August 2012

The rest of the CFL needs to stand and take notice. The Alouettes are gaining traction after a slippery start to the CFL season, winning three straight including a 31-29 victory over Hamilton last week.

Montreal kicker Sean Whyte booted a go-ahead field goal with nine seconds remaining to give the Als some momentum heading into this huge East-vs.-West showdown.

The Lions come into Friday with a ton of steam as well, having won four in a row after knocking off Winnipeg, 20-17, with a last-second field of their own. Paul McCallum split the uprights with just one tick remaining on the clock to edge the Bombers last Friday.

Week 10’s premier contest pits the Als’ potent pass attack of QB Anthony Calvillo and blossoming WR S.J. Green against B.C.’s stingy defense, which is allowing just 227.1 passing yards per game – tops in the CFL.

The last time these two giants collided, the Lions embarrassed the Alouettes 43-1 and limited Calvillo to just 9-for-17 passing and 63 yards, sacking the veteran pivot four times on November 5, 2011. British Columbia is going with a similar game plan Friday, knowing the best way to beat Montreal is to get to the Als’ star passer early and often.

The Lions have dominated this matchup in recent years – at least from a betting standpoint. British Columbia is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 trips to Montreal and boasts a 21-6 ATS mark in their last 27 head-to-head meetings.

The Falcons will be kicking the tires on new backup QB Luke McCown, who was signed after the team released second-stringer Chris Redman. Atlanta also has some tinkering to do on the offensive line heading into the final preseason game.

New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles (-5, 36.5)

The Jets have dominated this Week 4 preseason matchup, going 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS versus the Eagles in the preseason finale since 2001. New York will not play many of its starters and will also give No. 2 QB Tim Tebow the night off.

Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans (-3.5, 38)

Two QBs are out to impress in the last preseason tilt of the summer. Rookie passer Case Keenum is trying to secure a spot as the Texans third stringer and will be battling John Beck for that position Thursday. Vikings veteran Sage Rosenfels is fighting off McLeod Bethel-Thompson for the third-string job in Minny.

Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions (-3.5, 38.5)

Detroit is expected to let its healthy starters play in Week 4, according to head coach Jim Schwartz. “If guys are healthy they’ll play,â€� he told reporters. “We may have some situations where we hold guys out that are just healing up to be at 100 percent, but if guys are 100 percent and they’re healthy they’re going to play.â€� 

Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers (+1, 40.5)

Green Bay’s starters will get a few reps in during the final preseason tune-up. The Packers will give QB Aaron Rodgers a series or two before focusing on position battles. The Chiefs, on the other hand, could give their first teams significant time Thursday after a lackluster preseason.

New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans (-3.5, 40)

The Saints were forced to leave for Tennessee early due to Hurricane Isaac and won’t be focused on football with plenty of family members evacuating New Orleans this week. The Saints are 6-10 SU and ATS in Week 4 of the preseason since 1995.

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, 38.5)

First-overall draft pick Andrew Luck will see action in Week 4 but it hasn’t been decided just how much. The Colts offense needs the reps before the regular season begins but they’re cautious of potential injuries to their key players. 

Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5, 38.5)

Pittsburgh has one of the best records during Week 4 of the preseason since 1995, going 10-6 SU and 11-5 ATS. Carolina will likely give backup QB Jimmy Clausen plenty of snaps as well as veteran Derek Anderson in an effort to sure up its second-string option.

Baltimore Ravens at St. Louis Rams (-4.5, 38.5)

St. Louis has a short week to prepare for the final preseason contests, having played Saturday. New head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters he plans to play his starters more than most teams in Week 4, as far as into the third quarter. Baltimore isn’t expected to return the favor and will likely sit QB Joe Flacco and the rest of the first teamers.

Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns (-3.5, 37)

Cleveland will sit rookie QB Brandon Weeden for the preseason finale with the Bears and instead start Colt McCoy. Browns head coach Pat Shurmur says backups Seneca Wallace and Thad Lewis will also get reps while the majority of the starters will rest.

Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5, 40)

Seattle backup QB Matt Flynn was limited in practice this week due to a sore elbow. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is optimistic about his status for Thursday’s game and will lean on third-stringer Josh Portis plenty if Flynn is unable to go. Running back Marshawn Lynch will not play in Week 4.

San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers (-3, 38)

Chargers QB Philip Rivers will start Thursday’s preseason closer against the Niners. Rivers sat out Week 3 due to injuries on the offensive line and is expected to play more than most starting QBs in Week 4. Tight end Antonio Gates is also expected to play more than the usual Week 4 minutes.

Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 36.5)

Denver will march backups Brock Osweiler and Caleb Hanie out under center in Week 4, sitting Peyton Manning for the preseason finale. Haine is expected to start but Osweiler has plenty of motivation in Arizona where he played his college ball at ASU. The Cardinals are still trying to tag a starting QB but will go with third-stringer Ryan Lindley as the starter Thursday.

The Falcons will be kicking the tires on new backup QB Luke McCown, who was signed after the team released second-stringer Chris Redman. Atlanta also has some tinkering to do on the offensive line heading into the final preseason game.

New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles (-5, 36.5)

The Jets have dominated this Week 4 preseason matchup, going 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS versus the Eagles in the preseason finale since 2001. New York will not play many of its starters and will also give No. 2 QB Tim Tebow the night off.

Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans (-3.5, 38)

Two QBs are out to impress in the last preseason tilt of the summer. Rookie passer Case Keenum is trying to secure a spot as the Texans third stringer and will be battling John Beck for that position Thursday. Vikings veteran Sage Rosenfels is fighting off McLeod Bethel-Thompson for the third-string job in Minny.

Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions (-3.5, 38.5)

Detroit is expected to let its healthy starters play in Week 4, according to head coach Jim Schwartz. “If guys are healthy they’ll play,â€� he told reporters. “We may have some situations where we hold guys out that are just healing up to be at 100 percent, but if guys are 100 percent and they’re healthy they’re going to play.â€� 

Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers (+1, 40.5)

Green Bay’s starters will get a few reps in during the final preseason tune-up. The Packers will give QB Aaron Rodgers a series or two before focusing on position battles. The Chiefs, on the other hand, could give their first teams significant time Thursday after a lackluster preseason.

New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans (-3.5, 40)

The Saints were forced to leave for Tennessee early due to Hurricane Isaac and won’t be focused on football with plenty of family members evacuating New Orleans this week. The Saints are 6-10 SU and ATS in Week 4 of the preseason since 1995.

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, 38.5)

First-overall draft pick Andrew Luck will see action in Week 4 but it hasn’t been decided just how much. The Colts offense needs the reps before the regular season begins but they’re cautious of potential injuries to their key players. 

Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5, 38.5)

Pittsburgh has one of the best records during Week 4 of the preseason since 1995, going 10-6 SU and 11-5 ATS. Carolina will likely give backup QB Jimmy Clausen plenty of snaps as well as veteran Derek Anderson in an effort to sure up its second-string option.

Baltimore Ravens at St. Louis Rams (-4.5, 38.5)

St. Louis has a short week to prepare for the final preseason contests, having played Saturday. New head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters he plans to play his starters more than most teams in Week 4, as far as into the third quarter. Baltimore isn’t expected to return the favor and will likely sit QB Joe Flacco and the rest of the first teamers.

Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns (-3.5, 37)

Cleveland will sit rookie QB Brandon Weeden for the preseason finale with the Bears and instead start Colt McCoy. Browns head coach Pat Shurmur says backups Seneca Wallace and Thad Lewis will also get reps while the majority of the starters will rest.

Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5, 40)

Seattle backup QB Matt Flynn was limited in practice this week due to a sore elbow. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is optimistic about his status for Thursday’s game and will lean on third-stringer Josh Portis plenty if Flynn is unable to go. Running back Marshawn Lynch will not play in Week 4.

San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers (-3, 38)

Chargers QB Philip Rivers will start Thursday’s preseason closer against the Niners. Rivers sat out Week 3 due to injuries on the offensive line and is expected to play more than most starting QBs in Week 4. Tight end Antonio Gates is also expected to play more than the usual Week 4 minutes.

Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 36.5)

Denver will march backups Brock Osweiler and Caleb Hanie out under center in Week 4, sitting Peyton Manning for the preseason finale. Haine is expected to start but Osweiler has plenty of motivation in Arizona where he played his college ball at ASU. The Cardinals are still trying to tag a starting QB but will go with third-stringer Ryan Lindley as the starter Thursday.

The Falcons will be kicking the tires on new backup QB Luke McCown, who was signed after the team released second-stringer Chris Redman. Atlanta also has some tinkering to do on the offensive line heading into the final preseason game.

New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles (-5, 36.5)

The Jets have dominated this Week 4 preseason matchup, going 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS versus the Eagles in the preseason finale since 2001. New York will not play many of its starters and will also give No. 2 QB Tim Tebow the night off.

Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans (-3.5, 38)

Two QBs are out to impress in the last preseason tilt of the summer. Rookie passer Case Keenum is trying to secure a spot as the Texans third stringer and will be battling John Beck for that position Thursday. Vikings veteran Sage Rosenfels is fighting off McLeod Bethel-Thompson for the third-string job in Minny.

Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions (-3.5, 38.5)

Detroit is expected to let its healthy starters play in Week 4, according to head coach Jim Schwartz. “If guys are healthy they’ll play,â€� he told reporters. “We may have some situations where we hold guys out that are just healing up to be at 100 percent, but if guys are 100 percent and they’re healthy they’re going to play.â€� 

Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers (+1, 40.5)

Green Bay’s starters will get a few reps in during the final preseason tune-up. The Packers will give QB Aaron Rodgers a series or two before focusing on position battles. The Chiefs, on the other hand, could give their first teams significant time Thursday after a lackluster preseason.

New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans (-3.5, 40)

The Saints were forced to leave for Tennessee early due to Hurricane Isaac and won’t be focused on football with plenty of family members evacuating New Orleans this week. The Saints are 6-10 SU and ATS in Week 4 of the preseason since 1995.

Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5, 38.5)

First-overall draft pick Andrew Luck will see action in Week 4 but it hasn’t been decided just how much. The Colts offense needs the reps before the regular season begins but they’re cautious of potential injuries to their key players. 

Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5, 38.5)

Pittsburgh has one of the best records during Week 4 of the preseason since 1995, going 10-6 SU and 11-5 ATS. Carolina will likely give backup QB Jimmy Clausen plenty of snaps as well as veteran Derek Anderson in an effort to sure up its second-string option.

Baltimore Ravens at St. Louis Rams (-4.5, 38.5)

St. Louis has a short week to prepare for the final preseason contests, having played Saturday. New head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters he plans to play his starters more than most teams in Week 4, as far as into the third quarter. Baltimore isn’t expected to return the favor and will likely sit QB Joe Flacco and the rest of the first teamers.

Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns (-3.5, 37)

Cleveland will sit rookie QB Brandon Weeden for the preseason finale with the Bears and instead start Colt McCoy. Browns head coach Pat Shurmur says backups Seneca Wallace and Thad Lewis will also get reps while the majority of the starters will rest.

Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5, 40)

Seattle backup QB Matt Flynn was limited in practice this week due to a sore elbow. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is optimistic about his status for Thursday’s game and will lean on third-stringer Josh Portis plenty if Flynn is unable to go. Running back Marshawn Lynch will not play in Week 4.

San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers (-3, 38)

Chargers QB Philip Rivers will start Thursday’s preseason closer against the Niners. Rivers sat out Week 3 due to injuries on the offensive line and is expected to play more than most starting QBs in Week 4. Tight end Antonio Gates is also expected to play more than the usual Week 4 minutes.

Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 36.5)

Denver will march backups Brock Osweiler and Caleb Hanie out under center in Week 4, sitting Peyton Manning for the preseason finale. Haine is expected to start but Osweiler has plenty of motivation in Arizona where he played his college ball at ASU. The Cardinals are still trying to tag a starting QB but will go with third-stringer Ryan Lindley as the starter Thursday.