Article:NFL Preseason Primer For Week 1

Here are some early news and notes for this week’s preseason NFL games. Key info will be updated until kickoff and as it comes in at OffshoreInsiders.com

Thursday

= Ravens-Patriots =

For those who love to bet on teams with quarterback competitions, the Ravens are your team. Middling veteran Kyle Boller gets the nod to start and is expected to play most of the first half. He will be followed by Troy Smith and rookie Joe Flacco.

John Harbaugh makes his debut as Ravens head coach. Baltimore will be without several key players on offense: running back Willis McGahee, tight end Todd Heap and OTs Adam Terry and Jared Gather. Rookie Ray Rice from Rutgers gets the opportunity as starting running back.

New England has only 11 offensive linemen.

= Chiefs-Bears =

Rookie DT Glenn Dorsey is out. Chicago has numerous injuries on the offensive line.

= Saints-Cardinals =

Saints running back Deuce McAllister and tight end Jeremy Shockey are out as are wide receiver Devery Henderson and CBs Mike McKenzie and Tracy Porter. Arizona will be without starting WR Anquan Boldin.

= Giants-Lions =

The Giants have been slowed by a long series of nagging injuries, with WR being among the hardest hit. Eli Manning will start at quarterback from Big Blue but will quickly yield to Anthony Wright.

= Jets-Browns =

Cleveland will start Brady Quinn at quarterback and he may play the entire first half. Normal starter Derek Anderson will follow but because the Browns have only three signal callers on the roster, expect to see plenty of front liner playing time behind center. Ken Dorsey is their No. 3 starter.

Saturday

= Cowboys-Chargers =

Bolts starting quarterback Philip Rivers is expected to start and test his surgically repaired knee. He will play one or two series and no more than a quarter. As is per usual, Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is not expected to carry the ball at all.

= Colts-Panthers =

Indianapolis has a game under the belt following their thrashing Sunday night at the hands of Indianapolis. Many sports handicappers like betting on squads that have already played a game.

The Panthers have been dealing with the distraction of the ugly fight when wide receiver Steve Smith blindsided CB Ken Lucas. Starting WR Maques Colston has missed several practices and is doubtful.

Peyton Manning remains out for the horses.

= Rams-Titans =

Rams running back Steven Jackson is a holdout and will miss the game. The Rams have had a double digit number of players miss practice in several days, hence continuity may be a factor according to MasterLockLine.com ’s Cy McCormick.

= Falcons-Jaguars =

Brian Gould, football betting expert of ScoresOddsPicks.com says that all indications are that the Falcons will put a high priority on winning in the preseason.