Monday, Dec. 8
Things I learned Sunday from watching and reading about Week 14 in the NFL
Steelers-Bengals: Ike Taylor is not a good player. Le'Vean Bell has been the best running back the past three weeks.
Rams-Redskins: Opponents hate the Redskins because of Daniel Snyder and will do things to embarrass him and his team. Jim Haslett should not be a defensive coordinator for an NFL team.
Giants-Titans: The Titans are the most uncompetitive team in the NFL. Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the most amazing athletes I have seen.
Panthers-Saints: Why didn't the Panthers' coaching staff take the irons off Cam Newton before? Rob Ryan should not be a defensive coordinator for an NFL team.
Jets-Vikings: The Jets are the most unlucky pointspread losers of any team this season. Geno equals bad karma. Teddy Bridgewater is playing less tentative and showing more command.
Ravens-Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill is not a playoff-caliber quarterback. Justin Forsett is the most improved running back in the league.
Colts-Browns: Brian Hoyer is not an NFL starting-caliber quarterback. The Johnny Manziel era needs to start now.
Buccaneers-Lions: The Buccaneers' play-calling ranks with the 49ers as the worst in the NFL. Josh McCown isn't any good, but he has no chance with a porous offensive line and no quality running backs. Ndamukong Suh is the dirtiest player in the league. For every personal foul he gets flagged for he gets away with two others. Some of the cheap shots he leveled on McCown after the ball had been thrown weren't just dirty, but plain criminal.
Texans-Jaguars: The Texans are a two-man team composed of Arian Foster and J.J. Watt. Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing six touchdown passes two week ago was a bigger fluke than Don Larsen pitching a perfect game in the World Series.
Bills-Broncos: The Bills being a top-five caliber defense was reinforced watching this game. Fantasy football titles are won by late-season pickups such as C.J. Anderson.
Chiefs-Cardinals: Bruce Arians finds ways to win. No coaching staff has been better than Arizona's. The Chiefs can't be taken serious until Alex Smith connects with a wide receiver for a touchdown. Teams don't run single wing offenses.
Seahawks-Eagles: Seattle's defense is back to being Super Bowl caliber. Mark Sanchez can't beat an "A" defense even with weapons, a healthy offensive line and being in Chip Kelly's system.
49ers-Raiders: Believing in the 49ers cost me a lot of money in this game. Colin Kaepernick shouldn't be this bad. Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman need to go - now! The Raiders played well, but until they win like this on the road I have no respect for them.
Patriots-Chargers: Bill Belichick remains pure gold in two areas - as a 'dog and coming off a loss.
On the handicapping front, I lost my Sunday NFL Game of the Year with the 49ers. I'm looking to rebound with one of my stronger Monday night plays, a Triple Star on the Falcons-Packers. I am 5-2 on my last seven NFL Monday night plays. The play can be found here: /pregamepros/pro-bettor/bettor.aspx?id=7746#capper.
As always, no bad luck!