Packers, Hawks fight for survival
Both teams in dire need of win to boost post-season hopes
The Green Bay Packers have bitter memories of Centurylink Field. Who can blame them?
The 2014 NFC championship game was in their control until a fake punt by the Seahawks and some bad decisions by the Packers helped Seattle force overtime.
Russell Wilson spoiled the Cheeseheads’ night with a 35-yard TD pass to Jermaine Kearse and Seattle went to the Super Bowl. Many believe those Packers would have handled the New England Patriots for the league title. Hey, had Seahawks coaches not gone wacky at the end of that Super Bowl, Seattle would have beaten the Pats.
Neither the Packers (4-4-1) nor Seahawks (4-5) look like championship material this year. They might find a way to sneak into the playoffs, but a win Thursday would be crucial in that chase.
“I know they’re frustrated, too,” coach Pete Carroll says, noting his Seahawks have lost two in a row, both against L.A. teams. “They’ve dropped a couple of games that they should’ve won and I’m sure their outlook ... we’re kind of in a similar boat right here.”
Seattle is a 2½-point favourite over Green Bay.
Seahawks, 26-23
Denver (+7) at L.A. Chargers
Chargers might be “the other
team” Minnesota believing. Best Upset If Bears Bet: in Special: L.A., win Chargers, (+2½) but this Vikings, at they’re one, Chicago 30-19 we’ll 22-20 solid. start
loss? Pittsburgh Steelers, Do Is Steelers Pittsburgh 34-20 (-4½) remember at the Jacksonville Steel playoff City?
Kansas Game City moved (+2½) from at Mexico L.A. Rams back to Rams, L.A. Expect 40-36 lots of scoring.
Carolina Panthers (-3½) need at turnaround Detroit coming off real stinker. They’ll get it.
Panthers, 26-24 Dallas (+3) at Atlanta
Falcons need turnaround coming off stinker. They’ll also get it.
Falcons, 26-19
Philadelphia (+9) at New Orleans
Eagles need turnaround coming off real stinker. Sorry, not here.
Saints, 37-27
Tennessee (+2½) at Indianapolis.
This seems a crazy choice after what Titans did to Patriots. Still ...
Colts, 21-20
Houston (-2½) at Washington
Two clubs that can begin thinking playoffs with victory here.
Texans, 23-17
Tampa Bay (+1) at New York Giants
At least Giants don’t have to face that other Tampa team, unbeaten UCF. Giants, 26-24
Oakland (+4) at Arizona
Liked how Cardinals played at K.C. Raiders ain’t Chiefs, so ...
Cardinals, 20-10
Cincinnati (OFF) at Baltimore
Flacco, Jackson or RG3 as Ravens QB? Won’t matter against Bungles’ defence. Ravens, 29-23
2018 RECORD:
Last Week: Against spread (7-6-1). Straight up (8-6)
Season Totals: Against spread (72-68-5). Straight up: (98-48-2) Best Bet: 3-7 against spread, 7-3 straight up.
Upset special: 7-3 against spread, 6-3-1 straight up.