This weekly article focuses on headlines, which can be very broad. Because what constitutes a headline? A headline can be a preview of an upcoming game or something big that happened in a prior game. And it can sometimes appear to be an injury report because injuries are so important in determining your fantasy lineup, DFS action, wager, and prop bets.
This week will cover all aspects of headlines:
A Rare Thursday Night Gem: The league mandates that every team be given at least one primetime game. The premier spots are Sunday night and Monday Night Football. The red-headed stepchild is often the Thursday Night matchup. A couple of weeks ago, even the Patriots landed on Thursday. Jeff Bezos must not have been happy.
But occasionally, a matchup produces a gem and an instant classic. Who would have thought it came from a Buccaneer Falcons matchup in Atlanta? The game literally went down to one second when Kirk Cousins spiked the ball to allow a game-tying FG to take the game into OT. And then, on the first drive, Cousins threw a pass to rarely-used WR KhaDarel Hodge, who took it 45 yards for the game-winning TD. Atlanta never saw the ball in OT.
Cousins put up video game numbers with the 36-30 victory. It was the first time he surpassed the 500-yard plateau in his career. He was 42-58 and threw four TDs. Drake London and Darnell Mooney combined for 21 passes, 259yds and three TDs. After not catching a pass last week, Kyle Pitt caught seven passes for 88 yards.
Baker Mayfield put up solid and efficient numbers on the losing side, going 19 for 24, 180yds and three TDs. This game required more than an efficient performance…Tom Brady must have been smiling somewhere. Two of Mayfield’s three TDs went to Mike Evans, including his 100th career TD. Each team finds themselves atop the NFC South with a 3-2 record.
Start the Day with Crumpets and Tea: I’m unsure if I’m in the minority, but I love football, played across the pond. I love starting the day at 9 a.m. and watching 15 hours of football. The first game in London happens on Sunday when the Jets take on the undefeated Vikings. What a way to start these games overseas. I’m sure the schedule makers who decided to put this game in London are happy, not to mention the NFL Network, where the game will be televised.
This is an interesting spot for the Jets. They are 2-2 after putting up a dud against the Broncos last week. Although 2-3 isn’t the end of the world, knocking off the undefeated Vikings would go a long way to legitimize the program. And 3-2 does look much better than 2-3, keeping them in prime position for a playoff run.
For the Vikings, not many people predicted they would be 4-0…fewer thought they’d be 5-0. Their defense isn’t as good as the Broncos, and the Jets may be able to put up some points this week. The question is, will the Jets defense be able to stop the Vikings offense? Although I think the Jets will put up a fight, ultimately, they will be able to put up enough points to stay with the Vikings for 60 minutes. This is a special game, and Justin Jefferson is a special talent who will put on a show. He’s +550 to score the first TD and +700 to score two or more TDs. He’s even money to have over 80 receiving YDs. All of these wagers should be considered.
Next Man Up in Foxboro: All year, first-year head coach Jerod Mayo has been using that phrase. He has mainly been using it regarding injuries…and they do have plenty of those. The most recent and possibly most detrimental is the loss of center David Andrews. His loss depletes an already undermanned and underwhelming offensive line that hasn’t been able to give quarterback Jacoby Brissett any support.
But this week, the next man-up mentality also goes to on-the-field performance. Mayo has demoted RB Rhamondre Stevenson. On Sunday, Antonio Gibson will replace Stevenson as the RB1 and starter against the Dolphins. Stevenson is not being benched, but this is definitely a message to the team…perform or lose your job. After four straight weeks of fumbling, Mayo had no choice but to make this move to sit at Stevenson. Gibson has historically had fumbling problems too, so it remains to be seen if the move will be effective. This will boost Gibson’s value, though, and obviously plummet Stevenson’s.
Offensive Woes in Vegas: Everyone has been concerned that Davante Adams may be traded to the Saints or Jets, nobody has been talking about him not playing for the Raiders due to injury and not a trade. Adams does have a hamstring issue which will prevent him from playing this week.
Aside from Adams’ loss, the Raiders have also lost the services of their RB1, Zamir White, who is out with a groin injury. Surprisingly, the team is 2-2 and still in the AFC playoff hunt. They go to Denver this week to face off against the 2-2 Broncos, and one team will be 3-2 by game’s end…unless the two teams tie.
Without Adams and White, it’s hard to see a scenario where the Raiders leave Denver with a win. The Broncos have one of the best defenses in the league, and with those Raiders losses, taking the Broncos -2.5 feels like stealing money.
Love Loss: The Packers fell a bit short last week, losing to the Vikings 31-29. They were down by 28 points early and made a furious comeback, scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter. They were without the services of Christian Watson, out with a left ankle sprain. He is doubtful this week against the Rams in what is shaping up to be a very important game.
They are 2-2, with both losses happening with Jordan Love under center. He is the team’s no.1 QB, but he needs to lead the team to a victory personally. Going 0-3 with him starting would be unacceptable. They are favored by 3 pts on the road and should cover. The Rams, for their part, are 1-3 and desperately need a win. They have been ravaged by injuries, losing both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. They are the heart and soul of that offense, and without them, the team isn’t even averaging 20 points per game. They are -10 per game in pt differential. Sean McVey’s squad just isn’t that good right now.
Where now Mr. Jones?: The Giants aren’t very good. Their only win this season was on the road against a Cleveland team that is also not very good. The Giants are only averaging 15 points per game, and that was with their best offensive weapon, rookie WR Malik Nabers, leading the team in receiving. QB Daniel Jones finds himself without the services of Nabors this week, who is out with a concussion. The Giants find themselves heading to the Pacific Northwest, facing off against a Seahawks team coming off a tough loss in Detroit. The Seahawks are giving 6.5 points. I think that number could be doubled. I can see a two-TD win for the Seahawks in this game.
Could the Loss Create a Win? Jonathan Taylor is out for the Colts with a high ankle sprain. They are the most intriguing team in the league, especially if Joe Flacco remains the starter. I actually think they are a better team with him at quarterback. But they are in a tough spot this week. They face off against the winless Jaguars on the road. Last week, the Jaguars put up a solid performance against the Houston Texans, only losing 24-20.
Very few teams have gone through an entire season without a win, meaning the Jags have to get a win somewhere. By season’s end, they will have a few W’s. This team is THIS bad. And their QB Trevor Lawrence is better than what he’s been showing lately. It is alarming that they are 0-10 in the last 10 games over the past two seasons…and maybe Bill Parcells was right, “You are what your record says you are”.
The cartoon South Park had a storyline a few years ago, talking about “Member Berries”. Eating them makes you long for the past and reminisce about better times. Maybe I’ve eaten “member berries” about Lawrence and the Jaguars, but I cannot fathom a team with this much talent not winning their fair share of games. I love the Jaguars at home this week -3pts against the Colts.
