R U Ready 4 Some Football (NFL)

[BullNBear52]

Funny comment after the game.

Washington Commanders 12, Chicago Bears 7

Line: Bears -0.5 | Total: 38

In a sloppy game with a missed field goal attempt, several tipped passes and eight total sacks, Washington pulled out a win by recovering a muffed punt at Chicago’s 6-yard line, midway through the fourth quarter. Rookie running back Brian Robinson, playing in his second game since being shot in August by an attempted robber, punched in his first career touchdown run.

We’d picked Bears -0.5, and after the game Bears quarterback Justin Fields echoed our frustration. “We always get told that we’re almost there, we’re almost there,” Fields said. “Me personally, I’m tired of being almost there. I’m tired of being just this close.”

[BullNBear52]

N.F.L. Week 6 Predictions: Our Picks for Each Game
Kansas City and Buffalo get a long-awaited rematch of last season’s best N.F.L. game before the Eagles and Cowboys fight for the top of the N.F.C. East.

By David Hill
Published Oct. 13, 2022
Updated Oct. 14, 2022
Coaches stole some of the spotlight from players in Week 5 with aggressive fourth-down play calls that were second-guessed after those gambles failed to pay off.

The debate in the N.F.L. over “analytics” — the mathematical analysis of data to determine probabilities for in-game decisions — has grown steadily over the past five seasons. Data-driven approaches to play calling have upended a lot of football orthodoxy, particularly with regard to decisions on fourth down. When decisions to forgo a punt or extra point, or try for a touchdown over a field goal don’t work out, as it happened for Brandon Staley, Nathaniel Hackett and Josh McDaniels, the analytics skeptics grow louder.

Football, it is often said, is a game of inches. There is an implication in that axiom that football is a game ultimately determined by numbers and math. So, too, is the point spread. The models that handicappers utilize to set the lines each week are heavily data driven. The vast majority of the public’s approach to beating those lines, however, is not.

There is a reason one of the most efficient fourth-down teams this season is the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. And there is a reason the house always wins. Head coaches or sports bettors ignore the math at their own peril.

Last week’s record: 9-7 | Overall: 41-38-1

All times Eastern.

Here’s what you need to know:
Sunday’s Best Games
Sunday’s Other Games
Monday Night’s Game
Thursday Night’s Game
How Betting Lines Work
Sunday’s Best Games

Buffalo Bills (4-1) at Kansas City (4-1), 4:25 p.m., CBS

Line: Kansas City +3 | Total: 53.5

The week’s marquee matchup is a rematch of last year’s A.F.C. divisional playoff thriller, in which Kansas City managed to force overtime with a final drive with only 13 seconds on the clock and win in overtime. The Bills are favored to win this week, making this Patrick Mahomes’s first career game as a home underdog.

Last week, Buffalo beat up on the Steelers in a lopsided game in which Josh Allen passed for 424 yards, while Kansas City came back from a three score deficit to trump Las Vegas — two very different performances but both confidence builders. This game will have major consequences for home-field advantage in the playoffs and could very well be a preview of the A.F.C. championship game. Pick: Kansas City +3

Dallas Cowboys (4-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-0), 8:20 p.m., NBC

Line: Eagles -6 | Total: 42

Cooper Rush didn’t need to do much — just 102 passing yards — to keep the Cowboys unbeaten since Week 1 and win against the Rams last week. Dallas’s formula for going 4-0 without Dak Prescott has relied on running the ball ably and leaning on their monstrous pass rush. As long as they stick to their strengths and protect the ball, there are fewer opportunities for Rush to make mistakes.

The Eagles, however, are not an easy team to play safe against. Last week, Jalen Hurts passed for 239 yards and picked up two rushing touchdowns. Right now, the N.F.C. East is the best division in the N.F.L., and this could be another preview of a big playoff matchup. There has been speculation that Prescott could play on Sunday, but the market as of Wednesday assumed he won’t. If he does, it would most likely move the line a point or two in Dallas’s favor. Pick: Dallas +6

Baltimore Ravens (3-2) at Giants (4-1), 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Giants +5.5 | Total: 45

The Giants were without their top four receivers in a win over the Packers in London and still managed to score on five consecutive possessions, including 17 unanswered points in the second half. The second-best rushing team in the N.F.L. saw quarterback Daniel Jones get in on the act, running for 37 yards on 10 carries. With some of those injured receivers potentially returning this week against the Ravens, Jones could finally throw for a big number against a Baltimore team that is perpetually dealing with injuries to its secondary.

The Ravens enter as favorites after beating the Bengals with a late field goal and riding Lamar Jackson’s M.V.P. and contract campaigns. Pick: Giants +5.5

Sunday’s Other Games
San Francisco 49ers (3-2) at Atlanta Falcons (2-3), 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Falcons +5 | Total: 44.5

This is the second east coast road game in a row for the 49ers, and they arrive in Atlanta as 5-point road favorites. The San Francisco defense has been the team’s strong suit, but a slew of defensive players are on the injured list this week. Most important among them are cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament last week, and Nick Bosa, who is questionable with a groin injury.

