Can Connor Cover? Winter (And Basketball) Is Coming
November 2, 2022 at 10:35 p.m.
Can Connor Cover? Winter (And Basketball) Is Coming
By Connor McCann-
We have just one football team remaining in the area as Warsaw travels to Fort Wayne to take on undefeated Carroll on Friday night. It appears as quickly as they began, our fall sports are coming to an end.
It was a great season that saw conference championships, sectional titles and tons of wins for our seven area schools. More than a few of our local athletes were named to all-conference teams, and our paper will honor each of them once fall sports officially come to an end.
We are approaching winter and the many things that come with it. The holidays, the hoops, that same Mariah Carey song playing in every building you walk into for the next two months.
I don’t like cold weather but I enjoy wearing hoodies and sweatpants. It’s a paradox that has haunted me for my entire adult life. I don’t know what that has to do with anything else but it was the first thought that popped into my head when I wrote the word winter.
Perhaps my least favorite part of the winter is how early the sun goes down. I’m used to it being dark out by the time I leave a sporting event. I’m not a big fan of it being dark before I even get there too.
I’m sure in just a few months I’ll be complaining about how quickly basketball season flew by too, so I won’t waste too much time doing so now. A few things new with me:
I started watching the TV show Deadwood this week. I’m only a few episodes in but so far, I’m digging it. I’m a sucker for the old west and the times of the gunslingers, so this is right up my alley. Excited to see where this goes.
I finished off my Halloween movie marathon (31 movies in 31 nights) with Mel Brooks’ classic Young Frankenstein on Monday night. I hadn’t seen it in years, and I’m glad I made the choice. The interaction between the monster and the blind man is the hardest I’ve laughed in months.
I needed just one win over the final two games of the week to get my first winning column, and went 0-2. I’m not surprised the Packers helped to screw me over. Here we go.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Philadelphia Eagles (-13) at Houston Texans
In case sports fans haven’t had enough of Houston vs. Philly this week, the one day without a World Series game will feature the two cities meeting up for some Thursday Night Football. Philadelphia had an extra week to prepare for Pittsburgh last weekend and made the most of it, dominating the Steelers in every phase. Jalen Hurts threw four touchdown passes, three to A.J. Brown and the defense remains the best in the league. With a relatively easy schedule going down the stretch, it’ll be interesting to see how long the team can remain unbeaten.
While the Eagles are in the conversation of best team in the league, Houston is on the opposite end of the spectrum. I have a hard time picking out a team that’s looked worse than the Texans up to this point in the season. Houston scored its lone touchdown in garbage time against Tennessee on Sunday and were not competitive in a game that saw the Titans giving Malik Willis his first career start. Even with the short week, I’m expecting Philly to keep it rolling.
The Pick: Eagles -13
1 O’CLOCK SUNDAY
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots (-5.5)
The Colts handed the quarterback job to Sam Ehlinger last weekend as Matt Ryan had not been the answer. Ehlinger wasn’t much better as Indianapolis gave up a touchdown with less than 30 seconds left to drop their game against Washington. To make matters worse, Jonathan Taylor looks like half the running back he was last year, turning the Colts biggest strength into just another thing the team does averagely. The Colts need plenty of things to change and soon if the team wants to get back into a playoff race. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was too late.
New England hasn’t been the most functional franchise in recent weeks either, a surprising statement to make when talking about a team coached by Bill Belichick. Mac Jones started and finished last week’s win against the Jets, but didn’t blow anybody away while doing so. Jones has regressed significantly since coming into the league last year, showing the Patriots what the rest of the league has gone through while they enjoyed 20 years of Brady. I’m seeing a one possession game here with either side on top. The Pats are probably better but it is a lot of points.
