HANDICAPPPING THE NFL
The final score for The Gairzo’s 2020 rap—I mean tally—sheet is a mixed bag.
An excellent .560 on my Specials which is one of the best marks on the net…
Offset by a dismal.453 on my Totals
15-3 on Games of the Week…
Offset by a 27-30 record on my other three Specials
Here’s the final tally: 2020 FINAL NFL TALLY SHEET
2020 PLAYOFFS 6 – 8
2020 Overall ATS 134 – 131 – 4 .506
Cumulative Totals: 53 – 64 – 5 .453
Cumulative Specials: 42– 33 – 2 .560
GAME OF THE WEEK 15 – 3 – 1 LOCK OF THE WEEK 9 – 10
UPSET SPECIAL 8 – 10 O/U OF THE WEEK 10 – 10 – 1
PREMIUM PICKS 1 – 2 CUMULATIVE 95 – 97 – 7
DALLAS COWBOYS @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS -6.5 GW 52 [U]
I’m beginning to wonder if my thirteen year rant on the Cowboys may actually be true after I watched just one—couldn’t take any more—episode of HBO’s latest rendition of Hard Knocks.
If you aren’t familiar with said rant, it goes something like this: the Dallas Cowboys basically operate in a constant state of self-delusion.
Yes, they play tough football—is there any other kind—but when you’re constantly bombarded with the label of America’s team, is it so hard to imagine the players practicing like they really are better than everyone else, or deserve more accolades than anyone else, simply because they are a Dallas Cowboy?
Every year, without fail the Cowboys get the most prime time games. When it’s time to flex the schedule and the Dallas game is in consideration, too often than not, it gets flexed over a more meaningful game. (I know the Cowboys travel well and it’s all about money. I get sick of watching them.)
This is the part of the rant where I have to give credit to Jerry Jones for his marketing acumen. He is responsible for Dallas still residing in the NFC East.
Here’s the way the NFL would be aligned if not for Jerrah:
Oh, the Hard Knocks Episode had Dallas Coach McCarthy telling his team how this wasn’t the place for complainers, clowns, or funny boys and the only focus the room should have is on winning a championship.
The speech sounded great in McCarthy’s heavy Pittsburgh accent. However, in the scenes that followed the players yucked it up and didn’t seem very focused. The whole show had that ever-present entitlement atmosphere poisoning the Cowboy’s bubble.
As long as Jerry Jones is in charge, the Cowboys will never breathe free.
Brady and the Mateys
Though Tom Brady, his former coach, and owner, and teammates were all part of a cheating culture, the NFL isn’t about to take any rings or trophies away from him or the Pats.
Thankfully, such criticism can’t be leveled against any team Bruce Arians coached, and we must admit, we are indeed in awe at Brady’s accuracy, football acumen, and ability to get his team psyched.
The Buccaneers beat the hell out of KC in Super Bowl LV, in the trenches, on both sides of the ball.
Look for Champa Bay to add another trophy to its collection after Super Bowl LVI.
Arians and company bring back a rock solid defense, an explosive, yet balanced offense—and all 22 starters.
Barring injury and a Covid meltdown, Brady and the Mateys will repeat as Super Bowl Champs. They will begin that quest by stomping the Cowboys back to their awesome stadium and state-of-the-art facilities.
Should be a lot of fun to watch.
The Champs will beat the spread—we don’t see the Cowboys scoring a lot on the Mateys—play the Under.
Buccaneers 30
Cowboys 14