Thanny's Thoughts: NFL Week 15
Do you call last week a bounce back week? Almost went .500 but ended up with a 7-9 record. I know one ex NFL head coach who’d be happy with that, and that’s none other than the future hall of famer Jeff Fisher. The season is slowly but surely dwindling down and we only have 3 more weeks left in the regular season. Which is definitely a good thing for mine and most people’s bank accounts.
Kansas City -3.5 at LA Chargers
How about the game of the week being played on a Thursday? Obviously the schedules are set before the season but if you end up having this good of a match-up land on a Thursday, the NFL has to do some shifting of the schedule. I am going to go with LA in this game. The Chiefs have kind of slowed down lately, what a surprise from an Andy Reid coached team. They only beat Oakland by 7 and Baltimore by 3. Playing away at the daunting StubHub Center, I’m taking the points.
When you realize you’re having your 9th kid, which is also the same amount of games you’ve played in the playoffs in your whole career.
Photo Credit: USA Today
Houston -6 at New York Jets
So I finally hit on picking against Houston last week against Indy. Granted it only took about 8 weeks but let bygones be bygones. Since that grudge is over, I’m taking Houston in this one at -6 because I’m pretty sure you have to. It’s the Jets and they somehow managed to win last week. You don’t actually think they could string together 2 good performances do you? Because I don’t.
At Denver -3 vs Cleveland
Just realized that this and the previous games are Saturday games. That’s when you know we are in the thick of it. NFL football on a Saturday, what a great time of year. Believe it or not, Cleveland actually has a slight chance of making the playoffs and this is just the first hurdle. I’m liking the way the Browns looked last week vs Carolina, so I’m taking the Browns. Also I just needed to get off the favorites.
At Chicago -6 vs Green Bay
Revenge game for the Bears. Ordinarily I would go with Green Bay just because they have the Bears number but the Bears will be out for blood in this game after blowing that 20 point lead (I’m not sure what the actual number is, i just know it was big) in the opening week of the season. Also I expect this Bears defense to pressure Rodgers with his mediocre line.
Detroit at Buffalo -2.5
I said it last week and yet I went against my own theory. Never ever take the Bills when they are favorites. They were favorites last week against the Jets and not only did they not cover but they lost. Give me Detroit at +2.5 all day, every day. Lock of the week.
At Baltimore -8 vs Tampa Bay
The Ravens have officially benched Flacco for Lamar Jackson, so we get to continue the fun little game we play every week of how many rushing attempts will Lamar have. I’m going low with only 18 rushes this week. It’s only a matter of time till Flacco is back out there or maybe we even get a RG3 sighting because Lamar is definitely eventually getting hurt. I think Baltimore wins but -8 is way too much, I’ll take Tampa at +8. Also about time for a Fitzmagic sighting.
At Atlanta -9 vs Arizona
Should this be an easy cover for the Falcons?? Absolutely, but will they though? Well from what we’ve seen from them so far this year i’m going with no. The Falcons have been pathetic all season long and have been no shows in what should’ve been easy win games. I’ve lost too much on thinking the Falcons of 2016 would eventually show up, so I’ll take the worst team in the league at +9.
Hot seat city
Photo Credit: Falcoholic
At Cincinnati -3 vs Oakland
If you’ve read any of my previous week’s posts then you know that I can’t stand Marvin Lewis and Hue Jackson. Hue Jackson is the biggest joke in football and Lewis is right up there with him for hiring that clown, plus also not winning a playoff game ever. I’d take the Raiders in this game out of spite, but I actually think they’re gonna win. Ever since I said the Raiders would screw around and mess up their draft pick by winning some games, they’ve beat the Cardinals and Steelers, and actually played the Chiefs close. Raiders +3 all day.
At NY Giants -2.5 vs Tennessee
Talk about another team that was in a good draft spot and has been playing good lately. The Giants have won 4 out of the last 5 games, just enough to get Eli another gig next year. I’m taking Tennessee just because their still fighting for a playoff spot and at +2.5, that’s just too good to pass up. But Eli never ceases to amaze me so who knows what could happen.
At Minnesota -7 vs Miami
Minnesota probably shouldn’t be favored by 7 in this game considering the way they’ve been playing and also considering the fact that the Dolphins are somehow 7-6. But that win against the Pats last week for the Dolphins will come at a cost, also known as a hangover. We see it all the time when a team upsets another team or miraculously wins a game and it’s hyped and talked about all week in the media and then they don’t even show up the next week. I expect this to happen with Miami, I’ll take Minnesota at -7.
At Jacksonville -7 vs Washington
In no way shape or form do I want to take the Jags at -7. I don’t care if Josh Johnson , who until a week ago hadn’t thrown a pass in the NFL since 2011, is starting this game. 20freaking11!! I think you have to take the Redskins. The Redskins still have a solid defense and with Cody Kessler I’m at QB for Jacksonville, common sense says stay away from them at -7. I actually think the Jags win but I like the Redskins and the points. Maybe if the BOAT sees some playing time they’d cover.
Josh Johnson has to be the least memorable name in the world
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated
At Indianapolis -2.5 vs Dallas
One quarterback in this matchup is actually good the other isn’t. I’m going with the good quarterback in this one so give me the Colts at -2.5. I’m hopping on the same train I was on with the Texans, the Cowboys aren’t that good so I’m going to bet against them every week till I prove myself right. In all seriousness though, Dallas has a really good defense so this should be a really good game, but give me Luck.
Seattle -5 at San Francisco
Seattle. Seattle. Seattle. This is one of those games you just have to look at the spread and wonder how it it this low?! What does Vegas know that I don’t? Sure San Fran shocked the Broncos last week but come on, their not that good. I’ll take Seattle at -5. It also needs to be mentioned that Nick Mullens is kind of killing it out there. He’s thrown for 1479 yds and 9 tds in 5 games. Hot seat Garropolo
New England -1.5 at Pittsburgh
Let’s talk about how close the Steelers are to not even making the playoffs. The Steelers are 7-5-1 and lead their division by half a game or by that tie. They have the Pats this week, then the Saints and end with the Bengals. Steelers definitely need a win this week or next, but I’m taking the Pats this week because we all know the Pats don’t lose 2 games, and in row in December on top of that. Just doesn’t happen. Easy money.
The Patriots are 26-7 on the road in December with Belichick and Brady
Photo Credit: Portland Press Herald
At LA Rams -9 vs Philadelphia
The Eagles, barring a miracle, are out of the playoffs and Nick Foles is in for the injured Carson Wentz. The Rams just got dominated by the Bears defense last Sunday night so I like the Rams in a bounce back win. -9 is quite a lot but I think you just have to go with it. A lot of people will probably be hopping on the Nick Foles bandwagon but I see straight through it.
New Orleans -6 at Carolina
Kind of like the Sunday night game, when are we going to see the backup for the Panthers?! Newton has been terrible down the stretch and has cost them multiple wins. A lot of rumors are swirling about him being injured thus the reason they keep bringing Heinicke in for Hail Marys. Well if your injured to the point where your costing your team victories, you might just want to sit it out. The Panthers are done for this season and this should be an easy cover for Drew Brees and Co.
When Cam is 4 inches taller and 50 lbs heavier but you can still throw the ball further.
Photo Credit: Riot Report