Beat News

25 Latest Articles Current Articles | Archives | Search

Beat Jerry Week 15 NFL Preview

Scott posted on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 8:34 AM
    Beat Jerry Week 15 NFL Preview

Take your Tampa Yucs -- please.
 
The Yucs' most recent loss was against Jacksonville, the same awful team that got whipped Thursday against Atlanta. And the Yucs didn't just lose, they lost 41-14 -- the identical score by which the Gags lost to the Falcons. Does this make Atlanta 54 points better than Tampa? Possibly.
 
But here's the thing: Management wanted to fire Raheem Morris before he could get on the bus last week. Really, really wanted to let him go. So why didn't it happen? Because they couldn't think of anyone on the coaching staff that they could name interim head coach. In other words, nobody on that staff should be remodeling the kitchen for the holidays.

 

Last Week: But I may get to stay around! Great news: I'm back on Page 2 in the standings after a terrific 13-3 week straight up (136-72 for season) and a doesn't-count 8-8 against the spread (104-97-7 for season). But I admit that I've got some unlikely picks ahead (check what I say about the winless Dolts).

 
Dallas (7-6) at Tampa (4-9) -- Saturday Night Special -- Cowboys favored by 7 -- Beware this game! Yes, I know what I just wrote about the Yucs, but we all know the 'Boys can screw up against anybody. Besides, there's the "Home Dawg Wipeout Rule." Never heard of the HDWR? It goes like this: Whenever a home underdog was beaten by 21 or more points on the road the week before, play them to cover the spread if not win outright. It rarely fails. So watch out.
    Jerry says: 'Boys but just by 3.
 
New England (10-3) at Denver (8-5) -- Pats favored by 7.5 -- The Big One. If Broncos win this one, we have a genuine Happening going on. Books will be written, songs will be sung, movies will be filmed. Howsomeever -- there simply is no reason to expect Broncos to win. The Pats D is not nearly as woeful as it is being called. Broncos have a total of 31 TDs and Tom Brady has thrown for 33. Sigh. There's just no way, so I'm forced to say:
    Jerry says: In a Can-We-Get-an-Amen-from-the-Congregation Upset Special, Tebows by 2.
 
Miami (4-9) at Buffalo (5-8) -- Fish favored by 1.5 -- Here's Bills' Interim Coach Chan Gailey talking about his team: "I hate to go all the way to 'demoralized,' but they are down." -- Ah, go for it, Chan. Your Bills are being beat by an average of 19.5 in six-game losing streak. One more of those should be demoralizing, right?
    Jerry says: Fish by 19.5.
 
Tennessee (7-6) at Indianapolis (0-13) -- Titans favored by 6.5 -- Here it comes. Let's look at the Titans. They probably have rookie Jake Locker at QB and he's completing 46 percent of his passes. Despite RB Chris Johnson, they have rushed for fewer yards (1221) than the Colts (1238). They have been called for 91 penalties, a stat that helps upsets happen. In the last week of last season, Rob Bironas missed a FG that allowed the Colts to win 23-20. And this year they have lost to Jacksonville. -- And they could lose here. Yes, they could.
Jerry says: In the Upset-Prediction-of-the-Year, Colts by 3!!!!
 
Seattle (6-7) at Chicago (7-6) -- Bears favored by 3.5 -- The Bears have waived WR Sam Hurd, which hardly seems fair. My guess is that during the lockout he was worried about getting a part-time job so he decided to go into business for himself. Is that a crime? Oh, wait, when you choose to run drugs it is a crime. -- Sam's current playing status? "Doubtful for 10 to 20 years." -- The game? Who cares?
    Jerry says: Bears by 6 kilos.
 
Carolina (4-9) at Houston (10-3) -- Texans favored by 6 -- Bet you don't know Panthers have 36 TDs, just one less than Texans. But Panthers' victories have come against Jacksonville, Washington, Indy and the Yucs, which should tell you that they actually stink. And Texans can run all day on them.
    Jerry says: Texans by 16.
 
