Week seven in the NFL felt a whole lot like the first six weeks of the season, and if you’ve been following this column, you know that’s not a good thing. We got off to a positive start last Thursday when the Kansas City Chiefs covered in Denver, despite losing star QB Patrick Mahomes to injury. The week ended on a high note when the New England Ghosts spooked the New York Jets into six turnovers and an easy cover. It was everything else in between that left something to be desired. The week resulted in a second consecutive 6-8 mark against the spread. That leaves our season total at an unsightly 42-61. Las Vegas is winning.
Bad Beat of The Week: How about my Sunday? Traveled all the way down to Seattle to sit in the rain for three hours and watch Ravens QB Lamar Jackson run circles around the Seahawks defense. Fun!
Redskins @ VIKINGS -16
Minnesota is on a bit of a heater entering this Thursday night game. The Vikings have outscored their previous three opponents by exactly 16 points per game, the same number as the spread, and carry a tidy 3-0 mark at home this season. The Redskins, by every measure possible, are awful at football. Vikings win 30-9
Seahawks @ Falcons (no line)
With Falcons QB Matt Ryan’s injury status a mystery, there is no line listed for this game at the time of this writing. Finally, a game I can’t lose!
EAGLES @ Bills +2
I’m not ready to buy stock in Buffalo. The 5-1 Bills have benefitted greatly from a timely schedule. I don’t think Bills QB Josh Allen can take advantage of Philly’s weak pass defense. The Eagles have lost two straight games, including last week’s embarrassment in Dallas. Expect the Eagles to bounce back in Buffalo. Eagles win 24-17
Chargers @ BEARS -4
What happened to San Diego? The 2-5 Lightning Bolts were a pre-season darling, but a flurry of injuries and contract disputes have derailed their season. Da Bears aren’t fairing much better at 3-3, led by the woefully average Mitchell Trubisky. Both teams desperately need a win, neither seems capable. We’re siding with the home team. Bears win 27-14
Giants @ LIONS -6.5
Both teams are riding three-game losing streaks going into this meaningless contest. The Lions traded starting safety Quandre Diggs to the Seahawks earlier this week, a move widely panned by teammates on Lions Twitter. How will the team respond on Sunday? Full disclosure, I have no clue who is going to cover this game. Lions win 28-20
Bucs @ TITANS -2.5
Tennessee got a bit of a boost last week replacing Marcus Mariota at QB with ex-Dolphin Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill passed for over 300 yards and two scores leading the Titans to a win over the Chargers. The Titans have only allowed 16 points per game this season. If the offense gets going, this team could surprise. Titans win 24-21
Broncos @ COLTS -6.5
Does Donkey QB Joe Flacco have a pulse? Is he still alive? The guy looks like he absolutely does not give a bleep! It must be infuriating to watch for Donkey faithful. How long until Denver fans start calling for John Elway’s job? In a battle of horses, take the younger horse, with a brighter future. Colts win 30-14
Bengals @ RAMS -13.5
The Bengals are a dark-horse pick to overtake the Miami Dolphins in the race for the number one pick in next year’s draft. The Jungle Kitty’s defense is toothless and de-clawed. Cincinnati surrenders over a hundred more yards per game than the Rams. This could get ugly. Rams win 31-7
CARDINALS @ Saints -10
The New Orleans Saints have survived star QB Drew Brees’ injury by winning close games. Five of six Saints victories have been decided by a touchdown or less. The team’s largest margin of victory is 11 points. The Desert Bats have won three straight games coming into this matchup, and two of those have been on the road. Saints win a close one 23-20
Jets @ JAGS -6
Nobody in their right mind would bet on the Paper Airplanes after the 33-0 shellacking they took on Monday night. Of course, that means the Jets will cover this week. Still, the only play here is siding with the Jags at home. Will Jacksonville deploy the same “Ghost” coverage the Patriots used last week against the Jets with so much success? Jags win 28-14
Panthers @ 49ERS -5.5
You won’t find two hotter teams in the NFL, outside of Boston, than the Panthers and 49ers. Carolina got rolling after losing QB Cam Newton to injury. Another win for his replacement this week and things could get really messy in Charlotte when Newton is cleared to return. Fans of drama are going to be disappointed, the Niners are just too good. 49ers win 20-13
Browns @ PATRIOTS -13
The Patriots have benefitted incredibly by playing the weakest schedule of any team in the NFL. The Patriots are also the best team in the NFL. Both of those statements can be true. Excluding special teams and offensive scores allowed, the Patriots defense has outscored the opposing offenses they’ve faced this season 20-18. That’s quite possibly the most ridiculous stat I’ve ever seen. Patriots win 35-9
Raiders @ TEXANS -6.5
Oakland is a respectful 3-3 on the season, but those three losses have all been by 18 points or more. When the Raiders lose, they lose big. Houston is coming off a disappointing loss to their rival Colts in Indy. The Texans can’t afford to drop this game to keep pace in the division, not with the Colts hosting the hapless Donkeys. Texans win 30-17
PACKERS @ Chiefs +4.5
Kansas City held up last week in Denver when Patrick Mahomes was lost to injury, but facing an Aaron Rodgers-led Packers offense is different challenge. Rodgers appears to be finding his groove, last week the future hall-of-famer accounted for six touchdowns. Half that will be enough to cover in KC. Packers win 24-17
DOLPHINS @ Steelers -14.5
The Dolphins have been messing around the last couple weeks. If they keep up their improved play, their winless record will be in jeopardy. We all know the Canned Tuna need to keep losing to keep pace with the Bengals and stay in front of the fast charging Redskins and Falcons. Only the Dolphins could screw this up. Steelers win a close one 26-20
By Nolan Rose
For the Peninsula Clarion
