HIT THE SKIDS
Take the points in winless battle
LAST week ended with the baddest of bad beats, our hard-earned Redskins cover going up in smoke on that stupid fumbled lateral throwback.
And now this week begins with the task of trying to figure out who will win between two 0-4 teams — the Giants and Chargers — who are co-authoring a book on new ways to lose.
It’s a jungle out here, folks! But here goes.
The Giants are being pulled in a lot of different directions — from the anthem-kneeling issue to the dog-pee touchdown celebration — and there’s no sign of leadership coming from anywhere.
The Chargers have their own problems — they play in a miniature soccer stadium and alienated most of their fans by moving. But a slight lean to them because of the injuries on the Giants’ defense, and because they have a legendary tight end in Antonio Gates, and that position usually kills the Giants.
Would anyone be surprised if this game goes to overtime and ends in a tie, with both kickers missing field goals? The pick: Chargers +3
Jets (Pick) over BROWNS: Who would have thought the Jets would be a pick ’ em on the road this season? Well, they are changing a lot of perceptions and showing to be a young, fast and cohesive bunch. Josh McCown has been calmly effective while the Browns’ DeShone Kizer looks a little frantic.
Bills (+3) over BENGALS: Like getting points with a lively Bills bunch. Coach Sean McDermott is an excellent defensive mind who could send Andy Dalton back into the tailspin he was in before a 31-7 win at Cleveland last week.
STEELERS (-8) over Jaguars: The Jags lost at the Jets, with no bye-week buffer after playing in London. A second consecutive road game looms as problematic, particularly considering where they are going. The Steelers’ offense hasn’t really clicked yet (21, 26, 17, 26 points) but could here if the Jags are draggin’.
Titans (- 2 ¹/₂ ) over DOLPHINS: First true home game for the Dolphins, who have hop-scotched from Los Angeles to New Jersey to London to Miami without the benefit of a bye week. Titans got steamrolled in Houston and likely will be without Marcus Mariota but seem to be the better team top-to-bottom here.
49ers (+1) over COLTS: Though they’re 0-4, the 49ers have beenn so close, losing by three at Seattle,, by two to the Rams and by three at Arizona in OT. This is a team that really looks hungry for that first “W” for rookie coach Kyle Shanahan, while the Colts look as if they’re biding time until Andrew Luck gets back.
EAGLES (- 6 ¹/₂) over Cardinals: Arizona has lost by double- digits to good teams (Lions, Cowboys) and beaten bad teams ( Colts, 49ers) by threee in OT. The 3-1 Eagles are ago odd team, and coach Doug Pederson is proving able to adapt. After Darren Sproles got hurt versus the Giants, leaving the running back position seemingly thin, they ran for 214 yards in a win at the Chargers.
LIONS (-2) over Panthers: Line may be an overreaction to Cam Newton’s resurgence against a poor Patriots defense in last week’s upset. Matthew Stafford and the Lions bring it hard every week, and are a half-yard and 8 seconds away from being undefeated.
RAMS (-1) over Seahawks: Sean McVay is just 31, but he’s been a coach since birth, much like Bill Belichick. In 2016, the Rams ranked last in yards gained and last in points, both by wide margins. Now they are fifth in yards gained and first in points scored. Remarkable. They give up a lot of points, too, but can’t count on the Seahawks to match big points on the road.
RAIDERS (-3) over Ravens: Baltimore won its first two games by a combined 44-10, then lost its next two by a total of 70-16. The Ravens now go cross-country and could be feeling the effects of not having a bye week after playing in London. EJ Manuel played reasonably well in place of the injured Derek Carr last week, and the rest of the team needs to step up to help him.
COWBOYS (-2¹/₂) over Packers: The Cowboys are finding out that last year’s rookie magic from Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott isn’t guaranteed to last. But this is a statement game for a team that’s 2-2 after a home loss to the Rams. Packers come in extremely banged up, though that never seems to stop Aaron Rodgers.
TEXANST (+1) over Chiefs: DeshaunDesh Watson followed up his near-missnear in New England with a 57-14 demolition of the Titans last week.wee K.C. will be his toughest test yet, bbut it seems as if there’s something special going on in Houston, and though the Chiefs are very good,good they’re not 16-0 good.
MONDAY
Vikings V (-3) over BEARS: Mitchell Trubisky makes his first NFL start in prime time against a tough Vikings defense. Not yet known if Sam Bradford will return or if Case Keenum will get the call again. Either way, Vikings will have to redesign the offense with Dal Dalvin BEST Cook BETS: out for Raiders, the season. Jets, Rams LOCK OF THE WEEK: Raiders R (Locks 1-3 in 2017) LAST WEEK: 8-8 overall, 12 Best Bets. THURSDAY NIGHT: Buccaneers cane (Push).