Yards After Cash - Week 7
It's time I addressed something that has been annoying me the past few weeks of this football season. We're eight and seven weeks into college and pro football respectively and this annoying thing has just continued to happen especially in primetime games on both Saturdays and Sundays. No, I'm not talking about the alarming number of flags being thrown seemingly to remind the NFL why they should not be increasing the number of review-able things in a game. This is not as annoying as the flags but certainly is gaining momentum to approach that level. No, its not the alarming number of quarterback injuries that are impacting games and teams, most recently highlighted this Thursday with Patrick Mahomes hurting his knee on a quarterback sneak. The annoying trend I am describing is the copycat primetime game celebration of stadium light shows. On September, 21st Georgia hosted Notre Dame during a Saturday evening primetime game on ABC. Georgia's Light Up Sanford celebration was on display with the stadium lights flashing each time the Bulldogs scored a touchdown and the fans using cell phone lights to open the fourth quarter. I'm a Notre Dame fan and I even found it to be a cool thing to be making into a tradition.
Since that Saturday though it seems like everyone with stadium lights has decided to flick their switches on and off in some frequency or pattern when the home team scores. The following Thursday night the Packers hosted the Eagles and each of the Packers scores resulting in a Lambeau light show with the headlamps doing the wave sequence around the stadium. That Monday, Pittsburgh did the same thing while whooping the Bengals for their first win of the season. The most recent copycat, shockingly a team know for its cheating, the Patriots played the kindergarten silence game with their light switches when beating the Giants this past Thursday. LSU greeted Florida in Death Valley with lighting cues last Saturday too. I am sure there are others I am missing or did not see but the point I am trying to make is "STOP IT!" If you're team wasn't doing light shows during scores prior to the Georgia tradition, starting in 2015, then come up with something of your own dammit!
On to week seven picks. Some dynamic entertaining matchups this week, on paper anyway so hopefully they turnout that way too. All lines are based on current odd on MyBookie.com (Enroll & play today). Home team in CAPS, my picks in bold.
Last week: 6-7
Current Season Record: 41-30
Week 7 Picks
Arizona +3 NY GIANTS
Kyler Murray will have a big fantasy day against this Giants secondary but so will his counter part Daniel Jones against the Cardinals lackluster DBs as well. Saquon Barkley is back for the Giants and should have no issue making his presence known which will help Big Blue limit Murray's opportunities for a comeback in the second half. NY 24 Arizona 18
Houston +1 INDIANAPOLIS
One of two very intriguing division matchups that will decide the division leader this weekend. Indy is coming off a bye following their systematic win at Kansas City and Houston is on a two game win streak also most recently featuring a win over KC. I like a mostly healthy (still have two starting DBs who will be Questionable) Indy team at home off a bye to eek out a win over Houston. Deshaun Watson will keep this game close and I like DeAndre Hopkins to have a big game simply because he is overdue. Houston 27 Indy 28
BUFFALO -16.5 Miami
Last year in week 3 Buffalo was a +17 underdog on the road in Minnesota and ended up winning straight up. Now they're on the favorite side of that line hosting the disaster zone that is the dolphins roster. The Bills will also be welcoming back Ryan "Fitzmagic" Fitzpatrick to Western New York. No amount of Fitzmagic is going to help the Dolphins against the Bills ferocious and flying defense. I'd set the over under on dolphin turnovers at 3.5 in this game and I'll be honest I'd be disappointed if the Bills D doesn't hit the over. Sure 17 points is a lot to swallow especially for an offense that has a score margin of +26 in four wins but if I assume the Bills defense will score at least once and position Josh, John, Cole, Frank, Dawson, Duke and Devin for two or three short fields so they should be able to manage a cover here. Buffalo's defense also prides itself in keeping teams out of the end zone so I am not worried about backdoor covers against prevent defense schemes. Bills roll big time 33-10
DETROIT +2 Minnesota
Toughest game on the slate to pick but I like the Lions getting points at home from a Minnesota offense that is either feast or famine. Detroit 21 Minnesota 20
Oakland +6.5 GREEN BAY
The sharps money is all on the Raiders and so is a chunk of the public's because the line is already down to 4.5 in most places. I'll jump on board that train and I'm sure Vegas will enjoy watching Rodgers win by seven at all our expense. Oakland 17 GB 23
JACKSONVILLE -3 Cincinnati
The Bengals are in running for the first pick and I think Zac Taylor is ok with that even if he won't admit it. The Bengals won't get that first pick because the Dolphins are in a different class of suck than Cincy but this loss will keep the dream alive. It also should get some of the Minshew Mania back in Florida. Jax 26 Cincy 14
LA Rams -3 ATLANTA
The Rams need to get their offense back on track so they're taking a visit to Atlanta which is the perfect remedy for struggling QBs. Atlanta has made every offense they've faced look like the greatest show since well the previous week's offense they faced. Jared Goff should easily bounce back and put up a top fantasy week on Sunday. Atlanta 20 LAR 35
WASHINGTON +9.5 San Francisco
San Fran has a top three defense in any meaningful category. Washington has a bottom three offense in any meaningful category. San Fran's offense has only one turnover in the past three weeks after giving up a team high five to Pittsburgh in week three. Sounds like a recipe for a convincing 49ers win, 31-13.
