2 Units

Teams are a solid 56-30-2 ATS (9-2 SUATS last three seasons) when taking to the road off a pair of home victories in the preseason since 1983. Better yet, send them away off a double-digit win and they become a 30-10-1 ATS winning proposition. Let them come in as dogs and they stellar 20-5-1 ATS!

Rating: 2 Units

The Browns are just 2-6 SUATS in Game Three dress rehearsals. With defending Super Bowl champs 10-2 SU and 8-4 ATS. ‘Hard Knocks’ teams are 3-9 SU and 2-10 ATS in Week Three of the preseason, including 1-7 SU and 0-8 ATS against opponents that won at least one preseason game the previous year.

Rating: 2 Units

Baltimore's John Harbaugh has a terrific preseason track record, so I'm willing to back the Ravens for a couple of units. The proof, John Harbaugh is 30-12 in preseason games, and 7-3 in Preseason Week 2 games.

Rating: 2 Units

Pete Carroll has been know to put many an NFLX opponents into submission this time of the year. Not only does he bring the league’s best preseason record into this battle, he’s also 7-1 SUATS the last eight games games against San Diego in these practice contests. We’ll take advantage of the two extra days to prepare – and the generous spread based on Seattle’s rumored demise – right to the bank again once again tonight.

Rating: 3 Units

Hue Jackson has won his previous five preseason games after saying that he valued them more than he initially believed. He has the quarterback to win this contest (Baker Mayfield), while the Bills' Sean McDermott hasn't shown much of an interest in winning exhibition contests. Bill coach Sean McDermott is 1-4 in preseason games and 0-1 in Preseason Week 2 games.

Rating: 2 Units

The Giants are 1-3-1 ATS vs the NFC North. While the Lions are 6-1 on Friday and 10-1 SU and 9-2 ATS at home off and away game

Rating: 4 Unit NFLX Play of the Week

The Pats own a 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS mark in this preseason series. In addition, Belichick is 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS at home during the preseason when coming off a home game. In addition defending Super Bowl champions are 7-19 SU and 8-16-2 ATS in their first preseason road game since 1991, including 0-6 SUATS when facing an opponent playing in its second preseason home game.

Rating: 2 Units

The Broncos are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 Saturday games. While the Underdog is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings between these two teams.

Rating: 2 Units

  Dallas was favored in each of its preseason games last season, while the Niners stand 1-4 SUATS in home openers the past five NFLX seasons. It also goes hand in hand with Frisco’s icy 1-4 SUATS mark in preseason openers the last five years. What’s more important, though, is the fact that NFL teams that failed to make the playoffs the previous season despite finishing the year 6-2 or better are a dismal 2-14 ATS as favorites in preseason openers.

Rating: 2 Units

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll continues to lay the groundwork for success by making the preseason his top priority. He’s learned that winning starts here and it’s evident given his 34-14-1 ATS career mark in NFLX games with Seattle. In addition, Carroll has also hosted teams currently residing in the AFC South on eight different occasions during his NFL career, winning all eight games by an average win margin of more than 13 PPG. If you're still not convinced consider that Carroll is 20-5 ATS against AFC opponents during the preseason.

Rating: 2 Units

No team had a more glaring weakness in one unit than the Vikings did at offensive line last season. Free agent OTs Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers are huge upgrades. QB Sam Bradford is an accurate-but-conservative passer, and while his WR group is weak, maybe improved blocking will allow him to make more big plays. Rookie RB Dalvin Cook is a special talent who should be the focal point of the offense before long. DEs Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen and Brian Robison combined for 28 sacks last season on the league's 3rd ranked defense, while DTs Linval Joseph and Shariff Floyd are space-eaters in the run game. In the secondary, S Harrison Smith and CB Xavier Rhodes are among the top performers at their positions, the latter allowing a league-best 42% completion percentage and 39.2 QB Rating on passes thrown his way last year.

Rating: 2 Units

Head coach Jay Gruden gets the most out of his offense, leaving the franchise to wonder if QB Kirk Cousins is the long-term starter or just a guy who benefits from fantastic play-designs. Jordan Reed is the best TE in the NFC and a matchup nightmare, and the rebuilt WR group of Terrelle Pryor, Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson is promising. RBs Rob Kelley and rookie Samaje Perine will battle for touches in Washington's effective run game. After two-straight seasons as a bottom-five defense, new coordinator Greg Manusky is installing an aggressive, physical scheme. OLB Ryan Kerrigan is the top pass-rusher, but his counterpart Trent Murphy will miss four games with a PED suspension. The defensive line may consist entirely of new starters, including first-round draft pick DE Jonathan Allen, and the secondary needs to improve after adding former Cardinals S D.J. Swearinger.