The Pick: Colts +5.5
Miami Dolphins (-4.5) at Chicago Bears
There were a few weeks in between that saw the team struggling with some backup quarterbacks playing, but the Miami Dolphins have been nothing short of a well-oiled machine with Tua Tagovailoa under center. Despite a shaky first quarter in Detroit, Miami was able to come back and remain undefeated when Tua plays the full game. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are simply ridiculous receivers and probably the best duo in the league.
Then we have the Bears. My Bears. What a roller coaster of a few weeks it’s been. The team followed up a huge win over the Patriots in Foxborough by trading Robert Quinn to Philly. Trailing 28-7 in Dallas Sunday, Chicago got the score to 28-23 before falling behind big again. Just a day later, the Bears traded my favorite player, and probably their best, Roquan Smith to the Ravens. I see the vision. I see Justin Fields getting better by the week. I can already see the 2023 Chicago Bears being vastly improved. They just aren’t going to be very good, especially defensively, for the rest of the year. I think Miami’s offense is probably going to be too much. Welcome to Chicago Chase Claypool!
The Pick: Dolphins -4.5
Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at Detroit Lions
The Packers have lost four straight games with Aaron Rodgers under center for the first time in his career. The team did cover their lopsided spread against Buffalo on Sunday night to help destroy hopes of a winning week for the column, but Green Bay was far from striking distance for the entirety of the contest. The Packers biggest strength this season hasn’t been its back-to-back league MVP, but the running game headlined by Aaron Jones.
The Lions are spiraling fast, having not won a game since Week 2. Detroit traded All-Pro tight end T.J Hockenson to division rival Minnesota earlier this week, indicating that this team might be going for another top three pick this year. Offensively, the Lions have been above average! The team scored 27 points in the first half against Miami, but lost the game after being held scoreless in the second. That’s been the tale of the season for Detroit: not being able to string together a full 60 minutes. There’s no way Rodgers makes it five losses in a row, against the Lions no less. No way. None.
The Pick: Packers -3.5
Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5)
Carolina looks almost like a completely different team since firing Matt Rhule and appointing P.J. Walker as quarterback. Interim head coach Steve Wilks has transformed the team from perhaps the worst in the league to a team that could possibly contend for a division crown with the NFC South being as down as it has. Star receiver D.J. Moore has come to life and D’Onta Foreman has filled in very nicely for a recently traded Christian McCaffrey.
The Bengals put the final nail in my coffin Monday night, getting destroyed by the Browns to end all hopes of my first positive week. Without Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengal offense has struggled terribly. Joe Burrow looks confused, and a very good defense was somewhat exposed on Halloween. After dominating the Falcons two weeks ago, we assumed Cincy had figured it out and was back on the scene. I do think the Bengals win this game, but Carolina has the talent to stick with them until the end.
The Pick: Panthers +7.5
Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) at Atlanta Falcons
The Chargers got a much needed week off last week, allowing a few of the team’s many injured players to heal up a little bit. Star receiver Mike Williams is going to miss some time with a sprained ankle, cornerback J.C. Jackson is done for the year and Justin Herbert is still banged up from that early season rib injury. It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for Los Angeles’s AFC squad, and the Chargers have to travel cross country to pick up a win this week.
Did you have the Atlanta Falcons in first place after eight weeks? Don’t lie. Atlanta has been a revelation this season and Arthur Smith should be in discussion for Coach of the Year. The running game has been awesome, and star tight end Kyle Pitts finally made himself known last week in a win against Carolina. The Chargers could be missing not just Williams but their top two or three receivers in this one. Give me the home team.
The Pick: Falcons +3.5
Buffalo Bills (-12.5) at New York Jets
The Bills, man. What else to say? Josh Allen is incredible, Stefon Diggs might just be the best wide receiver in football and the defense has the highest pressure rate in football while also having the lowest blitz rate. By every possible metric, this team is a wagon, and despite not being undefeated, is probably the best team in the league. Plus, they made the Packers look bad on national television Sunday night! What’s not to love?
