Welcome to the weekly journal entry where I match NFL-knowing against a friend of mine. What we'll be doing each week is picking our three sure-thing against the spread bets of the week, whoever does better that week gets a point and if we tie no one gets a point. If you're unfamiliar with the concept, a point spread is the margin of victory that Las Vegas oddsmakers determine the favorite will win by. In order to "cover the spread" a team favored to win by 4 points would have to win by 5 or more. Should they prevail in the real life game by 3 or less in that scenario, the underdog would be considered the winner. This concept applies to whatever the number assigned to the favorite is, on a game by game basis.


Current score: 0 2

For four weeks in a row, I've only gotten 1 out of 3 correct. Times aren't quite desperate, but this is essentially match play golf and I'm down 2 right out of the gate. I need to prove to myself more than anyone why I'm the Professor around here.

Pick 1
Green Bay Packers -2.5 to defeat Cincinnati Bengals
This is one of a few suspicious handicaps I saw this week. I would NEVER say that the NFL is as rigged as professional wrestling....but sometimes I wonder. The specific times that I wonder is when the Vegas oddmakers set a line that is blatantly against conventional wisdom (Packers are good, Bengals are on the rise but still flawed), only to have the real life outcome buck conventional wisdom and prove the Vegas oddsmakers correct. Basically, any time a spread makes me think to myself, "Well they're giving away free money this week!" I think twice and stay away. Not this week. I just think the Packers have a lot to prove after their shocking Week 1 loss and will beat the rising Bengals by a field goal or more.
~Result Packers 25 (-2.5 = 22.5) Bengals 22 CORRECT!
And man what a wild game. The Bengals, due to 3 consecutive FG misses by normally steady kicker Mason Crosby, were provided 3 chances to win this game, but just couldn't do it. If you were conspiratorially minded, this weirdness was telegraphed.

Pick 2
Detroit Lions +10 to defeat Minnesota Vikings
Okay. This is a potentially a "What on earth were you thinking?" pick. But. I just don't think the Vikings are blowout good. The Lions have lost all their games, but more than half have been in close fashion. So....I dunno, I'm not saying Lions win outright but I dooooo think they'll cover with ten added points.
~Result Lions 17 (+10 = 27) Vikings 19. CORRECT!
What a finish to this game. The Vikings appeared to have handed the game away with late turnover. The Lions gutsily went for 2 and the presumed win and GOT IT, only for the Vikings to pull off a miracle of their own. Vikes get the win, but so does Summer thanks to the spread.

Pick 3
Los Angeles Chargers -2.5 to defeat Cleveland Browns
Well well well Chargers. You're where the Bills were 2 years ago. I believe in you. Can you beat another AFC playoff hopefull on your home turf by more than a field goal? Prove me right, please.
~Result Chargers 47 (-2.5 = 44.5) Browns 42 CORRECT!!!!
Sometimes two teams meet and decide that defense is a waste of time and then just try to go out there and score alllllll the points. What a fun game to watch this was.

PonePicks: https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10012042
Packers -2.5 > Bengals YES
Patriots -8 > Texans NO
Dolphins +10 > Buccaneers NO


Well how do you like that? A perrrrrrfect 3 and 0. Who's the Professor around here? I am. I pick up a much needed point and we'll head into week 6 with Zeus at 2 and myself at 1

GO BILLS!