Rating: 2 Units

Chicago's offense will center around RB Jordan Howard, who ran for 961 yards in his last nine games as a rookie. But opponents will stack the box against one of the league's weakest passing games. QB Mike Glennon was brought in to keep the seat warm for No. 2 overall draft pick Mitchell Trubisky, and after losing WR Alshon Jeffery in free agency, Chicago is hoping 2015 first-round draft pick WR Kevin White is finally ready to contribute. Coordinator Vic Fangio has the pieces in place to make Chicago's defense a strength. Veteran LBs Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman anchor a solid front seven that has depth and talent on the edge. 2016 first-round pick Leonard Floyd showed flashes of pass-rushing dominance as a rookie, and free agent signing CB Prince Amukamara reinforces a secondary that was inconsistent and riddled by injuries last season.

Rating: 2 Units

NFL teams that have just enjoyed winning back-to-back home games (Cleveland) during the preseason are a solid 60-33-2 ATS (13-5 last two seasons) when taking to the road in the preseason since 1983. Better yet, have these teams come into this game as dogs and they are a whopping 22-5-1 ATS!

Rating: 2 Units

Baltimore was the league's most pass-heavy team last season, and has indicated they'd like to run more often. The problem is that their options at RB are Terrance West and Buck Allen, with pass-catcher Danny Woodhead bound to see plenty of playing time. West did, however, run well last season, as he rushed for a career-high 774 yards. Off an up-and-down season, QB Joe Flacco needs third-year WR Breshad Perriman and newly-acquired, oft-injured WR Jeremy Maclin to become serious threats. Baltimore's defense boasted the league's second-best third-down conversion rate last season, and made significant upgrades to their secondary with the signings of S Tony Jefferson and CB Brandon Carr, along with first-round draft pick CB Marlon Humphrey. DT Brandon Williams is an elite run-stuffer, LB C.J. Mosley is as good in coverage as any linebacker and edge-rusher Terrell Suggs still has some gas left in the tank.

Rating: 2 Units

It’s dress rehearsal week in the NFL and with it we turn to coaches that have shown a strong desire to make a determined effort to win games while utilizing veteran starters during this week. We need look no further than to Pete Carroll, who tackles the preseason like the regular season year in and year out. Enter the perfect fodder, the Chiefs. Kansas City is 5-14 SU and 7-12 ATS in dress rehearsals since 1998, including 1-6 SUATS the last seven against NFC opponents. KC is also 0-3 SUATS away in the preseason against .500 or greater opponents following an away game. Seattle coach Carroll is 8-3 SUATS during Week Three of the preseason in his NFL career, including 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS as a favorite and 3-0 SUATS at home – with every win by double-digits.

Rating: 2 Units

The genius of head coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady is their ability to change the game plan week-to-week, anticipating their opponents' approach and praying upon their weaknesses. The rich got richer this offseason, as the defending champions added weapons in WR Brandin Cooks, RBs Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead and TE Dwayne Allen. On top of that, TE Rob Gronkowski, arguably the best ever at his position, enters the year fully healthy. Devoid of stars, New England's bend-don't-break defense allowed the fewest points in the NFL last season. They win with scheme as opposed to individual talent. CB Stephon Gilmore joins a solid secondary that rarely gives up big plays, and DE Kony Ealy will inject some life into the pass rush. LB Dont'a Hightower is an old-fashioned bruiser in the middle of the defense, while DT Alan Branch is unmovable against the run.

Rating: 2 Units

Carolina moved away from the power running game that was so effective in 2015, using more three-wide formations and running QB Cam Newton far less often. The offense struggled: Newton regressed as a passer (his 52.9% completion percentage was a career-worst) while receivers rarely created separation. First-round draft pick RB Christian McCaffrey is effective as a power runner and a slot receiver, and second-rounder WR Curtis Samuel is also a moveable chess piece with run-after-catch ability. New coordinator Steve Wilks, a Carolina assistant since 2012, won't be changing a thing about the Panthers' 4-3 scheme. LBs Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and Shaq Thompson are the most athletic and effective linebacking corps in the league, though Davis is bound to slow down at age 34. The defensive line was too inconsistent last year, and the Panthers' inexperienced secondary was asked to cover for too long on too many plays.

