Week 9 Recap, Week 10 Preview

It amazes me how certain coaches use the challenge option.  Too many NFL coaches seem to think it is worth challenging a 10 yard completion at the 50 yard line a couple minutes after kickoff instead of saving it for critical moments like turnovers during the last 5 minutes of the half or game.  We saw two classic examples of it this week.


First the Raiders were able to overcome a bad call on a punt which allowed Kansas City to go ahead in the forth quarter.  (Almost allowed us a back-door cover)  Since Tom Caple was too busy challenging meaningless plays he didn't have any challenges left for this critical play which he would have won.  Same happened to Wade Phillips in the last 5 minutes of the first half of their game against Green Bay.   Com'mon man! Somebody on the coaching staff should be getting paid to advise these guys when to use those little red flags.


(Side note:  In Wade's defense his team was getting destroyed by the Packers regardless - and gotta feel for the guy as Al Michaels spent 80% of the broadcast speculating on who is gonna replace him.) 
 
Overall a pretty even week of predictions, which is fine during a tough week of action.  Looking more forward to the Week #10 match ups.

This Thursday will be the first week of Thursday night football with the Ravens heading to Atlanta to play the dirty birds.  The opening line has the Falcons as a 1 point favourite at home.  Like them on a short week as they don't have to travel and have an undefeated record at home.

Some other spreads look juicy :

Minnesota -2.5 @ Chicago.  The drama Vikings could seriously be 4-5 after this game as the Bears are terrible and will have a hard time against the Vikings D to score points.

Detroit -2.5 @ Buffalo.  The Lions are now 7-1 ATS and should have beat the Jets this past week.  The Bills have come off 3 straight crushing defeats and like the Lions to get their 3rd win of the season.

Tampa -8.5 vs Carolina.  The Bucs are legit and Carolina is the worst team in the league.  Ride the streak and keep betting against Carolina until they win a game.

St. Louis +4.5 @ San Fran.  The 49ers don't deserve to be giving points to anyone right now.  The Rams have played good football and will play hard to get control of the NFC West.

Other early leanings:
KC +1.5 over Broncos
Colts -7.0 over the Bengals
Giants -?? over the Cowboys.

Week #10 looks to be a big week.... let's go study and get ready to cash some big tickets!

D$ Out