After a few frustratingly near misses last week, we’re back to try and go one better this time
God damn it Tom Brady. After the first two legs of our treble romped home last week (Dolphins over Raiders, Colts over Titans) we need the Patriots to overcome Kansas in the Monday night game. Luckily, we didn’t have to stay up too late to see the result as the Chiefs destroyed Bill Belichick’s men in brutal fashion. I can rarely recall seeing the Pats beaten so comprehensively. It is always a thrill to have money on a team on those special days.
Our points bet also fell just short as the Eagles managed three non offensive touchdowns but couldn’t grab one regular one at the death to beat the 49ers and the 50.5 over bet we had on. San Francisco won 26-21 but it really should have been a higher scoring affair but everything from crappy clock management to superb 49er defence scuppered our punt. Close but no cigar.
Week 5 sees only two teams who have yet to suffer a loss, and both of them, the Bengals and the Cardinals, have only played three games. Even for a sport that prides itself on parity, this season looks very even standard wise. The London teams from last week, Miami and Oakland, sit Week 5 out but all the rest are in action so here goes. As always, all our odds are courtesy of Ladbrokes.
This week’s treble
New York Giants (-4) to beat the Atlanta Falcons, 20/23
San Diego Chargers (-6.5) to beat the New York Jets, 20/23
Cincinnatti Bengals (-1) to beat the New Englaand Patriots, 10/11
Just over 5/1 this week and we surely start with a nailed on cert. The Giants have gone from chumps in Week 1 and 2 to high scoring machines in Week 3 and 4. Last week Eli Manning was given the time to throw strikes and he did, racking up 45 points on the Redskins. With 10 days rest, against a team that doesn’t travel well, we’re backing the G Men.
Phillip Rivers is, right now, the best QB in the NFL. San Diego are only a one-point defeat on opening week to Cardinals away from being 4-0 and they are playing a Jets team who really don’t have any faith left in their man under centre, Geno Smith. In Qualcomm, this has to be a home win by at least a TD.
The hardest pick of the week but the Pats were so bad last week I am throwing out the ‘Brady and Belichick never lose back to back games’ rule. On a shortened week, against a team that has had two weeks to prep for this, I suspect another week of hand-wringing in New England after another defeat.
Total points bet of the week
New Orleans Saints v Tampa Bay Bucs, over 48, 10/11
Chicago Bears (+2.5) to beat the Carolina Panthers, Evs
Yes the Bears took a horrible shellacking from the Packers last week and they are winless from two trips away from Soldier Field this season but I just don’t believe in Carolina. Succesive heavy defeats to the Steelers and the Ravens suggests that they are regressing as expected. A third defeat on the bounce is more than likely against a sore Bears team who have more weapons than the Panthers.
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