It was a rough week for the Jets as the team had its winning streak snapped by the Patriots, who have beaten New York 12 straight times. Zach Wilson was puzzling, throwing three interceptions that he simply did not have to. There’s some maturity lacking in his decision making, and losing star rookie Breece Hall to injury showed its impact immediately. I like the Jets and what they are doing this year, but they aren’t on the level of Buffalo.
The Pick: Bills -12.5
Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) at Washington Commanders
Minnesota just keeps winning. The Vikings aren’t being talked about like the Bills, Chiefs and Eagles, but Minnesota has quietly cruised to a 6-1 record and is running away with the NFC North. Kirk Cousins is playing good, winning football, is getting the ball to all of his weapons and has Dalvin Cook waking up and reasserting himself as a top running back in the game. A lot of folks, including myself, thought last week’s game against Arizona would be the one that exposed the Vikings, but Minnesota keeps rolling.
The Commanders have sneakily won three games in a row and aren’t out of a wild card spot in a bad NFC. Taylor Heinicke has been awesome in two weeks, leading a game winning drive and scoring a touchdown with less than 30 seconds left last weekend against the Colts. Terry McLaurin has looked awesome catching passes from his new QB, and elite pass rusher Chase Young is returning to practice for the first time in over a year. Things are looking up in Washington, so surely Dan Snyder will find a way to keep his ownership position, despite reports he will look to sell. Will the team be able to pull off the upset this weekend?
The Pick: Commanders +3.5
Las Vegas Raiders (-1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
What a mess the Raiders are. Sitting way below where expectations had them at 2-5, Las Vegas put up a goose egg against New Orleans last week, getting shut out for the first time since 2014. The team didn’t even run a play in Saints territory until there were three minutes left. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what has gone so wrong for the Raiders, but Vegas is quickly getting itself out of a hole it can’t climb out of.
Which brings us to the Jaguars, who just lost their fifth straight game Sunday morning in London against the lowly Broncos. Trevor Lawrence is being called a bust, and while I won’t go that far just yet, he seriously has some improvement to do, and fast. Running back Travis Etienne had a monster day in his first game as the lead back, running for over 150 yards and keeping the team in the game single handedly. Neither of these teams are going to accomplish much this season, but for some reason, I still have more faith in the Raiders. That doesn’t mean anything though. Lawrence starts to right the ship against a defense that doesn’t sack the quarterback or create turnovers.
The Pick: Jaguars +1.5
LATE AFTERNOON SLATE
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (-2)
The popular take going into last week’s game between the Giants and Seahawks was that it was the battle of the unexpected sides, but that New York was everybody’s darling of the young year. Seattle stole that mantle with a win and is 5-3 and in first place. Pete Carroll is another guy that should be considered for Coach of the Year with the team already at its preseason win prediction. The team also may have the Offensive Rookie of the Year in Kenneth Walker III. With the way the rest of the division has looked outside of San Francisco, it’s not crazy to think this team could be in the playoffs.
Arizona took a step back in its loss to Minnesota this weekend after a big win against New Orleans last a couple of Thursdays ago. Regardless, the offense has looked completely different with D’Andre Hopkins back in the lineup. The Cardinals did not have their star pass catcher in the first matchup with Seattle, a loss. It’s going to be a different game this time around, an offensive showcase. I like Seattle’s defense just a bit better.
The Pick: Seahawks +2
Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)
This game could be our first true “loser leaves town” game. It’s hard to believe these teams were playing in a high level playoff matchup just months ago. The Rams are a mess, proving the Super Bowl hangover is no laughing matter. Matthew Stafford has struggled, as has his offensive line. Cooper Kupp is going to be banged up after suffering an injury catching a pass while trailing 31-14 with less than two minutes left. Things are not going well for the Rams!
They aren’t much better for the Bucs. After putting together a touchdown drive on its opening possession against Baltimore last Thursday, Tampa Bay struggled to pick up first downs afterwards, allowing the Ravens to get into a groove and take over the game. Tom Brady looks slow, almost like Peyton Manning in his last year in Denver. He’s not looking that bad yet, but it’s not looking good for the 45-year-old in his battle against Father Time. All of that being said, I still think they win this game at home. The Rams have even bigger problems.
