Monday Games

This is the post I was avoiding having to write all weekend.  The one where I finally admit that the Giants offensive woes in the preseason truly will translate to a lack of success thought this 2014 NFL season. Then the Dolphins went out and shocked the Patriots, giving me at least, a glimmer of hope that the Giants may not be as bad as I think them to be.

Let's get to Monday night's games:

NYG @ DET (-5.5)

Detroit enters the season with a new head coach - Jim Caldwell.  Caldwell inherits a team with some sizable talent on offense (QB Matt Stafford, perhaps the league's best WR, Calvin Johnson as well as a nice RB duo of Reggie Bush and Joique Bell) and potential on defense. They also went out and drafter highly touted TE, Eric Ebron, who should help take the pressure off both Johnson and Stafford. I expect this year to be much like the previous ones - the Lions should score a lot and give up a lot of points. Due to Stafford's tendency for turnovers and their defense's lack of discipline, they can't be trusted in close games.

Tom Coughlin will age 10 years during this NFL season. Everyone will be discussing whether QB Eli Manning can grasp the new offensive scheme, something which thus far, looks to have escaped him. Even if he does, the Giants are really lacking offensive weapons. RB Rashard Jennings is solid, but I'm not sold on him being and every play, all-purpose back. Rookie RB Andrew Williams should spell Jennings a bit, but may not be enough coming out of the backfield. Everyone knows that WR Victor Cruz is the Giants #1, 2 & 3, option, leaving WR Rueben Randle with all the potential for a fine season - assuming the much maligned offensive line gives Manning enough time to throw. Manning has always been better with a solid receiving TE, but the Giants have lacked such an option for several years now. The defense (improved on paper due to some splashy off season signings), may have to work double time just to offset the lack of scoring that should come out of this anemic offense. 

It pains me to say, but until the Giants prove they can score, I can't trust them to cover, particularly on the road.

Spread: DET

Straight Up: DET

Score: 24-10

SD @ ARI (-3)

Much of Arizona's success this season will be determined by their running game. RB Andre Ellington has the potential for a 1,000+ yards - but he might not play tonight. Any absence there should cause QB Carson Palmer to rely heavily on WR's Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd. Fitzgerald, who is beyond his best years is still a viable threat with stick 'em for hands and Floyd has the potential to be very good. On defense, the Cardinals should be good, particularly with a strong secondary, which looks to be one of the top in the league. It remains to be seen, however, if all the pieces can come together to equal wins.

San Diego has a team that could easily win or lose 10 games.  I think everything depends on the number of team turnovers, especially in the hands of QB Phillip Rivers. Rivers has some decent weapons on offense including, RB's Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead, WR's Keenan Allen and Vincent Brown as well as TE Antonio Gates, who despite injuries and age, can still go up for the "jump ball" when necessary. On defense, much like the Cardinals, there are lots of questions, which can only be answered in-game. 

Tonight, I like San Diego to steal the home opener from the Cardinals.

Spread: SD

Straight Up: SD

Score: 27-24