The Falcons lost to the Buccaneers last week on a questionable roughing the passer call against Grady Jarrett late in the fourth quarter but covered the spread as they have managed to do every week this season. Even without two key defenders, the 49ers should break that streak. Pick: 49ers -5

New England Patriots (2-3) at Cleveland Browns (2-3), 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Browns -3 | Total: 42.5

After losing both the starting quarterback (Mac Jones, out with an ankle injury) and his backup (Brian Hoyer, out with a concussion), last week the Patriots saw top running back Damien Harris leave Week 5’s shutout of the Lions. He’s questionable for Sunday, but New England called up Kevin Harris from the practice squad to pair with Rhamondre Stevenson in the backfield, which has taken pressure off the rookie Bailey Zappe to run the offense.

Fortunately for New England, the Cleveland defense has struggled all year to stop the run. Last week, the Browns allowed the Chargers, who came into the game ranked last in the league in rushing, to hand the ball off to Austin Ekeler for a career high 173 yards. Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney returned to the Browns’ lineup last week, but they may have needed a game to knock the rust off. Pick: Patriots +3

Jets (3-2) at Green Bay Packers (3-2), 1 p.m., Fox

Line: Packers -7 | Total: 45.5

The Jets are perhaps the N.F.L.’s biggest surprise this season, and the team’s confidence showed, putting up 40 points — their highest scoring effort since 2018 — last week against a hobbled Miami team. Despite the Packers losing to the Giants in the season’s biggest upset so far, the look-ahead line had Green Bay as big favorites at 9.5. But money has been coming in on the Jets, and the line has moved to as low as 7 in some spots. Pick: Packers -7

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3) at Indianapolis Colts (2-2-1), 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Colts -2.5 | Total: 42

When these two teams met in Week 2, Jacksonville’s defense handed Indianapolis a shutout. This week, they meet on the Colt’s turf, and the tables have turned. The Colts are 2.5-point favorites, coming off an ugly win in Denver, while Jacksonville handed the Texans their first win of the season. Despite the loss, the Jaguars put up 422 yards of offense, and their defense held the Texans to only 248. But the Jags never converted in the red zone in three trips, and a penalty at the end of the game by linebacker Travon Walker cost them a game they should have won. The Colts continue to have offensive line issues. Matt Ryan has been sacked 21 times, a tie for the most in the league. Pick: Jaguars +2.5

Minnesota Vikings (4-1) at Miami Dolphins (3-2), 1 p.m., Fox

Line: Dolphins +4.5 | Total: 45.5

The injuries keep piling up for the Dolphins, who have now lost two quarterbacks to concussions. Tyreek Hill has an injured foot, one starting cornerback is out and the other is questionable. The line for the game sat at 3 points as of Wednesday, but that is likely to move once the injury list is finalized.

The Vikings are sitting on a 4-1 record, but a few of those wins involved them struggling mightily against some pretty bad teams. Minnesota has underperformed its market expectation and is 1-4 against the spread. Pick: Dolphins +4.5

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) at New Orleans Saints (2-3), 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Saints +1.5 | Total: 43.5

Saints tight end Taysom Hill ran for three touchdowns and threw for a fourth in a win over the Seahawks last week, and he joined Alvin Kamara with more than 100 rushing yards. But Kamara also led the team with 91 receiving yards on 6 catches, a big uptick from his slow start with Jameis Winston under center this season.

The Bengals’ defense is a far cry from the Seahawks’, however: No opponent has scored more than 23 points, and all three of Cincinnati’s losses have been by a field goal or less. Pick: Bengals -1.5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4), 1 p.m., Fox

Line: Steelers +8.5 | Total: 44

After Pittsburgh was trounced by the Bills on Sunday, one-way action on Tampa Bay moved the line on this game from 6.5 to as many as 9 points as of Wednesday. Somewhere along the way, there has been buyback on the Steelers, as the line has fluctuated and continues to be priced differently across the market.

Last week, as 14-point underdogs the Steelers failed to cover the largest point spread of the season (and the largest in their team’s history). This week, Pittsburgh doesn’t get nearly that many points, but it may not need them. They’re up against the Buccaneers, who have only passed for seven touchdowns all season. Pick: Steelers +8.5

Carolina Panthers (1-4) at Los Angeles Rams (2-3), 4:05 p.m., Fox

Line: Rams -10.5 | Total: 40.5

Coach Matt Rhule was fired on Monday after the Panthers lost the tenth of their last 11 games. Steve Wilks stepped in as interim coach and immediately fired special teams coach Ed Foley and defensive coordinator Phil Snow, saying he wanted to get a “different approach moving forward.” Wilks will need one. Baker Mayfield is out for the near future with a high ankle sprain leaving P.J. Walker to make his third ever N.F.L. start.

Carolina’s one glimmer of hope lies with Los Angeles’s offensive line, which has been a revolving door all season. Their issues up front have been a major contributor to Matthew Stafford’s back-and-forth duel with Matt Ryan for the dubious honor of the most sacks and turnovers in the league. The Panthers are getting 10.5 points in the biggest spread of the week, and so far the bettors have been eager to take them. Pick: Panthers +10.5

Arizona Cardinals (2-3) at Seattle Seahawks (2-3), 4:05 p.m., Fox

Line: Seahawks +3 | Total: 51

The Seahawks have one of the league’s worst defenses, giving up 30.8 points per game. The Cardinals are better than most of the teams that have rolled over Seattle, but they have yet to win a home game. Arizona enters the game as road favorites against one of the biggest home-field advantages in the N.F.L., a boost that could mean a lot. Pick: Seahawks +3

Monday Night’s Game
Denver Broncos (2-3) at Los Angeles Chargers (3-2), 8:15 p.m., ESPN

Line: Chargers -5.5 | Total: 45.5

Russell Wilson has a partially torn muscle affecting his throwing shoulder but plans to play after getting a plasma injection to relieve pain. But Denver lost at home last week to the Colts in one of the ugliest games of the season, a bad defeat that gives no indication the Broncos can challenge the Chargers, a top-10 scoring team.

