As a substitute of spending 10 paragraphs making an attempt to find out the result of Sunday’s Jets-Colts recreation, let’s do one thing just a little completely different and delve into the winners and losers of this disastrous Gang Inexperienced season. Not all of those opinions will show appropriate, however we have to hit on solely about 52 % for them to be extra correct than the picks.
LOSER: Aaron Rodgers — The sure-shot Corridor of Fame quarterback has taken the largest hit of anybody. From final yr’s Achilles tear on the fourth play of the season to the present 3-7 begin, Rodgers has wrecked each his leg and a bit of his legacy.
Not solely that, like a multilevel marketer, he’s taking down quite a lot of his pals with him. From Allen Lazard to Randall Cobb to Nathaniel Hackett, none of his buddies might be telling their grandkids about their time with the Jets. Davante Adams hasn’t been right here lengthy sufficient to put on the stains.
WINNER: Robert Saleh — Fired after 5 video games, the previous head coach is getting paid and killing time working along with his pal Matt LaFleur in Inexperienced Bay. Given what’s occurred since, Saleh’s 2-3 report seems nice by comparability. He has quite a lot of pals within the league and is an effective salesman of himself, so I’m betting he will get one other shot within the close to future.
LOSER: Joe Douglas — That is too dangerous as a result of if you happen to take a look at the expertise stage of the Jets roster, it’s miles higher than when he took over. But, the staff is 30-63 in his tenure and is pointing downward.
Douglas by no means “built the wall” for Sam Darnold or Zach Wilson, and when he lastly introduced in an honest line to guard Rodgers, the staff remains to be shedding, even worse than earlier than. Joe D. will most likely have a front-office job within the NFL for so long as he desires, nevertheless it would possibly take him some time to get again to the facility chair.
WINNER: Zach Wilson — Have to be good for him to have the ability to sit on the bench in Denver and never take any hits or slings or arrows. Till he performs once more, Wilson can declare all the things was the Jets’ fault and never his, and there received’t be any proof to show him incorrect.
LOSERS: Woody Johnson and brother Chris — That is nearly positive to be the staff’s 14th consecutive non-playoff season. There’s not sufficient area to correctly criticize them right here, and I’m positive nobody actually desires to be reminded, anyway.
SUNDAY’S WINNER: What does this all imply for the Colts conflict? Nicely, there’s one factor that usually occurs in hopeless Jets seasons: They win sufficient video games to value them within the NFL draft order. We’re to not that time but, however a win over the Colts adopted by a bye, the return of some injured gamers and a few extra wins in opposition to a reasonably weak schedule would put them again in that ineffective 7-10 space.
So we’ll go along with that narrative, because the Jets reprise the robust second half they’d vs. the Texans and reap the benefits of a returning Anthony “Tap Out” Richardson behind a banged-up offensive line.
The decide: Jets -4.
Inexperienced Bay Packers (-5.5) over CHICAGO BEARS
When the road was 6.5, I used to be near speaking myself into it being an excellent worth for a determined divisional house underdog. Now this seems like a pleasant worth to fade a Chicago staff that’s determined due to a Hail Mary adopted by two blowout losses together with to (gasp!) the Patriots. Is Caleb Williams the NFL’s new “mistake by the lake?”
DETROIT LIONS (-14) over Jacksonville Jaguars
Largest unfold of the NFL season, and I’m tempted to take the factors on precept alone. However I don’t count on the Jaguars to attain many factors with Mac Jones main a decimated offense. The Jags intercepted Sam Darnold 3 times final week, and Jared Goff threw 5 picks in opposition to the Texans. Nonetheless, I don’t count on both of these circumstances to repeat.
TENNESSEE TITANS (+6) over Minnesota Vikings
Craziest stat of the season: The Titans rank No. 1 in whole yards allowed, No. 1 in passing yards allowed and twenty ninth in factors allowed. Plenty of that final quantity got here from back-to-back highway video games at Buffalo (34-10) and Detroit (52-14). Searching for them to maintain this shut in opposition to Darnold, who’s coming again to earth a little bit of late.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (-7.5) over Las Vegas Raiders
Powerful situational spot for the Dolphins, who traveled cross nation after a Monday evening win on the Rams and can face a Raiders staff off a bye. Miami at 3-6 actually wants this recreation, although. Although Las Vegas owns a shock win at Baltimore, it’s offensive weaponry is diminished by accidents and the commerce of Davante Adams.
Los Angeles Rams (-4.5) over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Rams have the same journey state of affairs to the Dolphins. L.A. misplaced Monday, so that can present extra impetus for a bounce-back at a determined 4-5 mark. Matthew Stafford’s offense is at full well being.
Cleveland Browns (-1) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
This recreation flipped favorites in a single day into Thursday, with the Browns changing into small favorites. The Saints received the new-coach bounce for Darren Rizzi, a live-wire Jersey man, however they wanted three missed subject objectives to beat the Falcons. Great place for Jameis Winston to return to the Superdome.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (+3) over Baltimore Ravens
On this decade, the Steelers are 7-1 outright in opposition to the Ravens with the one loss by two factors. Mike Tomlin is as much as 65.4 % as an underdog in his profession. And I’m comfortable to strive George Pickens and Mike Williams in opposition to the Ravens’ Thirty second-ranked go protection.
DENVER BRONCOS (-2.5) over Atlanta Falcons
Broncos just about had the Chiefs crushed at Arrowhead however misplaced on a blocked subject purpose. Going to zero in on one stat right here that might decide how the complete recreation will go down: The Broncos rank second with 35 sacks whereas the Falcons are final with 9. Consider two accidents to Kirk Cousins’ arm and this shapes up as a tough journey for Atlanta.
Seattle Seahawks (+6.5) over SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The 49ers have received the previous six conferences, all by greater than this unfold. Nonetheless, the Seahawks might be taking part in for his or her season at 4-5 off a bye, and are a scary offensive staff with DK Metcalf again to hitch Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (+2.5) over BUFFALO BILLS
Will the Chiefs’ nice escape vs. Denver be the ultimate warning earlier than their first loss, or the springboard to the NFL’s first 17-0 common season? Patrick Mahomes’ troops are absolutely wholesome whereas Josh Allen is coping with some questionables in Amari Cooper and Dalton Kincaid, and Keon Coleman already dominated out. Mahomes is 12-1-1 ATS as an underdog.
Cincinnati Bengals (+1.5) over LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Very watchable Sunday evening recreation. Leaning to the Bengals as a result of they’re the extra determined staff at 4-6, have just a little further relaxation off a Thursday evening barn-burner loss in Baltimore, and may very well be getting again Tee Higgins to assist the unbelievable Ja’Marr Chase.
Betting on the NFL?
Monday
Houston Texans (-7.5) over DALLAS COWBOYS
Texans have topped 24 factors simply twice this season, so there’s not quite a lot of margin right here if they’ve their regular output. The return of Nico Collins ought to enhance that outlook in opposition to a Cowboys staff that’s 0-4 at house, getting outscored by a complete of 150-59, and now has Cooper Rush (45 yards passing vs. the Eagles) at quarterback.
Finest bets: Texans, Browns, Broncos
Lock of the week: Texans (Locks 5-5 in 2024)
Final week: 7-7 total, 0-3 Finest Bets
Thursday: Eagles (W)
Why Belief New York Submit Betting
Dave Blezow’s one of many longest tenured NFL handicappers on the Submit with picks relationship again 31 years. He received the Submit’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most just lately in 2023.