Rating: 2 Units

Philly home games have gone 14-6 O/U over the last nine seasons. That’s a strong percentage of 70%. But the Eagles are not just a strong OVER team at home. They’re a strong OVER team PERIOD. In fact, since the 2007 season, the Eagles have gone 29-11-1 O/U in ALL of their preseason games. It doesn’t matter whether they’re at home (14-6 O/U) OR on the road (15-5-1 O/U).

Rating: 2 Units

The running game for the Giants is an afterthought, with a middling offensive line working in front of 2016 fifth-rounder RB Paul Perkins. Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's D held opponents to 15 points per game in the second half of last season. S Landon Collins is a playmaker whose coverage deficiencies are masked by the excellent CB combo of Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. DT Damon "Snacks" Harrison is a run-stuffer while DE Olivier Vernon sets the edge on running plays as well as anyone, though he and DE Jason Pierre-Paul have little help on the pass-rush.  Cleveland's defense has been stockpiling young talent. No. 1 overall draft pick Myles Garrett joins edge-rushers Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib, who both showed promise as rookies last year. The Browns locked up productive LBs Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey long-term, CB Joe Haden is still one of the league's better coverage men and hybrid rookie Jabrill Peppers is likely to play all over the formation.

Rating: 2 Units

Rating: 2 units

Rating: 2 Units

Houston head coach Bill O’Brien, a former New England assistant, and his Texans will remember the 34-16 playoff pounding they incurred against the Patriots last season. In addition, these same two squads will meet in Week Three in Foxborough during the 2017 regular season. With that, you can rest assured Bill Belichick will not show much in this contest, offering O’Brien zilch.  Preseason home teams that won 4 or more preseason games last season are 12-0 SU and 11-1 ATS the last five years.

Rating: 2 Units

I realize that the Chiefs have knocked the Bengals off five straight times in these not-ready-for-prime time games. And yes, Andy Reid is a road warrior, albeit just 13-23 SU away during the preseason. The Bengals counter, though, with a sparkling 8-3 SUATS record at home in preseason games against AFC opposition. It ties in with Marvin Lewis’ stellar 17-11 SU and 16-12 ATS mark as a host in preseason contests. It compares favorably to the Chiefs’ 1-12-1 SU and 0-14 ATS log in Game Two during the preseason.

Rating: 2 Units

New head coach Anthony Lynn implemented a creative and effective running game in Buffalo, and now has RB Melvin Gordon at his disposal. A subpar O-line was reinforced by rookies Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney and free agent OT Russell Okung. QB Philip Rivers is the maestro of the offense, and the healthy return of No. 1 WR Keenan Allen will benefit him greatly. The TE duo of Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates gives Rivers plenty of options. DE Joey Bosa played like a superstar as a rookie last season, and is a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Edge-rusher Melvin Ingram is also a potent blitzer, and the young LB tandem of Jatavis Brown and Denzel Perryman is promising. CBs Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett have a chance to be among the NFL's best cornerback duos if Verrett gets back to full speed after tearing his ACL last October.

Rating: 2 Units

Andrew Luck has the tools to be an MVP, but still holds on to the ball too long and doesn't have a great supporting cast. WR T.Y. Hilton has become a more complete player and is a lethal deep threat, while WRs Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett have work to do. 34-year-old RB Frank Gore is almost running on empty, but Indy is devoid of better options in the backfield. The young offensive line needs to take a step forward this year. Matthew Stafford was playing at an MVP level before injuring his throwing hand in Week 14, leading Detroit to a record eight comeback victories.

Rating: 2 Units

Three years removed from his last productive season, RB Marshawn Lynch is an enigma, though he'll be running behind a stellar O-line. Defensive Player of the Year DE Khalil Mack is not only a lethal pass-rusher, but also an exceptional run-defender. He and OLB Bruce Irvin combined for 18 sacks and 11 forced fumbles last season, but Oakland got very little production from the rest of the front seven. The young secondary was problematic last season, though 2016 first-rounder S Karl Joseph showed promise and first-round draft pick CB Gareon Conley should contribute right away.  This could end up being QB Carson Palmer's final chance to reach his first Super Bowl, as he'll be 38 by the time the season ends. The focal point of the offense will again be RB David Johnson, who led the NFL with 20 touchdowns and 2,118 yards from scrimmage in 2016. WR Larry Fitzgerald led the NFL in receptions as a 33-year-old last season, but he's now far more of a possession receiver than the big-play threat he was earlier in his career.