But Wilson and company don’t need to win; they merely need to cover. The run-heavy Browns were able to do so last week against the Chargers, who give up more rushing yards per carry (5.8) than any other team in the league. Pick: Broncos +5.5

Thursday Night’s Game
Washington Commanders 12, Chicago Bears 7

Line: Bears -0.5 | Total: 38

In a sloppy game with a missed field goal attempt, several tipped passes and eight total sacks, Washington pulled out a win by recovering a muffed punt at Chicago’s 6-yard line, midway through the fourth quarter. Rookie running back Brian Robinson, playing in his second game since being shot in August by an attempted robber, punched in his first career touchdown run.

We’d picked Bears -0.5, and after the game Bears quarterback Justin Fields echoed our frustration. “We always get told that we’re almost there, we’re almost there,” Fields said. “Me personally, I’m tired of being almost there. I’m tired of being just this close.”

How Betting Lines Work
A quick primer for those who are not familiar with betting lines: Favorites are listed next to a negative number that represents how many points they must win by to cover the spread. Packers -8.5, for example, means that Green Bay must beat the Giants by at least 9 points for its backers to win their bet. Gamblers can also bet on the total score, which is whether the teams’ combined score in the game is over or under a preselected number of points.

Betting-market data is taken from Action Network’s Public Betting data, and lines are taken from Unabated’s real-time-odds tracker.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/13/sports/football/nfl-week-6-predictions-our-picks-for-each-game.html

[newmedman]

lol I told you they were coming back with the orange! The uniforms were cool to me but the team needs some serious help.

I actually bet against them and probably will for the rest of the year no matter how many points they get spotted. The offense is abysmal, even worse than what we've grown accustomed to for the last few years and we just don't have the playmakers on defense anymore.

[BullNBear52]

Last night I picked the Bears to win. I had no idea with those uniforms who the F I was rooting for.

[BullNBear52]

Eli Manning said he felt pressure to perform well as 'Chad Powers' so that he could help Penn State walk-on hopefuls

https://www.yahoo.com/news/eli-manning-said-felt-pressure-171005330.html

Here is the video from You Tube. I liked it when he says I haven't run a 40 since he was a freshman in college. At the end the coach for PSU rules him ineligible since he could no longer play college football. lol.

[blackcat]

Seattle's defense understands the problem- the question is- can they fix it?

The only reason Seattle isn’t 33rd in the NFL in defense is the league has only 32 teams.

Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article267088526.html#storylink=cpy

[newmedman]

well he's doing a decent job for me and as long as they keep playing from behind I'll keep starting him. My team still sucks but he is a little bright spot free agent pick up.

LOL I took Garrapalo too so it only shows what I know.

I had Dak Prescott zoned in at the draft but that didn't work out so well. He needs some of those Giants trainers!

[blackcat]

Good point.

[blackcat]

Yes. Do better- The Giants are out there giving it their best.........uh.....

I trail the pack in the pro pick 'ems as always. I feel bad for the teams that are losing 2 QBs at a time. Sadly, we can't even lose one. (Do not tell me how wonderful Geno is and how exquisitely he's playing (per Carroll). If he were we'd be winning, not losing.

[BullNBear52]

Well- the big question is- "What does Herschel Walker think "?

You're assuming he actually still has working brain cells that could make him think.

[BullNBear52]

I don't know what I was thinking when I picked GB since I can't stand Aaron Rodgers.

I bow my head in shame on that pick but I'm still winning the pickems by a wide margin.

Standings 
 Rank	Pick Set Name	Total Pts	W-L 
 1	 
 BNBs Cellar Dwellers 
 48	48-30 
 2	 
 Augusta Raiders 
 45	45-33 
 3	 
 LIONSROAR 
 43	43-35 
 4	 
 Giants Tank for Bryce Young 
 43	43-35 
 5	 
 Catbegone 
 39	39-39

Time for you to find a new beer to help your picks.

[blackcat]

Well- the big question is- "What does Herschel Walker think "?

[newmedman]

LOLOLOL I know they are a little more tolerant over there but in my mind that is not a good commercial for the NFL.

I think it's hilarious but others might find it a bit sketchy. I'm no marketer but if you're trying to build your brand overseas that is definitely not the way to go about it unless you're the Chippendales or something.

[blackcat]

Oh, absolutely.
Some of the 3 and outs make more sense now.

[newmedman]

well, normally one wouldn't want to "come out" right on the sidelines but I'm very proud of them for respecting the other's privacy.

LOL I know it's just a cramp or something but, really man? In London? WTF?

[blackcat]

They let them use the medical tent for THAT?
Who knew?

[newmedman]

lol I thought they have a tent for that.

must have already been occupied by another happy couple.

[blackcat]

OMG! That explains it all!

[newmedman]

lol I found their secret.... don't tell Pete.

What the hell is going on the Giants sideline? o_0 https://t.co/sJ3hV7eewA

— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 9, 2022

[blackcat]

Well- you're having some luck anyway, I can pick better than I do. I don't pick against my home team and that's Seattle so there's one loss right there. I really don't like Aaron Rodgers so I pick against Green Bay as often as possible. Today was easy, because the Giants have been eating magic mushrooms or something and I wouldn't go betting against that anyway!