The Pick: Buccaneers -2.5
WAITIN’ ALL DAY FOR A SUNDAY NIGHT
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (-12.5)
There was a point not too long ago when the Titans were 0-2. Tennessee has won five straight since that start and is sitting firmly in first place in the AFC South. Derrick Henry had his first signature game of the year against Houston last week, rushing for over 200 yards and two scores. Malik Willis was in at quarterback for an injured Ryan Tannehill, and it’s still not known who will start this one. The Titans have won their last four regular season games against the Chiefs.
Kansas City had an extra week to prepare for this one after picking up a dominant win over the 49ers two weeks ago. The offense is firing on all cylinders even without Tyreek Hill. We know Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the league and he gets to throw to the best tight end in the league in Travis Kelce. But how will the run defense do? Who will be leading the Chiefs run game? I think Kansas City does win this one, but maybe by 10. 31-21 sounds right to me.
The Pick: Titans +12.5
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) at New Orleans Saints
Baltimore got better at the trade deadline by acquiring Roquan Smith from the Bears, not to mention the team has strung together a few wins in a row and looks like the best team in the AFC North. Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely had a huge game last Thursday filling in for injured star Mark Andrews. The Ravens will be without top receiver Rashod Bateman for the next couple of weeks.
The Saints might have found a winning formula last weekend against Las Vegas. The defense finally looked like the unit that was advertised, posting a shutout. Alvin Kamara finally got into the end zone, not once, not twice but three times in a dominant performance for a team that desperately needed it. With how bad the NFC South is, the Saints are definitely still in it. Look for them to keep it rolling at home on Monday to stay in the mix.
The Pick: Saints +2.5
The quest for a winning week continues on, but I’m starting to lose all hope. It’s a good thing I’m not in a competition and am just doing this for fun. Enjoy the first weekend of Hoosier Hoops!
We have just one football team remaining in the area as Warsaw travels to Fort Wayne to take on undefeated Carroll on Friday night. It appears as quickly as they began, our fall sports are coming to an end.
It was a great season that saw conference championships, sectional titles and tons of wins for our seven area schools. More than a few of our local athletes were named to all-conference teams, and our paper will honor each of them once fall sports officially come to an end.
We are approaching winter and the many things that come with it. The holidays, the hoops, that same Mariah Carey song playing in every building you walk into for the next two months.
I don’t like cold weather but I enjoy wearing hoodies and sweatpants. It’s a paradox that has haunted me for my entire adult life. I don’t know what that has to do with anything else but it was the first thought that popped into my head when I wrote the word winter.
Perhaps my least favorite part of the winter is how early the sun goes down. I’m used to it being dark out by the time I leave a sporting event. I’m not a big fan of it being dark before I even get there too.
I’m sure in just a few months I’ll be complaining about how quickly basketball season flew by too, so I won’t waste too much time doing so now. A few things new with me:
I started watching the TV show Deadwood this week. I’m only a few episodes in but so far, I’m digging it. I’m a sucker for the old west and the times of the gunslingers, so this is right up my alley. Excited to see where this goes.
I finished off my Halloween movie marathon (31 movies in 31 nights) with Mel Brooks’ classic Young Frankenstein on Monday night. I hadn’t seen it in years, and I’m glad I made the choice. The interaction between the monster and the blind man is the hardest I’ve laughed in months.
I needed just one win over the final two games of the week to get my first winning column, and went 0-2. I’m not surprised the Packers helped to screw me over. Here we go.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Philadelphia Eagles (-13) at Houston Texans
In case sports fans haven’t had enough of Houston vs. Philly this week, the one day without a World Series game will feature the two cities meeting up for some Thursday Night Football. Philadelphia had an extra week to prepare for Pittsburgh last weekend and made the most of it, dominating the Steelers in every phase. Jalen Hurts threw four touchdown passes, three to A.J. Brown and the defense remains the best in the league. With a relatively easy schedule going down the stretch, it’ll be interesting to see how long the team can remain unbeaten.
