NFL News this week

[Raji]

LINE MOVES

OAKLAND 47.5
NEW ORLEANS
Sun 1:00 p.m. ET

- The pointspread was hit by wise action Oakland +7.5

- The total hasn't moved, but could go up if key players return for NO

- Marques Colston was upgraded to probable and Jeremy Shockey was upgraded to questionable

- Where the money is: Currently majority of the public is betting NO at a ratio of 6.6 to 1.6 but more money is on Oakland.

CINCINNATI 42.5
NY JETS -8.5
Sun 1:00 p.m. ET

- The pointspread was hit by wise action NY Jets +5.5

- The total slightly dropped from 43, and may drop even more due to the Bengals’QB injury.

- Carson Palmer was downgraded to doubtful and isn’t expected to play

- Head coach Marvin Lewis didn't rule out Palmer as a backup for Sunday and wouldn't say if he will be the No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback

- Where the money is: Currently majority of the public is betting Jets at a ratio of 8.2 to 3.1. This line could reach -9

DETROIT 45.5
MINNESOTA -13
Sun 1:00 p.m. ET

- There was some wise action on the under when the total was at 46.5 due to Detroit’s QB injury.

- The pointspread has dropped from -13.5

- Jon Kitna is doubtful and will be replaced by Dan Orlovsky

- Where the money is: Currently majority of the public is betting the under and are split with the Vikings getting the edge by ratio of 2.6 to 2.0

MIAMI 44.5
HOUSTON -3
Sun 1:00 p.m. ET

- The total was hit by wise action playing the under at 45

- Matt Schaub (Flu) is listed as 'probable'

- The pointspread has dropped from -3.5

- Where the money is: Currently the public is split with Miami getting the edge by a ratio of 4.5 to 3.2

ST. LOUIS 44
WASHINGTON -14
Sun 1:00 p.m. ET

- The total was hit by wise action betting the under at 44.5

- The pointspread has gone up from -13.5

- Where the money is: Currently majority of the public is betting Washington by a ration of 5.3 to 2.0

PHILADELPHIA -5
SAN FRANCISCO 42
Sun 4:15 p.m. ET

- The pointspread has dropped from -6 due to Philly running back Brian Westbrook’s injury.

- The Total has dropped from 42.5

- Westbrook (ribs) will not travel with the team

- Where the money is: Currently majority of the public is betting the over and Philadelphia by a ratio of 7.9 to 2.1, but more money is on SF

DALLAS -5
ARIZONA 50.5
Sun 4:15 p.m. ET

- The total was hit by wise action on the over at 49

- The pointspread has dropped from -5.5

- Anquan Boldin is listed as doubtful. Boldin and tight end Ben Patrick were the only players not to participate in at least part of Thursday's practice, according to the injury report. The Cardinals haven't ruled out Boldin playing Sunday, but it's doubtful he'll play. He attended practice but was not available to talk to reporters.

- Where the money is: Currently majority of the public is betting the over and
Dallas by a ratio of 10.8 to 2.7 - this line could go back up and reach as high as -6

NEW ENGLAND 44
HOUSTON -5
Sun 8:15 p.m. ET

- The pointspread was hit by wise action NE +5.5

- The total has dropped from 44.5

- Where the money is: Currently the public is split with NE getting the edge by a ratio of 3.8 to 3.2

GREEN BAY -1
SEATTLE 44.5
Sun 4:15 p.m. ET

- The pointspread has flipped from SEA -2 to GB -1 due to Seattle QB status

- The total has dropped from 46 due to the injury

- Matt Hasselbeck (knee) is downgraded to expected to miss

- Where the money is: Currently majority of the public is betting the under and GB by a ratio of 6.9 to 1.8, but more money is still on Seattle. We expect that to change and see the line move up from -1


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[Raji]

LLEN PARK, Mich. -- Jon Kitna's 36-game starting streak with the Detroit Lions is about to end.

Kitna will not play Sunday against the Vikings because of an injured back. Dan Orlovsky will get the start, while Drew Henson has been promoted from the practice squad.


Orlovsky and Drew Stanton split snaps in practice this week while Kitna was sidelined.

Orlovsky replaced Kitna during the third quarter of 34-7 loss to Chicago on Sunday, the first playing time of his four-year career. Orlovsky hurt his ankle and knee, but offensive coordinator Jim Colletto said he was healthy enough to practice.

Stanton, a second-round pick last year, was on injured reserve as a rookie and hasn't played this season.

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will not start Sunday against the New York Jets because of his inflamed right elbow.


Bengals backup Ryan Fitzpatrick will get his second start of the season, coach Marvin Lewis said. Fitzpatrick started against the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago, the week after Palmer injured his elbow in a loss to the New York Giants and threw three interceptions and lost a fumble while being sacked.

"Yeah, I feel great right now, being able to digest the game plan and having the full three days of practice," Fitzpatrick said after Friday morning's practice, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "And then just the added -- I got that first game out of the way, I've been there, I've been in a live rush situation. I'm going to be smarter with the ball. I'm going to stay within myself and run the offense."