[newmedman]

nice showing by his G-men today. I didn't give them a snowball's chance in hell but the NFL is wacky this year. LOL I'm doing good/lucky at just picking one team a week but everything else is a crapshoot.

LOL it's twice so far I picked against my Bears and they almost pulled it out today when I was banking on the Vikes.

I'm in a survivor pool with 300+ people and there's only 10 of us left after today... If Tampa would have lost there'd only been two of us. 50 bucks to enter so it would be really cool to finally win this thing. Tax free bundles is the way I like to roll!

My Fantasy team sucks so I've damn near given up on that but 'n our 12 team league we have a small survivor pool that I won on the first week and just won the restart again today. Usually I suck at picking games too but this year just fell into my lap.

I might need some help down the road to nab the big one.

[blackcat]

Hmmmmm. How come I was the only one to pick the Giants? You have no faith!

[BullNBear52]

Supposing they had a TNF game and everyone fell asleep watching it.

Colts grind out 12-9 win over Broncos in injury-filled game

DENVER (AP) Matt Ryan kept the faith through all the sacks, interceptions, fumbles and three-and-outs that made for a streaming snooze-fest Thursday night.

''It was just kind of a slog of a game,'' the Indianapolis quarterback said after Stephon Gilmore batted away Russell Wilson's pass to Courtland Sutton in the end zone on fourth-and-1 from the 5 to give the Colts a 12-9 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos.

The game featured seven field goals, a dozen punts, 25 third-down stops, four interceptions and six fumbles - none of which were recovered by the otherwise disruptive defenses.

''Our defense played lights out,'' said Ryan, who emerged victorious despite getting sacked six times, giving him 21 so far this season, throwing a pair of interceptions to Caden Sterns and fumbling for the 10th time this season.
https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-grind-12-9-win-041119160.html

[BullNBear52]

It was developed by the University of Florida for their football team (Florida Gators.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatorade#History

Pepsi ended up buying it from the Quaker Oats Company and Gatorade accounts for approximately 75% of market share in the sports drink category. The University of Florida must be kicking themselves for ever selling the rights to it.

It is still sometimes hard to find in grocery stores here especially in the summer when baseball is in full swing.

[newmedman]

I think it was because it got developed in Florida for the sports teams there. I remember the old commercials because I really love the stuff.

I don't know about availability because I've never seen empty shelves here. OH I take that back, there was one time I wanted some biscuits but they were nowhere to be found. I wound up having to buy crescent rolls instead.

I'm single and don't shop much so I'm not really a person to give my opinion on availability of items but in my fridge are two giant jugs of gatorade at all times (2 gallon) because I can get it much cheaper in bulk and I just keep refilling old plastic bottles that I have and shoving it in my lunchbox.

lol there used to be a time when it was spiked with vodka as well but fortunately I'm out of that phase now.

we won't get into the colors that our poop turns into from constantly drinking it so that's a story for another day. I'm a lime greenie.

[BullNBear52]

NFL odds Week 5
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook

Game	Spread 
 Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts	DEN -3 (-115) 
 Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants	GB -8 (-110) 
 Cleveland Brown vs. Los Angeles Chargers	CLE +3 (-110) 
 Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears	MIN -7 (-110) 
 New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions	NE -3 (-110) 
 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons	TB -8.5 (-110) 
 New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins	NYJ +3 (+100) 
 Washington Commanders vs. Tennessee Titans	WSH +2.5 (-110) 
 New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks	NO -5.5 (-110) 
 Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers	BUF -14 (-110) 
 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans	JAX -7 (-110) 
 Carolina Panthers vs. San Francisco 49ers	SF -6.5 (-110) 
 Los Angeles Rams vs. Dallas Cowboys	LAR -4.5 (-110) 
 Arizona Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Eagles	ARI +5 (-110) 
 Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals	BAL -3 (-115) 
 Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders	KC -7 (-110)

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-odds-lines-point-spreads-updated-week-5-betting-information-picking-every-game/nqiyhaopekfpoxakuupvqjzn

[BullNBear52]

N.F.L. Week 5 Predictions: Our Picks for Each Game
Underdogs have played well so far. And the spreads for some heavy favorites this week, including Buffalo and Kansas City, clearly have the betting public thinking hard.

By David Hill
Oct. 6, 2022, 12:01 a.m. ET
A trend of N.F.L. underdogs covering the spread kept pace in Week 4, going 8-7-1 and bringing the season record to 36-25-3. The betting public must be on a lot of those underdogs, because this was the first losing Sunday of the season for a number of sports books across the country.

Don’t get too excited. The house might have lost in some spots last week, but don’t expect any Las Vegas bookmakers to be updating their resumes. Picking N.F.L. sides is a break-even proposition even as a theoretical exercise, and in reality gamblers need to be right more often than not because of the charges sports books pass on to the public through their lines.

When casinos charge $110 to win $100, the public needs to be right 52.4 percent of the time to break even on those bets.

After four weeks, this column is shy of that number. And sports books take plenty of wagers on parlays, props and futures in which they have an even wider edge.

Last week’s record: 7-8-1 | Overall: 32-31-1 (50.8 percent).

