A fiery 9-3-1 week in our last outing.
I’m trying new things recently. Last week, I gave you my picks from a hotel room full of drunk dudes at 2:00 am. This time, I’m sitting on the toilet.
They say variety is the spice of life, after all.
Week 1: 9-3-1
2019 Season: 66-57-3
THE LOCKS
Oakland Raiders at New York Jets (+3.5)
Sunday, Nov 24 – 1:05 EST
A lot of times in one of my weekly write-ups, I will tell you not to get scared off by the too-good-to-be-true line. This is one of those cases, though I will say that I understand this Vegas line. The Raiders have won three games in a row, none by more than seven points. Next week they travel to Kansas City for an enormous game. So it would be understandable if they overlooked an improving Jets team.
But I believe in this team, and I especially believe in Jon Gruden. He won’t let that happen. I’m not sure how he’s done what’s done this year – holding things together in the Antonio Brown aftermath, navigating a five-game stretch without a home game, resurrecting Derek Carr – but we might be talking about the Coach of the Year for 2019.
Pick: Raiders -3.5
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles (PK)
Sunday, Nov 24 – 1:05 EST
This game jaw-droppingly opened at Eagles -2.5, so clearly Vegas hasn’t been watching many Eagles games. The has moved violently toward the Hawks ever since, and now sits at a pick ‘em.
Russell Wilson has never lost to the Eagles. Take the Hawks.
Pick: Seakhawks
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans (-10)
Sunday, Nov 24 – 1:05 EST
Don’t be sad it’s over – be glad it happened. This is going to be a pivotal season for the Carolina Panthers. It will likely be the last time Cam Newton starts a game for them. It will likely be the final time Ron Rivera coaches a game for them. It will definitely be the last time Kyle Allen starts a game for them. He’ll remind you why on Sunday.
At least the Panthers won that title a few years ago. Oh, wait.
Pick: Saints -10
AND ALL THE REST
Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns (-10.5)
Pick: Dolphins +10.5
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills (-4)
Pick: Broncos +4
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (+6.5)
Pick: Bengals +6.5
New York Giants at Chicago Bears (-6)
Pick: Bears -6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)
Pick: Buccaneers +3.5
Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins (+4)
Pick: Lions -4
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-3.5)
Pick: Does anyone actually give a shit about this game? Jags +3.5
Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots (-5.5)
Pick: Cowboys +5.5
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers (-3.5)
Pick: Packers +3.5
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Rams (+3)
Pick: Ravens -3