NFL Week 1: Monday Plays

[buffettgambler]

Cardinals @ Niners
Play: Niners -3.5
Comment:
There is probably not another team in the league that has had more people jump on their bandwagon than the Niners have this off season. Usually these types of teams make for a dangerous team to back, as the actual off season improvements are not as much as what is perceived by the public. That said, there is no denying that the Niners are drastically improved, have a favorable fundamental match up against the Cardinals, and do actually appear to possess value in tonight’s game due to the high expectations the public has on the Cardinals as well.

Both teams have playmakers and high profile players, but it is the Niners who possess more talent in the less profiled positions and have the counterparts to better contend with the opposition’s playmakers. Gore is no longer the underrated back he was last year, but is still one of the better backs in the league, and is complimented by a solid run blocking line that should win the battle in the trenches against an Achilles heal for the Cardinals. The Niners have a huge edge with the left side run, and showed the ability to still run effectively against stacked boxes last year. This decisive edge should set the tempo of this game, avoid a shootout in which the Cardinals are better suited for, keep Cardinals potent offense off the field, and keep the pressure off of Smith and allow him to work within his means. Smith is a system quarterback that works much better when the run is working effectively, which is no surprise as he is at his best working with the play action and first level passing game that is commensurate to a solid run game. Davis came into his own late last season, and could pick apart the middle of the field if the Cardinals elect to constantly stack the box with Wilson. The additions of Jackson, Jacobs and Lelie finally solidify depth at the receiver spot in which they have been lacking for a few years now, and also should take advantage of the lack of depth the Cardinals have in their secondary. Expect a balanced attack from the Niners, as they pose match up problems on the ground and through the air against a suspect Cardinals defense. The Red Zone was the Niners Achilles heal last year, as teams were able to stack the box and force Smith to pass. The addition of veteran receivers should shore up this deficiency as well.

The Niners also improved a lot on defense during the off season. The addition of Clements was vital playing in the NFC West against a lot of quality number one receivers. He has the ability to shutdown any receiver in the league, and should have no problem making one of the top tier Cardinals receivers not much of a factor. Harris is also an above average corner, which makes the Cardinals biggest asset, their receivers much less of a factor in this game. The Niners biggest weakness on defense is their line, something that may not be exploited, as it matches up against the Cardinals biggest weakness, their offensive line. James has been a bust in Arizona, while the Cardinals did not improve their line enough to make me feel that James will not be much of a factor once again this season. Without the major mismatch the Cardinals usually have with their receivers, they should have a hard time moving the chains in this game.


Both teams improved from last season, and should both contend for the division title. But it is the Niners who not only have become a more balanced team, but a team that matches up much better against their opponent tonight. Winning by more than a field goal is no longer a stretch for a Niners team.

[munson15]

Thanks and GL, BG! Tried to reach you by email a week or 2 ago, and was not successful. Was just a comment on a post of yours re: baseball.

[buffettgambler]

Originally Posted by munson15

Thanks and GL, BG! Tried to reach you by email a week or 2 ago, and was not successful. Was just a comment on a post of yours re: baseball.

I don't think I ever received it.

[munson15]

Yeah, I got a message kicked back to my email box saying it was "mailbox unavailable." Think I got the address across the street, sorry. Can I ask a mod here for it?

[Reload]

Good luck tonight, buffetgambler. And I agree with SF.

Great job with Sunday's writeups as usual and best of luck this season.

[NoNewbieca]

Went with Niners -3.5 alone.

Then also parpayed Niners Over40, Ravens Under, and Ravens +3.

[buffettgambler]

[quote=munson15;859413]Yeah, I got a message kicked back to my email box saying it was "mailbox unavailable." Think I got the address across the street, sorry. Can I ask a mod here for it?[/quote]
Sure.

[3pointdog]

hey buffett, im with you ... also laying 2.5 with cinn

lets bang em'