The NFL-X is a place where many bettors shy away from, but there are also opportunities here, just like there is in any sport. When a line is posted it is meant to consider a lot of things, and one of those things is the fact that these games are exhibition games, and what you see for lines in these games, are often in the 2,3, and 4 range, very seldom running higher, except in week 3 perhaps when the starters get as many snaps as they may get in a regular season game. So what to look for, how can anyone handicap these games? You don't know who is going to play and how much. That is true, but the one thing that is also true, are coaching philosophies. New coaches, and old, they all have a philosophy. One would think a veteran coach such as Mike Shanahan who has been here with his Bronco team, going on 15 years would play these games to get them over with, evaluate talent, and avoid injuries, but that has not been his philosophy, as the Broncos are 39-17 since he has been at the helm in Denver in these games. Another veteran, Tony Dungy, could care less about these games, often Peyton Manning takes very few snaps, and the Colts are just 9-17 under Dungy. Although many factors contribute to choosing a side in these games, one of the biggest is who is in charge on th sidelines. Here is a look at who cares, and who doesn't care in NFL-X games:

WHO DOESN'T CARE:

KEN WISENHUNT AZ 0-5
**** JAURON BUFF 10-18
TONY DUNGY IND 9-17
ANDY REID PHL 13-24

WHO CARES:

JOHN GRUDEN TB 27-15 7-0 in openers!!!!
MIKE TOMLIN PITT 5-1
ERIC MANGINI NYJ 6-3
BILL BELICHICK NE 20-14
HERM EDWARDS KC 18-11
JACK DEL RIO JX 14-6
WADE PHILLIPS DALL 10-6
JOHN FOX CARO 16-8

THIS YR COACH VS COACH

ZORN 0-0 vs DUNGY 9-16 NEW COACH WINS
MARINELLI 4-5 vs COUGHLIN 9-7 PUSH
MANGINI 6-3 vs CRENNEL 8-5 6-3 MANGINI WINS
BELICHICK 20-14 vs HARBAUGH 0-0 NEW COACH WINS
EDWARDS 17-11 vs LOVIE SMITH 10-7 EDWARDS WINS
WISENHUNT 0-4 vs SEAN PAYTON 4-5 PAYTON WINS
TOMLIN 4-1 vs REID 13-23 TOMLIN WINS
HOLMGREN 18-18 vs CHILDRESS 4-3 HOLMGREN WINS
KIFFIN 2-2 vs NOLAN 5-7 KIFFIN WINS

So what does this say in results? New coaches are a good choice because they want to put a winning stamp and change the culture of the team that is likely used to losing, which is why they have a new coach (2-0) so far. I think you can get the point of what coaching philosophies mean by looking at these matchups. Although this is only one angle, and isn't the only factor involved in handicapping games, it will certainly give you a great start to selecting a winning side here. Best of luck to all, and may your preseason pad your bankroll for when the play for keeps!

Don't bet on Gruden tonight.

I did bet on Gruden, and he cashed again