MARLBORO, NY – After going 2-2 during last weekend’s NFL selections, I broke a tiring string of three consecutive 1-3 weeks in the process. Feeling better about things has me primed for a winning streak that I just sense in my bones. Here are this week’s winners:
FAVORITE There are a lot of hefty favorites this week; point-spreads better than a touchdown. These games are always a crap-shoot, which lead to a bad beat called the old “back door cover” and was on display during the Giants-Falcons game. The Jints scored late in the game during garbage time and killed the money backers of the Falcons. Hoping to avoid such fate, today I’m on the undefeated darlings of the NFC – the Los Angeles Rams. Although Green Bay comes into this one off a much needed bye week, I just don’t see the Cheesehead defense slowing down the Rams even without Cooper Kupp. Sean McVay is as creative a play caller as there is in the league and he’ll figure out a game plan to get the cash without his top receiver. The Pick: LOS ANGELES RAMS -9 over Green Bay
UNDERDOG Something has got to give in the desert later on today, as a pair of 1-6 NFC West division rivals meet. The Niners are 0-4 on the road thus far, while the Cardinals are 0-4 at home. You think Giants fans have it rough? The Cardinals are in my estimation, the worst team in the conference if not the NFL. They just don’t score, don’t move the ball and turn the pigskin over way too much. There is a silver lining here though. While the Niners come in to Arizona losers of five straight, the Cards have the advantage of having already beaten San Fran in Week #5. I really can’t break this game down but do think recent history proves to be the psychological edge for the Birds. The Pick: ARIZONA +1 over San Francisco
OVER There is already a second divisional game today between two AFC North teams and the lines makers have made a proper adjust after the opening week 21-21 tie played by the Steelers and Browns. The “total” of that game was 42 and went under the handicap. After much improved offensive play by Cleveland and the rounding into form of Pittsburgh, the number has risen to 48.5 for this game. Follow the knowledge of the Vegas wiseguys. They know way more than the gambling public. This all points to a crap load of points. The Pick: Cleveland/PITTSBURGH OVER 48.5
UNDER What has happened to the Jacksonville Jaguars? The always-injured Leonard Fournette hasn’t played in a month, with the same lower body injuries that plagued him in college. Blake Bortles has turned into last year’s early season Blake Bortles and is reported to be on a short leash in hopes of lighting a fire under him to perform better. The Eagles visit Jacksonville and really haven’t hit their stride yet this year either. At least they’re starting to incorporate tight end Zach Ertz into the game plan more and more and maybe that has something to do with the return of Alshon Jeffery to the lineup. There’s still a void at running back with the absence of Jay Ajayi and I think that prohibits this offense. Add it all up and I think this is a defensive effort for both squads. The Pick: Philadelphia/JACKSONVILLE UNDER 43
That’s it. Leave your thoughts below and come back tomorrow for Buddy Diaz, who said “…that one missed blockout of the foul-shooter cost the Knicks the game against f***ing Angry Ward’s Warriors.“