While the Eagles are in the conversation of best team in the league, Houston is on the opposite end of the spectrum. I have a hard time picking out a team that’s looked worse than the Texans up to this point in the season. Houston scored its lone touchdown in garbage time against Tennessee on Sunday and were not competitive in a game that saw the Titans giving Malik Willis his first career start. Even with the short week, I’m expecting Philly to keep it rolling.
The Pick: Eagles -13
1 O’CLOCK SUNDAY
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots (-5.5)
The Colts handed the quarterback job to Sam Ehlinger last weekend as Matt Ryan had not been the answer. Ehlinger wasn’t much better as Indianapolis gave up a touchdown with less than 30 seconds left to drop their game against Washington. To make matters worse, Jonathan Taylor looks like half the running back he was last year, turning the Colts biggest strength into just another thing the team does averagely. The Colts need plenty of things to change and soon if the team wants to get back into a playoff race. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was too late.
New England hasn’t been the most functional franchise in recent weeks either, a surprising statement to make when talking about a team coached by Bill Belichick. Mac Jones started and finished last week’s win against the Jets, but didn’t blow anybody away while doing so. Jones has regressed significantly since coming into the league last year, showing the Patriots what the rest of the league has gone through while they enjoyed 20 years of Brady. I’m seeing a one possession game here with either side on top. The Pats are probably better but it is a lot of points.
The Pick: Colts +5.5
Miami Dolphins (-4.5) at Chicago Bears
There were a few weeks in between that saw the team struggling with some backup quarterbacks playing, but the Miami Dolphins have been nothing short of a well-oiled machine with Tua Tagovailoa under center. Despite a shaky first quarter in Detroit, Miami was able to come back and remain undefeated when Tua plays the full game. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are simply ridiculous receivers and probably the best duo in the league.
Then we have the Bears. My Bears. What a roller coaster of a few weeks it’s been. The team followed up a huge win over the Patriots in Foxborough by trading Robert Quinn to Philly. Trailing 28-7 in Dallas Sunday, Chicago got the score to 28-23 before falling behind big again. Just a day later, the Bears traded my favorite player, and probably their best, Roquan Smith to the Ravens. I see the vision. I see Justin Fields getting better by the week. I can already see the 2023 Chicago Bears being vastly improved. They just aren’t going to be very good, especially defensively, for the rest of the year. I think Miami’s offense is probably going to be too much. Welcome to Chicago Chase Claypool!
The Pick: Dolphins -4.5
Green Bay Packers (-3.5) at Detroit Lions
The Packers have lost four straight games with Aaron Rodgers under center for the first time in his career. The team did cover their lopsided spread against Buffalo on Sunday night to help destroy hopes of a winning week for the column, but Green Bay was far from striking distance for the entirety of the contest. The Packers biggest strength this season hasn’t been its back-to-back league MVP, but the running game headlined by Aaron Jones.
The Lions are spiraling fast, having not won a game since Week 2. Detroit traded All-Pro tight end T.J Hockenson to division rival Minnesota earlier this week, indicating that this team might be going for another top three pick this year. Offensively, the Lions have been above average! The team scored 27 points in the first half against Miami, but lost the game after being held scoreless in the second. That’s been the tale of the season for Detroit: not being able to string together a full 60 minutes. There’s no way Rodgers makes it five losses in a row, against the Lions no less. No way. None.
The Pick: Packers -3.5
Carolina Panthers at Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5)
Carolina looks almost like a completely different team since firing Matt Rhule and appointing P.J. Walker as quarterback. Interim head coach Steve Wilks has transformed the team from perhaps the worst in the league to a team that could possibly contend for a division crown with the NFC South being as down as it has. Star receiver D.J. Moore has come to life and D’Onta Foreman has filled in very nicely for a recently traded Christian McCaffrey.
