Monday Night Football | Week 1

Good morning,

Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

Two of the top contenders for the AFC East championship are set to face off on Monday Night Football when the Buffalo Bills take on the New York Jets. This game also marks the New York debut of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who spent the first 18 years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. The Bills are coming off a successful 13-3 season, securing their third consecutive AFC East title. Meanwhile, the Jets, despite a promising start, finished with a 7-10 record. Rodgers will be joined in the Big Apple by former teammates Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.

Although the offense will primarily run through Allen this season, it's expected that he'll run for fewer yards than his 752-yard total in 2022. Allen now has a healthier backfield with three quality running backs who can share the rushing duties. James Cook is slated to start, supported by Damien Harris and Latavius Murray, both of whom have prior starting experience for other teams. With this depth in the backfield, the Bills, who finished 8th in rushing offense last season, could see even greater success on the ground this year. Their passing game, which ranked fifth in the NFL last year, remains potent, led by the formidable duo of Stephon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Diggs, who led the NFL in targets last season, is expected to maintain his dominance. The addition of Dalton Kincaid, paired with Dawson Knox, improves the tight end position, and provides Allen with another pass-catching threat. The Bills boast a solid offensive line, further strengthened by Allen's mobility.

On the defensive side, the Bills ranked seventh in total defense last season, under the guidance of longtime coordinator Leslie Frazier. However, this season, Sean McDermott, a former defensive coordinator himself, will take over the defensive duties, aiming to maintain the team's solid performance. The acquisition of edge rusher Leonard Floyd adds depth to the front four, crucial with Von Miller sidelined for at least the first four games due to injury. Buffalo's stout defensive line contributed to their sixth place ranking against the run in 2022. The secondary is anchored by veteran safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, and if cornerback Tre'Davious White returns to form after recovering from a knee injury, the Bills' pass defense should improve from its 14th-place ranking in 2022.

The New York Jets have not reached the Super Bowl since 1969, but there is renewed hope in the city that this season could change their chances. The Jets in the NFL offseason acquired four-time MVP and former Super Bowl Champion Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has the task of leading the Jets back to their glory years, and he is not alone in this mission. The Jets have also added Dalvin Cook, Allen Lazard, and others to support Rodgers on offense. Head coach Robert Saleh is under pressure to win now with the deepest team he's had in his three years in New York.

Rodgers immediately elevates an offense that struggled in 2022, as the Jets finished with the 25th-ranked offense, ranking 25th in rushing and 15th in passing. The backfield features Breece Hall as the starter, supported by Cook and Michael Carter. Rodgers will have a talented group of wide receivers, led by second-year player Garrett Wilson, who many believe will become an All-Pro with Rodgers throwing him the ball. The Jets also added former Packers receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, along with speedster Mecole Hardman Jr. from the Chiefs. The key concern for the Jets this season will be the ability of their offensive line to protect Rodgers, as the 38-year-old quarterback is not as agile as he once was, and the team's playoff hopes hinge on his health.

In 2022, the Jets' defense was a standout, finishing fourth in the NFL in total defense. Under the leadership of Robert Saleh, who previously served as the 49ers' defensive coordinator on their way to the Super Bowl, the unit made a quick turnaround. The Jets were 17th against the run and an impressive 3rd against the pass. The front seven is led by defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker CJ Mosley, while cornerback Sauce Gardner shines in the secondary, providing the Jets with a shutdown cornerback reminiscent of Darrelle Revis in his prime.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sport History: 1956 Yogi Berra ties career record for homeruns by a catcher (236),

2005 Roger Federer retains US Open title beating Andre Agassi, this was Agassi’s last appearance at a grand slam.

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Giants 40-0 for worst shutout loss in the series between the NFC East Rivals.

Novak Djokovic wins his 24^th Grand Slam at the US Open beating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.

Yankees’ top prospect Jasson Dominguez suffers brutal injury after successful debut.

J.K. Dobbins will miss the rest of the season after tearing his achilles against the Texans.

