Monday's Picks and Predictions

ALL PICKS, INCLUDING MY PLAY OF THE DAY WILL BE POSTED HERE THROUGHOUT THE DAY!

MLB
BALTIMORE +100
BALTIMORE UNDER 10.5
NY-METS UNDER 9
MILWAUKEE -115
TEXAS -135
LA-DODGERS +140

NFLx

NY-GIANTS VS. CAROLINA

Obviously I am excited to get the season kicked off as a Giants fan. However, as we all know this isn’t the real season so I don’t expect much from my boys tonight. The G-Men will stick to the traditional preseason format and starters will see limited action as a result. The loss of Burress is significant and filling his shoes will not be easy. Nicks and Smith are nursing leg injuries so don’t expect much out of them tonight. The backup receivers are young and inexperienced which typically results in timing issues and missed assignments. Meanwhile, the Panthers are also expected to stick to the same preseason format. However, I expect for this team to be more motivated as a result of their performance and how they were embarrassed by the Cardinals in the playoffs last year. I also expect for the defense to be extra motivated for new coordinator Ron Meeks. The Panthers are a perfect 6-0 in their L6 preseason openers including 2-0 on the road. Carolina is also an impressive 15-4 L19 against the NFC including 10-2 as a dog. Meanwhile the G-Men are just 2-4 in their L6 preseason openers. It is also worth noting that the OVER 8-0 L8 for Carolina when playing an NFC opponent.

PREDICTION: CAROLINA 27 GIANTS 17

(CAROLINA +3 AND OVER 32)

MIAMI VS. JACKSONVILLE

The Dolphins come in off one of the biggest turn around stories the league has ever seen going from 1-15 to 12-5. Was it just a fluke or is this a team that is now a true contender? It is too early to speculate but I will certainly be watching closely. The team did a great job of keeping this unit in tact during the offseason while making some key additions, especially to the secondary. Meanwhile, the Jags enter this season off a dismal year. Without a doubt they had to be one of the biggest letdowns of last year. The team, however, made some key changes in the offseason, especially on the offensive line. The Jags are hoping their new acquisitions will be enough to protect QB Gerrard, something they did a poor job of last year. Defensively, they did little in the offseason suggesting they are confident they have the right talent pool. This unit has to stay healthy, something they couldn’t do last year. Del Rio is a coach that takes preseason seriously and has a 17-7 mark to prove it. As a result of acquiring new linemen, and given the protection issues from last season, I expect for Del Rio to give many of his starters extended playing time to build chemistry, thus breaking the traditional format for preseason. Del Rio will want to make a statement early and to try and put the horror story of last season quickly behind him and his team. The Dolphins are just 2-4 in their L6 preseason openers, all at home. The dog is 5-1 ATS L6 in this series and Del Rio is an impressive 8-1 ATS in his L9 as a dog. I had this one circled immediately and nothing has caused me to change my mind.

PREDICTION: JACKSONVILLE 23 MIAMI 13

(JACKSONVILLE +3 ***PLAY OF THE DAY***)