Football Betting News: NFL Preseason Notes

On Thursday night, most bettors will be focused on the opening night of the college football season. However, there will be a final opportunity to cash in on the NFL preseason on the same evening. All 32 squads will be in action on to wrap up the 2010 exhibition slate. Starters are likely to play just a series or two in an attempt to avoid any injuries prior to the start of the regular season. Ravens, 49ers are perfect against the spread Only two teams have managed to cover all of their preseason games this year. The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers are each 3-0 against the point spread in exhibition action. Both clubs are predicted to make the playoffs this season. The Ravens defense has allowed just 8.3 points per game in preseason action to rank as the top scoring defense in the NFL. Baltimore is a 3-point underdog for its preseason finale at St. Louis. The 49ers are a 3.5-point home favorite in its final preseason effort against San Diego. While the Ravens and 49ers have rewarded bettors in the preseason, four teams have yet to cover a spread in exhibition play. The Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts are each 0-3 ATS in the preseason. Among this group, the Seahawks are the only club that has won a preseason game this year. The Colts continue a trend that dates back several years. The Indy defense is allowing over 43 points per game during this season's preseason struggles. Despite playing at home on Thursday, Indianapolis is a 6.5-point underdog against the Cincinnati Bengals. In terms of over/under results in the preseason, seven teams have gone over the total in all of its games. The Bills, Broncos, Saints, Packers, Rams, Colts and Browns are all 3-0 to the over in exhibition play. Green Bay is averaging just under 37 points per game during the preseason to rank as the top scoring offense in the league. In the other direction, three teams have gone under the total in all of its games. The Cowboys, Ravens and Panthers have yet to record an over in the preseason. The struggles of the Dallas starting offense has gained some attention this preseason. Overall, the Cowboys are averaging just 12 points per game in its four exhibition tilts. Dallas is favored by a field goal on Thursday against the visiting Miami Dolphins.?