By Dalton Del Don
Last week I went 8-8 to start off the season, which could have been much better considering I lost both Monday night games. My “best bet” lost, making me 0-1 so far. Here is how I see Week 2 shaking out:
Panthers +6 at Falcons
Rams +10 at Redskins
Texans +6.5 at Titans
Saints pick ‘em at Eagles
Patriots -3.5 at Jets (Best Bet)
Raiders +3 at Chiefs
Cardinals +3 at Jaguars
Bengals +9 at Packers
Vikings -10 at Lions
Buccaneers +5 at Bills
Seahawks +1.5 at 49ers
Steelers -3 at Bears
Browns +3 at Broncos
Ravens +3 at Chargers
Giants +3 at Cowboys
Colts -3 at Dolphins
Comments: Really tough slate for me this week, but I’ll back the Jets as an underdog against a New England team that has to travel during a short week.
Wow. Before week one, there is no way you would call the jets getting 3.5 in week two vs the pats your best bet of the week.
I actually didn’t like any “best bets” this week, but the Jets were a team I pegged as dangerous entering the year. I love Rex Ryan and that defense (and offensive line). They were 8-3 last year and destroyed the No. 1 seed Titans in Tennessee 34-13 before a Brett Favre injury derailed their season. I don’t want to overreact to Week 1, and their schedule is not easy, but I’m kicking myself for putting HOU in the playoffs over them (which could still happen).
Still, it’s a Belichick team facing a NY squad (that has talked quite a bit of shit this week) with a rookie QB – so this is not something I feel extra confident about. But I also wouldn’t be shocked if the Jets win outright – NE has to travel following a MNF game.
Going against the Saints again? This time you can get them without giving up a couple touchdowns. I call that free money.
With no Donovan McNabb, most feel the exact same way.
Tenn -6.5
New Orleans -1
New England -3
Cincy +9
Kansas City -3
Jax -3
Minn -9.5
Alt -6
St Louis +9.5
Tampa -5
Seattle +1.5
Balt +3
Denver -3
Pitts -3
Dallas -2.5
Indy -3
For today, I would take NE to cover, even when traveling after MNF. Although I still can’t figure out of the Jets are so good that an old Favre can go 8-3 and a young Sanchez can provide enough for the team to win week one, or if this was just a fluke and there is no way a rookie qb is going to lead them to a respectable or better season.
I actually would change my best bet if I could. That line has moved nearly three points since it opened, meaning everyone is all over the Jets. I’m liking that pick less and less. It’s actually an opportunity to buy the Pats low.
That said, regardless of today’s outcome, I definitely believe in the Jets this season.
A tough slate indeed. I wish I had faded all of your picks on Sunday DDD–since I would now be 11-4. You know I think the world of you DDD, and at least your best bet came through (even though you admit that you would have changed that if you could). I’m sure you’ll be back on the ball soon enough. All this off-week really proves is how much of a guessing game handicapping NFL games really is.
Considering I had such a bad feeling to begin with, I should have faded my own picks. I believe this makes three years in a row since I started doing this I had an awful week early in the season, now we’ll just see if I can dig myself out of it like I have the past two times. But just like no one should get overly high on a 12-4 slate, I’ll try not to be overly discouraged with such a small sample size. But ya, Sunday sucked.
Dalton, you got straight up smoked. I am not bragging about my overall 7-8 so far this week but wow. Ok…I’ll quit giving you a hard time.
I am humbled by the amazing Jets.
Yep – not good.