The Bengals put the final nail in my coffin Monday night, getting destroyed by the Browns to end all hopes of my first positive week. Without Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengal offense has struggled terribly. Joe Burrow looks confused, and a very good defense was somewhat exposed on Halloween. After dominating the Falcons two weeks ago, we assumed Cincy had figured it out and was back on the scene. I do think the Bengals win this game, but Carolina has the talent to stick with them until the end.
The Pick: Panthers +7.5
Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5) at Atlanta Falcons
The Chargers got a much needed week off last week, allowing a few of the team’s many injured players to heal up a little bit. Star receiver Mike Williams is going to miss some time with a sprained ankle, cornerback J.C. Jackson is done for the year and Justin Herbert is still banged up from that early season rib injury. It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for Los Angeles’s AFC squad, and the Chargers have to travel cross country to pick up a win this week.
Did you have the Atlanta Falcons in first place after eight weeks? Don’t lie. Atlanta has been a revelation this season and Arthur Smith should be in discussion for Coach of the Year. The running game has been awesome, and star tight end Kyle Pitts finally made himself known last week in a win against Carolina. The Chargers could be missing not just Williams but their top two or three receivers in this one. Give me the home team.
The Pick: Falcons +3.5
Buffalo Bills (-12.5) at New York Jets
The Bills, man. What else to say? Josh Allen is incredible, Stefon Diggs might just be the best wide receiver in football and the defense has the highest pressure rate in football while also having the lowest blitz rate. By every possible metric, this team is a wagon, and despite not being undefeated, is probably the best team in the league. Plus, they made the Packers look bad on national television Sunday night! What’s not to love?
It was a rough week for the Jets as the team had its winning streak snapped by the Patriots, who have beaten New York 12 straight times. Zach Wilson was puzzling, throwing three interceptions that he simply did not have to. There’s some maturity lacking in his decision making, and losing star rookie Breece Hall to injury showed its impact immediately. I like the Jets and what they are doing this year, but they aren’t on the level of Buffalo.
The Pick: Bills -12.5
Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) at Washington Commanders
Minnesota just keeps winning. The Vikings aren’t being talked about like the Bills, Chiefs and Eagles, but Minnesota has quietly cruised to a 6-1 record and is running away with the NFC North. Kirk Cousins is playing good, winning football, is getting the ball to all of his weapons and has Dalvin Cook waking up and reasserting himself as a top running back in the game. A lot of folks, including myself, thought last week’s game against Arizona would be the one that exposed the Vikings, but Minnesota keeps rolling.
The Commanders have sneakily won three games in a row and aren’t out of a wild card spot in a bad NFC. Taylor Heinicke has been awesome in two weeks, leading a game winning drive and scoring a touchdown with less than 30 seconds left last weekend against the Colts. Terry McLaurin has looked awesome catching passes from his new QB, and elite pass rusher Chase Young is returning to practice for the first time in over a year. Things are looking up in Washington, so surely Dan Snyder will find a way to keep his ownership position, despite reports he will look to sell. Will the team be able to pull off the upset this weekend?
The Pick: Commanders +3.5
Las Vegas Raiders (-1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
What a mess the Raiders are. Sitting way below where expectations had them at 2-5, Las Vegas put up a goose egg against New Orleans last week, getting shut out for the first time since 2014. The team didn’t even run a play in Saints territory until there were three minutes left. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what has gone so wrong for the Raiders, but Vegas is quickly getting itself out of a hole it can’t climb out of.
Which brings us to the Jaguars, who just lost their fifth straight game Sunday morning in London against the lowly Broncos. Trevor Lawrence is being called a bust, and while I won’t go that far just yet, he seriously has some improvement to do, and fast. Running back Travis Etienne had a monster day in his first game as the lead back, running for over 150 yards and keeping the team in the game single handedly. Neither of these teams are going to accomplish much this season, but for some reason, I still have more faith in the Raiders. That doesn’t mean anything though. Lawrence starts to right the ship against a defense that doesn’t sack the quarterback or create turnovers.
