MATTY ICE
NFL season is well under way. Heading into week 9, we pretty much have an idea of which teams are good and which teams suck. For example, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars… SUCK! Atlanta Falcons, NY Giants and Green Bay Packers… GOOD! For all of you out there that like to bet on NFL Football, I have a lock for you this week. Sunday Night Football, Dallas Cowboys against the Atlanta Falcons, in Atlanta. The Falcons are favored by a measly 4.5 points. The Falcons, as many of you already know, are 7-0 this year. They have a top 5 quarterback in Matt Ryan, top 5 running back in Michael Turner, a top tier tight end in Tony Gonzalez and top tier wide receivers in Julio Jones and Roddy White. They’re defense isn’t as great but are ranked 10th in passing. Fortunately for them, the Dallas Cowboys are coming to town. The same ‘boys who are ranked 28th in the league in rushing. They have an overrated quarterback in Tony Romo, no running game, a diva WR in Dez Bryant and an aging defense. Now its time for you to cash in on this. Take the birds, put the house on it… Thank me Monday morning.
NFL GAME OF THE WEEK LIONS AT COWBOYS
I never thought that I would use “lock of the week” and Detroit Lions in the same sentence but after the way they’ve been playing this year, I’m intrigued. They have the best receiver in Calvin Johnson and a streaking quarterback in Matt Stafford. I love Ndamukong Suh (if that’s how you spell his name). He’s probably the best DT in the league. It took years of losing and losing but the Motor City finally has something to cheer about. As for them ‘boys, they’re a bad Monday night opener from being 3-0. Sure Romo’s banged up but there’s something magical happening with this team that I haven’t seen in years. Dez Bryant is hurt and the running game is struggling but Romo’s got this team believing. That and having Demarcus Ware on your D isn’t bad either. Take the Cowboys with the points, they’re 1 point favorites.
What’s Wrong with Peyton Manning?
Ok folks, I’m officially concerned. Peyton Manning threw 4 picks yesterday in huge loss to the Dallas Cowboys, at HOME! Peyton look nervous during the game and did have that “air” of confidence. I have a bad feeling that they’re not going to make the playoffs which would be a shame. Who wants to see the Jaguars win the conference (outside of Jacksonville-ians)? I think I know what’s wrong with Manning. First, they have no running game. Their lead rusher is a guy named Javarris James with a whopping 6 carries for 18 yards. Donald Brown and Mike Hart and assy. Defenses are not respecting the play-action pass and we all know how easy it is to defend a one-dimensional team. The second problem are their receivers. Peyton’s favorite target Dallas Clark is out for the season. HUGE! I know he’s just a tight end but most TE’s are a quarterback’s safety blanket. Manning and his receivers don’t look like they’re on the same page. Outside of Reggie Wayne, they have no receivers that can kill anyone. And I don’t wanna hear about Pierre Carcon and Blair White. My last point I wanna make is 34. Maybe Peyton’s getting old? Maybe his passes are 1 second too late? I don’t wanna jump the gun here but if they don’t make the playoffs, do you draft a quarterback in the first round to prep him in 3-4 years? Forget it, let’s not even talk about it. The Colts face the Titans 2x, the Jaguars at home, and the Raiders. If they run the table, they sneak into the playoffs. Don’t count out Manning yet.
BYE BYE COWBOYS
And the award for “Most Overrated Team of the Season goes to…” And the award for “Earliest Exit” goes to? When is Jerry Jones going to pull the trigger and fire head coach Wade Phillips? When you have so many penalties and turnovers, one has to wonder if the players are being kept in check? The Cowboys schedule only gets worst. I think it’s time they throw in the towel (although it seems like they have already). Don’t get me wrong, they’re not mathematically elimated but there are some coaches out there that are born losers. I’m sure Wade is a good guy but I’m talking about his coaching skills. Look at what Norv Turner has done and is doing in San Diego. NADA! Another one of those underachieving teams, as the Chargers lost to rookie Sam Bradford and the Rams. Both Chargers and Cowboys have been Superbowl contenders for years but their window is closing FAST! I know Jerry Jones is against firing head coaches in mid-season but if he has any hopes of hosting the Superbowl this year, he needs to make an exception and let Wade go. Until then, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye.
