NFL Quick Hits – Week 7
By Doug Upstone
Call it whatever you want, Super Bowl hangover or some other reason for lack of emotion, but the league has caught up to the New Orleans Saints and coach Sean Payton. There is little doubt Drew Brees and the Saints are playing with less confidence and injuries have taken away elements that makes their offense more varied.
Nevertheless, when a team wins a Super Bowl, the other 31 coaching staffs spend a great deal of the off-season breaking down film to determine what aspects they could use to improve their team and in the mean time find ideas that are designed to stop the reigning champions of the NFL.
I’ve mentioned several times how all opposing teams are not allowing New Orleans to beat them with the big play with defensive coverage’s and the greatest variable in football, the turnover, is not going the Saints way this season. This year, not nearly as many short fields and -5 turnover margin makes significant difference. Rumors won’t go away the Drew Brees has knee issue, which is why his passes have lacked customary zip. The Saints are 4-3 and 2-5 ATS because this is not the same team as last year and opponents are playing them differently, plain and simple.
We finally have a quarterback! –Didn’t it seem like yesterday Chicago Bears fans were rejoicing they finally had a top-flight NFL quarterback in Jay Cutler. While no supporter of Josh McDaniels, his reasoning for wanting to move Cutler is more apparent, as he is slow in processing information, has weak fundamentals and too strong a belief in the fact he can thread the ball anywhere.
Cutler is not the sole issue with Bears offense, as O-Line is a rung below lousy and the wide receivers are less than ordinary. As coach Lovie Smith said after the game, “…at least we are still in first place.” Chances are not for long coach.
Quick hit- The Cutler to DeAngelo Hall combination Sunday was the best I’ve seen since Joe Montana to Jerry Rice.
To have success you must have a plan- The aforementioned McDaniels convinced Denver owner Pat Bowlen he was the right guy to be Broncos coach and what owner doesn’t want to be the smartest guy in the room by hiring a young hot-shot assistant coach, keeping salary down and getting results. Since starting 6-0 SU and ATS, McDaniels is 4-13 and 5-12 ATS.
Da Raiders- It was astonishing to watch Oakland demolish Denver 59-14. The Raiders had a good game plan of attacking the Broncos with the run, either just inside or outside both offensive tackles and they walled off the inside to prevent pursuit. For the most part, Oakland won’t receive very good quarterback play, but Darren McFadden is a real difference-maker in their offense and if he can stay healthy, the Silver and Black can cover spreads.
We’re No. 1- After beating St. Louis 18-17 in non-cover; Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris declared his 4-2 team “the best in the NFC”. The BCS agreed in independent polling.
Getting a kick out of winning- Seattle beat Arizona 22-10 but was far from impressive since they won the turnover battle 5-1. The Cardinals defense was stout in limiting the Seahawks to one touchdown and five field goals with all the miscues. Coach Pete Carroll is maximizing talent from a limited roster, but being in dubious division, Seattle is poised to take control and a 6-4 SU and ATS mark is realistic possibility the rest of the way. Place-kicker Olindo Mare has made 30 consecutive field goals with the five he added Sunday, but actually made four more unofficially due to penalties on both teams.
Cool as ice in Hotlanta –With Atlanta’s crazy win and cover over Cincinnati, Matt “Matty Ice” Ryan is 16-1 and 13-4 ATS at the Georgia Dome.
What time is it? - San Francisco loss at Carolina left the 49ers 11-26-1 ATS playing in Eastern Time. Fortunately their remaining contests away from the Bay Area are in London or the other three time zones in the U.S.
Fill in the blank- Every week NFL bettors have been waiting for the real San Diego and Dallas to show up. This past week exemplifies that won’t happen in 2010. Both teams make absolutely ridiculous mistakes that have caused them to lose and each has far too many players that are all too casual in their approach, especially in desperate situations. (San Diego offense, Dallas defense, Miles Austin to name of few) New England and the New York Giants were better prepared and won road games covering the spread. With the G-Men’s victory Monday night, NFL division underdogs are 18-13 and tremendous 23-8 ATS.
Monkey off the back- Aaron Rodgers will never publically admit it, but he had to be relieved Green Bay beat Minnesota 28-24. He got his first win over Brett Favre and made more plays when it counted and earned his second win in 13 tries in games decided by four points or less.