Thursday Night’s Game
Indianapolis Colts (1-2-1) at Denver Broncos (2-2)
8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Line: Broncos -3 | Total: 43

Both of these teams have so far failed to live up to expectations this season. The Broncos and Colts have two of the worst offenses in the N.F.L. and are 30th and 32nd in points per game, respectively. Both teams are without their starting running backs this week, so that trend may continue. Jonathan Taylor is not expected to play for the Colts, and the Broncos lost their starting running back Javonte Williams last week with a knee injury.

One big difference between these two low-scoring teams is turnovers. The Colts are tied for second-most in the N.F.L. with nine so far this season, while the Broncos have only four. Two of those Denver turnovers, however, were fumbles by running back Melvin Gordon, including one last week that the Raiders converted into a touchdown. With Williams out, and a short week to get ready, the Broncos need Gordon to figure out how to hold on to the football. Pick: Broncos -3

Sunday’s Best Games
New York Giants (3-1) at Green Bay Packers (3-1)
9:30 a.m., NFL Network
Line: Packers -8.5 | Total: 41

This is the first time in 31 games over 15 years that the N.F.L. has sent two winning teams to play each other in London. It’s also the first time they have sent the Packers, who are 8.5-point favorites on the neutral field. They face the Giants and the league’s top running back, Saquon Barkley, who stepped up last week and took snaps late in the game when both Giants quarterbacks went out with injuries. The Giants have said they are “optimistic” Daniel Jones will be ready to play in London. There is also hope that wide receivers Wan’Dale Robinson and Kadarius Toney will come off the injury list this week. If all of them play and are healthy, the Giants will be more than capable of covering 8.5 points. If none of them play, the Giants will need Barkley to do a lot more than take a few snaps. Pick: Giants +8.5

Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) at Baltimore Ravens (2-2)
8:20 p.m., NBC
Line: Ravens -3 | Total: 48

The Ravens have two close losses against good teams and trailed for a total of 14 seconds in those two games. Last week, they went for it on fourth and goal from the 2-yard line rather than kicking a field goal, a decision that frustrated fans but was statistically the correct play, according to N.F.L. Next Gen Stats. Ravens Coach John Harbaugh is known for aggressive plays like this because he has confidence in his team. The Bengals are coming off a prime-time win against the Dolphins, a game that will most likely buoy their own confidence. The line is 3 in some places and 3.5 in others, and the prices are shaded to encourage bettors to either take the 3 or lay the 3.5, indicating the true number is somewhere in between. Pick: Ravens -3

Miami Dolphins (3-1) at New York Jets (2-2)
1 p.m., CBS
Line: Dolphins -3.5 | Total: 44

Tua Tagovailoa’s ugly injury last week in Miami’s loss to the Bengals has sparked a lot of necessary discussion about concussions and the dangers that players in the N.F.L. face. It’s unclear when he might play again. Miami’s backup quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, is no rookie. He’s an eighth-year veteran with over 14,000 passing yards. The Jets are also getting used to a new quarterback. Zach Wilson got his first start of this season for the Jets last week in their win against the Steelers. In addition to throwing for 252 yards, he also managed to catch a touchdown pass. We know a lot about what Bridgewater can do. We don’t know quite as much about Wilson in the N.F.L. Pick: Jets +3.5

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3) at Buffalo Bills (3-1)
1 p.m., CBS
Line: Bills -14 | Total: 47

Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett took over for Mitch Trubisky last week during the Steelers’ loss to the Jets. Despite throwing three interceptions in his debut, Pickett gets the starting job this week. The market is not yet convinced that Pickett is much of an upgrade — the Bills are currently 14-point favorites. That’s a big number and enough to attract 65 percent of the money so far on Pittsburgh. The Bills are coming off back-to-back closely fought games that may have taken a lot out of them. The Steelers are 0-7 without T.J. Watt in the lineup. Pick: Bills -14

Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) at Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: Eagles -5.5 | Total: 49.5

The Cardinals are coming off a win on the road against the Panthers. This week, they try to get their first win at home, but they face the undefeated Eagles. The Eagles continue to score most of their points in the second quarter, then hang on through the second half. They’ve been outscored 36-23 in the second half through four games. Arizona, on the other hand, has outscored its opponents 66-37 in the second half. The Cardinals are a team used to playing from behind. If the Eagles try to chew the clock in the second half with a nice lead, don’t be surprised if Kyler Murray takes the Cardinals down the field for a late backdoor cover. Pick: Cardinals +5.5

Dallas Cowboys (3-1) at Los Angeles Rams (2-2)
4:25 p.m., Fox
Line: Rams -4.5 | Total: 43

This line was 7 last week and was bet down to 4.5, even before the 49ers went up one side of the Rams and down the other on Monday night. The Rams offensive line added a fourth member to the injured reserve list when Coleman Shelton suffered a high ankle sprain on the team’s first drive of the night. The depleted line allowed Matt Stafford to be sacked seven times.

