NFC East looking more like NFC Least
Remember when it was called the NFC Beast? Now, it’s a pussy cat.
Washington leads the division at 2-2, followed by Dallas and Philadelphia at 2-3, and New York at 1-4. The Giants host the Eagles — the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles, who have looked anything but title worthy — on Thursday.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson has cited “self-inflicted wounds” as a major reason for injury-riddled Philly ’s struggles. His offensive coordinator, Mike Groh, concurred.
“We obviously don’t condone those kinds of mistakes,” Groh said. “The guys that are responsible for that, we’ve talked to those guys.
“We’ve got to do a better job collectively of teaching ... and then when we get out there, everybody has to know what to do and where to line up.”
The Giants eliminated a lot of their mistakes at Carolina last Sunday and made an impressive comeback, only to fall on Graham Gano’s 63-yard field goal with one second remaining.
“As we get better — I think we played better last week — we need to find 63 more yards somewhere to get the win,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “But we played better and we’ve got to continue on that path. Then eventually it will crack.”
Philadelphia is a three-point favourite over the Giants. The short week probably is more damaging to the Eagles.
Giants, 22-20
Carolina (pick-em) at Washington
Getting Panthers at a bargain price.
Best bet: Panthers, 26-20 Pittsburgh (+2½) at Cincinnati Really like what Bengals are doing, but pick them here? Sorry. Upset special: Steelers, 21-20 Los Angeles Rams (-7) at Denver NFL’s most talented roster keeps unbeaten season going. Rams, 30-20 Kansas City (+3) at New England
Expect a load of points, and a victory for ...
Patriots, 37-31 L.A. Chargers (-1) at Cleveland Chargers remember that 2016 loss to Browns, who went 1-15 that season.
Chargers, 22-17 Seattle (-2½) vs. Oakland at London
Is Jon Gruden wondering about going back to the ESPN booth? Seahawks, 25-20 Chicago (-3) at Miami
Bears favoured on road? Dolphins should have won last week, will this week. Dolphins, 19-17 Indianapolis (+2) at New York Jets
If only Colts were healthier, this would be upset special.
Jets, 30-26 Tampa Bay (+3½) at Atlanta
Injuries have ruined Atlanta’s season already. Buccaneers, 31-29 Buffalo (+7) at Houston
Bills are gutsy, Texans are gutsy and more talented. Texans, 21-10 Baltimore (-2½) at Tennessee
Titans are gutsy, Ravens are more talented. But ... Titans, 20-16 Jacksonville (-3) at Dallas
Is anyone more inconsistent than Jacksonville? Maybe Dallas. Jaguars, 19-17 Arizona (+10½) at Minnesota
The Cardinals got a win. Big deal. Vikings, 30-16
San Francisco (+10) at Green Bay, Monday night
Packers make too many mistakes to be so heavily favoured.
Packers, 27-20
Last week: Against spread, 5-9-1; straight up, 9-6
Season totals: Against spread, 3340-3; straight up, 48-28-2
Best bet: 2-3 against spread, 5-0 straight up
Upset special: 3-2 against spread, 2-2-1 straight up