Monday, Dec. 15
Here's my first look at NFL Week 16:
Titans-Jaguars: This could be the worst Thursday night matchup ever. All that's missing for this prime time nightmare is Andy Dalton.
Chargers-49ers: Any volunteers to drive Jim Harbaugh to the airport? The 49ers and their fans may not show for this Saturday matchup.
Eagles-Redskins: Why are the Redskins dicking around with Colt McCoy? There could be value to the home 'dog, but I don't trust the Redskins' heart. Washington has lost and failed to cover in its last five home games.
Vikings-Dolphins: The Vikings are closer to being the Dolphins and the Dolphins are closer to being the Vikings as they slip back toward mediocrity. It's time to pull the plug on the Joe Philbin era.
Packers-Buccaneers: Yeah, Green Bay should bounce back and bury the Buccaneers. But the Packers' road record is 3-4. They are averaging 20 points less per game away from Lambeau Field. Tampa Bay has five losses by a combined 16 points - and that doesn't include two overtime defeats by six points each. So no thanks laying double-digits.
Lions-Bears: Can't really comment here until I see how the Bears do at home against the Saints tonight. They entered that matchup 3-13 ATS in their last 16 at Solider Field.
Falcons-Saints: Not sure who has the worst defense. I will say the Saints' Rob Ryan and Redskins' Jim Haslett are the two most overrated defensive coordinators.
Patriots-Jets: I'm not going to step in front of New England, but I will point out that under Rex Ryan the Jets have a winning record at home against the Patriots.
Chiefs-Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger is having his finest season. Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown are in the argument for best at their respective positions. But the Chiefs' 11-4 ATS regular season road record under Andy Reid has to be respected. Don't forget the Steelers have lost to the Buccaneers and Saints at home and Jets on the road.
Browns-Panthers: If Johnny Manziel was this bad at home it's scary to think how bad he'll be in his first road start. Carolina's play in the trenches has picked up during the last couple of weeks.
Ravens-Texans: Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's return to Houston after being the Texans' head man for the previous eight years couldn't come at a more opportune time. The Texans have no legitimate quarterback and morale has to be way down with their playoff hopes dashed.
Giants-Rams: The Rams' defense has been dominant the last five games surrendering 46 points during this span giving up only two touchdown passes while coming up with 12 takeaways.
Bills-Raiders: This is how good Buffalo's defense is: The Bills held both Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers to no touchdowns during the last two weeks. However, the Bills are 43 games under .500 on the road since 2000 and in the rare role of road chalk while traveling cross-country. The Raiders soundly beat the Chiefs and 49ers during their last two home games.
Colts-Cowboys: Dallas is unbeaten on the road, but 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games. The Colts need to take better care of the ball as they are averaging three turnovers per game during their past four games.
Seahawks-Cardinals: Bruce Arians should be coach of the year, but he's drawing dead here with a quarterback choice of Ryan Lindley or Logan Thomas. Since Carson Palmer went out, the Cardinals have scored four touchdowns in five games.
Broncos-Bengals: The last time Andy Dalton was in the national spotlight he turned in one of the five worst quarterback games of all time. That was at home against the Browns on Thursday night and negates Cincinnati's 13-2-1 home record. The Broncos have won 24 of their last 26 games by a touchdown or more.
On the handicapping front, I am 8-1 on my last nine paid plays and have a Triple Star college basketball play together with an NBA play as part of a 2-for-1 package. The package can be found on my home page at /pregamepros/pro-bettor/bettor.aspx?id=7746#capper.
As always, no bad luck!