Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers, Bank of America Stadium, 8:20 PM, NFLN (Panthers -7, O/U: 48.5)
Jameis Winston couldn’t seem to get out of his own way last week against the 49ers. He accounted for all 4 of the Buccs turnovers including 3 interceptions, which two were brought back for touchdowns. Bruce Arians seems to have a short memory with Winston so far, keeping him as a starter for tonight. Ronny Jones III had a solid opening game to his sophomore campaign as he tries to solidify the back who will get the biggest workload. Jones went 75 yards on 13 carries while also catching a pass for 18 yards. Cam Newton had a solid outing to start the season against the Rams. He had a hard time moving the ball through the air, averaging less than 10 yards per completion. Panthers fans however, got to enjoy watching another stellar performance from Christian McCaffrey who had over 200 yards from scrimmage, leading the team in rushing and receiving, and had 2 rushing scores. Tonight’s game will mark Gerald McCoy’s first game against his old team since he had spent his first 9 years in the league with Tampa Bay. The thing that hurt the Panthers last week was giving the Rams short field drives early in the game. They will not drop 2 home games in back to back weeks. Take the Panthers to cover in the win, in the under, Panthers 27-17.
Tag: McCaffrey
Week 10: Thursday Night Football
Carolina at Pittsburgh, 8:20p, NFLN (Steelers -3.5, O/U: 51.5)
Finally, we get a game on Thursday worthy of most football fans’ time.
The Panthers have enjoyed the last couple of games with Eric Reid on board to help the defense as the offense keeps rolling at home. On the road, it’s a little bit of a different story where Cam stays the same but the offense doesn’t score as much. History points to the Panthers as being a weak road team and even though they’ve lost 2 of 3 on the road (their only 2 losses), they were within 7 points in both games. In fact, Cam has been stellar as far as his completion percentage and passer rating. Cam is certainly having a career year but not only is Cam playing well, Christian McCaffrey is having a fantastic sophomore season in the NFL as well.
The Steelers have enjoyed a 4 game winning streak that started after a week 4 loss at home to division foe, Ravens. That loss put them 0-2 at home and 1-2-1 overall with the season in peril, uncertainty with the Bell situation, turmoil in the organization with AB until they met the high flying Falcons at home the next week. They haven’t looked back since. Yes Big Ben has thrown 7 picks but also has 16 touchdowns, Conner slightly outperforming Bell from last year with the same amount of starts and Brown might not have a ton of yards or a great average per catch but has 9 touchdowns. The defense has been in lockdown mode the last 4 weeks.
With the defense in lockdown mode, take the Steelers to cover in the over, Steelers 31-27.
#beatyourbookie
Week 1 Recap: 60%+ Winners Baby!
Week 1 has come and gone with some pretty shocking results and injuries.
The first week of the NFL season for fans is an exciting time, holiday like for most of America. Take it from me, I’m a huge hockey guy and I don’t get this excited over the NHL’s opening week of the season. However you celebrated, there is always this massive expectation of upsets, blowouts, and key injuries.
Thursday had all of them rolled into one game. Cheesy banner hoisting celebration, shocking Vegas point spread of 9, shocking upset from the underdog, key injuries from Danny Amendola’s concussion and Eric Berry’s torn Achilles, and the game was basically a blowout.
Sunday was much of the same, Ravens blowout/shutout the Bengals, Jags shockingly blowout the Texans, Rams took the Colts to the woodshed, and we saw the loss of one of the top 2 best running backs in the game, David Johnson, get a dislocated wrist which will more than likely have him out 2-3 months.
We saw a bunch of rookies take control of their respected positions and make key differences in games, TJ Watt, Dalvin Cook, Kareem Hunt, Kenny Golladay, Tarik Cohen, Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, Haason Reddick, and Cooper Kupp.
Wow, what a first week!
Now to my predictions. I shocked myself. I pulled out some close ones and some really caught me off guard but to have 61.5% winners ATS and 64.28% winners with the O/U for the first week? I’ll take that a run with it. I’m a genius, football psychic, I have the crystal ball of the NFL and baby, I’m just handing out free cash left and right.
The “what if’s”. I was a late Tarik Cohen TD and a blocked Chargers field goal from having those pushes as winners (66%) and if Forbath doesn’t miss his extra point, my O/U’s would’ve been the same (66%).
Colin Cowherd’s Blazing 5:
How did Colin Cowherd’s Blazing 5 do? He stated it was the best opening week since he’s been doing it. He went 4-1 picking the Eagles (-1), Ravens (+3), Lions (+2), and Packers (-3). Obviously the 49ers (+5.5) were the ones that prevented him from a perfect record to start.
Come back Thursday for the tomorrow nights matchup and prediction.
Necessary Roughness 