Week Eight…

Good to see the Dolphins get smoked on Thursday Night Football.  That’s all…

Philadelphia (-2.5) at Jacksonville 

What the hell do we make of this one?  The Super Bowl champion Eagles have lost one more game already this year than they did all of last year.  The almost Super Bowl contestant Jaguars have dropped three ugly ones in a row and Blake Bortles continues to prove that he is no good.  I’m picking the home team here.  Oh wait, the game is in London.  Another variable.  Actually, since Jacksonville is the “leader in the clubhouse” if a team ever eventually moves across the pond, maybe they truly are the home team.  Anyway, I unfortunately have no further insight.  Anything intelligent anyway.

Jacksonville 27, Philadelphia 23.

Seattle at Detroit (-3.5)

This is the Seahawks 5th road game out of their first 7.  I just thought that was interesting.

Seattle 24, Detroit 20.

Tampa Bay at Cincinnati (-4.5)  

The Bengals got embarrassed by the Chiefs last Sunday night.  Good thing the Bucs come to town this week.  Though I cannot say either team is any good in the end.

Cincinnati 37, Tampa Bay 31.

Washington (-1.5) at New York Giants 

The Skins aren’t exactly lighting it up but are 4-2 anyway.  Normally I’d give some thought to a divisional game being close, but the G-Men appear to be mailing it in already.

Washington 27, New York Giants 16.

New York Jets at Chicago (-7.5)

The Bears came up a yard short last week against the Patriots.  I’m still wondering if they go for two if they scored on that last Hail Mary play.  That seems to be a little bit of a trend in the NFL this season.  And if they did, the Pats probably would have lost with that pathetic defense.  In any event, the Bears are probably happy the Jets are coming to town this week.

Chicago 31, New York Jets 20.

Baltimore (-1.5) at Carolina

Seems like this one is kind of a toss-up.  Of course, that is not a very bold statement, since the spread is small.  But one thing I’d bet the house on here:  that Justin Tucker hits all his extra points.

Baltimore 24, Carolina 21.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh (-8.5) 

I bet the Steelers are still pissed about that tie against the Browns in Week One.

Pittsburgh 41, Cleveland 24.

Denver at Kansas City (-10.5)

Another divisional game that in the past I would have given some consideration to being a close one.  Not today.

Kansas City 48, Denver 24.

Indianapolis (-3.5) at Oakland 

Indy still stinks, but Oakland is in the middle of tanking.

Indianapolis 31, Oakland 13.

Green Bay at Los Angeles Rams (-9.5)

If this game was in Green Bay, I’d consider taking the points.  But since it isn’t, I won’t.

Los Angeles Rams 41, Green Bay 31.  

San Francisco at Arizona (-1.5) 

Both teams are 1-6.  Should be a classic.  Arizona’s only win was at San Francisco a few weeks ago.  Will the Niners return the favor in the desert?  Who cares?

Arizona 20, San Francisco 17.

New Orleans at Minnesota (-1.5)  

On the flip side, these two teams are a combined 9-3-1.  It honestly doesn’t seem like either of these two teams have even hit their stride yet either.  Guess you can’t argue with wins and losses.

Minnesota 34, New Orleans 31.

New England Patriots (-13.5) at Buffalo

Derek Anderson started for the Bills last week after just signing with them a couple of weeks ago.  Predictably, he wasn’t very good.  And got dinged up a bit in the process.  Josh Allen is “the future”.  But he is hurt.  And I’m not sure how Nathan Peterman is still in the NFL.  He may be the worst QB if all time.  Nice lot of quarterbacks.  In addition, LeSean McCoy apparently has a concussion and his game status as we write this is unclear.  Tom Brady is something like 28-3 in his career against Buffalo.  Even with the Pats putrid defense, the game being in Buffalo, the possibility of no Gronk and obviously no Sony Michel, I don’t see how this game is anywhere near close.

New England 38, Buffalo 20.

Week (against the spread):  1-0

Week (straight up):  1-0

Season (against the spread):  55-53

Season (straight up):  67-41

Week Seven…

Getting right to it.

Tennessee at Los Angeles Chargers (-6.5) 

London game.  Can’t be a great trip for the Chargers.  They are the better team.  But all bets are off across the pond.

Tennessee 23, Los Angeles Chargers 20.

Carolina at Philadelphia (-4.5)

The Panthers just seem mediocre.  The Eagles also may well be, but not this week.

Philadelphia 30, Carolina 24.

Minnesota (-3.5) at New York Jets 

Do we need to start taking the Jets seriously?  I don’t think so.

Minnesota 34, New York Jets 17.

Houston at Jacksonville (-4.5)

Both these teams currently have the same record.  Whoda thunk it?!  The Jags have been outscored 70-21 the last two weeks and Blake Bortles has looked like, well…Blake Bortles.  Both games were on the road and we can allow them the Chiefs loss.  But being embarrassed by the putrid Cowboys has to light a fire under this team now, right?

Jacksonville 31, Houston 20.

Detroit (-1.5) at Miami

“Brocktober”?!  Seriously?!

Detroit 21, Miami 17.

New England (-3.5) at Chicago

Speaking of…the Bears are only one of two teams in the league to have given up under 100 points thus far this season.  But they gave up 31 last week to “Brocktober”.  And the Pats have scored 119 in the last 3 weeks alone.

New England 37, Chicago 24.

Cleveland at Tampa Bay (-3.5) 

The Bucs may not be that good, but the Browns ain’t there yet.

Tampa Bay 38, Cleveland 34.

Buffalo at Indianapolis (-7.5)

Derek Anderson everyone!!  But he has to be infinitely better than Nathan Peterman, no?

Indianapolis 27, Buffalo 20.

New Orleans at Baltimore (-2.5) 

Classic “offense vs. defense” game.  Going with the home team.

Baltimore 27, New Orleans 24.

Los Angeles Rams (-10.5) at San Francisco

The Niners should have beaten the Packers last Monday night.  Surprising, since most didn’t think they would even be in the game.  Including the Blowhard.  Felt like a surprisingly tough game for the Rams against the Broncos last week as well.  Think order will be restored here.

Los Angeles Rams 41, San Francisco 20.  

Dallas at Washington (-1.5) 

Not sure where that Cowboy beating of the Jags last week came from.  Not expecting a repeat performance any time soon.  Especially for a divisional tilt.

Washington 24, Dallas 21.

Cincinnati at Kansas City (-6.5)  

I’m hearing that the Bengals are banged up on defense.  That’s not ideal against the Chiefs coming off a loss.

Kansas City 48, Cincinnati 27.

New York Giants at Atlanta (-6.5)

OBJ may be supremely talented.  But what a clown.

Atlanta 34, New York Giants 20.

Week (against the spread):  1-0

Week (straight up):  1-0

Season (against the spread):  47-47

Season (straight up):  57-37