Thursday Night Thoughts

A few thoughts for the Thursday Night game in Cleveland.

QBs: No-one even in the deepest leagues should be starting Manuel or Hoyer.

RBs: If you have options you really need to sit CJ Spiller (if he is active) but Fred Jackson is worth a flex spot. The Bills are awful against the run but it’s hard to recommend anyone from the Browns backfield. That said, it would not be  surprise to see McGahee find the end zone tonight.

WRs: Josh Gordon is a high upside play and he’ll get his deep shots and a chance to put up significant points. Stevie Johnson should probably be on your bench as he is not 100% and up against Haden. In deeper leagues Woods is not without merit as a WR3 and could have a respectable night.

TEs: Jordan Cameron is now a weekly must start but don’t be tempted to play Chandler.

Defenses/Kickers: Both defenses could be good plays but especially the Browns. Neither kicker is recommended.

Week 5: Buffalo at Cleveland

Keys to the Game:

Buffalo: The Bills defense keeps finding a way to keep them in games. With a number of injuries on both sides of the ball they will need to win the turnover battle to have a chance here.

Cleveland: The Browns amazingly are going for their 3rd win in a row. The Bills can be beaten deep and they will take their shots with Gordon and Cameron.

Verdict: Welcome to another night of sloppy Thursday football. The short week favors the home team and the Browns defense and it could be a rough start for EJ Manuel. The Browns should win and cover in a game with 5+ turnovers.

Prediction: Cleveland by 8

Suggested Bet: 3 points BUY Cleveland TD yardage at 50

Week 5: Buffalo at Cleveland

Keys to the Game:

Buffalo: The Bills defense keeps finding a way to keep them in games. With a number of injuries on both sides of the ball they will need to win the turnover battle to have a chance here.

Cleveland: The Browns amazingly are going for their 3rd win in a row. The Bills can be beaten deep and they will take their shots with Gordon and Cameron.

Verdict: Welcome to another night of sloppy Thursday football. The short week favors the home team and the Browns defense and it could be a rough start for EJ Manuel. The Browns should win and cover in a game with 5+ turnovers.

Prediction: Cleveland by 8

Suggested Bet: 2 points Cleveland -3.5 to beat Buffalo at 10/11

Week 4: Baltimore at Buffalo

Keys to the Game:

Baltimore: The Ravens offense had a meager 2.4 yards per carry against the Texans last week and will be looking forward to running the ball against the Bills.

Buffalo: The defense has been opportunistic and kept them in games and they will need multiple turnovers here to be have a chance.

Verdict: The Ravens are flying under the radar right now thanks to the thrashing in Denver. The Bills look like a good match up as they will be able ton run to set up the pass and that will diminish their limitations at WR. The handicap thinks it’s basically a field goal game but I think it’s a lot more one sided than that.

Prediction: Baltimore by 13

Suggested Bet: 4 points Baltimore -3 to beat Buffalo at 10/11

Week 3: Buffalo at New York Jets

Keys to the Game:

Buffalo: Despite the heroic drive from EJ Manuel to beat the Panthers in week 2, the Spiller/Jackson combo is the key to winning here.

New York Jets: Time to find out if Chris Ivory is a legit RB. Give him the ball and let him run angry all day.

Verdict: The Bills have many more offensive weapons and the Jets will need a big performance from their defense. If Buffalo avoids the turnovers they can win this divisional battle.

Prediction: Buffalo by 3

Suggested Bet: 1 point Buffalo to beat New York jets at 6/5

Carolina at Buffalo

Keys to the Game:

Carolina: Buffalo had a lot of trouble stopping the run last week and DeAngelo Williams and Cam Newton can do the damage here.

Buffalo: CJ Spiller didn’t really get going last week and the Panthers are tough to run on inside so they need to get him the ball in space.

Verdict: The Panthers don’t make too many mistakes and should dominate on the ground. EJ Manuel looked pretty good last week but I anticipate multiple picks this week and that will be too much to overcome.

Prediction: Carolina by 7

Suggested Bet: 1 point Carolina -3 to beat Buffalo at 20/21

New England at Buffalo

Keys to the Game:

New England: The Bills were awful against the run last season so expect a heavy dose of Stevan Ridley.

Buffalo: EJ Manuel isn’t ready for this so it’s CJ Spiller early and often and hope the Patriots have a bad day at the office.

Verdict: Tom Brady probably didn’t enjoy the Manning to Welker show last night. The Patriots might be playing the Bills but they’ll be looking to make a statement to the Broncos. I think they’ll cover the spread and it’s possible they’ll look to run up the score

Prediction: New England by 17

Suggested Bet: 1 point New England -9.5 at 10/11