Well, the election turned out like I had suspected/feared it would. In 2016 the thinking was it was a fluke, or maybe the Russian interference helped swing the tide. The white nationalism and bully pulpit strongman embrace wasn't really who were were as a nation. People just didn't like Hillary. Yeah, that's it. But now with this result it's time to admit what America is a place where justice, fairness, and empathy are in the backseat to "Fuck you". In my neighborhood there are a crew of Mexican roofers doing an install that have to look across the street to a sneering neighbor who continues to wave his "Trump: Take America Back" flag four days after the results. "You are poisoning the blood of our country. Now put up my roof." I'll tell you what, I'm not looking forward to attending the Master of Wine seminar in January and having to explain to people of other countries why the majority of Americans think the way they do. We are viewed as the stupid bully in the grade school class, and it's hard to argue the point. I don't know what the path ahead is going to bring, but I know a bunch of people are going to get fucked, and as they hope for help the response is going to be "Fuck you.". Good luck. You're on your own unless you are in on the upcoming grift.
That being said, it's a great time for the distraction of NFL football as we await the upcoming slide into autocracy. It all sounds pretty bleak, but not as bleak as being a Carolina Panthers fan. The Panthers have the rare distinction of not only being constructed poorly as they are a pass first offense with extremely limited skill players and no quarterback. They also are playing poorly and appear to have no plan on how to win. Yet, despite being wildly outplayed last week against a terrible Saints team, they managed to win thanks to now-fired Saints coach Dennis Allen's leadership. The Panthers were outgained 254 yards to 446, had 80 yards rushing and held the ball for 25 minutes yet somehow won. They didn't even look like they were trying to win either as their defense sorta jogged around the field.
This week the Panthers play the Giants, who aren't exactly a juggernaut themselves but at least play hard. I think the Panthers are the worst team on paper since the 0-16 Browns. The Giants have won the two times they played crappy teams (Browns/Seattle) and have for the most part hung in there against the Washingtons and Pittsburghs of the league. If they don't get a win here, where do they get one? There is NO WAY the Carolina Panthers win two games in a row, much less traveling to Germany for this one. The Panthers have won two games, but have lost by more than a touchdown in their seven losses. I'll take the Giants -6.5 to cover.
Why are the Jets favored in any game, much less on the road at Arizona? The Jets blow. You've watched them, right? They can't block anyone. They don't run the ball. The defense is thought to be elite but, are they? You can run on them, and Arizona can/will run the ball. Arizona is the definition of an "OK team". They are still thought of as being in the bottom third of the league because no one really pays attention to them, but they are ascended to become "sorta good". Being "sorta good" is usually enough to beat the Jets at home. Arizona +1.5.
The Cowboys are a disaster. Not only is the roster poorly constructed, but their top heavy contract guys are all hurt. Their defense is awful, Dak is out, and Zeke stopped going to meetings. It's all bad. Meanwhile Philadelphia, despite my great misgivings about Sirianni's leadership, is going in the right direction. It's tough to lay points with Philadelphia as at any given moment Sirianni will make a decision that is so awe inspiringly stupid you will be left speechless. I think the way to get at this game is to at least assume that Philadelphia's top tier running game with Barkley will take advantage of Dallas's 30th ranked defense against the run and just grind away. Unless the Eagles turn the ball over like crazy, they'll score. Philadelphia team total OVER 23.5.
The Bears just got an asskicking in Arizona last week. I like to back decent teams off an asskicking, especially when they get to play a shitty team at home the following week. The Patriots are just what the doctor ordered for the Bears. Chicago is 4-0 at home, and now that they don't have to talk about that Hail Mary from two weeks ago anymore, they should be focused on this week's game. The Patriots can't move the ball, but neither can Chicago so this should be a sludgefest of a game. Instead of worrying about separation and getting pissed when the Bears keep it close, I'll just take Chicago moneyline.
Current record note, when I dumped out of that Patriots UNDER 17.5 I had to take Patriots OVER 16.5 on the other end of it and managed to middle it! Hey-O! Thanks New England for that otherwise meaningless late TD to hit the 17.
Current Record: 14-16
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