Rating: 2 Units

LA QB Goff has little talent to worth with, however, as WR Robert Woods might be his No. 1 target. RB Todd Gurley was a huge disappointment last season, but should benefit from improved O-line play. New coordinator Wade Phillips, one of the all-time greats in that role, has a talented front seven to work with. All-Pro DL Aaron Donald is an aggressive gameplan-wrecker, and Robert Quinn is as quick as any edge-rusher. LB Alec Ogletree and hybrid DB/LB Mark Barron both cover a ton of ground, but need work on diagnosing and reacting to plays. The secondary is full of question marks beyond CB Trumaine Johnson. The clinchers:  Rams are 0-4-1 ATS Game One of the preseason and 2-7 SUATS vs NFC North

Rating: 2 Units

Head coach Mike Mularkey's smash-mouth running game worked wonders last season, thanks to the excellent blocking of OTs Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin. RBs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry will continue to grind behind a solid, young O-line. QB Marcus Mariota's quick release, accuracy and improving field-reading skills are promising, and Tennessee figures to limit his running after both of his pro seasons ended with leg injuries. Coordinator Dick LeBeau worked his magic in his first year with Tennessee, and the Titans were the 2nd-ranked run defense in 2016. Massive-but-quick DT Jurrell Casey is a playmaker up front, while the OLB combo of Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan combined for 19.5 sacks. The secondary was a major weakness last season, so the Titans drafted CB Adoree' Jackson in the first round after signing CB Logan Ryan and S Johnathan Cyprien. Whether you call it "rebuilding" or "tanking," the Jets are not setup to succeed on offense this year. QB Josh McCown is a placeholder with an injury history, and QBs Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg are far from ready to contribute. The receiving group is a who's-who of players better suited for punt-gunner duties.  Tennessee is 5-1 SUATS Saturdays during the preseason

Rating: 2 Units

The Bucs are 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS in preseason in this series while the Bengals are 3-11 SUATS in the preseason vs the NFC South, including 1-5 SUATS at home.  To finish it off the Bucs are a stellar 11-4 SU and 12-3 ATS in their last 15 preseason away games against AFC opponents.

Rating: 2 Units

Mike Tomlin approached the preseason opening his career 19-6 SU and 14-10-1 ATS the first five seasons. Since then he seems to have lost interest as evident by his 6-15 SU and 4-16-1 ATS mark in NFLX games since 2012,  Compounding the issue is the fact the Steelers beat Big Blue by 10 points during the regular season last year. The Steelers’ 0-6 SU and 0-5-1 ATS log in preseason openers of late cements it.

Rating: 2 Units

Following a 4-0 SUATS preseason, Philadelphia opened the 2016 campaign on a 3-0 SUATS win skein when the bye week arrived. It all went south thereafter when the Eagles dropped 9 of their next 10 games – including a 14-point home loss to the Packers – before closing out with a pair of season-ending wins and covers. Tonight the Eagles take on an opponent they are 3-0 SUATS against in exhibition games, and a foe in Green Bay that is 1-3 SUATS as a home favorite in season openers. In addition, Philadelphia is 4-1 SUATS in preseason road openers the last five years.

Rating:  2 Units

Houston's roster may be just a QB away from title contention. Rookie QB Deshaun Watson will be the starter before long, but is severely lacking experience in a pro-style offense. Stud WR DeAndre Hopkins never built a rapport with Brock Osweiler last season, and second-year WRs Will Fuller and Braxton Miller should have increased roles in 2017. RB Lamar Miller would benefit from a quality passing game to keep defenses honest. The world received further proof of how astoundingly overrated DL J.J. Watt is, as the Texans gave up the fewest yards in the NFL despite Watt having been limited to one solo tackle over three September games before being placed on injured reserve. Their defensive front is stocked with pass-rushing talent, DE Jadeveon Clowney and LB Whitney Mercilus among them, and opponents have not yet found a solution to their blitzing schemes.

