I’m a big fan of ESPN’s Monday Night Football commercials. Those mad men need a raise. They have the ability to convince me that even a Ravens-Browns game is worth watching.
Did you ever see the one where the guy is day dreaming about being Bill Belichick on the sidelines?
“What? I cut the sleeves off because it looks awesome. Get your head in the game!”
Classic.
I wonder if Belichick would have liked to switch places with that guy at the toy plane kiosk following Sunday night’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Billy B wasn’t the only coach facing scrutiny this week. Eric Mangini is recruiting NBA players, Rex Ryan can’t stop crying and Lovie Smith won’t let his players talk to Bob Costas.
The Buffalo Bills gave Dick Jauron a pink slip while the Minnesota Vikings handed Brad Childress a three-year extension. Who would have thought that would happen after Week 7 last season when the Bills were 5-1 and the Vikes were 3-4?
“Coaching is critical in handicapping football,” says Covers Expert Marc Lawrence. “Because teams take on the coaches’ personalities, different teams develop different demeanors. It’s important to learn the coach and his tendencies.”
Handicapping colleague and fellow Covers Expert Ben Burns also likes to take notice of these coaching trends.
“I’d rather have an under ticket with Marty Schottenheimer coaching than one with Mike Martz calling the plays.”
Both cappers acknowledged the importance of how good coaching can affect how they place their wagers. But I’m staring at the board and the plays I like involve backing a couple less accomplished coaches.
Maybe this 7-1 hot streak that I’ve been over the last three weeks might come to a grinding halt Sunday. You’ve all been warned.
Buffalo Bills (+9) at Jacksonville Jaguars
I loved Bills interim coach Perry Fewell’s comments following his promotion from defensive coordinator. He was asked what his philosophy would be for his team the rest of the season.
“Play like hell and win,” he answered.
The Bills will respect that type of simple approach. Fewell is doing a fantastic job with an injury-depleted defense and I think he’ll rely on the run game a bit more.
Ryan Fitzpatrick under center scares me a bit, but it’s not like Trent Edwards was setting the world on fire either.
Fitzpatrick should have some time to throw, playing against the Jags who have the fewest sacks this season (8).
Pick: Buffalo
San Francisco 49ers (+6.5) at Green Bay Packers
Fading the Packers hurt my bankroll last weekend. I just didn’t see that annihilation of the Cowboys coming. One week the Pack are losing to the Bucs and defensive players are questioning D-coordinator Dom Capers’ system, the next week they’re shutting out Dallas for three quarters.
A few talking heads in Bristol observed that the Niners don’t trust Alex Smith. The signal caller wasn’t given a chance to make any plays against the Bears. Maybe Mike Singletary got a little gun shy while watching Chicago QB Jay Cutler throw the game away.
This smells like a defensive slugfest that’ll be decided by a late field goal.
Pick: San Fran
Tennessee Titans (+4.5) at Houston Texans
The Titans have 62 pass attempts over their last three games. That’s good news if you’re a Tennessee fan.
Jeff Fisher’s club got away from its identity because of a leaky secondary. The Titans continually fell behind big, which meant they had to rely on Kerry Collins’ arm way too much.
The secondary is healthy and contributing again.
Opposing defenses have to have a linebacker spying Vince Young on every snap because of the former Longhorn’s ability to make plays with his legs.
I think this will be a game where Houston QB Matt Schaub will really miss Pro Bowl TE Owen Daniels.
Pick: Titans
Last week: 2-0
Season record: 17-12