COACHING POINTS
I managed to watch all 12 NFL games last Sunday including eight at the same time
Dick Thornton
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| The Patriots (+6) are slowly putting it all together under QB Matt Cassel. |
It's always neat to do a column from the city that never sleeps. Checked in again at Hooters Hotel & Casino which is a pretty cool place offering a lively ambiance, dealers that smile, frequent payouts on the slots and top notch customer service.
Unfortunately, the mini-Sports Book looked like a throwback to the 70s, so jogged across the street to the MGM Grand where 50 TV screens and computerized odds boards made my afternoon complete.
I'm sort of 'sports out' from this trip but I'll get over it!
What's in a name?
Watched all 12 NFL games last Sunday in Memphis with my grandson, Trey _ at a sports bar called Buffalo Springfields. Great name and great wings, but whoever created the layout for the television sets should be fired out. Although it was an enjoyable afternoon, the end result was a very sore back and neck, spinning here and there every 30 seconds trying to watch eight games at once. Will definitely call on Doc Pack, my chiropractor _ when I get back to Pattaya.
Backlash
When I was playing in that long ago era, we were actually 'taught' to take people's heads off and put 'lights out' on opponents. It was one of my specialties though today...it's definitely a no-no. Jets S Eric Smith received a one game suspension and $50,000 fine for his helmet to helmet hit on Cardinal WR Anquan Boldin. Yet, watching the replay _ it sure looked unintentional to me.
Bewilderment
Watched the MNF game between the Saints and Vikings at 39,000 feet on a Delta 767 which was kind of unreal in itself and it had more crazy plays than a Homeland Security Red Alert. The bottom line: the Saints should be 4-1 instead of 2-3. PK Martin Gramatica...Bye-Bye, So Long, Farewell!
Plax has no idea
With Giants star WR Plaxico Burress sitting at home because of a one game suspension, was sure he was hoping the team would fail. Well, exactly the opposite happened! QB Eli Manning was near flawless, connecting with nine different receivers and racking up 523 yards in total offence. The end resulta 44-6 shellacking of Seattle. One player never, ever makes or breaks a team.
Fate's intervention
Thought I had a sure winner with the undefeated Buffalo Bills getting points in Arizona till crash, boom, bang. Starting QB Trent Edwards was nailed on a safety blitz the 3rd play of the game, sending the sen sational, young quarterback on an unscheduled trip to Disneyland via Mars. See ya later, alligator as my parlay went up in smoke!
Bye weeks
Tonight, the Bills (they needed it) _ the Titans (AFC's only undefeated team) _ the Chiefs (blitzed on the scoreboard last Sunday) and the gritty Steelers (lead Division by two games) all take a breather, for better or worse.
Struggles persist
Baltimore (+4.5) at
Indianapolis (UNDER 39) TV
The Colts could very easily be 0-4 and a vice-versa 4-0 for the Ravens with a dose of karma going in a different direction. I'm taking Baltimore (+4.5) and the points in a low scoring (UNDER 39) contest.
Change in the air
Cincinnati (UNDER 45)
at New York Jets (-6)
The Bengals hung in there against Dallas but had another player suspended, so their winless troubles continue on and off the field. The Jets (-6) are rested, playing at home and should concentrate more on the running game resulting in the (UNDER 45) total points. HC Marvin Lewis is on the edge.
Red hot or not
Carolina at
Tampa Bay (UNDER 36.5)
The Panthers scored at will against KC, but they will be facing a much tougher defensive unit tonight, so like the (UNDER 36.5) as the Bucs always give a superb efforts when backs are to the wall.
Shakey at best
Detroit (+13) at Minnesota
Lions and HC Rod Marinelli have lost four straight by lopsided scores. If the team doesn't put it all together soon, more than likely he's long gone too, so taking one more chance on Detroit (+13) because the Vikings are more lucky than good.
Confidence renewed
Miami (+3) at
Houston (UNDER 45)
Although slotted in the tough AFC East, the Fins are riding high on two consecutive victories. Meanwhile, the Texans must still be shell-shocked after allowing Indianapolis to score a quick 21 points late in the 4th quarter _ keeping them out of the win column once again. Miami (+3) continues to ride the wave in an (UNDER 45) battle.
Heading south
New England (+6) at
San Diego (UNDER 45)
Hard to believe the Chargers are 2-3 with all that talent, but never did think much of HC Norv Turner anyway. The Patriots (+6) are slowly putting it all together under QB Matt Cassel and believe it will be a low scoring (UNDER 45) clash on the Coast.
Smooth as silk
New York Giants (-7.5)
at Cleveland (OVER 43)
The G-Men looked awesome last week and are playing like they're intent on repeating as champions while the Brownies might have already cashed in their chips. New York (-8) in a cake walk and an (OVER 43) total.
Solo shots
Hopefully, the Saints (-7.5) won't implode this week against the Raiders and the Bears (-2.5) should barely handle the rapidly improving Falcons. Think new HC Jim Haslett will get the Rams (+13.5) back into the groove in Washington and the Eagles (-5) should trim the wings of the 49ers even without go-to RB Brian Westbrook. The Jaguars (+3.5) will corral the Broncos, the Seahawk/Packer game (TV) should go (UNDER 47) and the Cowboys (-5.5) will ice Arizona in the desert.
Puppy dog parlay: Jaguars/Packers/Patriots = 24/1
YTD: Correct 54 _ Incorrect 30 _ Pushes 3
Coach Dick Thornton was Stateside in Memphis and Las Vegas but heads back to SE Asia today. Contact him at coachdt@gmail.com
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