Post by coachsteele on Sept 24, 2010 15:49:05 GMT -6
With such a condensed season, it’s already do-or-die time for several DVR franchises. And by “several” I mean “two”: Waco and Finkle. Both are 0-2 and have already put themselves in a huge points hole. Of course, they are playing each other this week. That means one team could effectively have his season end this weekend. Waco is a huge favorite, but are they Coach Steele’s pick? Read on.
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TMTTTTB (-6.5) at H’s
At the end of this game, one very good team will drop to 1-2 and have to claw their way back to the top of their division. The purportedly high flying Toilet Bowls are coming off a solid, if unspectacular performance against Finkle a week after losing a game in which they scored over 100. Happily, this game should still be up for grabs going into Monday night with Aaron Rogers for the Toilet Bowls potentially throwing TDs to Donald Driver of the H’s. Also be sure to catch explosive WRs Miles Austin for the Toilet Bowls and Andre Johnson for the H’s when they meet in the sure-to-be high scoring Cowboys/Texans matchup. Rightfully, this is a close matchup according to the spread. However, something in my gut tells me the Cowboys put on an offensive show with their backs against the wall (finally) and Chicago regresses badly on Monday night. That points to huge games for Aaron Rogers and Miles Austin, so give me the Toilet Bowls at -6.5.
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Long Beach (-3.0) at Turf Toe
After putting up a 145 spot in Week 1 and looking like the cock of the walk, the Islanders laid a stink bomb in week 2 with only 75 points. What happened? Well, for starters, Chris Johnson had three points. And actually, that’s probably for finishers too. If CJ doesn’t crack 20, Long Beach is in trouble. Conversely,Turf Toe is a model of consistency, with 96 points last week and 98 the week before. I’m on record saying that the Tony Romo led Cowboys are going to have a monster week. But check out this schedule for the Turf Toe:
Tom Brady vs. Bills
Adrian Peterson vs. Lions
Larry Fitzgerald vs. Raiders
Derrick Mason vs. Browns
Santana Moss at Rams
Antonio Gates at Seahawks.
I’m not sure there’s anything else I need to see. Assuming they find a replacement for Knowshon Moreno, who’s out this Sunday with a hamstring injury (not turf toe), I like the Turf Toe to win, and win big.
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Laces Out (-27.5) at Waco
Some people think that matchups like this are no fun. Hogwash I say! It’s when a team’s back is against the wall that we really find out what they’re made of. Why, when I was coaching Baylor we were 0-2 going into the third game several times! Here’s some things that I think will happen for players in this matchup:
* Dez Bryant catches a touchdown or two.
* Randy Moss catches a touchdown or two.
* Greg Jenning catches a touchdown or two.
* Both QBs (McNabb and Flacco) throw for 300 yards and a touchdown or two.
* All the running backs suck.
It’s actually a tough call on who will win. But Finkle shouldn’t be giving 20+ points. Easy cover for Waco. Who cares who wins? Fun fact: Waco has scored the lowest points in the league for two weeks in a row. Let’s see if he can go 3!
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Grubbi (-2.0) at Stradlebuck
Easily the most dominant DVR team after two weeks has a chance to bury Stradlebuck this week, yet the line is remarkably close. Last week, grubbi won by a cool 73 points, which is roughly what Waco has scored all season. But it’s not hard to see why. I mean, after all, Grubbi’s starting quarterback is........ Alex Smith? Yes, forgoing Eli Manning this week, it appears as if grubbi is putting Alex Smith in at QB. Alex Smith vs. Drew Brees. That’s a mismatch. And I think grubbi has a lot of sneaky tough matchups this week. Every single one of grubbi’s skill players (non-TE/K/Def) are on the road this week. Could be a huge letdown. Drew Brees is at home. I like the Lugineers to take this one.
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Trogdor at Apocalypse Now (-31.0)
Matt Schaub went berserk in the second half last week, throwing for almost 500 yards for the day. Apocalypse reaped the benefits in the form of a huge win and the top spot in the division. Trogdor is coming off a disappointing defeat: a 15 point loss in a week where Michael Turner left early and his backup went insane against the Cardinals and Hines Ward scored zero points. Certainly a winnable game for Trogdor. As for this week, other than Schaub against the Cowboys, I’m not crazy about any of Apocalyse’s matchups. And both Maurice Jones-Drew and Steven Jackson give me the heebie jeebies against a couple good defenses (Redskins and Eagles, although Philly did give up 900 yards to a rookie RB last week). For Trogdor, it looks like Peyton Manning will be playing against a Broncos team missing one or possibly both their starting cornerbacks. Michael Turner will probably get the ball early and often against the Saints. I like Trogdor to keep it close and probably win.
