Some weeks you’re the hammer, some you’re the nail. Last week, I went 3-5 (technically 3-4 because I didn’t get the Pitt pick in so I saved a few bucks). I lost on Houston (Hey Deshaun Watson, when you have 14 seconds left, don’t scramble around while looking for an open receiver. Throw it away and give the kicker a shot.) I lost on Philly who let Fitzpatrick go all Fitzpatrick over them. The Giants offensive line let Dallas defense gangbang Eli Manning. However, the Giants didn’t score and neither Dallas so the under hit. The Jets under also hit and the Chargers forced Vontae Davis to quit in halftime in their easy cover. I also took the Seahawks on Monday night who took a colossal dump on themselves against the Bears as Russ Wilson threw a pick 6 when on a potential game tying drive late in the 4th quarter. So last night, 9/20, I took the Browns under 41 against the Jets. Amazing how I had to sweat that under out for so long as Tyrod and Darnold did their best impressions of kids with no arms trying to play jai alai. But then Baker Mayfield comes in, wins the game, and unlocks the Bud Light fridges for the city of Cleveland. And just for one evening, everyone in Cleveland enjoyed themselves and forgot how ugly everyone is in that town.
So 1-0 to start this week, let’s get you (and me) more freeeeeeeee money.
Carson Wentz is back this week and I think he’s going to look like Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy. The Eagles definitely rushed him back and it’s going to show. Wentz is going to be treated with kid gloves and he’s without a ton of options: Jay Alai is probably out, no Alshon Jeffrey, no Mike Wallace. They’re going to hand it off a lot and keep him safe. The Colts come in after beating the Skins and Luck still isn’t airing it deep yet. I don’t see this being a high scoring affair and the stats back it up: 9/10 have went under for Indy and recently 5/5 have went under for Indy. Philly also has been an under machine, 5/6 at home were under. And Philly is still perfect as a garbage town with garbage fans.
Take the under 47 and the Colts + 7.
Like “men” who play Pokemon go, they don’t score. You know who else doesn’t score? The NY football Giants. Eli Manning’s offensive line is like Ray Liotta’s face. Full of holes and hard to watch. I learned my lesson, again, about betting them as I thought they would show up against Dallas. Houston finally comes home but they’re not lighting up the scoreboard. They floundered in NE and Tennessee. Giants are 5/6 with the under on the road and 8 of their last 9 under. Houston also on the under train, 6/7. I think the Giants are going to cover 6 this week but I’d rather lay my money on a sure thing; which is your wife after a few too many Long Island Ice Teas what she tells you is her,
girls’ night out”. But I’ll settle for the second best lock.
Take the Giants under 42.
Home field is usually 3 points in the NFL. So you mean to tell me that if the Packers played the Redskins on a neutral field, they’re an evenly matched team? Right now, Aaron Rodgers is listed as questionable but it’s not the usual questionable. He didn’t practice all last week, deemed questionable, but played on Sunday. Rodgers hasn’t practiced all week and is again on track to play on Sunday. The Skins are banged up and aren’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard; 9 points against the Colts and 24 against AZ. Rodgers admits the knee will be tough to heel. Speaking of healing, nothing worse than dealing with A) a blister on your foot B) burn on the roof of your mouth or C) getting into a salt water tank with an exposed hemorrhoid. Washington is recently 5/5 and 4/5 with the under at home. There’s a chance of rain but a better chance of this game going
GB Under 45.5 but hold on to see if it climbs by Sunday.
The Bengals made the Ravens look worse than the Baltimore school system. No Joe Mixon so I’ll wager they air it out more; especially with PPR sensation, Giovanni Bernard now the lead back. 10 days to plan out how to gash the Carolina defense. And Carolina is 7/10 over at home. Carolina just lost in a shootout to Atl and Cincy has put up 34 in each game this year. Let’s hope there’s a “hurricane” of points in Carolina on Sunday.
Take the Bengals over 44
The Saints have been more disappointing this year than the last season of Entourage/Entourage film/Ballers. Smell a theme? Yeah Marky Mark, I’m talking to you, Mr 22 Mile. Jesus, it must be great not to have to read a script in the last 10 years when they offer 25 million plus a film. Brees on the road? Meh. Brees on the road in a dome, I’m tumescent. A banged up Julio Jones, although he’s practiced this week, but other key players on the o-line and D are banged up for the Falcons. Saints 13-5-1 on the road and 4-2 vs ATL. But to me, this is a, “if not now, when?” game for the Saints. They need a convincing road win and this is the time.
Saints +2.5 (I Bought the .5 point to +3)
SF is on the road in KC this week. Do I think Jimmy G can backdoor a cover and then backdoor his porn star gf? Easily. The KC defense is sloppier than a Kansas family of 5 taking down a Golden Corral buffet after sunday church. SF is 7-3 ATS on the road and KC let Pitt right back into the game after going up 3 scores early. No other pithy jokes or observations here.
Take the Niners +6.5 (I bought the half point to +7)
And since I’m tired of analysis and jokes for the last pick, the Raiders fly 3000 miles to play in 90 degree heat and give another lackluster performance. And it’s your typical, west coast flies east to play a 1pm game.
Go with the Dolphins -3 (I bought the .5 point to -2.5)
Kevin Gootee 