Who doesn’t want 17 straight hours of football?
Well the dream is almost here: Wall-to-wall NFL football.
Wednesday’s announcement that the Falcons-Lions game in London would have a 9:30 a.m. EST start got a lot of people, including myself, thinking: Why didn’t this happen sooner?
As it has been, the London game was always played amidst the 1 p.m. block of games and rarely received the proper attention it deserved. Too often it would be an awful matchup, so why would you tune into see something like the winless Vikings vs. the Steelers when there’s much better tilts on.
It also makes more sense for the folks in London too. With a 1:30 p.m. local time start, it’s closer to the actual NFL experience. And nobody wants to be hungover for work on Monday morning.
I’ll go out on a limb right now and just guess that this
Of course, this move won’t endear the NFL to the west coast, which would have to wake up at 6:30 a.m. to tune into the matchup.
But there’s a solution to that: The late Sunday nighter.
It already happened this year when the Raiders and Charger kicked off at 11 p.m. EST, so why couldn’t it happen again? The NFL could theoretically have actual games running from 9:30 a.m. until 2 a.m. No football fan could possibly object to that.
Now, this obviously couldn’t be an every week thing – divorce rates would skyrocket. We also don’t know what effect this could have on the fantasy football community – which is only a billion-dollar industry these days.
But for one week, it would be heaven on earth for any real football fan.
The lines are from Bovada and the home teams are in CAPs.
Kansas City -3 over WASHINGTON
The Chiefs need to snap their losing streak and this seems like as good of a time as any. The calls for RG3 to take a break and recover should really be heeded.
Minnesota +7.5 over BALTIMORE
Matt Cassel isn’t great – obviously – but he’s the best that the Vikes have. And if he’s playing, it give Minnesota a real chance to lose by less than a touchdown.
NEW ENGLAND -10 over Cleveland
The Browns just lost to the Jaguars and still have Brandon Weeden starting. If that’s not enough to take the Pats, I’m not sure what is. The only thing going against New England here is the amazing Josh Gordon, but that’s not enough when he’ll have Aqib Talib on him.
NEW YORK JETS -1.5 over Oakland
Why pick Geno Smith and the sad-sack Jets? Because every time you expect them to zig, they zag.
Indianapolis +7 over CINCINNATI
The Colts haven’t looked great recently, but at least they’re back to their winning ways. Giving seven points is the obvious dealbreaker if you’re thinking about talking the hosts here.
NEW ORLEANS -3.5 over Carolina
I’m not under-rating the Panthers here – who have been awesome. You can’t forget how awesome Drew Brees can be at home and how the Saints need to win to have any hope of stealing the top seed after losing in Seattle.
Philadelphia -2.5 over DETROIT
The much-maligned Eagles defence has improved just as much as the offence has, but Nick Foles continues to get all the headlines. The Lions can’t stop making mistakes, which should doom them again.
PITTSBURGH -3 over Miami
After Mike Tomlin’s sideline debacle on Thanksgiving, the Steelers will try to do anything to change the narrative at home.
TAMPA BAY -1.5 over Buffalo
These two teams had their setbacks last week, but the Bucs’ was more understandable, being shut down by the Panthers. The Bills simply blew it and now have to travel to increasingly tough Tampa Bay.
Tennessee +13 over DENVER
In the driver’s seat for home-field advantage, I can’t see the Broncos blowing out the Titans. As the weather gets colder, the big offensive numbers should dip for Denver.
New York Giants +3 over SAN DIEGO
Doesn’t it seem like these two teams face each other every year? How many times do we have to hear the Eli Manning-spurned-San Diego stories? The Giants need to win out now to have any hope while the Chargers are faltering.
Seattle +2.5 over SAN FRANCISCO
The Seahawks are simply the best team in the NFL. If they’re getting points, you take them.
GREEN BAY (NL) vs. Atlanta
Until we know Aaron Rodgers’ status, all bets are off.
CHICAGO (PK) over Dallas
How this game is a pick ’em, I’m not sure. The Cowboys secondary was just abused by the no-name Raiders receivers – just think about Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery could do.
This week: 0-1
Last week: 9-5-2
This season: 88-95-9