Carolina at Buffalo

Both defenses are far better than the offenses in this matchup, and those offenses will show vanilla game plans anyway. Carolina coach Ron Rivera prefers a conservative ball-control offense even in the regular season, and his QB rotation after Cam Newton is Derek Anderson and Joe Webb. A year ago in preseason his team scored a total of 17 points in two road games. The Carolina offense has been about running the football at #7 in rushing, and #19 in passing last year. But the defense is great, at #10 in yards, #11 against the pass, and #16 vs. the run with run-stuffer DT Star Lotulelei, Kawann Short and DE Charles Johnson (12.5, 11, 8.5 sacks the last three years). Rex Ryan takes over in Buffalo and inherits a great defensive squad loaded with playmakers and sack artists. However, it's still a weak QB rotation for Buffalo with Matt Cassell, E.J. Manuel, Tyrod Taylor and Matt Simms. These teams met in the preseason opener a year ago and combined for four turnovers as Buffalo was 4-of-12 on third down and the QBs on both sides combined for three interceptions. Last preseason Buffalo was 5-1 UNDER the total with the offense averaging 12.6 points per game. Buffalo is on a 17-5 run UNDER the total, counting the 2014 preseason with this strong defense and weak offense and that will continue in preseason week one with both teams showing little on offense. Take this one to finish UNDER.