Rex Buff’d up for Grogan’s heroes
The long, torturous four weeks is near the end. Tom Brady returns to action a week from Sunday and the Patriots and their fans can end the madness of being insane about it all.
Actually, it’s been 21 months of anger over Deflategate since those weasles in Baltimore and Indianapolis whined and the NFL opined that it was “more probable than not” that guilty was the verdict.
So the Patriots did what the Patriots do, which is win the first three of four Brady-less games, while Tommy Boy was cheerleading on Monday night talk shows, taking the kids for strolls around Boston Common and basking with Gisele in full butt view on the Isle of Capri.
And the Pats now toss the hurting duo of Jimmy Garoppolo and/or Jacoby Brissett at Rex Ryan’s Bills on Sunday to wrap up this splendid run of stick-it-inyour-face perfection.
And what better opponent to take the last of this misery out on than Rex, the Bills boss, who this week wondered whether Steve Grogan would be quarterbacking the Pats instead of one of the kids, who have sent some Patriots fans into a frenzy about who’s gonna be the QB in 2018.
Who cares! It’s onto Buffalo, someone would say.
Would love to hear Bill Belichick’s response to who will be the 2018 openinggame quarterback. Look out!
So now all is well in Foxboro, still so very well doing it the Patriot Way, be it with deflated footballs or recently without. Brady is set to return, and Garoppolo and Brissett will be just about forgotten, as will Deflategate, more probable than not.
Undeflatable: Buffalo at Patriots (-6) — Got a feeling Jimmy G or Jacoby B will learn a lesson or two playing against the Ryan defense, though Rex’ runts always find a way to help the Patriots to victory. Pats, 24-16. Put away the sandals: Indianapolis (-21⁄ 2) vs. Jacksonville, in London — Is it me or does the NFL always give England the worst games? Colts, 33-28.
Cleveland at Washington
(-7) — The Redskins should never be 7-point favorites against anyone. Redskins, 21-20.
Seattle (-21⁄ 2) at N.Y. Jets
— Ryan Fitzpatrick will wear a six-shooter, carry a six-pack and use his sixth sense to avoid six interceptions this week. Jets, 19-16. Carolina (-3) at Atlanta — Hasn’t been much posing on the sideline by your Panthers this year, has there? Falcons, 28-27. Detroit (-3) at Chicago — This may be the first time the Lions are road favorites since Bobby Layne was at quarterback. Lions, 30-20. Tennessee at Houston (-41⁄ 2) — Poor Texans. They lost their guts last week and now have their Watt-age blown out from here on. Titans, 21-20.
Oakland at Baltimore (-3) — Joe Flacco is back healthy and the Ravens are rumbling again. The crying to follow soon. Ravens, 26-16.
Denver (-3) at Tampa Bay — Brock who? Broncos, 22-12.
Dallas (-2) at San Francisco — Pretty bad when your backup quarterback gets more attention than his 49ers teammates. Cowboys, 23-17.
New Orleans at San Diego (-41⁄ 2) — According to reports, Drew Brees wants to annul his Saints contract extension, give back the $44 million and just get out of town. Chargers, 38-31. Los Angeles at Arizona (-8) — Rams are on a roll. That’s on a hot dog roll ready for munching. Cardinals, 31-10.
Kansas City at Pittsburgh (-41⁄ 2) — The Steel Curtain this Steelers defense is not. Chiefs, 27-23.
N.Y. Giants at Minnesota (-5) — Sam Bradford hasn’t done much and the Vikes are unbeaten. Something about defense. Vikings, 24-13. Last week: 9-6-1 Season: 29-18-1