They’re back: Don’t bet against Brady, Patriots
Chiefs mark start of quest for repeat
New England wasn’t the only entity with a strong performance in the post- season last winter. Pro Picks did well enough to finish four games over break- even against the spread for the entire season.
As this season gets started in Foxborough on Thursday night, questions marks surface everywhere. There’s Ezekiel Elliott’s availability, short term and beyond, though he will play Sunday. There’s the malaise that often plagues Super Bowllosing teams that the Falcons must fight.
How much does Adrian Peterson have to offer the Saints? Can Tom Coughlin, from the front office rather t han t he sideline, make much difference in Jacksonville?
And what in the name of Weeb Ewbank are the Jets doing?
More certainty comes out of Massachusetts, where some folks are expecting the Patriots to challenge the team’s 2007 edition that swept through the regular season and AFC playoffs before losing in the Super Bowl to the Giants. High expectations, for sure, but we’ve learned that betting against Tom Brady and Co. is ill- advised.
Especially coming off another title.
“I mean, this team has t hought about t he 2017 season,” Brady says. “That ( championship) was great. We celebrated and had a great time, but I mean, this team has to earn its own. Everything we get we’re going to have to earn.”
The Patriots are eightpoint favourites. Although look for Kansas City to get better as the schedule progresses if it stays healthy.
Patriots, 28-17 Arizona (minus 1.5) at Detroit We must be missing something here because we think the Lions should be favoured. Best Bet and Upset Special: Lions, 26-21 Atlanta (minus 7) at Chicago No matter how much of a Super Bowl hangover the Falcons have, they should handle the dreadful Bears. Falcons, 30-14 Seattle (plus 3) at Green Bay Look for these two to meet up again in January. Seahawks, 24-23 Jacksonville (plus 5.5) at Houston Houston strong. Texans, 20-10 Oakland (plus 2) at Tennessee We l i ke both teams to make the post-season. Raiders, 27-24 New York Giants (plus 3.5) at Dallas Zeke will play, OBJ might not. We still like the Giants. Giants, 28-27 New Orleans (plus 3.5) at Minnesota, Monday night Welcome back, Adrian. Now run wild. Saints, 23-21 Philadelphia (pick-em) at Washington Eagles could be the surprise t eam t his season, though they appear to be a year away from contention. Eagles, 23-20 Baltimore (plus 3) at Cincinnati Few teams were damaged in pre- season like the Ravens. Bengals, 21-20 Pittsburgh (minus 9) at Cleveland The Browns are better than in 2016. So are the Steelers, on a different level. Steelers, 26-20 Indianapolis (plus 3) at Los Angeles Rams The Colts are plain out of Luck. Rams, 14-13 Carolina (minus 5.5) at San Francisco The Panthers have a lot to prove, can’t stumble here. Panthers, 27-24 Los Angeles Chargers (plus 3.5) at Denver, Monday night The Chargers have a better QB and RB. Beyond that, it’s a mismatch. Broncos, 20-13 New York Jets (plus 7.5) at Buffalo The Jets might just cover because the Bills have a weak offence aside from LeSean McCoy. Nah. Bills, 14-3