PRO INJURY UPDATE & PLAYS FOR SUNDAY
Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce will be sidelined indefinitely after aggravating a neck injury he sustained a few weeks ago. Michael Turner will not play tomorrow for the Falcons. The NFL's leading runner last season has an ankle sprain that has prohibited him from practicing all week. Saints running back Reggie Bush & defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis will not play tomorrow against Tampa Bay. Both have knee issues.
Apparently the benching of JaMarcus Russell is something other Raider starters have embraced. A number of starters have expressed their support of new starter Bruce Gradkowski. They mention his effort, his preparation & his love of the game. One even noted "it's nice having a guy leading the team who actually wants to win & is willing to pay the price that's required". Well said.
If anyone is still holding out hope Charlie Weis won't get let go at Notre Dame, forget it. For the second year in a row Weis' team lost on "Senior Day" to a team with a losing record. They lost in double overtime today & it was miraculous the game even got to overtime, it was the luck of the Irish. UConn finally prevailed & at 6-5, Notre Dame needs to win at Stanford next week to finish above .500. That could be a very tall order. The Irish defense plays 'soft' & the offense doesn't play up to it's talent level. When you continually have a top-10 recruiting class & can't win more than 6 games in the regular season, the entire program needs a close examination. I think that exam is coming in about 8-9 days.
I split on Saturday's play, Clemson won but didn't cover, Texas was my winner, pounding Kansas 51-20. I won a little. With 2 winners Friday evening, I'm up looking for more on Sunday. I won't have the updated lines until 10AM, but here's where I'm leaning.
Pittsburgh(-10) at Kansas City
Polamalu won't play for Pittsburgh, other than that look for all hands on deck as the Steelers look to rebound from their home loss to Cincinnati. The Chiefs will be Bowe-less, he was suspended Wednesday & he's about all the Chiefs had that could compete with a team like Pittsburgh. Steelers by 20. If the line stays at 10, this will be my biggest play of the weekend.
Seattle at Minnesota(-10 1/2)
Seahawks O-line has been decimated & RB Julian Jones may not go with broken rib & punctured lung. Jared Allen & company will make Seattle QB Matt Hasselback miserable. Vikes by 17 at least. Small play.
New York Jets at New England(-10 1/2)
Jets were way overrated early on, not anymore. "Cryin' Ryan" beat the Pats earlier this season, not tomorrow. Small play.
Cleveland at Detroit(-3 1/2)
This isn't a bet on the Lions as much as it's another bet against the Browns. If this line moves up even a half point, I won't play it. Small play.
San Diego(?) at Denver
With Kyle Orton not playing, I'd make this line San Diego -4 1/2. We'll see in the morning, anything higher & I'll pass. Small play.
***Sunday, 11:10AM UPDATE:
Pittsburgh went to -11, didn't change my mind, still my big play of the weekend.
New England went to 11, I decided not to play.
San Diego open at -5, a half-point higher than I forecasted. If Pitt & one or both of my small plays cover, I'll take San Diego, otherwise I'll stay away, not wanting to give back everything I won Friday night & yesterday.
Apparently the benching of JaMarcus Russell is something other Raider starters have embraced. A number of starters have expressed their support of new starter Bruce Gradkowski. They mention his effort, his preparation & his love of the game. One even noted "it's nice having a guy leading the team who actually wants to win & is willing to pay the price that's required". Well said.
If anyone is still holding out hope Charlie Weis won't get let go at Notre Dame, forget it. For the second year in a row Weis' team lost on "Senior Day" to a team with a losing record. They lost in double overtime today & it was miraculous the game even got to overtime, it was the luck of the Irish. UConn finally prevailed & at 6-5, Notre Dame needs to win at Stanford next week to finish above .500. That could be a very tall order. The Irish defense plays 'soft' & the offense doesn't play up to it's talent level. When you continually have a top-10 recruiting class & can't win more than 6 games in the regular season, the entire program needs a close examination. I think that exam is coming in about 8-9 days.
I split on Saturday's play, Clemson won but didn't cover, Texas was my winner, pounding Kansas 51-20. I won a little. With 2 winners Friday evening, I'm up looking for more on Sunday. I won't have the updated lines until 10AM, but here's where I'm leaning.
Pittsburgh(-10) at Kansas City
Polamalu won't play for Pittsburgh, other than that look for all hands on deck as the Steelers look to rebound from their home loss to Cincinnati. The Chiefs will be Bowe-less, he was suspended Wednesday & he's about all the Chiefs had that could compete with a team like Pittsburgh. Steelers by 20. If the line stays at 10, this will be my biggest play of the weekend.
Seattle at Minnesota(-10 1/2)
Seahawks O-line has been decimated & RB Julian Jones may not go with broken rib & punctured lung. Jared Allen & company will make Seattle QB Matt Hasselback miserable. Vikes by 17 at least. Small play.
New York Jets at New England(-10 1/2)
Jets were way overrated early on, not anymore. "Cryin' Ryan" beat the Pats earlier this season, not tomorrow. Small play.
Cleveland at Detroit(-3 1/2)
This isn't a bet on the Lions as much as it's another bet against the Browns. If this line moves up even a half point, I won't play it. Small play.
San Diego(?) at Denver
With Kyle Orton not playing, I'd make this line San Diego -4 1/2. We'll see in the morning, anything higher & I'll pass. Small play.
***Sunday, 11:10AM UPDATE:
Pittsburgh went to -11, didn't change my mind, still my big play of the weekend.
New England went to 11, I decided not to play.
San Diego open at -5, a half-point higher than I forecasted. If Pitt & one or both of my small plays cover, I'll take San Diego, otherwise I'll stay away, not wanting to give back everything I won Friday night & yesterday.
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