The Pick: Jaguars +1.5
LATE AFTERNOON SLATE
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (-2)
The popular take going into last week’s game between the Giants and Seahawks was that it was the battle of the unexpected sides, but that New York was everybody’s darling of the young year. Seattle stole that mantle with a win and is 5-3 and in first place. Pete Carroll is another guy that should be considered for Coach of the Year with the team already at its preseason win prediction. The team also may have the Offensive Rookie of the Year in Kenneth Walker III. With the way the rest of the division has looked outside of San Francisco, it’s not crazy to think this team could be in the playoffs.
Arizona took a step back in its loss to Minnesota this weekend after a big win against New Orleans last a couple of Thursdays ago. Regardless, the offense has looked completely different with D’Andre Hopkins back in the lineup. The Cardinals did not have their star pass catcher in the first matchup with Seattle, a loss. It’s going to be a different game this time around, an offensive showcase. I like Seattle’s defense just a bit better.
The Pick: Seahawks +2
Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)
This game could be our first true “loser leaves town” game. It’s hard to believe these teams were playing in a high level playoff matchup just months ago. The Rams are a mess, proving the Super Bowl hangover is no laughing matter. Matthew Stafford has struggled, as has his offensive line. Cooper Kupp is going to be banged up after suffering an injury catching a pass while trailing 31-14 with less than two minutes left. Things are not going well for the Rams!
They aren’t much better for the Bucs. After putting together a touchdown drive on its opening possession against Baltimore last Thursday, Tampa Bay struggled to pick up first downs afterwards, allowing the Ravens to get into a groove and take over the game. Tom Brady looks slow, almost like Peyton Manning in his last year in Denver. He’s not looking that bad yet, but it’s not looking good for the 45-year-old in his battle against Father Time. All of that being said, I still think they win this game at home. The Rams have even bigger problems.
The Pick: Buccaneers -2.5
WAITIN’ ALL DAY FOR A SUNDAY NIGHT
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (-12.5)
There was a point not too long ago when the Titans were 0-2. Tennessee has won five straight since that start and is sitting firmly in first place in the AFC South. Derrick Henry had his first signature game of the year against Houston last week, rushing for over 200 yards and two scores. Malik Willis was in at quarterback for an injured Ryan Tannehill, and it’s still not known who will start this one. The Titans have won their last four regular season games against the Chiefs.
Kansas City had an extra week to prepare for this one after picking up a dominant win over the 49ers two weeks ago. The offense is firing on all cylinders even without Tyreek Hill. We know Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the league and he gets to throw to the best tight end in the league in Travis Kelce. But how will the run defense do? Who will be leading the Chiefs run game? I think Kansas City does win this one, but maybe by 10. 31-21 sounds right to me.
The Pick: Titans +12.5
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) at New Orleans Saints
Baltimore got better at the trade deadline by acquiring Roquan Smith from the Bears, not to mention the team has strung together a few wins in a row and looks like the best team in the AFC North. Rookie tight end Isaiah Likely had a huge game last Thursday filling in for injured star Mark Andrews. The Ravens will be without top receiver Rashod Bateman for the next couple of weeks.
The Saints might have found a winning formula last weekend against Las Vegas. The defense finally looked like the unit that was advertised, posting a shutout. Alvin Kamara finally got into the end zone, not once, not twice but three times in a dominant performance for a team that desperately needed it. With how bad the NFC South is, the Saints are definitely still in it. Look for them to keep it rolling at home on Monday to stay in the mix.
The Pick: Saints +2.5
The quest for a winning week continues on, but I’m starting to lose all hope. It’s a good thing I’m not in a competition and am just doing this for fun. Enjoy the first weekend of Hoosier Hoops!
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