NFL Preseason Week 4 Results

This is the last of the 2012 NFL preseason.   Now teams have to figure out those last cuts before the regular season begins next week.  Most of the starters for all teams were irrelevant this week as teams tried to look at those last guys on the roster.   All teams will begin regular season play next week and we will be bringing you the most current odds from America’s Bookie and a short preview of the games. 

Wednesday August 29, 2012

Tampa Bay Bucs 3      Washington Redskins 30

After playing well in the preseason the Bucs fell flat against Washington.  I wouldn’t read too much into it though.  They have had a good preseason and probably weren’t too concerned with this one.  It was just about evaluating a few of those last roster spots.

New England Patriots 3      New York Giants 6

It was a pretty boring game that would only appeal to fans of either team.  And then still maybe not.  I figured it was pretty much a coin toss.  I did think there would be more scoring.  It was another good night for rookie defensive end Adewale Ojomo.  The kid has 4 sacks in the preseason and has made a strong case for a roster spot.   Giants’ fans had to be happy to see Hakeem Nicks back as he will be much needed in the season opener against Dallas.  Andre Brown looked good rushing for New York, with 55 yards on 14 carries.  New England didn’t show much of anything, but then they rarely do in preseason.

Miami Dolphins 13      Dallas Cowboys 30

No two ways about it, it is going to be a long season for the Dolphins.  Ryan Tannehill wasn’t in there long enough to really do anything but didn’t play badly in the short time.  He was 5 of 7 for 35 yards.  I know you don’t want to get players hurt in preseason, but my thinking is if you are going to start a rookie QB that you might want to get him a little more game experience.  Dallas is not an offensive powerhouse but they shredded the Dolphin’s D.  You never know about the Cowboys though so New York better be cautious in their opener.

Thursday August 30, 2012

Atlanta Falcons 14       Jacksonville Jaguars 24

The Jaguars finished off their surprising preseason with a good win over the Falcons.  They did play their starters a bit more than Atlanta, but overall Jacksonville has looked like a better team in the preseason than was earlier projected.  I still don’t look for them to be a good team this year but see them winning a few more games than I thought 4 weeks ago. 

New York Jets 10       Philadelphia Eagles 28

The Jets finally scored a touchdown!  Unless the Jets are trying to lull teams into a trap by their poor preseason play, it is going to be a long season in New York.  Very good game for QB Trent Edwards of the Eagles, who was 22 of 32 for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Philly is going to be fine this season, the Jets not so much so.  Looks like this might be the year that it is finally revealed Mark Sanchez will not take a team anywhere in the NFL, Tim Tebow is not an NFL caliber QB and Coach Ryan is all talk and no action.

New Orleans Saints 6      Tennessee Titans 10

This one was pretty much a snoozer.  The Saints are just ready to start the regular season and didn’t play many people of consequence last night.  There wasn’t much production from Tennessee either but they did get the win.

Carolina Panthers 16       Pittsburgh Steelers 17

We got to see a little bit of backup QB’s shining in this close one.  Charlie Batch was 11 of 14 for 102 yards and a touchdown.  He is trying to make the roster for his 15^th season.  It was Jimmy Clausen for the Panthers, who was even more impressive with 173 yards and 2 touchdowns.  The Panthers have to feel comfortable knowing they have good backup if Cam Newton ever goes down.

Minnesota Vikings 24       Houston Texans 28

Good game in the sense that we got to see some good talent trying to make the team.  Trindon Holiday, formerly of LSU, had another good effort on the special teams for the Texans.  The 5’5” speedster returned his 3^rd kick of the preseason for a TD, which should lock him up a spot on the roster.  It was also a good performance by Justin Forsett who rushed for 114 yards and 2 TD’s.

Buffalo Bills 32      Detroit Lions 38

Detroit jumped on the Bills early in this contest but Buffalo did come back to do some scoring of their own.  As the teams head into their first real game, Detroit looks ready to take a step forward, while Buffalo is only looking slightly improved over last year.

Kansas City Chiefs 3       Green Bay Packers 24

I should have loaded up more on this game.  There are no locks in the preseason, but this was about as close as they come.  I had Green Bay -3 at home?  Preseason, post apocalypse, first team playing or fans playing you just knew the Packers would get this win.

Cincinnati Bengals 16       Indianapolis Colts 20

Week 4 preseason games are all about deciding those last few roster spots.  That’s why they can be so boring if you are not a team fan or a pivotal moment for the upcoming season if you are.  Rookie Colts QB Chandler Harnish marched the Colts to 3 drives that resulted in a TD including a great pass with to TE Dominique Jones with 7 minutes left for the go ahead score.

Chicago Bears 28       Cleveland Browns 20

The underlying storyline in the game last night for Cleveland was the Colt McCoy vs. Seneca Wallace fight for the backup QB role.  It turned out to be pretty lackluster performances from both of these guys.  For Chicago, Josh McCown played very well passing for 157 yards on 20 of 29 completions.  He had 2 touchdowns and 1 interception on the night.  I didn’t get to see the game but this is what you are always looking for in these last preseason games.  A face you might just remember down the road.

Baltimore Ravens 17       St. Louis Rams 31

This was mostly a case of the Rams really wanting to win this one and being excited to erase last year.  Sam Bradford stayed in into the second quarter and got 3 touchdown passes on the night.  Baltimore just looked ready to get to the real thing as most starters sat for this game.

San Diego Chargers 3      San Francisco 49ers 35

It’s just preseason I keep telling myself but I am predicting this is Norv Turners last in San Diego.  They will be better than last year but are still not going to live up to the high expectations that experts always have for them.  They looked really shaky having 2 turnovers on the first 2 possessions.  Antonio Gates fumbled after catching a pass on the first possession and Rivers threw an int. on the second.  They did finish the preseason 3-1 but once again am not impressed with the Chargers going into the regular season.

Oakland Raiders 3      Seattle Seahawks 21

The Seattle Seahawks are a perfect 4-0!  In the preseason.  A friend of mine called this one and I am kicking myself for not betting it.  Seattle has really wanted every game in this preseason more than their opponents.  And you can’t blame Pete Carroll for wanting to instill as much confidence as possible in this team.  Sometimes all it takes to turn a program around is for them to get used to winning.

Denver Broncos 16       Arizona Cardinals 13

This game was a flop and the only one I lost out of my three bets last night.  I really expected these teams to cover the over the way they had been scoring recently.  Peyton and the rest of the starters stayed on the sidelines as they are ready and there was no question of risking injury last night.  Will they be able to make a legitimate run at the AFC Championship this year?  Stay tuned, it all begins next week!

Keep up with the action at NFL Scores and Odds.