The first deadline I've missed handicapping the NFL in 13+ years...
Well, I'm my own editor and my mouse didn't charge in time, I forgot to charge it last night...
Remind me to flog myself later...
CLEVELAND BROWNS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - 9 56 [U]
Just don't see Baker Mayfield and a bad Cleveland defense being able to stop one of the most consistently efficient offenses in the 100 year history of the NFL.
After Pittsburgh spotted the Browns 28 points last week, Pittsburgh was in it until the end --and with just one or two big plays, could have won the game.
Give the Browns credit, they took advantage of the most unbalanced offense in the league and got the win.
The Chiefs can kill you any number of ways--to beat the Arrowheads, the Browns need to play perfect football; they aren't ready to do that.
Take the Chiefs give Cleveland the 9 points and bet the Under.
Chiefs 30 Browns 20
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS -5.5 51
I love Bruce Arians. He's been a winner wherever he's been and his players love him.
I hate Tom Brady because he's a two-bit cheater--and also is on the NFL's Mount Rushmore of Quarterbacks.
A lot more people have more faith in the Matey's defense than does the Gairzo.
Either way, this one should be an old-fashioned shoot-out...
One more thing--too many writers in this country repeat a myth that slowly becomes cemented into the culture. When you handicap games in the NFL you lose a lot of money thinking that way.
The hackneyed, "it's tough to beat a team 3 times in the same season" is a perfect example of such universally believed bullshit.
Writers in any forum, on any platform, from any perspective, owe it to their readers and reality to seek and tell the truth.
According to Mike Florio and his staff at PFT: "The team that accomplished the [regular season] sweep has a record of 20-12 in the playoff game. When playing at home, the team that swept that opponent has a record of 17-7."
Brees out-duels Brady; Payton comes up with a trick play to pull away late--take the Under...
Saints 31 Buccanners 19