Welcome back to another edition of the Six Pack, brought to you by Fantasy Football Degenerates and if you’re anything like me after picking last week's games, you’re going to need more than just a six pack. Not even a keg of Great Tasting, Less Filling would help drown away last week's gambling sorrows. I heard they say, “Sometimes to take two steps forward, you need to take a step back.” Now I don't know who said that...it might have been me last week as I kept having a drink or two after each bet we lost but there has to be some truth to that one. So that’s the last we talk about Week 8, we move on and we move forward to greener pastures ahead. If not, thank goodness I don't have a bookie or he might be putting me out to pasture.
How ‘bout them Cowboys!!! Phew, talking about a team that stinks so bad right now even the Jets would be favored against them. My Eagles did everything in their power to hand Dallas that game but the boys weren't able to lasso in a W and have pretty much fallen out of contention in the NFC Least. My favorite FRAUDS down 95 in Baltimore struggled closing more than some guys I knew in college and ultimately lost to their biggest rival in a game that likely will hand the Steelers the AFC North and a first round bye. Tua time is here in Miami and while the rook didn't wow us, he did lead his team to a big win over the Rams. The Chiefs continue to show the league why they are in a league of their own in a big win over the Jets. Honestly, I’m a little disappointed in them for not putting up 50+ points but a 26 point win will do I suppose. While the bets stunk, we still got to enjoy some great football and as we look forward to Week 9, let’s get ready for some great games in the NFL and if you are truly a Degenerate like us...we have MACtion this week, but we’ll save that for a rainy day.
New England Patriots -7.5 (-105) against the New York Jets:
This is a tough game to make a pick. On one hand, if there was ever a game for the Jets to win this season it would be against their bitter rivals to the north who have fallen from their perch atop Mount Olympus. On the other hand, the Patriots come into this matchup with Gang Green struggling mightily. If they lose this game, Bill Belichick will either have a stroke from the loss or from seeing Cam Newton’s outfit in the post game press conference. So what tips the scale in the Patriots favor despite all of their shortcomings? Well simply put, they are still the Patriots coached by the greatest coach of all time. Cam Newton has been struggling putting the ball in the air... enter the 29th ranked pass defense that a long way from the days of Revis Island (Remember when the Jets drafted Dee Milliner in the early 1st round to try and replace him...big yikes) and are currently giving up 282.8 yards per game. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Fireman Joe’s boys are only scoring 11.8 points per game this season (woah, my high school team could put up more per game in the NFL than that). The Patriots are still pretty darn good and I expect them to have Sam Darnold rattled all game that he wishes he still had mono. Photo: Washington Post
Houston Texans -6.5 (-112) against the Jacksonville Jaguars:
A prop bet that might tickle your fancy is Doug Marrone being the next coach to be fired in the NFL. That's how bad the Jaguars have been this year, though it was to be expected from the team doing their best 76ers imitation. The prize that was Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid for the Sixers could come in the form of Trevor “Sunshine” Lawrence who would provide some reason for optimism for the team in the Sunshine State that is under a cloud of uncertainty. Houston may not be a playoff team but they still have a pretty solid offense led by Deshaun Watson. The Texans currently rank 5th in the NFL in passing yards per game at 282.7 while the Jaguars are giving up 281.9 passing yards per game, good for 29th in the NFL. What separates two bad teams? Well that’ll be the quarterback play and Watson has a major advantage over Jacksonville who will be without the man himself, Gardner Minshew. These two are a combined 2-12 ATS this season which is disgusting but someone has to win...unless its the Bengals and Eagles playing one another. I find it hard to believe we will see another tie so I’m rolling with the Texans.
