Week 1 Key NFL Trends From NFLOne.com

AT FIRST GLANCE…there are games that always look ‘Tasty’ ATS in many publication as a ‘Bullet’ trend only to ‘trap’ upon further review. In 2006, The Director looked for the first time to clear the way for you to understand which team has the real ‘ADVANTAGE’ against the ‘Trend’.

The Director draws even greater clarity by identifying the Key Trends as either ‘First Look’ or ‘King Trends’, and documenting the record the ADVANTAGE plays ATS:

DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE MEDIA HYPE

For those of us who ended on a high note with the NY GIANTS, defensive injuries on both sides of the ball may just sideline fans for the opener in New York. The Giants also enter having traded Jeremy Shockey, who had critical catches in both of the 2007 matchups against the Washington Redskins. It was these very Redskins who in Week 14 shocked the Giants after going 0-3 ATS in their three previous trips to New York. The Giants will be looking to keep their 6-0 run ATS in their last six games (including the playoffs) they have been on since this upset.

For those of us who headed to Jacksonville a year ago to kickoff the season, 'Beware!' A year ago, many of us felt just as confident prior the Jaguars outscoring the Titans by only 3 points. The Jaguars able to only pump out 10 points on their worst rushing performance of the year. In the five years that Del Rio has coached the Jaguars only twice have they have entered Tennessee as a Favorite, and both have ended in losses ATS (It should be kept in mind that in 2007, the injury to Garrard did leave them in Gray's hands).

FIRST LOOK

As I sit here reading about Week 2 in the USA SPORTS WEEKLY, one thing sticks in my head, the possibility that Gruden and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could face off against the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS without Galloway. 5-1 ATS in their last six, 5-0 ATS in their last six matchups in New Orleans, Gruden has proved on thing, that no matter who the quarterback is, he can defeat the the Saints. His defense ranking in the Top 3 in 8 of 11 categories in 2007. That said, under Garcia and McCown, the key factor is Galloway, who averaged 145 receiving yards per game versus the Saints in 2007. Thus, we will all be watching the Official NFLOne.com Injury Report closely.
ADVANTAGE BUCCANEERS

KING TRENDS

Sure it is tempting to be concerned with the MIAMI DOLPHINS allowing only 10.3 points per game while the NY Jets only pumped out 62 rushing yards per game this preseason. Isn't it almost too difficult to resist Favre facing off against the Dolphins, who are 0-8-1 ATS in their last nine matchups with NY. 1-9 ATS in their last ten Home games in their matchups with NY, the Dolphins again rely on Rickey Williams for their power rushing attack. With Taylor's departure (11 sacks in 2007), the Jets Favre should be able to finally light up the skies along side a rushing attack that averaged 150 rushing yards per game versus the Dolphins in 2007. While the Dolphins are known to come out strong on opening day, their 0-5-2 record ATS most recently in September, and 2-12 run ATS as a dog of 4 or less points, Parcells will have to call the Jets 'King' in this one.
ADVANTAGE NY JETS

It was only last year that Matt Leinart, who could only end up with 2 touchdowns in 5 games played, would take down the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS. Escaping with a win, one thing is for sure, in this series, through both Green, and now Whisenhunt, the Away team, who is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 matchups, is King. Ranked last in almost every offensive category, and injuries to Battle and Lelie (who has now been cut), this preseason, the 37 year old Warner should be able to keep the run alive; Warner pumping out 484 passing yards in their loss in San Francisco in 2007.
ADVANTAGE CARDINALS

There are three words to kickoff the 2008 season, 'Ocho, Cinco, and ten'. 10 points, the average points per game the Bengals managed this preseason. 'Word to the wise'. Like the Jets over the Dolphins, one thing is true in the 'best of times' and the 'worst of times', the Cincinnati Bengals, who launched my 11-5-1 record ATS on Monday Night in 2007, have the BALTIMORE RAVENS' number. Having averaged only 63 rushing yards per game, the Bengals still went 2-0 ATS versus the Ravens in 2007, and increased to 6-1 ATS in their last seven matchups. With a rookie coach, and a potential rookie to rookie in Flacco to Rice, Marvin Lewis will be hoping that Reed is indeed sidelined for game 1, and will work to get ahead> Once ahead, the Bengals will look to continue to force the 6 offensive turnovers per game that were all but a golden ticket for the Bengals to be 'King' in this matchup in 2007.
ADVANTAGE BENGALS


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