LA Chargers +2.5 TENNESSEE
Both teams are 2-4, both have underwhelmed their fans and both likely view this game as a must win. I actually view it as a win for the loser and here is why. A 2-5 team starts to accept it is likely not making the playoffs and can begin to focus on evaluating talent for future campaigns while a 3-4 team prolongs its hopes for at least a wildcard even though the way both of these teams have started the year makes it unlikely either deserve or will be playoff bound. Neither of these teams' schedules seem to favor a playoff run either (LA's next five: @Chi, GB, @Oak, KC, @Den; Tenn's next five: TB, @Car, KC, Jax, @ Indy). I don't see better than 3-2 for either squad in that stretch so that puts the winner of this at 6-6 while the loser will be at 5-7 and all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Tennessee is in flux at the QB position and that gives the lightning bolts the edge. LAC 20 Tenn 13
Baltimore +3 SEATTLE
The Seahawks have won four games by four or less points including two one point wins against Cincy and the Rams. They are just eeking by thanks, chiefly, to their quarterback's swiss army knife like versatility. Baltimore has a star of their own at QB and he'll look to control the ball and keep Russell Wilson sidelined as much as he can against a below average rush defense for Seattle. Baltimore 27 Seattle 24
CHICAGO -3.5 New Orleans
Teddy Bridgewater just keeps winning behind an impressive defensive lead and Vegas just keeps doubting he will win again. I'm riding the Saints until they stumble and I like their odds to keep winning against a possible Mitchell Trubisky comeback game. NO 21 Chicago 15
Philadelphia +3 DALLAS
The other division matchup to decide the leader of the division. Dallas knows its all on the line Sunday night and a four game losing streak might lead to a coaching change sooner than most people expected. The Eagles have their own 3-3 struggles and an embarrasing loss to Minnesota from which to bounce back. Philly 28 Dallas 24
NY JETS +10.5 New England
The most talented quarterback the Patriots have faced is Josh Allen for two and a half quarters and he was too dangerous so they had to cheap shot him out of the game. Tom has not been so terrific on New England's side of things either. Yet again the Patriots have been gifted one of the easiest schedules in the league and have a two game lead on the one seed in the AFC and likely will not surrender much ground since their toughest remaining games are @Baltimore, @Houston, @Philadelphia and home for Kansas City. The Jets showed signs of who they hoped to be all year long with Sammy Darnold back under center. I think with CJ Moseley back the Jets defense will stifle a struggling Patriots offense and may even get another score like in their week two matchup. The defense will need Sammy and Le'Veon to keep the ball so they do not get winded in second half for being on the field too long which has truly been the only time New England's offense has looked successful this season. I don't know that the Jets can win a second large underdog game but they are at home and no one expects them to and Lloyd Christmas would tell you:
NYJ 24 NE 23
Week 6 start: $282.50
Week 6 results: -$55.00
Current balance: $227.50
Dallas really crapped the bed and all over my bets last week too. Need to make up some ground this week.
Lock of the Weekend
LA Rams -3 in Atlanta
Upset Special
I like the Lions, Chargers and Saints all getting points and all + moneylines
Parlay Play
Giants, Bills, 49ers, Rams all must win (+240) $10 to win $24
Tease Please
Seven Point three team teaser (+120) $25 to win 30
Detroit +9.5
LAC +9.5
NO +11
Enjoy and as always wager at your own risk.