The Rams have to face another tough defense this week with the Cowboys. Their one weakness, however, is defending the run. That’s not good news for the Rams, who are one of the league’s worst teams on the ground so far this season. This line, even as it has tightened, has wavered a bit in a way that indicates a lack of market confidence in Dallas’s offense. Pick: Rams -4.5

Sunday’s Other Games
Detroit Lions (1-3) at New England Patriots (1-3)
1 p.m., Fox
Line: Patriots -3 | Total: 45.5

This line opened as a pick ’em and was quickly bet to 2.5. Now it’s painted 3 across the board. The Lions have been an exciting team so far this season. They continue to lead the league in points scored per game but have managed only a single win. That’s largely the fault of the defense, which last week helped the Seahawks not only win a 48-45 nail-biter, but also notch its first puntless game in team history. Given the Lions’ propensity to score at will and let the other team do the same, the 45.5-point total seems low. The Patriots still don’t know who will start at quarterback this week, but against this defense, it may not make a difference. Pick: Detroit +3

Seattle Seahawks (2-2) at New Orleans Saints (1-3)
1 p.m., Fox
Line: Saints -6 | Total: 45

This number was as low as 4, but sharp bettors came in early on the Saints and pushed it all the way up to 6. There has been a little resistance at that number, and some shops have moved back to 5.5. Seattle is expected to attract a lot of public money after putting up 48 points in a wild game last week against Detroit. The Saints' defense is significantly better than the Lions’ defense and should make it hard for Geno Smith to repeat his N.F.L.-leading stat line from last week. But injuries for the Saints are a major concern. The team still hasn’t decided if Jameis Winston or Alvin Kamara will play. If either of them goes, it should move the line for New Orleans. Pick: Seattle +6

Houston Texans (0-3-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
1 p.m., CBS
Line: Jaguars -7.5 | Total: 44

The Jaguars turned the ball over five times in their loss to the Eagles last week, and four of those were Trevor Lawrence fumbles. One of those fumbles was during the Jaguars’ crucial final drive and sealed the game. The Texans lost to the Chargers and are now 0-3-1 and are 2-1-1 against the spread. The line on this game has hovered between 7 and 7.5, and action has been split between both sides. Could this be one of the rare games this season in which the half point makes a difference? Pick: Houston +7.5

Atlanta Falcons (2-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)
1 p.m., Fox
Line: Buccaneers -8 | Total: 47.5

The Buccaneers’ box score from Sunday night is as strange as it gets: 31 points and only 3 rushing yards. Tom Brady handed off the ball only six times. The good news is, he threw for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns in the loss to Kansas City. One thing the Buccaneers struggled with against Tampa Bay was defending the run, giving up an average of 5.1 yards per carry and a total of 189 yards.

The Falcons are one of the top rushing teams in the league, getting an average of 168 yards per game. This week, the Falcons are without their lead rusher Cordarrelle Patterson, but last week the rest of the running back corps held its own against the Browns. They ran the ball 35 times and at one point 14 times in a row. The Falcons defense is an issue. They have already given up a lot of passing yards this season to teams who don’t have Tom Brady as their quarterback. Pick: Buccaneers -8

Chicago Bears (2-2) at Minnesota Vikings (3-1)
1 p.m., Fox
Line: Vikings -7.5 | Total: 44

Justin Fields had only 11 completions and six sacks in the Bears’ loss to the Giants last week. They got to the red zone only three times and never scored a touchdown. Going into that game, the Bears were one of the N.F.L.’s most efficient teams in the red zone. They’ll try to return to form against the Vikings, who have struggled in the red zone themselves and on both sides of the ball. The Vikings have one of the league’s worst red zone defenses. Pick: Chicago +7.5

Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-2)
1 p.m., CBS
Line: Chargers -3 | Total: 48

Justin Herbert is still nursing a sore rib cage, but last week he did enough to get the ugly win against the Texans. He leads the N.F.L. in passing yards and is on track to throw 5,300 yards this season. The Browns are keeping the ball on the ground, however. Browns running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are hard to stop. The second-best rushing team in the league right now is a home underdog this week. Pick: Browns +3

Tennessee Titans (2-2) at Washington Commanders (1-3)
1 p.m., CBS
Line: Titans -2.5 | Total: 43

The Titans have won two in a row after starting the season with two straight losses. They’re beginning to look like their old selves again, with Derrick Henry running for a season-high 114 yards and a touchdown last week. Ryan Tannehill threw for only 137 yards, but connected with six different receivers. The Commanders averaged only 3.6 yards per pass in their loss to the Cowboys on Sunday. The Titans have attracted 90 percent of the money in the market so far. Pick: Titans -2.5

San Francisco 49ers (2-2) at Carolina Panthers (1-3)
4:05 p.m., CBS
Line: 49ers -6.5 | Total: 39.5

The 49ers looked resplendent in a dominating performance on Monday night against the Rams, moving the line for this game as many as 3.5 points. On offense, they managed to turn short passes into long gains. On defense, they sacked Matt Stafford seven times, and Talanoa Hufanga got him with a pick 6 in the final quarter. The Panthers did not have their best game last week in their 26-16 loss to the Cardinals. The 49ers had a good game Monday, but can they do it again laying 6.5 points on the road? Pick: Carolina +6.5

Monday Night’s Game
Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) at Kansas City (3-1)
8:15 p.m., ESPN
Line: Kansas City -7.5 | Total 48

Kansas City has won seven of the last eight meetings with the Raiders, and five of those games by double digits. Both teams are coming off a win. Josh Jacobs led the Raiders to a win over the Broncos by rushing for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Kansas City caught one of the N.F.L.’s top defenses on an off night in Tampa and put up 41 points. The public money will come in on Kansas City in rafts. The number is currently at 7.5 from 7, and it probably won’t stop there. More points would be nice, but anything over a touchdown may be enough to cover. Pick: Raiders +7.5

How Betting Lines Work
A quick primer for those who are not familiar with betting lines: Favorites are listed next to a negative number that represents how many points they must win by to cover the spread. Packers -8.5, for example, means that Green Bay must beat the Giants by at least 9 points for its backers to win their bet. Gamblers can also bet on the total score, which is whether the teams’ combined score in the game is over or under a preselected number of points.