Green Bay (13-0) at Kansas City (5-8) -- Cheeseheads favored by 13.5 -- Interim Chiefs Coach Romeo Crennel said of QB Kyle Orton: "We feel good right now about where he is." Translation: "We feel good because he's tied down in the locker room so he can't get away." That's because the Chiefs have not scored more than 10 points in last 6 games and have had just 3 TDs in last 72 possessions. However, the HDWR applies here so be careful about expecting a 'Head blowout.
    Jerry says: 'Heads but just by 10.
 
New Orleans (10-3) at Minnesota (2-11) -- Saints favored by 7 -- Careful because Saints are just 3-3 on the road but those losses were outside. And how bad has the Vike pass D become? In their last 8 games they have given up 20 passing TDs without a pick. That, my friends, is pathetic.
    Jerry says: Saints by 17.
 
Washington (4-9) at East Rutherford Giants (7-6) -- Giants favored by 6.5 -- Let's see, in last 2 games Native Americans have given up 34 to the Jets and 34 to the Pats. In last 2 games the Giants have scored 35 and 37. In other words, start all your Giants.
    Jerry says: Giants by 36 to 21.
 
Cincinnati (7-6) at St. Louis (2-11) -- Bungles favored by 6.5 -- Another example of "coach speak." Bungles Coach Marvin Lewis on RB Brian Leonard: "He's got basically what you might call a bruise on his knee. It's got some complications to it." -- Translation: He'll never walk again. -- The game? Bungles lose to good teams, beat bad teams. What else do you need?
    Jerry says: Bungles by 12.
 
Detroit (8-5) at Oakland (7-6) -- Lions favored by 1 -- Raider Interim Coach Hue Jackson is turning a different hue as his team falls apart, losing 80-32 in last 2 games. He keeps apologizing, which is never good. Lions are struggling but at least they're not saying they're sorry.
    Jerry says: Lions by 11.
 
Cleveland (4-9) at Arizona (6-7) -- Cards favored by 6.5 -- The dad of Browns QB Colt McCoy said about his son after last week's hit: "He was nauseated and didn't know who he was." -- Is that supposed to be odd? That's how I feel all the time. -- Meanwhile, Browns have scored 33 in last 3 games, all losses. That's not good against an improving Cards D.
    Jerry says: Cards by 17 in shutout.
 
East Rutherford Jets (8-5) at Philadelphia (5-8) -- Eagles favored (!) by 3 -- I just don't get the point spread. "Experts" say it makes sense because the Jets have a bad matchup vs. the Eagles. What? The Eagles have given up 31 turnovers, which means they can lose to bad teams. And the Jets are not a bad team, especially their pass D. What is Vegas thinking?
    Jerry says: In Easiest-Call-of-the-Year Upset Special, Jets by 7.
 
Baltimore (10-3) at San Diego (6-7) -- Sunday Night Special -- Ravens favored by 2.5 -- A worrisome game. Chargers have scored 75 in last 2 wins, acting as if once again they have woken up too late. But Ravens have won their last 2 by identical 24-10 scores as their D continues to shine. Feels like one that will go down to final possession.
    Jerry says: Quote the Ravens, win by 4.
 
Pittsburgh (10-3) at San Francisco (10-3) -- Monday Night Special -- Niners favored by 2.5 -- Monday night finally got an interesting one IF Ben Roethlisberger can play without ankle trouble. And note Niner D still has not given up a rushing TD. That sounds like the key to me.
    Jerry says: Niners by 9.
 
There you go, my friends. Fill out your entries and then get out there to shop!
Posted in: Beat Jerry
Tagged: Beat Jerry, Tim Tebow, Tampa Bay Bucs, Dallas Cowboys, Week 15 NFL
E-mail | Permalink | Twitter | Facebook | del.icio.us

Search

Partners

Archives

Twitter

  

Past Shows

Facebook