THE NOT SO BIG EASY – Sometimes you can just sense the beginning or end of a streak with a signature win or loss. I can’t help but get that feeling with every fantasy football player’s favorite offensive team, the New Orleans Saints. Super Bowl winners two years ago, this past January The Katrina Eleven lost to the sub-.500, division-winning Seattle Seahawks as double digit road favorites, giving up a crapload of points in the process. Their opening night loss to the reigning champion Packers is no reason to be ashamed, but I do get the feeling the league has caught up to Nawlins’ obvious defensive shortcomings and offensive strategy.
Capitol W: The Redskins are my surprise team in an otherwise underwhelming NFC East. Jeez, even with Rex Grossman under center Mike Shanahan has enough brains to make things work in Washington, like no politician’s ideas in turning around the economy. An injection of youth is like heroin to the football vein. The Skins’ll be snapping the chinstrap the same way a junkie snaps the arm band. No more Indian-giving this year—they’re a team to watch against the spread before Vegas wiseguys catch on. Last year one of my surprise teams did just that as Tampa Bay went 10-6 narrowly missing the playoffs.
Iron City Fear Again: One game shouldn’t cause widespread panic. But when the Steelers are tooth and nail to beat the Seahags later today you’ll understand the fear across Pittsburgh. I see an aging defense… And if they can’t stuff the opposition, it takes them out of the ground and pound philosophy synonymous with the Black -n- Gold. This team is a solid weekly “over” bet.
Romo-sapien (n.) 1. A talented Cowboy capable of complex thought 2. Player with a great right arm but lacking between the ears 3. Closer in rank to Danny White than Gary Hogeboom . . . The Cowboys are not a very good TEAM, as you can’t put all the blame on one man’s shoulders.
Buffalo Bill-y: in the Win Column. I opened the 2010 NFL season singing the praises of Chan Gailey as an intelligent offensive mind but just wasn’t sure about him as a HC. There’s plenty of smarts to go around when your starting QB is from “Fair Harvard,” and is athletic on top of erudite. For our friend Billy’s sake, a win in frenzied Orchard Park versus the Raiders would get these hardy folk downright silly.
As for this week . . . (for entertainment purposes only) I’m not buying what the Patriots showcased on MNF. Take the Bolts outright. Don’t fall into the trap being laid as the Saints are giving 6 against Da Bears.
Linemakers want you to think all is well with the Saints but it sure as sh!t isn’t. Windy City windfall of cash if you listen and take the six as you won’t need the gift giving. Outright runaway winner! Take the bundle and the Seahawks. Texans return to form and lay an egg in Miami. Gimme the “under” in this one with a cherry on top.
A sure bet, West Coast Craig tomorrow!