Betting-market data is taken from Action Network’s Public Betting data, and lines are taken from Unabated’s real-time-odds tracker.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/06/sports/football/nfl-week-5-picks.html

[BullNBear52]

Do you know how Gatorade got it's name? During the height of the pandemic it was almost impossible to find on the shelves.

[newmedman]

oh man, I still crave gatorades with ice in it. Usually one of the parents would buy it but sometimes my pop would have taken the hit.

It was the best thing on earth if you asked me and back then it was only green or orange. I still stick with my good old green stuff but I have to give way to other flavors for the little ones now.

The only thing that topped that was the hot dog and soda we got at the end of the game. It was heaven for a kid that just went through hell and we got to make new friends over our dogs.

LOL later it became pizza slices too but nobody proposed pirogies.

[BullNBear52]

When I was coaching LL I dreaded Saturday games that started at 9 am. I knew damn well the kids had stayed up late Friday night and they'd be useless for an early game.

Then it dawned on me to pick up 2 dozen Krispy Kreme glazed HOT donuts on the way to the field. By the 3rd inning the sugar kicked in and we usually won up winning. I got a rep as the PED coach. Performance Enhancing Donuts.

The year we won the league championship The game started at noon and the forecast was hot and sunny with the temp over 100 degrees. The kids were 10-11 and I begged the commissioners to postpone the game till 5 pm. No way as too many games were scheduled.

The night before I went to Walmart and bought 2 dozen wash clothes and packed them in a cooler the next morning filled with ice water and another cooler with Gatorades. I told my wife and and the other team mom every time the kids come off the field make sure they get a washcloth wrapped around their neck and use the cloth to cool down the top of their head and face. My battery for the game consisted of my son and another tall drink of water Blake. Due to pitch count rules and the heat I told them I need 3 innings from each of you before you switch positions. We ended up winning 8-2 and the kids were soaked at the end of the game. The other coach said to me I don't know why I didn't think of the wash clothes.

[BullNBear52]

It's a mystery to me why the Giants drafted Daniel Jones from Duke.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Jones_(American_football)#College_career

It's not like he was great in college.

As for Judge he'll never hit an outside pitch with that open stance of his. His lead left foot is at least 3 1/2 feet off the plate. And that upper cut he takes on baseballs for a higher launch angle gets him less opportunity to hit the ball while swinging.

Compare his home run hitting to Stanton's. Stanton has a level swing and he drives the ball.

[newmedman]

true story. I was pitching in a little league all star game and a guy took me yard in his first at bat.

My coach told me not to throw to him anymore. The next time he was up I just kept throwing at the dirt and that prick golfed one out again.

The third time I threw a bunch of sauce over his head and that dude whacked it out again and I was completely devastated because we lost. We were 10 years old.

When I got to high school, I met the same guy. He told me his bat was loaded and he was all juiced up on whatever his parents were feeding him that day. He was a mess, his father had died and we became good friends. Sadly he died too at the ripe old age of 19 when his heart gave out but man he could slug a baseball no matter where I threw it.

Some people have a gift and others are just total frauds.

[newmedman]

The G-men brought the defense but in reality the Bears offense was impotent. We had plenty of opportunities after we rendered your QB's useless from running around too much but just couldn't push it over the goal line.

Both teams need serious work but the better team won on Sunday. LOL it hurts for me to say that because like I said before, it was one of the ugliest pro football games I've ever watched.

And they should just give Judge chin music for the rest of the year. How they let that big goon hit anything is a mystery to me. Keep him honest.

[BullNBear52]

In college he was 2 for 2 for 36 yards and one TD.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saquon_Barkley#College_career

I was listening to the Yankees game on the radio, the Giants game on the radio and watching the Buffalo game.

When Jones went out then the back up came in and he went out then Barkley came in the Jones came back I got more and more confused while listening to see if Judge would hit # 62.

[blackcat]

I wish I could have seen that. Game wasn't available here. Was Barkley a QB in college?

[BullNBear52]

Mahomes throws for 3 TDs, Chiefs overwhelm Buccaneers 41-31

https://sports.yahoo.com/mahomes-throws-3-tds-chiefs-035751003.html

Tom not so terrific Brady really should have stayed retired. He didn't get the message when Gronk finally called it quits.

[BullNBear52]

Giants turned to plan Barkley.


Daboll sent running back Saquon Barkley behind center in the Wildcat formation with Jones on the outside as a receiver for three consecutive plays before putting Jones back behind center to hand the ball off the rest of the game.

“When [Taylor was knocked out], we just sat down and I said, ‘Where’s the grease board?’?” Daboll said. “Five people gave me an iPad at the same time [and] I said, ‘I want a grease board,’ which is rarely used nowadays. The discussion was, ‘Do we just put Saquon back there and forget about the quarterback?’ ”

Saquon Barkley does it all to power Giants past Bears: ‘I’m the quarterback’
Barkley said, “The way that the coaches reacted, brought us all in and started drawing it up, it felt like you’re back again as a little kid in the backyard playing football.”

“Next man up” is the NFL’s default mantra when a player is injured.

The thing is, the Giants didn’t have a “next man” to play quarterback.

“When I saw Tyrod go down, I kind of realized I’m up next, I’m the quarterback,” Barkley said.

https://nypost.com/2022/10/02/giants-follow-lead-of-unflappable-brian-daboll-with-qbs-out/

[newmedman]

You got us! I hope you have three more QB's in line for next week though.

ooof that was a brutal game and oh yeah, we still suck.