Rating: 3 Unit NFLX Play of the Day

Los Angeles is coming off winning back-to-back home games during this preseason. One might think these teams are primed for a letdown. However, one of my favorite football analysts, Lee Corso, would say, “Not so fast, my friend!” That’s because teams in this role are a solid 50-28-2 ATS (3-0 last season) when taking to the road off a pair of home victories in the preseason since 1983.   If these same teams go as dogs and they respond huge, going 20-5-1 ATS.

Rating: 3 Unit NFLX Play of the Day

Green Bay is coming off winning back-to-back home games during this preseason. One might think these teams are primed for a letdown. However, one of my favorite football analysts, Lee Corso, would say, “Not so fast, my friend!” That’s because teams in this role are a solid 50-28-2 ATS (3-0 last season) when taking to the road off a pair of home victories in the preseason since 1983.   If these same teams go as dogs and they respond huge, going 20-5-1 ATS.

Rating: 2 Units

Lots to like in this Week Three matchup, starting with the Bills’ 3-0 SUATS initial road game record the past three preseasons. On the other side of the coin, Washington has struggled in preseason games when favored versus AFC East opponents (6-10 ATS). In addition, a rare third straight home game is likely to result in too much home cookin’ for the Skins. The fact that Buffolo took it on the chin in a 10-point defeat as road favorite during the regular season last year – a loss that denied them a winning season – puts it all in a clearer perspective. And with that, we dare you to be a square tonight.

Rating: 4 Unit NFLX Game of the Week

Bill Belichick to go full bore tonight in his quest to find the lineup he’ll need to open the season without QB Tom Brady. New England brings a 4-0 SUATS mark this year into preseason skirmishes against NFC South competition. And thanks to the schedule maker, Bill Belichick’s team owns a distinct 2-day rest advantage over the Panthers this evening. Given Carolina’s struggles in this series (1-6 SU and 0-6-1 ATS in preseason contests), and Bilichick's 5-0 SUATS log on Fridays in exhibition games the last four years, I cement my contentions with THE CLINCHER: Carolina is 0-8 ATS in preseason home openers versus AFC opponents.

Rating: 2 Units

I am working a pretty simple angle on this one, specifically back any team looking to avenge both a regular season and a preseason loss to today’s preseason opponent. This Texan team that leveled the Saints on both such occasions last season. A 14-point loss in New Orleans paved the way to a winless preseason last year, while an 18-point hammer-job in Houston denied the Crescent City boys a winning season in 2015. The Saints’ 6-1 ATS all-time record in their last seven away preseason games at AFC South sites fits tonight's game next to the host team’s 2-5 SUATS mark in this series.

Rating: 2 Units

Manning will likely see his first action of the pre-season against what is normally an overaggressive Ryan defense in August. Protecting the franchise QB against over-aggressive rough-and-tumble opposing defense on the road is why the Colts sat Andrew Luck at Buffalo in Week 1. Very, very predictably, the Giants’ first-string defense put a strong pass rush on Miami’s first-string offense last week. But Miami has straight, drop-back quarterbacks. The Bills’ Tyrod Taylor and E.J. Manuel can move around and mess up that pass rush. The Bills used a pass-heavy, 28-42 Run-Pass split in the pre-season opener, something they wouldn’t do in a regular season game unless they trailed by two scores. Meanwhile, the Giants’ back-up offensive line was lousy in pass protection vs. the Dolphins and figures to be worse here against a 3-4 front that will blitz from anywhere

Rating: 4 Unit NFLX Game of the Week

Pete Carroll has been been nothing special in home openers against NFC opposition, where they are 1-3 SUATS in his career. Worse, Carroll remains winless in preseason contests against Minnesota (0-3 SUATS). Another clincher, though, is the Vikings’ DOUBLE REVENGE aspect they take into this affair as Seattle not only handed them their worst loss of the season last year in a 38-7 win at Minnesota the first week in December but also ended their campaign with a 10-9 win in the Twin Cities in the opening round of the playoffs as well. With revenge the Vikes enter with a sterling 8-2 SU and 7-2-1 ATS mark in Game Two’s of the preseason. The Vikings are also 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS in preseason play under head coach Mike Zimmer, including a pristine 3-0 SUATS with revenge.

