Nurse the Hate: Pass The Dressing and the Covid or NFL Week 12

 

The pandemic has reached an interesting point.  After weeks of Americans solidifying their position of "not giving a fuck", hospitals are overflowing, death totals are hitting records and most importantly, the Denver Broncos don't have a healthy QB for a game that goes off in about four hours.  The highest levels of infections are in the Dakotas/Montana/Idaho, an area of the country that firmly believes in the alternate reality put forth by noted grifter and failed casino mogul Donald Trump.  A friend of mine that was visiting the region told me he was the only wearing a mask or taking any precautions what so ever once he drove past Chicago.  Thus, it is not exactly shocking that the Broncos don't have a QB this week.  What is shocking is that the NFL is forcing them to play today, not even delaying the game for a couple days to see how some covid tests shake out.  Insiders are reporting that the league is tired of teams ignoring protocols, and will not only make Denver play the game but also take a 2021 draft pick.  What does this mean to you?  Well, as soon as this news began to swirl around, The Cheetah got on the New Orleans Saints at -9.5.  The line has skyrocketed to Saints -16.5, but that still seems reasonable in that Denver will either start a wide receiver or running back at QB after the NFL told them they couldn't start an assistant coach.  The Saints defense, quietly becoming one of the league's best, will probably be difficult to score on for a guy playing the toughest position in all of sports that has had roughly 12 hours to prepare.  Saints at whatever you can get it at.

Things change quickly in covid life.  On Tuesday the Ravens +4.5 seemed like a pretty good pick.  Now a few days later, twenty (20) Ravens players are on the Covid Inactive list including all of their noteworthy skill position players.  I am thinking that a team that has been struggling that has 20 of their 52 players unavailable might have a tough time against an undefeated Steelers team with extra time to prepare.  Once again, The Cheetah was on this at Steelers -4.5, but perhaps -10 is a bit too rich for your blood?  Please allow your mind to ease when you reflect that RG3 of the Ravens is playing in his first noteworthy game since being destroyed in his first Browns start versus the Bears about a hundred years ago.  The Ravens are busy calling guys they have only seen on tape and trying to figure out if they have a uniform to fit them.  They're in a bad spot.  Why not parlay this game with the Saints and make it Pitt/Saints? 

Nobody in their right mind would bet on the Philadelphia Eagles right now.  They look absolutely terrible, and they are either going to start shellshocked Carson Wentz or untested rookie Jalen Hurts behind a grim offensive line that allowed the piece of shit Browns D-line look like the Fearsome Foursome last week.  However, I am a big believer in buying low and selling high.  The Public LOVES Seattle and perceives Russell Wilson to always win close games.  Wilson has not played very well down the stretch, and Seattle's defense has been historically bad.  I think this is one of those games where the NFL throws you a curve.  I might be out on an island on this, but I am taking Philadelphia +6.  

One more quick one...  The Jets are terrible.  They might be as bad as that 0-16 Browns team.  They go out each week with no chance to win as long as Flacco starts.  Last week Joe Flacco completed 36% of his passes before garbage time.  His expected completion rate was 68%.  They also have no running game.  Or defense.  At no point were they in the game versus the Chargers last week, though as expected the Chargers allowed a back door cover.   The bad news for the Jets is that they are playing Miami, a much better team than the Chargers.  Even worse is the Dolphins are starting Fitzpatrick again as Tua has been a tad "raw" shall we say.  Fitzmagic is a MUCH better QB than Tua, and is going to play with a chip on his shoulder after being benched.  Give me Miami-7. 

Season Record:  15-16-1