Michigan State suspends Mel Tucker without pay amid sexual harassment allegations.

The Texas Longhorns move to No. 4 in the latest AP poll after a big win over Alabama.

Atlanta Braves became the first team to clinch a playoff birth, beating Pittsburgh 5-2 on Sunday as Matt Olson went 2-3 with 3 RBIs.

The Los Angeles Angels are willing to trade Mike Trout if the All-Star requests out, earlier this month Trout said he plans to discuss the future path of the organization during the offseason.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

⚾️ Cardinals at Orioles

• The total has gone OVER in 8 of St. Louis's last 10 games when playing Baltimore

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 5 games

⚾️ Nationals at Pirates

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games

• Washington is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games at home

⚾️ Rangers at Blue Jays

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Texas's last 8 games

⚾️ Diamondbacks at Mets

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 5 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Arizona's last 7 games

• NY Mets is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home

• NY Mets is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Arizona

⚾️ Royals at White Sox

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox

• Kansas City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox

• Chi White Sox is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City

• Chi White Sox is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City

⚾️ Marlins at Brewers

• The total has gone OVER in 10 of Milwaukee's last 11 games at home

⚾️ Angles at Mariners

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels's last 6 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle

• Seattle is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing LA Angels

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games

⚾️ Guardians at Giants

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games

• San Francisco is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland

• San Francisco is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland

⚾️ Padres at Dodgers

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games on the road

• LA Dodgers is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing San Diego

• LA Dodgers is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing San Diego

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

🏈 NFL

36% of bets and 50% of money is on UNDER 45.5 BUF at NYJ

⚾️ MLB

54% of bets and 78% of money is on TOR -1.5 (+150)

58% of bets and 76% of money is on BOS -1.5 (+150)

50% of bets and 74% of money is on OVER 9 ARI at NYM

36% of bets and 63% of money is on UNDER 7.5 TB at MIN

25% of bets and 55% of money is on UNDER 7 MIA at MIN

7% of bets and 50% of money is on OAK +235

11% of bets and 30% of money is on OAK +1.5 (+110)

50% of bets and 76% of money is on OVER 11.5 CHC at COL

59% of bets and 89% of money is on SF -1.5 (+150)

58% of bets and 80% of money is on OVER 7.5 CLE at SF

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

ARI (2B) Ketel Marte | Day-to-Day - Knee

ATL (SP) Kyle Wright | 60 Day IL - Shoulder, could be activated to start game 2 today

BAL (SP) John Means | 60 Day IL - Elbow, could be activated to start tomorrow

BOS (SP) James Paxton | 15 Day IL - Could be activated to start tomorrow

BOS (SS) Pablo Reyes | 10 Day IL - Elbow, activated today to start

CWS (3B) Yoan Moncada | Day-to-Day - Knee

CIN (SS) Noelvi Marte | Day-to-Day - Nose

MIL (SP) Corbin Burns | Day-to-Day - Ankle

MIL (CF) Christian Yelich | Day-to-Day - Back

NYM (C) Fransisco Alvarez | Day-to-Day - Hand

NYY (CF) Jasson Dominguez | Out - UCL, will likely miss first half of 2024 season

NYY (SP) Luis Severino | 15 Day IL - Oblique

TOR (DH) Brandon Belt | Day-to-Day - Illness

WSH (SS) CJ Abrams | Day-to-Day - Knee

Picks 🔒

Jets +2 | The Jets come into this matchup high with the acquisition of Rodgers and several other key pieces to an offense that held the team back in 2022. The veteran quarterback will be fresh and ready to go against a Bills team that doesn't possess a dominant pass rush. We expect that Rodgers will have time in the pocket and that will not go well for the Bills' defense.

Jets/Bills Under 45 | There is a lot of hype on this game with two great quarterbacks but people forget that both of these defenses are top in the NFL with both teams finishing 2^nd and 3^rd in points allowed last season. Rodgers is going to manage the line of scrimmage in a way that speeds up the game.

Garrett Wilson Anytime TD +150