2009 Hall of Fame Game: Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans

Just when handicappers were getting used to life without football, NFL gambling makes its return with Sunday night’s Hall of Fame Game between the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans in Canton, Ohio. While most fans see the beginning of the NFL preseason as a necessary warmup to the real thing in September, sharps know there’s plenty of value to be had in the lead-up to the regular season.

The Bills went 7-9 (7-9 ATS) for the third straight season last year, so the pressure is on head coach Dick Jauron to at least get the team to within a whiff of the playoffs. Mercurial wide receiver Terrell Owens was brought in to bolster an offense that ranked 25th (305.1 yards per game) in the league last season, and he’ll combine with Lee Evans to give quarterback Trent Edwards two excellent targets.

Chemistry will be key for the trio, with Evans accustomed to being the top gun in Buffalo. Because of that, expect Edwards to stay on the field well into the second quarter before giving way to backup Ryan Fitzpatrick. If the Bills are going anywhere this season, Edwards needs to establish a rapport with Owens right away. It’s especially imperative with starting running back Marshawn Lynch suspended until Week 4 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

The Titans are listed as 3-point favorites for Sunday night’s preseason opener, with the total set at 31.5 points. Public online bettors are likely siding with Tennessee because of their depth at quarterback and running back, which allows Jeff Fisher to keep top-flight players on the field later into the game.

Kerry Collins is the No. 1 QB after leading the Titans to a 13-3 (12-4 ATS) record last season, but former starter Vince Young has a lot of prove after losing the top job at the beginning of 2008. Both Collins and Young have a new-look receiving corps at their disposal, with Nate Washington and first round draft choice Kenny Britt now alongside veteran Justin Gage.

Chris Johnson and LenDale White will share the carries in the first half, although Fisher is likely to get a longer look at the latter. Reports out of Tennessee camp say White has lost up to 30 pounds in the offseason, literally shedding the rap he was out of shape for much of last season. The only concern with White’s weight loss is if he’ll have the size and strength to remain a viable short yardage option in the Titans’ power running game.