[blackcat]

it's easy to say your team has no defense. But- when they play a whole damn game with NO punts, the teams have NO defense!

[newmedman]

It's weird some days I feel really queasy and don't have an appetite at all because I'm afraid I might puke it and waste good food on a meal I can't digest. Other days I eat everything in sight and keep going back for more.

I force myself to drink protein shakes when I'm not hungry. Jerky is a hit or miss because I know hunters that make their own and I sometimes get a bad reaction even though it tastes good. I can't fathom buying that stuff from the store because it's so damn expensive.

I like to munch on trail mix and energy bars too but sometimes that even gets ugly.

Today, I ate five steak tacos with beans and rice and feel fine. Tomorrow might be different though.

I think the problem lately is my anxiety about everything. When I get worked up is when I tend to feel the most awful and nothing ever bothered me before.

[blackcat]

And right we were!

Unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant who evaluated Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa fired over 'several mistakes,' source says

The unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant involved in clearing Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills has been fired after it was found he made "several mistakes" in his evaluation, a league source told ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques on Saturday.

Tagovailoa had been evaluated for a concussion during the Bills game after he hit the back of his head on the ground and appeared shaky. But the quarterback was cleared to remain in the game and to play Thursday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

He was taken to a hospital Thursday after hitting his head on the turf while being sacked by Bengals nose tackle Josh Tupou in the second quarter. Tagovailoa remained on the turf for roughly 12 minutes before he was carted off the field on a stretcher and eventually taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with a concussion and neck injury.

Tagovailoa was diagnosed with a concussion and is in the protocol with no timetable for a return, according to the Dolphins.

The Dolphins said Tagovailoa passed multiple concussion evaluations -- including one at halftime of the Bills game and each day leading up to Thursday's game, according to NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills.

The NFL Players Association initiated its right to request a review of the league's concussion protocol following Sunday's game. Sills told ESPN's Stephania Bell on SportsCenter earlier Saturday that an "active review" was ongoing.

[blackcat]

What I've read supports the first method.

"After a player has progressed through the five-step process, and is cleared for full participation by his club physician, he must be seen and separately cleared by an Independent Neurological Consultant (INC), jointly approved by the NFL and NFLPA, who is not affiliated with any NFL club. Until cleared by this independent physician, a player may not return to contact practice or play in an NFL game".

Basically, if Tua wants to lead a relatively healthy rest of his life, he should find a different job. The seizure he suffered on Thursday is a giant red warning flag shouting Danger! Danger!

[blackcat]

Mine were caused by being tossed off of horses who thought rather than go over the jumps themselves, they'd just throw me over.After the 3rd one, the Dr. told me that another one would most likely leave me in a wheelchair with a long list of problems. I settled for just flat riding after that.

I'm very fortunate to be as OK as I am. Back when my brain was recovering, I started making a daily list of things I needed to remember and do, It stuck with me and I still do that, although I think my memory is fine now.

Not eating messes up everything. Your brain does not function well on no food,Eating small amounts more often works best when recovering, Carry some beef jerky in your pocket. It's a really helpful snack.

[BullNBear52]

Something is not adding up. I listened to an interview with a doc from the NFL and said a team doc and a doc hired by the NFL both have to clear him to play. Then in another article I read the team doc can clear him even if the NFL doc doesn't.

[newmedman]

of course I have a long history of alcohol abuse as well but that only made the problem worse and gives an excuse for the doctors.

Now that I'm clean and sober, I'm really feeling the effects and wish I wasn't such an idiot. Just like today, I haven't slept, did not eat and going to work at a job that I really enjoy. I could mess it all up in seconds but I will try not to and that's going to hang with me all day.

[newmedman]

it ended my career. literally ended it. I'm lucky to be able to walk and talk. I wish he could have talked to me. Used to jump over ladders and now if I get up on one I get dizzy. Heights never bothered me before this last hit but now I'm not so sure.

It's a real thing and it's not fun. I'm permanently broken because I thought that I was invincible, well, it turns out that I'm not and I need to take better care of myself and watch what I'm doing from now on.

It's manageable but I had to stop a lot of things that I used to love doing. At least I still have my wits about me for now. I'm only expecting the day that I go into complete download. I'm already forgetting stuff but I write everything down so I don't. Simple stuff like paying my bills on the first and fifteenth day of every month sometimes drives me nuts.

I can't sleep, have trouble eating and sometimes just want to check out for good. Meds help but I know I'm ruined permanently. I thought it was no big deal but it really is. Head injuries are nothing to take lightly.

Especially multiple ones over a period of years.

[blackcat]

Exactly. I've had several and was stringently limited in my activities for a month. I'm sure if I'd been doing anything as physically demanding as football- it would have been 2 months- at least. There should be a good helping of blame on whatever medical staff cleared him for last night.

[BullNBear52]

Well to me it made no sense that he was playing last night since I did see the hit on Sunday.

I had a concussion once and not only didn't I like it, it took me about 3 months to get over it.

[blackcat]

Well- I expect he thought he could because he'd passed concussion protocol. I saw last weeks play- he should never have been cleared. Secondly, concussions mess with your brain and you don't always think straight. That could have been a fair part of it.

As for his teammates- I don't know.

[BullNBear52]

There is plenty of blame to go around on that one. Wonder why he thought he could play and why none of his teammates said anything either?