Thanny's Thoughts: NFL Week 16
You better believe your boy went 9-7 last week and even missed the last 4 games of the week. Turning my season around just in times for playoffs. Well, it’s week 16 and the Christmas season is in full swing, we even get blessed with a Christmas Eve game between Denver and Oakland. Count your blessings and money because you’re going to be rolling in the green this week.
Photo Credit: NotSportsCenter
At Tennessee -10 vs Washington
Things get kicked off on Saturday with a 4:30 matchup between two teams that kind of surprisingly both have a shot at the playoffs. For the Titans, Derrick Henry has been carrying the team on his back lately with 408 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns in the last 2 games. He only rushed for 474 yds and 5 tds in the first 13 games of the season. On the other side you have the Redskins getting wins from a QB who started his first game last week for the first time in 7 yrs, and actually won the game. I’ll take the Redskins at +10 in this one because they have a pretty good defense.
At LA Chargers -4.5 vs Baltimore
I heard the Pardon My Take boys compare Baltimore to Navy or Army or whichever military college runs the ball every down, and I have never heard a better comparison. I joke every week about Lamar Jackson rushing the ball 20+ times a game and frankly it’s pretty much true. Lamar Jackson has only had 1 game in his first 5 starts where he had more passing attempts than rushes. There is a zero percent chance this man is a starting QB in 2 years. Maybe RG3 can teach Lamar how to not get injured running the football. Oh yeah, as far as this game and the spread give me LA Chargers all day every day at -4.5.
At Dallas -7 vs Tampa Bay
I don’t like my pick in this game, but I think I’ll go with Dallas. Dallas will surely bounce back after getting shutout last week against Indy, granted Dak Prescott isn’t exactly the quarterback I want to put my trust in. But neither is Jameis. It should be really close to the spread but I see Dallas winning this one by 10 points.
At New England -12.5 vs Buffalo
Am I scared? Damn right I am, but not about this game. I’m scared about the Patriots season continuing after the first round of the playoffs. My philosophy is usually to bet against the Patriots so I can hedge myself against a Pats loss. Well after a few rough weeks, I’m officially returning to that surefire philosophy for the remainder of the season. I’ll take Buffalo in this one and take the L because I know the Pats will win and cover when I pick against them. Your’re welcome for the free money.
At Carolina -4 vs Atlanta
Nothing warms the heart quite like a bad stretch of games from Cam Newton, except for maybe this apple pie moonshine your boy is currently sipping on. So apparently Newton is hurt, or at least that’s the excuse he’s getting around these parts. Maybe don’t play if you can’t throw the ball over 10 yds, it shouldn’t be that hard of a concept. In no way shape or form are the Panthers better with an injured Cam Newton that can’t throw 5+ yards than going with the backup. And Rivera has to take some of the blame as well for not sitting your QB which clearly sucked. With Heinicke starting this week and me not knowing what in the world to expect, I’ll take the Falcons at +4. Atlanta smoked the Cards last week, so hopefully they can build on that.
At Miami -4.5 vs Jacksonville
Is Doug Marrone trying to get fired because it sure feels like it. Since benching Bortles, who I remind you is the QB who led your team to the AFC Championship game last year, the Jaguars have scored 28 points in their last 3 games. I’ll give it to you that Bortles is not always the most accurate passer, but this man also has a 35 td season to his name and played very well against the Steelers and Patriots in the playoffs last year, so to say that Cody Kessler gives you a better chance to win is just simply lying to yourself. I’ll take Miami as a favorite because my heart want let me take a team who is screwing the Boat.
At Indianapolis -9 vs NY Giants
Damn, I’m not going to lie but Vegas kind of killed the spreads so far this week. I have no clue which way to go on some of these games. I think I’m going to go with NY Giants in this game based simply off the points. I like Indy in this game and it should be an easy win for Andrew Luck and co, but the spread is just a little much. Also, can we talk about how incredible Andrew Luck has been. Give my man some MVP consideration. This team went 4-12 last year without Luck and start this season off 1-5 and have bounced back to 8-6 and in the playoff hunt. Luck is elite, try to disagree with me.
