While football is important, it feels almost secondary to something that has come into the spotlight over the last week.
People going through a tough time should have an extra eye on them, and a shoulder available to lean on from all concerned parties.
This is my open invite to fans of the Los Angeles Chargers to come and vent with me. Their team seemingly finds new ways to win every single week, and they must be pretty close to the edge of sanity by now.
Let’s hope a W picks up their spirits this week. Although I doubt it. Perhaps we can compensate them. Here’s your Week 8 treble.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates as Nick Chubb #24 (not pictured) rushes for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns (+11.5) @ New England Patriots – 9/10
This is one of the gambler’s fallacies – that you can never back against New England, no matter what the situation, no matter the context and no matter the price.
Well folks, buckle up, because we’re riding the points in Foxboro this week courtesy of Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns.
On the face of it, you’ve got a Cover 1 team against a unit who really only throws the ball downfield on intermediate or longer routes. But I suspect this will change now, as slants, curls and digs are the way to beat the Patriots – control the clock but don’t commit to early-down runs.
The Browns are also coming off a bye week, while New England played on Monday. They have to win, so they won’t be cowering away from fourth-and-two in NE territory and that’s, again, how you beat the Patriots – by not beating yourself.
Bring it home, Baker.
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks is grabbed by Dante Fowler #56 of the Los Angeles Rams during a 36-31 Rams win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 11, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks (-7) @ Atlanta Falcons – 9/10
This line opened at three points and I nearly fell off my chair.
I swore I’d follow this in up until 6.5 points and it’s still not there properly, so I’m happy to recommend to readers. The following point is factual: the Falcons were a fourth down screen pass away from being 0-7 to start this season.
They’re now also likely without Matt Ryan, and even if he does play, I think it’s an even bigger hindrance. High ankle sprains are tough on you when you take your three-step drops from the snap, and he won’t be able to properly find the targets.
The Seahawks will control the clock as Atlanta can’t stop the run, and then will struggle to put up points in a chase situation.
A touchdown is still on the Seahawks side for me.
#Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower reacts to Sam Darnold's "seeing ghosts" comment while mic'd up pic.twitter.com/8O8LmSzEBQ
— Kevin Boilard (@KevinBoilard) October 22, 2019
New York Jets (+6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars – Evens
While the short week and travel is a major concern, hence the line, I feel like these are two teams here with very different mindsets.
The Jets have come off an embarrassment in New England, while Sam Darnold personally was made a fool of by the Mic’d Up crew, who aired his “I’m seeing ghosts” comments. He’ll be out this week to sling it, and I not only fancy them to cover the spread, but to also cause an upset.
The Jaguars have struggled with dual-threat running backs all season and given his relatively light workload to this point, we could be easily seeing Le’Veon Bell’s coming out party in Florida.
A treble on these bets pays out at over 6/1 on PaddyPower.com
*All odds correct at time of posting
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