NFL Preseason Week One

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Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

The 2023 NFL preseason is underway:

Both the Broncos and the Cardinals are under new leadership this season, bringing fresh perspectives to the sidelines. Although Sean Payton has previously taken a cautious approach with his seasoned players during the preseason, he's declared that the starters will grace the field on Friday. The extent of their involvement, however, remains uncertain. It's plausible that we'll see them for just a single possession, as Denver's primary objective is to reach Week 1 in full health. As for the Cardinals, expectations aren't sky-high for their 2023 performance, making the preseason a golden opportunity for new head coach Jonathan Gannon to establish a rhythm. With a quarterback lineup boasting preseason veterans, Gannon's task is to decipher the strengths within his squad and cultivate trust among the youthful locker room. The odds seem slightly inflated for this particular face-off, prompting me to side with the Cardinals.

The prevailing question prior to this game revolves around how extensively Green Bay intends to deploy QB Jordan Love and their other key players during the opening preseason match. While Green Bay acknowledges the significance of providing Love with in-game experience, it's worth noting that the Packers and Bengals are engaged in joint practices leading up to their Friday night duel. Traditionally, joint practices indicate a limited role for the starters. However, the Packers are endowed with a less-seasoned group and are amidst various positional battles. In contrast, the Bengals boast a more established lineup and are likely to tread cautiously with their starters, especially given Joe Burrow's sidelining. The line has shifted from Green Bay -1.5 to Green Bay -3 in select instances, a change I concur with. Instead of placing faith in Green Bay's fledgling third and fourth-stringers, I'll focus on the first half. It's plausible that Love and certain starters will participate for a series or two.

Anticipate Desmond Ridder as Atlanta's likely starter in Week 1 of the NFL season, implying that Taylor Heinicke will assume the mantle for this game. Heinicke, a standout backup quarterback, has already showcased his mettle as a starter for Washington. Expect Logan Woodside to claim significant playtime in the latter half, although it remains uncertain if Bijan Robinson will see extensive action. Robinson, a probable starter for Atlanta this season, might be granted a handful of early reps. On the flip side, Miami is poised to initiate proceedings with Mike White, another seasoned NFL contender. Skylar Thompson, also experienced in the NFL arena, is likely to follow suit. Although Thompson's Miami performance wasn't stellar last year, his growth suggests improvement. Keep an eye out for the dynamic running back De’Von Achane, set to inject excitement into the game, complemented by Miami's experienced wide receiver corps. My inclination leans towards Miami in this matchup.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sport History: 1929 Babe Ruth becomes first MLB player to hit 500 home runs.

1993 Red Sox Roger Clemens pitches 2,000^th strikeout.

Phil Mickelson reportedly wagered more than$1 billion on sports, including the 2012 Ryder Cup.

Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss FIBA World Cup to recover from minor knee surgery.

The Toronto Blue Jays plan to sign Jose Bautista to a 1-day contract so he can retire with the franchise.

Harry Kane has received approval from Tottenham to complete his proposed transfer to Bayern Munich.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that the club has reached an agreement to sign midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton reportedly worth $90million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward Easton Cowan, their first round 2023 draft pick to a three-year entry level contract.

Phillies 1B/DH Bryce Harper left Thursday’s game with back spasms, will be on day-to-day injury until his return.

Nick Kyrgios pulls out of US Open due to wrist injury, this is his 4^th straight missed Grand Slam.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

⚾️ Yankees at Marlins

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games when playing Miami

• NY Yankees is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Miami

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

⚾️ Indians at Rays

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

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Cleveland

⚾️ Twins at Phillies

• Philadelphia is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games

• Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

⚾️ Athletics at Nationals

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oakland's last 7 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oakland's last 7 games when playing Washington

• Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Oakland

⚾️ Cubs at Blue Jays

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

• Chi Cubs is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games

• The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 9 games at home

• The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 9 games

⚾️ Braves at Mets

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

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

• NY Mets is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta

• NY Mets is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home

⚾️ Angels at Astros

• Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels

⚾️ Brewers at White Sox

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games at home

⚾️ Padres at Diamondbacks

• San Diego is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Arizona

• San Diego is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Arizona

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona's last 5 games at home

• The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Arizona's last 12 games

⚾️ Rockies at Dodgers

• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado's last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers

⚾️ Rangers at Giants

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

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Francisco's last 5 games at home

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

⚾️ MLB

41% of bets and 75% of money is on OVER 9.5 MIN at PHI

24% of bets and 47% of money is on OAK -1.5 (+150)

57% of bets and 73% of money is on UNDER 9 OAK at WSH

48% of bets and 79% of money is on CIN -1.5 (+150)

61% of bets and 85% of money is on OVER 9.5 ATL at NYM

57% of bets and 79% of money is on MIL -1.5 (-105)

36% of bets and 63% of money is on OVER 11 STL at KC

22% of bets and 44% of money is on SEA -1.5 (+145)

27% of bets and 45% of money is on UNDER 7.5 BAL at SEA

🏈 NFL

29% of bets and 55% of money is on GB -4

47% of bets and 68% of money is on OVER 35 GB at CIN

23% of bets and 42% of money is on OVER 40 PIT at TB

54% of bets and 78% of money is on DEN -6

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

BOS (DH) Justin Turner | Out - Heel

CWS (CF) Luis Robert Jr | Day-to-Day - Pinkie sprain

COL (2B) Brendan Rogers | Day-to-Day - Hamstring

HOU (1B) Jose Abreu | Day-to-Day - Back

HOU (CF) Chas McCormick | Day-to-Day - Knee bruise

LAD (DH) JD Martinez | Day-to-Day - Hamstring, hopeful to return tomorrow

NYM (RF) DJ Stewart | Out - Wrist

PHI (DH) Bryce Harper | Out - Back

TOR (C) Danny Jansen | Day-to-Day - Hand

Weekend Picks 🔒

Bengals +4.5 | Bengals fans have a lot to look forward to with this game as both Cincinnati’s new free-agent class and draft class will be looking to impress. look for this game to come down to a field goal finish.

Marlins -1.5 +140 | The Yankees are just 4-7 over their last 11 games with all 7 losses coming by 2 or more runs. Considering how poorly the Yankees have played along with having an inexperienced starter likely on the mound, taking the marlins spread is still a worthy play.

Cardinals +180 | Preseason games aren’t good for trends and you don’t know who will play. The games usually end up being decided by players who don’t usually make NFL final rosters. Gannon did tell reporters this week that one of his goals for the game is to win.

Dolphins +115 | While the Falcons have Robinson making his preseason debut, I’ll take the dolphins at home Friday. Arthur Smith and McDaniel both went 2-1 in the preseason in 2022, though, the depth that Miami now has makes me lean toward the home squad.