Chiefs @ Raiders (Chiefs -8.5, O/U 52.5)
Wouldn’t it be cool if these Raiders made up their mind about how they wanted to play football? In the last three games, they had the crazy thing where Jon Jones’ brother knocked Mac Jones’ astral form out of his body just like the Ancient One did to the Hulk (except the Ancient one didn’t go on to get a game-winning tuddy), they played a stupid dumb lame stupid game against the Steelers where they only scored 10 points, and then they had Stidham play his big boi nuts off against the best defense in the league.
Make up your goddamned mind, you guys.
I will say, the one thing they have going for them is that it’s been 5 games since they’ve lost by more than one score. You might find yourself saying, “But don’t the Chiefs have something to play for, and don’t the Raiders have nothing to play for?” And to that, I would respond, “True, but hasn’t dysfunction and lack of energy kind of been the Raiders thing this year?” Shit, it took Derek Carr crying behind the podium for them to go on a 3-game-winning-streak.
They just keep it close, and they keep it close to the point where they have had 4 games go into overtime. I like the Raiders getting points, but I don’t trust them. That lack of trust is very important here. That’s why we’re gonna tease this on Saturday.
Titans @ Jaguars (Jags -6.5, O/U 40)
I don’t think the Titans actually prepped for last Thursday’s game against the Cowboys. Mike Vrabel is a smart guy who sat all of his starters and I can only imagine he took both weeks to get ready for the game that actually matters.
On the other side of that, it’s Doug Pederson. Doug peaks at the end of the season. That’s what Doug does. He’s Doug.
We’re also looking at Josh Dobbs. He did have an okay game against the Cowboys given the circumstances, but the Cowboys probably didn’t prepare to defend against a passing attack, because why would they? That being said, he did have all of his receivers active and still only completed 20/39 for 232 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. I know that game didn't mean anything to the Titans and they were just trying to get out of there so they probably took some chances they shouldn’t have, but it’s still not great.
Also on the Josh Dobbs note: I am in no way able to relate to someone with Alopecia and I fully understand that, BUT I’m always afraid he’s going to get sweat in his eyes. I know it’s not a big thing, and in no way am I trying to put people who have Alopecia on blast, but I have eyebrows and I get sweat in my eyes. It’s reasonable to assume that not having eyebrows would put you at a bigger risk of that. I would love to hear from someone with Alopecia because getting sweat in your eyes sucks big time.
The Jags are looking great as a whole. Aside from the Cowboys game 3 weeks ago, their defense has been playing well and they’ve won 4 of their last 5 games by 2 scores. I don’t think this is going to be a game where they win by 2 scores (purely because Vrabel is a great coach in his own right), but I do think the Jags are going to be able to move the ball when and how they want to.
I think this is going to be a game where the Jags are in control for pretty much the whole game. The Titans might have a few spots where they’re able to give the Jags some scares, but I think the Jags end up getting out of this one. Knowing all of that we’re gonna tease this guy too.
6 Point Teaser: Chiefs -2.5, Jags -.5