It’s starting to look like I could finish week four perfect straight up and against the spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I got the Thursday night game right. And as positive Covid-19 tests roll in left and right, for all I know Thursday night’s game could turn out to be the whole of the slate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s assume the NFL manages to avoid having to reschedule or scrap the whole thing, though, and just take a look at what not to expect in the off chance they play some of these games (sometime between Sunday and Wednesday).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jacksonville<\/a> (+2.5) at<\/strong> Cincinnati<\/a><\/strong> Cleveland<\/a> (+3.5) at<\/strong> Dallas<\/a><\/strong> New Orleans<\/a> (-3) at<\/strong> Detroit<\/a><\/strong> Seattle<\/a> (-5.5) at<\/strong> Miami<\/a><\/strong> LA Chargers<\/a> (+7) at<\/strong> Tampa Bay<\/a><\/strong> Baltimore<\/a> (-14) at<\/strong> Washington<\/a><\/strong> Arizona<\/a> (-3) at<\/strong> Carolina<\/a><\/strong> Minnesota<\/a> (+3.5) at<\/strong> Houston<\/a><\/strong> NY Giants<\/a> (+13) at<\/strong> LA Rams<\/a><\/strong> Indianapolis<\/a> (-3) at<\/strong> Chicago<\/a><\/strong> Buffalo<\/a> (-3.5) at<\/strong> Las Vegas<\/a><\/strong> Philadelphia<\/a> (+7.5) at<\/strong> San Francisco<\/a><\/strong> Atlanta<\/a> (+6.5) at<\/strong> Green Bay<\/a><\/strong> New England<\/a> (+7) at<\/strong> Kansas City<\/a><\/strong>
Pondering a game like this, it’s easy to see why the NFL would want to press on with the 2020 season despite the very real risks of this pandemic. I mean, professional football just doesn’t get any more exciting than this, does it? One of these teams has to win. I figure it probably turns out to be the marginally more competent Jaguars. Jacksonville by a field goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know the Browns have a better record than the Cowboys at this point. But still, really? Three and a half? Are we expecting most of the Dallas offense to call in sick? Dallas by 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s looks to me as if the 2020 Saints may have some real problems. But so do the Lions. New Orleans by a point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cross-country travel is the only factor that prevents a blowout here. Seahawks by a touchdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bucs offense is still finding its way. The Chargers have yet to find their offense. Tampa by nine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This game should be over by the end of the first quarter. Ravens by 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cardinals aren’t consistently playing up to their potential. The Panthers have no potential. Cards by four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through three weeks, these two teams don’t have win between them. The Texans at least have the excuse of having played an absolutely brutal opening schedule. Houston by a field goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sooner or later one of the New Jersey teams is going to win a football game. I think. But it’s not going to be this week. Rams by two touchdowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bears are 3-0. Their opponents are a collective 1-8. The Colts are 2-1. Their opponents are a collective 1-9 (through Thursday night’s Jets loss). So you tell me how to size up this match. I think the Colts are probably slightly better. But maybe not by enough to win by more than three even with a very short road trip. Let’s say Indy wins it straight up and it’s a push with the points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was a time when these teams regularly engaged in very entertaining postseason matches. We might get back there sooner than later. But only if the Raiders are able to develop a defense. Buffalo by six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seven and a half seems like an awful lot for a banged-up team to be giving. Then again, the Eagles. San Fran by 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I don’t have much to say here. Packers by a lot. What’s a lot? I’m not sure, but it’s definitely more than six and a half, and probably less than, I don’t know, 49.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can’t get an actual line on this game, so I just stuck with what was there before the whole thing was thrown into doubt following Cam Newton’s positive Covid-19 test<\/a>. New England was already facing an uphill battle here. The Patriots defense has been shaping up promisingly, but it’s not ready for this kind of a challenge yet. Maybe the Pats O could have stepped up against a suspect Chiefs D and made it a game. But it’s probably too early in the season for that, too. With New England maybe traveling to Kansas City on the day of the game to play with Brian Hoyer<\/a> behind center? Forget it. (I like Hoyer as a backup. But he’s not at this point going to come off the bench to lead a team to victory over the defending champs.) If the game is played, Chiefs win it by at least 10.<\/p>\n