Rating: 2 Units

The Houston Texans are opening this season as the defending AFC South champions, but they will also be looking to make amends for a Wild Card Game horror show that they would sooner forget. They were shelled by the Kansas City Chiefs in that one, and much of the blame was pointed in the direction of the QB position, which has been a problem for the Texans for a few years now. That may explain why they spent a small fortune in acquiring Brock Osweiler from the Denver Broncos. We are going to have to wait a little longer to see what sort of impact he can make, but top to bottom, this looks like a very good team. It's almost impossible to pick out mismatches in preseason, but this seems to strike me as one. The Texans have only played in San Francisco twice in their team history, and ended up losing both times. Those were games against very different 49ers teams. I think Houston easily covers as a 3-point dog.

Rating: 2 Units

The distinction of being the absolute worst head coach to have bet on in NFL pre-season action – among head coaches currently employed as such -- belongs to Jason Garrett of the Cowboys. Under his leadership, Dallas is 6-14 ATS in pre-season action. With #1 QB Tony Romo coming off an injury season with surgery, and back-up QB Kellen Moore having gone down with a season-ending ankle injury already, Dallas’ negative trend in these August games would seem to have a fine chance to continue

Rating: 2 Units

Seatle coach, Pete Carroll, comes in at 27-13-1 ATS in his NFL career during the preseason. In addition, Carroll is 12-6 SU and 14-4 ATS versus AFC West division teams. On the flip side, Carroll’s counterpart, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid, is a slow starter going 4-10-3 ATS in preseason openers.  THE CLINCHER: Seattle is 22-4 ATS in preseason games versus AFC West opponents.

Rating: 2 Units

Miami struggled on both sides of the ball last year ranking 26th in total offense and 25th in total defense. Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill returns for his fifth season with the team. He has been a reliable quarterback starting in all games in his four seasons in the NFL. The Dolphins have an experience backup in Matt Moore entering his ninth season. He has been with the Dolphins since the 2011 campaign. In Moore’s NFL career he has started a total of 24 games. He has thrown just 30 passes the past four years with Miami. Zac Dysert a MAC conference product out of Miami Ohio has spent four years in the NFL as a backup and has never played a regular season game. Brandon Doughty is a rookie out of Western Kentucky who could see some playing time. This will be the first game for head coach Ben McAdoo who was the team’s offensive coordinator the past few seasons. He inherits the 32nd and last rated defense in the NFL last season. Eli Manning returns under center for the Giants and will see a series or two. Ryan Nassib is the backup who enters his fourth year with the team. Logan Thomas is in camp for New York. Thomas has spent three years in the NFL as a backup. Expect the Giants to come out with more intensity in an effort to impress their new coach.

Rating: 2 Units

Last year the Broncos wer 3-1 in the pre-season (but with the motivation of opening with Seattle, who’d beaten them a few times in a row, including the Super Bowl, then the team that fired Kubiak, Houston, for a 2-0 SU and ATS start). They also had two quarterbacks who’d been with the team for a few years. Now they have two new guys at the #1 and #2 spots – one of them a rookie -- learning Kubiak’s offensive system as well as getting familiar with their new teammates. Teams head-coached by Mr. Fox, now of Chicago – including this Denver franchise, of course – are 10-4 SU in Week 1 pre-season action, including a year ago, when the Bears came out in their first game under Fox’s direction and waxed Miami 27-10 at Soldier Field, scoring 24 of their 27 points in the second half with Jimmy Clausen quarterbacking. The Bears’ defense got 3 INTs against Miami’s back-up quarterbacks.

Rating: 2 Units

Baltimore rookies reported a week earlier than the Carolina rookies, and coach John Harbaugh has led his Ravens to victory in seven of his eight Week 1 pre-season games. The Ravens are off a disappointing season; the Panthers are off a Super Bowl appearance, after which, in May, they signed head coach Ron Rivera and all his assistants to contract extensions. No real urgency for Carolina to perform for the scoreboard here. The Panthers’ highly publicized cornerback openings will be fought for by rookies. If the Ravens need to work on anything, it’s their passing game after all of last season’s injury interruptions and uncertainty in the transition to then-first season offensive coordinator Marc Trestman.