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Last week: 4-1
Season total: 8-2
================
TMTTTTB (-6.5) at H’s
At the end of this game, one very good team will drop to 1-2 and have to claw their way back to the top of their division. The purportedly high flying Toilet Bowls are coming off a solid, if unspectacular performance against Finkle a week after losing a game in which they scored over 100. Happily, this game should still be up for grabs going into Monday night with Aaron Rogers for the Toilet Bowls potentially throwing TDs to Donald Driver of the H’s. Also be sure to catch explosive WRs Miles Austin for the Toilet Bowls and Andre Johnson for the H’s when they meet in the sure-to-be high scoring Cowboys/Texans matchup. Rightfully, this is a close matchup according to the spread. However, something in my gut tells me the Cowboys put on an offensive show with their backs against the wall (finally) and Chicago regresses badly on Monday night. That points to huge games for Aaron Rogers and Miles Austin, so give me the Toilet Bowls at -6.5.
====================
Long Beach (-3.0) at Turf Toe
After putting up a 145 spot in Week 1 and looking like the cock of the walk, the Islanders laid a stink bomb in week 2 with only 75 points. What happened? Well, for starters, Chris Johnson had three points. And actually, that’s probably for finishers too. If CJ doesn’t crack 20, Long Beach is in trouble. Conversely,Turf Toe is a model of consistency, with 96 points last week and 98 the week before. I’m on record saying that the Tony Romo led Cowboys are going to have a monster week. But check out this schedule for the Turf Toe:
Tom Brady vs. Bills
Adrian Peterson vs. Lions
Larry Fitzgerald vs. Raiders
Derrick Mason vs. Browns
Santana Moss at Rams
Antonio Gates at Seahawks.
I’m not sure there’s anything else I need to see. Assuming they find a replacement for Knowshon Moreno, who’s out this Sunday with a hamstring injury (not turf toe), I like the Turf Toe to win, and win big.
=========================
Laces Out (-27.5) at Waco
Some people think that matchups like this are no fun. Hogwash I say! It’s when a team’s back is against the wall that we really find out what they’re made of. Why, when I was coaching Baylor we were 0-2 going into the third game several times! Here’s some things that I think will happen for players in this matchup:
* Dez Bryant catches a touchdown or two.
* Randy Moss catches a touchdown or two.
* Greg Jenning catches a touchdown or two.
* Both QBs (McNabb and Flacco) throw for 300 yards and a touchdown or two.
* All the running backs suck.
It’s actually a tough call on who will win. But Finkle shouldn’t be giving 20+ points. Easy cover for Waco. Who cares who wins? Fun fact: Waco has scored the lowest points in the league for two weeks in a row. Let’s see if he can go 3!
===================
Grubbi (-2.0) at Stradlebuck
Easily the most dominant DVR team after two weeks has a chance to bury Stradlebuck this week, yet the line is remarkably close. Last week, grubbi won by a cool 73 points, which is roughly what Waco has scored all season. But it’s not hard to see why. I mean, after all, Grubbi’s starting quarterback is........ Alex Smith? Yes, forgoing Eli Manning this week, it appears as if grubbi is putting Alex Smith in at QB. Alex Smith vs. Drew Brees. That’s a mismatch. And I think grubbi has a lot of sneaky tough matchups this week. Every single one of grubbi’s skill players (non-TE/K/Def) are on the road this week. Could be a huge letdown. Drew Brees is at home. I like the Lugineers to take this one.
==============
Trogdor at Apocalypse Now (-31.0)
Matt Schaub went berserk in the second half last week, throwing for almost 500 yards for the day. Apocalypse reaped the benefits in the form of a huge win and the top spot in the division. Trogdor is coming off a disappointing defeat: a 15 point loss in a week where Michael Turner left early and his backup went insane against the Cardinals and Hines Ward scored zero points. Certainly a winnable game for Trogdor. As for this week, other than Schaub against the Cowboys, I’m not crazy about any of Apocalyse’s matchups. And both Maurice Jones-Drew and Steven Jackson give me the heebie jeebies against a couple good defenses (Redskins and Eagles, although Philly did give up 900 yards to a rookie RB last week). For Trogdor, it looks like Peyton Manning will be playing against a Broncos team missing one or possibly both their starting cornerbacks. Michael Turner will probably get the ball early and often against the Saints. I like Trogdor to keep it close and probably win.
==============
Last week: 4-1
Season total: 8-2