Palmer started last week at Dallas and threw two touchdowns and one interception. He said later that the elbow felt good but that he wasn't always confident he could make the necessary throw.

Lewis said Friday that he'll decide Sunday whether Palmer or his younger brother, Jordan, will back up Fitzpatrick. Against Cleveland, Jordan was designated the team's second quarterback.

"Ryan will start the game on Sunday," Lewis said, according to the Enquirer. "I think he will be very well prepared. He's had a great week of work that he needs. He'll be ready to go."

Palmer had strained his right elbow in a loss to the Giants on Sept. 21, when his arm was hit while he threw a pass. He sat out the Browns game the following week, and didn't participate in passing drills the first two days of practice last week, giving the elbow time to heal. He threw on Friday and played in a 33-21 loss at Dallas that left the Bengals (0-5) at the bottom of the NFL.

Palmer went 23-of-39 for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns with one deflected interception against the Cowboys. Several of his passes were uncharacteristically off the mark. Palmer said the elbow injury didn't affect his throwing, but made him more cautious about what he tried to do.

"There were a couple times where I didn't have the confidence I normally have, just because my arm's not the same as previous to the injury," he said. "As far as throwing balls, I felt like I missed a couple of throws I shouldn't have missed. But the only thing I noticed was just a little less confidence in throwing some. I saw holes [in the coverage] in certain spots that I kind of held back on and moved on to the next guy."

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[Raji]

Tony Gonzalez, the most productive tight end in NFL history, will be traded to a contender if the Kansas City Chiefs get the right price.

ESPN's Michael Smith first reported the fact Gonzalez was to be shopped Saturday.

A league source confirmed to ESPN that Gonzalez went to Chiefs GM Carl Peterson and inquired about a trade to a contender earlier this week.

Tony Gonzalez

Gonzalez

Gonzalez, who holds the NFL tight end record for receptions, touchdown catches and yards receiving, is active in civic and charitable affairs and enjoys great popularity in Kansas City. He has always said he would like to end his career with the Chiefs, who drafted him in the first round out of California in 1997.

But the Chiefs (1-4) are rebuilding from the bottom up and not likely to contend for the Super Bowl any time soon. In spite of all his personal accomplishments, Gonzalez, 32, has never even won a postseason game.

He would like an opportunity to play in a Super Bowl and the rebuilding Chiefs would like to acquire extra draft picks.

The Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles have been in contact with the Chiefs regarding Gonzalez.

The Giants traded tight end Jeremy Shockey to New Orleans last summer for Nos. 2 and 5 drafts pick in 2009. Shockey's replacement, Kevin Boss, has been a disappointment even though the defending Super Bowl champs are undefeated.

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Five Good Stats

1) The Dallas Cowboys are a solid 6-3 against the spread in their last nine away games against non-division foes. This week they’re taking on an Arizona team that is just 2-6 when playing the host before a bye week. The Cardinals have covered just three of their last nine games when they are a dog at home and facing a non-divisional opponent.

The trends are pointing heavily toward Dallas here and, although the Cowboys failed to cover at home against the Bengals last week, it certainly was hard for Dallas to be up for that game against a winless Cincinnati team. Conversely, the 3-2 Cardinals will have the attention of the 4-1 Cowboys. Don’t forget the Cards’ dominating win last week was helped by four Buffalo turnovers.

2) The Chicago Bears have lost the money just once in their last six opportunities as a road favorite against a non-division opponent. The Falcons, meanwhile, are only 5-9 in their last 14 tries as a home dog against a non-divisional opponent. Atlanta also is coming off of a road win at Green Bay. Will Matt Ryan and Co. have enough left in the tank for the Bears here?

3) The Jacksonville Jaguars have only lost the money five times in their last 21 tries as an underdog on the road. The Jags also have performed well before the bye when they are facing a non-divisional foe taking the cash in six of their last eight. The Broncos haven’t fared well laying points at home thanks to a 3-12 mark in their last 15 games as a home favorite. Denver won but did not cover at home against Tampa Bay last week and now the Mile High boys must deal with a tough out in Jacksonville.

4) What is the world coming to? Yes, the Washington Redskins have looked improved and St Louis is winless on the season, but the Redskins are laying nearly two TDs this week versus the Rams! We aren't likely to lay this many points with the Skins but don’t forget that Washington is 8-1 in its last 9 games dating back to last season. As for the Rams, they have gotten cashed just five times in their last 19 tries as an away dog. Maybe this line does make some sense.

5) The Oakland Raiders have failed to cover in each of their last six games against non-conference opponents. This week they catch the Saints on a short week since New Orleans hosted Minnesota on Monday night. It might not be much of a benefit considering New Orleans should be extra motivated after outplaying the Vikes and outgaining them by about 100 yards, but still losing the Monday night game because of turnovers.


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