At Philadelphia -1 vs Houston
Yeah, I’ll take Houston. It pains me to say it because I really want to hop on this Nick Foles bandwagon as much as anyone but a 10-4 team being an underdog against a 7-7 is pretty much written in law that you have to take the sensible route of going with Houston here. But man do I really want the Eagles to make the playoffs and win a game or two so that the Eagles fans are torn between Foles and Wentz. Need it.
When Nick Foles is about to steal your job
Photo Credit: NBC Sports
Minnesota -5.5 vs At Detroit
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that not only does Detroit cover this game, but I believe they win too. This just seems like a trap game with Minnesota coming off their big win against Miami and going up against a struggling divisional opponent. Detroit wins this game and makes the NFC playoff picture a lot more interesting heading to week 17.
At NY Jets -1 vs Green Bay
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At Cleveland -7 vs Cincinnati
I’m taking Cleveland in this game not because I think they cover, though I do think that they’ll win, but because of my grudge against Hue Jackson and Marvin Lewis. I hope that Baker lights up this Bengals team for 300+ yds and 3 tds. Also how about the fact that Gregg Williams and Baker have won more games in 6 games than Hue Jackson’s dumbass could win in 40 games. Hue Jackson won 3 games in 40 games!!!!! We shall never forget.
LA Rams -14 vs At Arizona
Wow this is a toughy here. On one hand we have the Rams who are 11-3 but have also looked a shell of themselves the last 2 weeks and on the on the other hand we have the worst team in football. The Rams surely win this game, or their season is over. Forget the playoffs, if the Rams lose this game they’re dead. I think I’m going to go with Arizona here based solely on the fact that I don’t like picking favorites with this big of spreads.
Chicago -4 vs At San Francisco
Mitch Trubisky is playing, isn’t he?? Okay then why is this spread this low? Oh yeah, I forgot it’s because Nick Mullens is a damn stud. The way that Mullens has played this season he has earned himself a starting spot on some team next year whether it’s the 49ers or not. Obviously Jimmy G is going to be back from injury next year so the 49ers have to cash in on Mullens and surely somebody will want him. As far as this game, this is going to be one of Mullens biggest tests so far. The Bears defense is just too dominate so I’m taking the Bears at -4.
Merry Chistmas Bears fans you’re division champs and have your first good team in nearly 10 years
Photo Credit: NBC Chicago
At New Orleans -6 vs Pittsburgh
New Orleans hasn’t looked their best as of late, granted they’ve still won 2 out of their last 3 but my opinion is that there just coasting till the playoffs. With the Steelers still very much in the playoff race and the Ravens nipping at their heels for the division, I’m going with Pittsburgh in this game. The Steelers picked up a must win game last week and will likely play the Saints close in this one.
Kansas City -2.5 vs At Seattle
KC choked away their game last week against the Chargers and as a result have yet to lock up their division. In actuality they are tied with the Chargers at 11-3 but somehow hold the tie breaker over the Chargers (which I believe is due to divisional record but who knows). The Chiefs have to go in this game with a must win attitude because if they give away the division there is just no way I can see this team going to the Superbowl without that first round bye. I’ll take Chiefs at -2.5.
Denver -2.5 vs At Oakland
LMAO who knew that Santa was a Raiders fan
Photo Credit: Sports Daily
And finally, the game we will all be watching while we celebrate the holiday and stuff our faces with food and beverages on Christmas Eve. As much as I want to take the Raiders for the boost that Nathan Peterman is going to give this team, I think you have to go with Denver here. Denver is a decent team who is likely going to finish around 7-9, the Raiders aren’t a decent team. They’re actually a pretty bad team who will be lucky if they can get that 4th win in the next two games. Give me Denver at -2.5 but would love to see a Gruden miracle on Christmas Eve to further screw the Raiders out of a draft pick.