DEZ BRYANT: BIG TIPPER?
So Cowboys’ diva wide receiver Dez Bryant got caught. He refused the rookie hazing in the offseason by carrying Roy Williams’ pads. Instead, he got stuck with taking the whole team to dinner, for a whopping $54,896. WOW! First of all, I wouldn’t carry Roy Williams’ pads either. He’s probably one of the biggest disappointments when it comes to top draft picks. A college standout, this guy hasn’t amounted to shit in the pros. As for Bryant, I don’t think I wanna make my bones by not fulfilling a longtime a NFL ritual. Carry anyone’s pads for pete’s sake. The sad part is that while $55k is a drop in the bucket for all these athletes and a BIG joke, Bryant could’ve actually done some good by donating the money to charity. But then again, these are the Dallas Cowboys, a roster filled with overpaid and underachieving athletes. After 3 games this season, he’s only got 158 yards TOTAL and no touchdowns (and don’t come at me with that punt return touchdown; that’s not what the Jerry Jones game him $8.4 million in guaranteed for). But at least they got a win. Not bad for a team everyone was picking to make it to the Superbowl.
LOCK of the Week: Two for the Show
So I nailed my last pick, and boy did I feel good about that one. The Cowboys laid an ass-kicking on the Seahawks and anyone that bet some cash on that game and listened to me was sitting pretty after the first quarter. The win put me at 7-5 on the year, and I’m feeling hot. So hot that I can’t wait ’till next week for another lock. So one time only, I got a doozy, San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills -6. The Bills are still in the playoff hunt, and while I hate to use cliches, it doesn’t get more “must win” than this one. They got back on the right track last week by dropping 54 on the Chiefs in Arrowhead, and now that their office is clickng, should have no problem putting up at least 30 on the Niners. As for Mike Singletary and his team, the talent just isn’t there. Neither is the heart. Take the Bills and enjoy this double “LOCK,” after all, it is the holiday of giving…
LOCK of the Week
Given the fact that it’s Thanksgiving, I’m kinda in the spirit of giving, and thanking of course. I now my picks have been subpar so far, though 6-5 on the year ain’t too shabby. Anyway, I gotta a gimmie for you. Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys -10.5. Take the ‘boys, take ‘em big, take ‘em before the spread goes up. These Cowboys seem to be on the right track after last week’s win. Romo is gelling back to his old former self and T.O. picked up his first 100 yd game in ages. Most importantly, them Cowboys’ DEFENSE is back. The Seahawks on the other hand, suck. If you’re worried about Matt Hasselbeck, DON’T. He’s got 5 picks in the last two games. Plus, he’s got noone to throw to. Let’s just say that his wife Elizabeth has a better chance of winning this game then he does. With a 2-9 record, the Seahawks are playing for 2015. They are tied for last in their division with the St. Louis Rams. EVEN the San Fancisco 49ers have a better record then them, though not by much (3-8). This bet is as safe as it gets. In Dallas, on Thanksgiving Day, two teams headed in entirely different directions. Enjoy the pick, enjoy the Turkey.
8-7 on the year isn’t spectacular, but it’s over .500. This week’s lock of the week comes a little early, but then again, it is a Saturday game. That’ll give you more time jump on
I got greedy last week, but I couldn’t help it, I was in the spirit of giving, “Thanksgiving” that is. Nailed the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day then f-ed it all up by taking the sorry-ass Bills. Them damn Bills have killed me so many times this season. I’m done with them. Sadly, I’m back at 7-6 on the year, which I’m beginning to think is not too good, especially for a sports genius like myself. Maybe I’m outthinking myself. Fortunately for you guys, for the rest of the season, you’re getting my “A” game. Without further adue, the game of the week, the Dallas Cowboys @ the Pittsburgh Steelers -2. The Steelers are favored by 2. They’re at home. It’s cold. I’m not sold on the Cowboys just yet and that Steelers’ defense is sick. I do think the Cowboys are gonna make the playoffs but I don’t think that they’re going to Pittsburgh and take down the Steelers, NO FREAKIN WAY!!! It’ll be a good game but 2 points is too easy. Enjoy the pick and let’s finish off the last quarter of the season with a bang…
