The week that was plus nfl predictions

Indiana stomped a mudhole in Illinois and walked it dry. WOW! The game was so bad that I went on a hike mid-way through the second quarter rather than watch the rest of the game.

I think “Fire Napier” watch is officially on. I doubt that Florida does it before the end of the season. Because, even at the end of the season, his buyout is 85% of the remainder of his contract. Which would be $19.38 million at the end of the season.

In the NFL, will there be a QB controversy in Minnesota? JJ McCarthy has played horribly in seven of the eight quarters that he’s played. And then Carson Wentz comes in and they played pretty damn well. They put up 48; albeit against a very porous Cincinatti defense.

What the heck happened to the Green Bay Packers? As a Bears fan, I find it funny. But, how do you let the train wreck that is Cleveland beat you?

And then, speaking of train wrecks; how does the train wreck that is Carolina shut-out Atlanta? Penix Jr. played so badly that the Falcons had to put Kirk Cousins in the game. A man that shouldn’t even be on the team honestly. The minute they decided to name Penix the starter, they should have traded Cousins away. And it’s not like it was Bryce Young that beat them. Carolina had the better running game. Funny since the Falcons have one of the best running backs in the league in Bijan Robinson. 13 carries is what they gave their top 5 running back.

The game of the week was undoubtedly the Detroit Lions versus the Baltimore Ravens. What a game that was. As much as Lamar Jackson has improved; my prevailing thought is that once you take a lead on him into the fourth quarter, he lacks the ability to steal the victory. Now, according to PFF Lamar has 12 game winning drives with 10 of those being fourth quarter comebacks. 12 game winning drives for a guy that has only lost 26 games in his career is pretty good I believe. I haven’t done a deep dive into game winning drives to losses for other QBs. If you can turn a third of your losses into wins, that feels like it’s a good ratio.

The games on Saturday that I am most looking forward to, much like most of you I’m sure are when #6 Oregon travels to #3 Penn State. And also #17 Alabama versus #5 Georgia. I live on the West Coast and I get off of work at 4pm. Both games are at 4:30 PST and I am looking forward to it.

7-9 in back to back weeks gives me a 20-28 record against the spread. Yikes!

10-6 straight up and 33-15 for the season.

Calling it now, I’m gonna crush week 4!

Seattle @ Arizona (-.5): Arizona is 2-1 and I don’t feel like they are a very good 2-1 team. I take Seattle. And I am currently 0-3 picking Thursday Night games so…

Minnesota @ Pittsburgh (+2.5): Did the Minny offense wake up with Wentz under center or is the Cincy defense just that bad? Yes to both probably. And Pitts D gave up 30+ in two straight games until they finally woke up against NE last week. I’m gonna take Minny for both.

Washington @ Atlanta (+2.5): I can’t believe that Atlanta lost to Carolina. And I’m in more disbelief that Carolina beat them so badly. So badly in fact that Atlanta had to put Kirk Cousins in the game. Washington will win by a pretty big margin unless the Atlanta defense plays like they did against the Vikings. So yeah, Washington big.

New Orleans @ Buffalo (-16.5): I guess that there is a universe in which Buffalo does not win by 17. This is not that universe. Buffalo by 27.

Cleveland @ Detroit (-8.5): This seems to me like it’s a trap game. Not that Detroit will lose but the spread might be too large. The Cleveland defense may have found something in that victory against GB. Detroit for the win but Cleveland covers.

Tennessee @ Houston (-7.5): The battle of 0-3 teams. Houston has been a major disappointment thus far. And Tennessee is right where they should be. Cam Ward has improved from week to week and that’s all you expect from a rookie QB. I think that Houston will get the win but it will be by seven or less.

Carolina @ New England (-5.5): I expect this to be a game in which TreVeyon Henderson finally breaks out from the pre-season hype. New England by a TD.

Los Angeles Chargers @ New York Giants (+6.5): I didn’t think that Jaxson Dart would take over until week nine or so. I originally had the Chargers to win by more than seven. But, I’m a big Dart fan with the way he played in the pre-season. And yes, it was only pre-season but I believe. The Chargers win but the Giants plus the points.

Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay (+3.5): The battle of 3-0 teams. Tampa has won their games by 3, 1, and 2 points. And Philly has been in three close games as well. Did Philly finally figure out how to throw the ball last week? I’m gonna take Tampa plus the points. And to win the game outright.

Indianapolis @ Los Angeles Rams (-3.5): I love the Colts and Daniel Jones story. I was one of the few that believed in him in NY. And they are 3-0 but they’ve beaten a porous Dolphins defense and a bad Tennessee team. I’ll take the Rams to win by 6.

Jacksonville @ San Francisco (-3.5): The Niners keep their winning ways going as Saleh dials up the game plan to confuse Trevor Lawrence.

Baltimore @ Kansas City (+2.5): The who would have thunk it game. Who had the Ravens and Chiefs entering their week four game with 1-2 records? And the loser goes to 1-3 with a significant uphill battle to make the playoffs. Xavier Worthy coming back from injury helps the Chiefs but for this game, I’m gonna ride with the better defense. Ravens by a field goal.

Chicago @ Las Vegas (-.5): Chicago’s offense finally woke up last week. That was against a poor Cowboy defense. And now they play a poor Raiders defense. Bears by ten.

Green Bay @ Dallas (+6.5): Dallas can’t generate a pass rush. If only they had a generational pass rusher. These jokes don’t get old. It’s going to be fun to see what Micah does in this game. The Packers by double digits.

New York Jets @ Miami (-2.5): Two 0-3 teams going to battle on Monday Night! As bad as Miami is this year, I have zero belief in Justin Fields. Miami by 3.

Cincinatti @ Denver (-7.5): I like Jake Browning and it’s hard to look good against the Vikings D. He’ll look a little bit better against Denver but not by much. Denver by double digits.