Tag: Andy Reid

NFL Week 1: Kickoff Pick and Prediction

It has certainly been a crazy and odd year. Insert your own verb and it’s been that. Covid has made sports hard to pull off at us regular living folks’ level let alone on a professional level. As the MLB has done, the NFL will travel and have zero fans at games.

The Marlins found out quick how bad it can be when the players are careless and don’t take precautions. With advanced knowledge, the NFL is hoping they can be as successful as the NHL and NBA has been except without the need to sequester it’s players and staff in a bubble for months on end.

The NFL decided that it was too soon to play when they decided to do away with the preseason, something I’m sure the players were cool with but as we head into game one, with zero major contact since the end of everyone’s season last year, it will be interesting to see how the players cope and fingers crossed, no major injuries will occur due to going from 0 to 100 come week 1.

I’m excited to see the game finally back and kicking off (especially since my Flyers were knocked out of the playoffs) so I will be holding my breath Covid stays away and that the players are safe and we can see some normalcy return to our lives.

This year, I will be using lines straight from Fox Bet since it is now legal in PA and it’s the site/app I personally use. Kickoff is here!

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs, NBC, 8:20p (Chiefs -10, O/U: 53)

The Texans are coming off some big changes last year after they dealt Clowney to Seattle mid season last year and seeing top receiver Hopkins fly the coop to Arizona. The Texans tried to fill in the Hopkins hole by adding a reliable route runner in Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks, who can take the tops off defenses, to give Watson some more options on the outside other than Will Fuller V, while swapping out Carlos Hyde for David Johnson in an attempt to revive his career sharing the backfield with Duke Johnson. Watson had a solid year last season but Bill O’Brien knows he can see better out of him and with acquiring Tunsil mid last year to protect his backside, having 3 capable receivers and 2 solid running backs to anchor the backfield, he should have the weapons needed to be dangerous. One notable defensive addition this season for the Texans is Vernon Hargreaves from the Buccs who looks to help strengthen the secondary.

The Chiefs will be raising their championship banner after their special run last season that saw them comeback against the Texans. Chiefs were down 24-0 in the 2nd quarter and then laid on 41 unanswered points (28 before the half) and ultimately winning 51-31, hence this meeting. The Titans game was tighter but they pulled away in the 4th and in the Super Bowl, they were down 20-10 heading into the 4th quarter and the a switch was turned as they then scored 21 unanswered points to claim the Lombardi Trophy.

With the new season, they return most of their starters while adding rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the backfield and starting while Damien Williams voluntarily opted out due to the virus. I don’t see much change in this offense, they should be as high flying and explosive as the last few seasons under Mahomes. The real question is, will you see it in week 1?

Andy Reid will not show you his special tricks week 1 unless they need a momentum shifting play in a tight game and late in the 4th. The truth is, this first week will be tough to bet since there hasn’t been a pre-season. I would take the more reliable picks here, Chiefs to cover in the under, Chiefs 30-17.

Week 15: Thursday Night Football

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs -3.5, O/U: 54.5)

The Chargers are putting Melvin Gordon on the game day watch to see if he’ll suit up or miss another game.  If Gordon can’t go, Eckler will once again fill in.  Rivers played masterfully in the first meeting this year between the teams, at home but still lost by 4.  His play has evolved over the last 14 weeks and he’s taken care of the ball this year (29 td’s and only 6 int’s).  Rivers and Keenan Allen have connected on big scoring plays the last 5 weeks and have really been hitting their strides.  Lets not forget their defense, who is also hitting a stride in their own right.

The Chiefs have had back to back weeks of close games but wins.  Since Hunt was released, they’ve had to rely on numerous backs to fill in, one being former future back of the team, Spencer Ware but will be without him tonight due to a neck strain and concussion from last week.  A new addition to the Chiefs will be on the sidelines as they signed the newly released Kelvin Benjamin.  He will suit up tonight but as we can imagine, will be limited in his role even with Tyreek Hill dealing with an injured foot.  Let’s also not forget how reckless Mahomes has been the last few weeks with his passes, he’s been great but he’s also thrown a few picks that weren’t the best of decisions.

What may make up your mind are the numbers you see here:

Chargers ATS: 7-6, Road ATS: 5-1

Chiefs ATS: 8-4-1, Home ATS: 3-3

This will be a battle all night long.  The Chargers are an unbelievable road team and the Chiefs can still score 30 without Hunt but both will be fighting for the AFC West and a top seed in the playoffs, so I would expect Gordon to play such an important game.  In the end, it will come down to who’s running game will keep the opponents offense off the field in the 4th quarter?  Take the Chargers to cover in the upset win, in the over, Chargers 31-28.

#beatyourbookie

Week 11: Monday Night Football

Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Rams, 8:20p, ESPN (Rams -3, O/U: 64)

This game has been circled by all fans since week 4 when these two teams have been on fire, turning out tons of points each week. No it’s not in Mexico City thanks to a rump shaking Shakira concert. If you think that will slow up the guys, think twice. The Chiefs were spending time in Denver to get their bodies used to the similar altitude that Mexico City would’ve had.

Mahomes and Goff have nearly identical numbers other than touchdowns (Mahomes 31, Goff 22) and the Chiefs have scored the most points each game on average, in the NFL. Similarly, the Rams have out paced “The Greatest Show in Turf” in most offensive categories this season. They will be without stud Cooper Kupp for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL from last week but don’t think it’ll hinder Goff too much.

This is going to be like a Madden game on easy. I’m predicting massive scoring, mostly through the air. The Rams pass rush will have their hands full chasing around Mahomes. Take the Chiefs to cover in the over (that’s right, I said over 64 points), Chiefs 42-36.

#beatyourbookie

Week 4: Monday Night Football & Colin Cowherd’s Blazing 5

Well, yesterday was significantly better than last week however, have you see some of the teams that won?  Big road upsets like the Bills over the Falcons, Rams over Cowboys and Panthers over the Patriots.  Other upsets included Texans over the Titans and Jets over Jags.  A crazy day for sure which we escaped with an 8-7 record against the spread and a fantastic 10-5 record with the over/under.  Once again, Uncle Colin knows best.

Colin Cowherd’s Blazing 5 improved to 14-5 (74%) after going 3-1 in yesterday’s games with tonight being the 5th.  He’s stated himself that this is the best start ever to his Blazing 5 in it’s 10 year history and might I remind you, he’s hit 70% before (2012-2013) season.  He’s onto something here.

Washington Redskins at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:30p (Chiefs -7, O/U: 49.5)

Welcome back to one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL.  It’s also home of the only remaining undefeated team, the Chiefs.  They have THE hottest young player in the league with Hunt playing out of his mind in the first 3 weeks.  Fans have to be a little worried of his usage after seeing another sensational rookie running back go down with a torn ACL injury (Dalvin Cook).  Smith is seeing a career year unfold right before his eyes and I’m not sure, outside of Kansas City, who might’ve seen this coming given a top receiver in Jeremy Maclin bolting for Baltimore.

The Redskins are still looking like a formidable team to compete for a playoff spot and that will be mostly due to their defense and the (so far) consistent Kirk Cousins with his 3 back committee behind him.  Chris Thompson has come away as the main weapon for Cousins as he leads the team in rushing yards, yards per carry, receptions, yards and touchdowns.

This will be close early but once the 2nd half comes, the experience in coaching will come out with Andy Reid.  Alex Smith has truly found where he was supposed to be his entire career and he’ll show it again tonight.  Take the Chiefs to win and cover in the over, 36-24.

Colin Cowherd’s Blazing 5, Colin’s pick in bold:

Redskins @ Chiefs (-6.5)
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