Rating: 2 Units

Niners rookie coach Jim Tomsula will be anxious to see exactly what he has in this dress rehearsal while Denver figures to keep a creaky Peyton Manning under wraps as much as possible this late in the preseason. San Francisco is 5-0 SUATS in final preseason away games while Denver is a lousy 1-5 ATS in preseason home openers off a pair of road games.  Denver is also 1-8 ATS in preseason Game Three’s. In addition, the underdog is 5-2 SU and 7-0 ATS the last seven preseason games in this series.

Rating: 2 Units

Eagles Chip Kelly’s August machine has rolled to 36-10 and 40-17 victories over Indianapolis and Baltimore. Those were home, this is their first road game, and the Packers are playing their 2015 home opener off a loss. But Philly’s most embarrassing defeat in the 2014 regular season was a 53-20 loss on this field, so this could be one exhibition spot where, revenge, could actually be in play. Plus Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Pro Bowl receiver, got hurt in last week’s loss at Pittsburgh.

Rating: 2 Units

Vikings’ head coach Mike Zimmer is the new “Mr. August,” unbeaten in pre-season action since taking over as Vikings’ head coach last season. Dallas backers in the team’s first home game of 2015 would be going against the Vikings’ 7-0 SU, 6-1 ATS record under Zimmer. The Vikings’ defense has allowed a mere 0 second-half points vs. Pittsburgh, 7 second-half points vs. Tampa Bay, 3 second-half points vs. Oakland.

Rating: 2 Units

Tonight, it’ll be Brady against what figures to be the Panthers’ best defensive personnel for 2.5 quarters, so it’s kind of a wash. But a Brady-led offense vs. a Cam Newton-led offense is an edge for the visitors, and New England has better overall depth. Panthers’ Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil limped off the field during last week’s fake home win.

Rating: 2 Units

The Steelers are now 2-11-1 A TS in their last 14 pre-season games under head coach Mike Tomlin. Before that, they’d had one of the best August records. Given that Jones has played so many offensive snaps at quarterback in the first two games, anyone else who might see more action in this game for Pittsburgh will basically be getting his first serious reps of the season. Ben Roethlisberger threw only 3 passes against Jacksonville last Friday night. The Steelers’ defense, transitioning to Cover-2 this season, has been fortunate to have opened against a pair of second-season quarterbacks in struggling offenses: Minnesota’s Teddy Bridgewater, and Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles.

Rating: 2 Units

The Patriots’ QB situation isn’t very good as far as winning an August NFL game is concerned. Extended time with Jimmy Garoppolo under center is not a good thing. He’s playing with different personnel packages, which a quarterback at any level is rarely asked to do in a game. The Packers should have scored a lot more than 22 points vs. the Patriots last Thursday night. They were only 1-for-4 in the red zone, most opportunities from inside the 5, and they never put in a goal line offense in those situations.  Without Drew Brees taking a snap, the Saints’ offense scored 27 points on the road at Baltimore in their first action of the season. Does their offensive system get good numbers? Sure does. Three quarterbacks not named Brees combined to complete 25 of 39 passes (that’s 64.1%) and were sacked only once. Back-ups Ryan Griffin and Luke McCown each threw a touchdown pass vs. Baltimore.

Rating: 2 Units

John Fox is very effective during Week 1 in pre-season games, his Week 2 record as a head coach, however, is his worst: 5-8 SU. Although the Bears scored 24 second-half points in their home-opening win vs. Miami, neither Jay Cutler nor Jimmy Clausen, the only two QBs used, threw a touchdown pass. The Chicago defense, a huge question mark, had the pleasure of playing against two non-NFL quarterbacks, Josh “Has Been” Freeman who was a horrible 5-for-16, and MacLeod Bethel-Thompson, who was also sub-50% in a pre-season of vanilla defenses. Ryan Tannehill marched Miami down the field and into the end zone vs. the Bears’ first-team defense, and Andrew Luck should do the same thing.

Rating: 2 Units

Baltimore coach Harbaugh comes into this one with a very good 9-4 ATS career mark as a preseason underdog, including 8 wins in straight-up and has a 5-1 ATS record in road openers. Philly comes into thie ons off a Sunday home contest with Andrew Luck and the Colts, while owning a horrible 2-4 SUATS mark in the second of back-to-back homers. The biggest edge in today’s contest, though, comes due to the schdule as the Ravens opened the season last  Thursday, giving them a 3-day rest advantage.  In addition,  whatever John Harbaugh does in between August games, and during August games, has resulted in the Ravens winning 20 of them and losing only 9 under his watch.