3-4 last week
Dump Day
Amid all the depravity that surrounds one of the darkest days in modern American history, one has to at least commend the NFL for tucking their settlement of the Junior Seau wrongful death suit under the media fray. After dozens of public relations catastrophes built an atmosphere where our current NFL commissioner is incapable of holding an open and honest press conference, I thought they lost their touch with media savvy. Not to worry. Outstanding news dump, Rog. If you want to know how this guy keeps his job, just check out how much money he saves the league in cases like these. The reckoning may be coming for this and many other sins of old white men in America, just not today. Survive and advance, Rog. Too bad Junior doesn’t have the same luxury.
Atlanta (ML, +156) at Pittsburgh – I don’t think rock bottom for the Steelers has happened yet, and with the looming return of Le’Veon Bell in Week 7, I don’t buy anything about the Steelers, especially at home. Pittsburgh inexplicably blows home games on their BEST days, much less a situation like this. The money line is decent, Atlanta gets Devonta Freeman back, and I think they save their season with a big road win. Falcons 24, Steelers 19
L. A. Rams (-7.5, +100) at Seattle – Seattle’s rock bottom comes this week, as an L. A. juggernaut comes to their building at just the right time. No Earl Thomas means deep receivers open all day opening up space for Todd Gurley in the box. Russell Wilson is forced to do too much too early and this one gets out of hand. Rams 41, Seahawks 14. Bang on the Rams until they show you otherwise.
Washington (+6.5, -110) at New Orleans – Alex Smith, if anything, can run an offense early in a game and put up points, even if he’s not necessarily the guy you want with 2 minutes to go. My basis for taking this is the Saints’ dreadful defense, which got a pass last week by not having to worry about being blocked, keeping the ‘Skins in this game and permitting a backdoor cover. They say don’t take a team to cover unless you think they can win. I say this is the exception. Saints 38, Redskins 33.
Dallas (ML, +152) at Houston – Heeeey big win for the Texans last week. Back on track, right? WRONG. Houston is horrendous, and Dallas’ defensive line will be well rested with a short road trip and a good matchup. People were murmuring that Bill O’Brien could have been fired with a bad enough divisional loss to the Colts, but a more embarrassing loss would be a Cowboy romp all over Texas TV the next day. Don’t want to say I called Bill O’Brien being a massive failure in Houston, but…Cowboys 34, Texans 17.
Oakland (+5, -110) at L. A. Chargers – This is more of an indictment of the Chargers (You know, the team that surrounds its quarterback with massive amounts of talent, a real pass rush, perfect weather, and weaker division for 15 years and does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING with it) than an endorsement of the Raiders. The Raiders have hung in games, and the Chargers haven’t done anything aside from beating up on a doormat Buffalo team in Week 2. I need to see it from the Chargers before I give them more than 3 points against anything other than a doormat team. Raiders 23, Chargers 20..
Other picks:
DAL @ HOU OVER 45.5 (-110)
JAC @ KC OVER 49 (-105)
Odell 1st TD in NYG @ CAR (+900) – Giants are going to take a few deep shots on the first drive to keep Beckham out of the news. Not sure if it’s going to work, but it IS Odell and the price is right.
3rd and 13 