Congratulations if you have made it to a double-digit week of your knockout pool. Week 9 was quite the tester as the Seattle Seahawks fell behind 14-0 before rallying. Then, Jason Myers decided to miss a game-winning kick sending the game to OT before Russell Wilson saved the day with his fifth TD pass. Sometimes it is lucky when the QB on the team you have picked in your knockout pool is one of the players atop the MVP race. And it decisions get tougher as many teams have been used already and six are on byes this weekend.
Don’t think about it
The Chargers and Raiders are both coming off victories over NFC North foes. This is an unpredictable Thursday nighter and could swing either way. … The Lions and Bears are bottom-feeders in the NFC North. One team has a strong offense and doesn’t know how to close. The other, Chicago, has a putrid attack and is as disappointing as any team in the league. Stay far away. Seattle and San Francisco meet in a Monday Night Football matchup that is worth watching and not worth risking your season on in any way. The Titans are dull and face a high-powered Kansas City attack. Seems like a game for the Chiefs, especially if Patrick Mahomes returns. Still, it is a road game and Tennessee has to come up big or kiss its season off. Vikings visit Cowboys in another contest that is far too close to call.
Let the bettor beware
There’s the light-bulb angle in horse racing. It is the thought that once a horse learns how to win it will or can come back and win again. The Dolphins have a victory over the Jets and head to Indianapolis. Don’t be foolish and jump all over the Colts because Jacoby Brissett has a sprained MCL and Brian Hoyer vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick is far too iffy for anyone to go with Indy. The Giants visit the Jets at both of their homes in MetLife. Daniel Jones has joined John Elway as the only rookies to win their first two starts then lose five in a row. Still, Big Blue is playing Gang Green, which just fell to Miami. This is a good game to skip …. watching, playing or picking.
Tempting fate
The 6-2 Bills are underdogs at the 2-6 Browns. Do you think Vegas is begging you to either take or bet Buffalo? If so, there usually is a good reason why the team with a far worse record is favored. Don’t get suckered into what you think is a good thing in a bad game to pick. … The Cardinals visit Tampa Bay as Heisman winners Kyler Murray and Jameis Winston meet up. The Bucs look like a nice play … but don’t forget Arizona gave San Francisco a tussle and Winston is as capable of throwing multiple picks as he is of throwing multiple TDs. And in the Bruce Arians Bowl, his Bucs have not won at home in 2019. … The Falcons have been stone awful and are 1-7. The Saints have Drew Brees back, Teddy Bridgewater backing him up and are 7-1 and rolling. Can’t explain why this feels like one that will be far closer than it should be. Win one for Dan Quinn? Who knows? The Rams head to Pittsburgh for an early kick on their body clocks. Mike Tomlin has the Steelers at 4-4 and while they should be outmatched never doubt the wisdom of Pittsburgh’s coach.
Go for it
The Ravens are rolling into the Week 10 after dealing the Patriots their first loss. The Bengals are coming off a bye and face an AFC North foe. It almost feels too easy for Baltimore to pick up the “W.” Scary easy, since Cincy is starting rookie Ryan Finley against a rugged defense. The let-down factor is in play and it would take a major one for the Bengals to get a victory. … Know this seems like a strange one to flirt with as a pick but Green Bay is ready to rebound off its poor performance against the Bolts and it still is Aaron Rodgers vs. Kyle Allen. The Niners’ defense ruined the Panthers’ QB and the GB “D” can ruin his day, too.
