Big surprise... i'm on dogs and unders.
denver (ML) 3 units to win 4.2. boils down to a few factors for me. The Patriots have not been playing great lately. If not for the fumble by the Chiefs last week that game may have turned out entirely differently. Now they have to go on the road against possibly the best defense in the league. I'm counting on that defense to be able to do what the Chiefs with an injured Houston could not do - pressure Brady without blitzing. That has always been the key to beating Brady - knock him down a couple times early and he looks like a 9-year old who just had his lunch money stolen. He'll pout and call the ref "mommy." "Did you see what that mean man did to me, mommy? He pushed me down and said you and daddy are getting a divorce."
ok, i may be getting a little off track.
Having already seen this offense this season will be an advantage for the broncos. As will not having to worry about any running game. Belichick ain't stupid - i gotta believe he knows he has to generate at least the THREAT of a run game. I just don't think he can do it with his current personnel.
Also it's going to be near 50 degrees at game time. That should be much appreciated by 57 year old quarterback who has had a neck injury.
under (44.5) 3 units. I've already mentioned why I expect Denver's defense to play well today. On the other side of the ball, it's hard to see Denver putting up a lot of points either. Obviously Manning is not throwing downfield much these days. They will look to control the clock and grind out long drives with the running game. And last week we saw just how much trouble they have finishing drives as they settled for, what, 6 field goals? And that was against a porous Pittsburgh defense.
Let's call the final... denver 19-13.
Arizona (ML) 2 units to win 2.8. much tougher game to call, i think. Who the hell knows if last week's win, which was strongly in spite of Palmer, was enough to give him some confidence, or if he will just continue to choke in big situations? but overall, i just think the cards are the better team. and they will be helped, however subtly, by the fairly late start time. It may feel too obvious after the 2nd half turned in by the panthers last week, but the cards may be a good play in the 2nd half as well.
under (47) 2 units. IF palmer actually plays like he did during most of the season, i could be way off here. He might expose the panthers' secondary. But i think a slugfest is more likely. Let's call another final score... arizona 20 - 10.
GL, players! Especially those on the dogs and unders!
denver (ML) 3 units to win 4.2. boils down to a few factors for me. The Patriots have not been playing great lately. If not for the fumble by the Chiefs last week that game may have turned out entirely differently. Now they have to go on the road against possibly the best defense in the league. I'm counting on that defense to be able to do what the Chiefs with an injured Houston could not do - pressure Brady without blitzing. That has always been the key to beating Brady - knock him down a couple times early and he looks like a 9-year old who just had his lunch money stolen. He'll pout and call the ref "mommy." "Did you see what that mean man did to me, mommy? He pushed me down and said you and daddy are getting a divorce."
ok, i may be getting a little off track.
Having already seen this offense this season will be an advantage for the broncos. As will not having to worry about any running game. Belichick ain't stupid - i gotta believe he knows he has to generate at least the THREAT of a run game. I just don't think he can do it with his current personnel.
Also it's going to be near 50 degrees at game time. That should be much appreciated by 57 year old quarterback who has had a neck injury.
under (44.5) 3 units. I've already mentioned why I expect Denver's defense to play well today. On the other side of the ball, it's hard to see Denver putting up a lot of points either. Obviously Manning is not throwing downfield much these days. They will look to control the clock and grind out long drives with the running game. And last week we saw just how much trouble they have finishing drives as they settled for, what, 6 field goals? And that was against a porous Pittsburgh defense.
Let's call the final... denver 19-13.
Arizona (ML) 2 units to win 2.8. much tougher game to call, i think. Who the hell knows if last week's win, which was strongly in spite of Palmer, was enough to give him some confidence, or if he will just continue to choke in big situations? but overall, i just think the cards are the better team. and they will be helped, however subtly, by the fairly late start time. It may feel too obvious after the 2nd half turned in by the panthers last week, but the cards may be a good play in the 2nd half as well.
under (47) 2 units. IF palmer actually plays like he did during most of the season, i could be way off here. He might expose the panthers' secondary. But i think a slugfest is more likely. Let's call another final score... arizona 20 - 10.
GL, players! Especially those on the dogs and unders!