Las Vegas Raiders +1.5 (-118) against the Los Angeles Chargers:
The eyes of the world may be on Nevada for the Presidential Election right now but come Sunday, the eyes of those in Vegas will shift to that of the new Black Hole. The Super Chargers have been extremely competitive against some good teams this season so this has all the makings of a let down game for them. Justin Herbert has been arguably just as, if not more impressive than Joe “Cool” Burrow has thus far this season passing for over 1800 yards and 15 touchdowns but he is still a rookie at the end of the day and he is due for some growing pains. Vegas’s offense has been quite competent under Derek “My Favorite” Carr this season to the tune of 26.7 points per game and enter this game against a Bolt defense that might be adding Joey Bosa to a list of out defenders that already includes Derwin James and Chris Harris. If Bosa is out, you can expect the Raiders to attack a 21st ranked pass defense that is giving up 251.7 yards per game. So lets take the points and look forward to a win for not only the Raiders but hopefully for all those playing the tables at the Bellagio Sunday afternoon.
Photo: CBS Sports
Kansas City Chiefs -10.5 (-115) against the Carolina Panthers:
Last week was a tough look for the Panthers as they were completely unable to get off the field when it mattered the most against the lowly Falcons as they lost a game that will end up having large playoff implications down the line. Looking forward to Week 9, it's been tricky for the Cats offense without Run CMC, but Olivia Culpo’s boo is finally slated to come back to the Cats offense providing both the team and fantasy owners a HUGE boost heading down the stretch. Meanwhile, over in Missouri, the Kansas City Chiefs continue to boast the league's most explosive offense that’s speed down the field would resemble a Nascar. Following the addition of Le’Veon Bell, the Chiefs O became even more dangerous and will have no problem coping with the loss of Sammy Watkins this week. While the Chief attack is averaging 31.1 points per game, they are also a perfect 4-0 in their last 4 ATS and come into this game looking for their 8th straight victory; a victory we expect them to get.
Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys UNDER 41.5 Total Points (-110):
This pick has absolutely nothing to do with the Steelers fantastic offense but everything to do with just how bad the Cowboys have become without Dak Prescott, or even a semi competent quarterback under center. Against any other opponent, and I mean literally any other opponent this line would never exist but when you are rolling out these unknown QBs under center, this is what you get. The Steelers, for their credit, are averaging 30.1 points per game and have rounded into form as one of the elite offenses in football. Big Ben has turned back the clock to the ‘05 form which led the Steel Curtain to a Super Bowl victory in only his second season (Sidenote, can you believe that Ben has never once received an MVP vote...for a future Hall of Fame quarterback, that is unreal). Once Pittsburgh gets the lead, which won't take long, they will do what they do best and slow down the game to a snail's pace and control the lines of scrimmage. For the Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Zeke Elliot owners in the world of Fantasy Football I’m sorry...you’re in for another long week.
And the highly anticipated, most electrifying Lock of the Week...
Baltimore Ravens -1.5 (-114) against the Indianapolis Colts:
This is Lamar “Action” Jackson’s chance to reestablish himself as not only an elite running back but also an elite quarterback. It's been a tough year thus far for the reigning MVP as he had led the Baltimore offense to a 31st ranked 179.9 passing yards per game but with the Raven’s set to be missing multiple players due to COVID-19, he will need to channel his inner Superman for this one. The Indy Defense has been extremely stingy this season, allowing only 19.4 points per game to their opponents this season. This, however should be the strongest offense they have seen to date which could lead to a higher scoring game at the end of the day and even though they put 41 points on the board against the Detroit Lions last week, they have been wildly inconsistent this season. Baltimore comes into this game 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road contests while the Colts surprisingly are 0-5 in their last 5 home games as an underdog. This game has huge playoff seeding implications, and while neither of these teams will get a bye going into the playoffs, this could be a precursor to a big postseason matchup. Photo: Yahoo Sports
Parlay of the Week:
Baltimore Ravens -1.5 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Houston Texans -6.5 vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs -10.5 vs. Carolina Panthers
YTD: 13-16 (1-5 Last Week)
YTD Lock of the Week: 1-4
YTD Parlays: 2-3
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