DOWN! SET! HUH?
The latter portion of this cadence is often what many of us gridiron gamblers and optimistic home team faithful mumble monotonously together. Typically it is after we have just bear witness to another wave of shock and disbelief covering the rugged, barren, and stone-cold landscape that once illustrated itself as our favorite teams nutritional soil for success. Seeds that were planted to blossom into superstars instead flourish into nothing but just another bust. There’s no shame in seeking advice when you feel every bet slip is just another bill to pay or when your employer’s weekly predictions handout may as well be nothing but kindling for the internal fire that burns hotter with every wrong selection .. or perhaps it could be used even as a tissue in a pinch? Well, I’m happy to inform you that if you are indeed searching for a safe haven from those arrogant oddsmakers, then look no further. As you’ve at last found your guide to educated betting and a buffer for those languishing feelings. Please go ahead and read further, so I can present my optimized game plan designed to intercept the momentum from the rich and greedy and take it all the way back for a score for the working class.
WEEK 12’S CREAM OF THE CROP
My outlook on the most exciting and storied matchup being served to us on a silver platter. Maybe we will be able to request that platter in gold rather than silver by next week if we play it just right.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-150) AT THE LOS ANGELES RAMS (+130): This one here just radiates excitement, determination, and a healthy mix of today’s modern air raid scheme. The status quo of today’s offensive approach. Also, though, the type of ground-and-pound style of dominance that would make Hank Stram himself proud. Ah, yes, Sunday night is going to be a spectacle of human heroics. The Eagles are officially back to their pre-team-wide implosion form that they finished last season on. I say finish as in the general definition of something ending and not the type of finish our coaches have preached to us since the first time we laced up our cleats. Last season ended fittingly for them as the chemistry they once had became an unstable compound that was set to crumble the foundation if it carried into this year. Thankfully for Sirrani and Co. They signed perhaps the most exciting player to watch in the entire NFL… Saquon Barkley. Mr.Quadzilla himself. I mean, is this man even human? If you are like me, there have been numerous occasions where your jaw hits the floor simultaneously as another poor defender suffers ankle damage from Barkley’s elite elusiveness. I mean, they even gave this man his own signature move in Madden. That reverse hurdle is the material that is used to write the story of legends. Pair that with Jalen Hurts, causing less pain for his team, as his ball security is finally at a place that will keep the city of brotherly love lighters away from his jerseys. On the flip side, you have a hungry and determined unit in the Los Angeles Rams. The offensive unit is finally back to health and is littered with stat-stuffing playmakers. Two of those playmakers may just make up the best WR tandem in the entire league. The incumbent Cooper Kupp and last years fifth round revelation Puka Nuka is lethal. They even cause me headaches trying to scheme against them in my ongoing mental coaching career. I can only imagine how it must feel to be the guy whose paycheck relies on slowing them down. Their QB may also just be the toughest and grittiest QB in the league, and that has been the case for many years now. Matthew Stafford and his gunslinger approach is always a treat to watch. Broken ribs, a fractured collar bone, or an annoying hangnail on his throwing hand. It doesn’t matter. He’s going to stay in the game and keep delivering dimes until someone with a medical degree stops him. On the other side of the ball, they have been tasked with filling a hall-of-fame-sized hole in what was once the scariest man in football. That man being retired DT Arraon Donald. They have played well as a unit with production from all 11. Especially as the season has progressed, but this will be the toughest test to date. There are heavy playoff implications hinging on this game, and I believe when all is said and done the Eagles fly back to Philly victorious. Eagles 27 Rams 21.
UPSET OF THE WEEK
This is my underdog fairy tale ending come true prediction for the week. Will heart overcome the odds?
Indianapolis Colts (+305) over the Detroit Lions (-375): Ah, yes, I’m doing it. I am taking the money line against the oddsmaker darlings themselves. I will say I have nothing but respect for Detroit and their fans. The years of incompetence that legends like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson endured for nothing more than the love of their city and team appear to finally be ready to bestow more than just the love and respect of the fans. No, now it looks ready to result in championship hardware for the trophy case. Along many successful journeys, though, there are potholes aimed to derail the hype. The Colts are a tough read, but they have some momentum now after forcing the Jets to crash land inside their own stadium last week. They are back home, and Lucas Oil should be set to bring the energy. With last week’s away game and two more away games to follow after this contest, the hometown crowd should be rowdy. As for the X’s and O’s, the Lion’s personnel is more talented than Indy’s. I have to admit, though, that every “next man up” in Detroit seems to be some hall-of-fame caliber player. Still, it’s hard to ignore the losses they’ve suffered on defense due to injury this season. Star DE Aidan Hutchinson, DE Marcus Davenport, DT Kyle Pell, LB Alex Anzalone, LB Derrick Barnes, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and S Ifeatu Melifonwu are all currently on IR. CB Emmanuel Mosey appears set to return this week, but starting CB Terrion Arnold is now also a question mark. Eventually, as the season progresses, the trepidation of a defensive implosion coming to fruition is all the more likely. The Colts are generally healthier, and their QB, while losing some fans with his self-called timeout in a close loss against the Vikings, won some of them back with last week’s performance. He was much more accurate and looked reminiscent of the guy we saw last season pre-injury. He ran for the game-winning TD with 46 seconds left and showed some of the grit he had after allowing himself to be put in a position where his heart was questioned. In this one, the healthier home team with some momentum trying to get back to .500 edges out the banged-up Super Bowl favorites in a close one. Colts 27 Lions 24.
PROBABLE PLAYS AND PARLAYS
Let’s wrap things up by taking a look at some other intriguing numbers you should consider tapping in on and my favorite parlay of the week.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON: 7+ Receptions, 75+ Receiving Yards, and 1+ TD. (+243). The man comes and takes what he wants against a reeling Bears squad.
JAYDEN DANIELS: First TD Scorer. (+850). Set to do his part in helping run the Dallas season into the ground he uses his dynamic playmaking ability to scramble in for the first TD of the game. What a rookie year it has been so far.
MONEY LINE PARLAY: Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and the Baltimore Ravens. (+403). A trio of winners join forces to cash in some betting slips. All three being slight favorites in their respective matchups, do what is expected and win. One winner from each window of Sunday’s pre-primetime games and the Monday night winner is bound to keep your NFL experience this week all the more interesting, and if you hold your tongue just right, it may even end up profitable.
FAREWELL
I want to conclude this collection of analyzed analytics and gut feelings by extending thanks to all of you who took the time to validate my effort by giving it a read. My passion for the world of sports as a whole runs deep. From my elementary flag football team all the way to my current MMA endeavors. It has helped engrain many life lessons and taught me to stand tall and be humble, whether you are wrapped in the ecstasy of victory or burdened with the sorrow of defeat. Alongside the opportunities sports themselves have brought me, it has truly helped me carry confidence into every aspect of life. Whether it was my time as a soldier in the Army or the daily trials of fatherhood. I can always rely on my roots to guide me and my team to triumph. I strive to provide others with in-depth knowledge, up-to-date numbers, and enjoyable content. That way, they, too, can find ways to benefit from the game we all have come to love. Stay safe, bet responsibly, and good luck.
