Bet you didn’t see that coming.
Thursday night games are the great equalizer: No matter how hot or cold a team is heading into the NFL’s prime time farce, it doesn’t seem to matter.
That’s exactly what happened in Miami on Thursday. It’s really the only way to explain it.
Going in, Cincinnati was on fire, having blown out the Jets. The Dolphins were on a four-game skid.
So what happened? The game was boring, plodding deadlock for 60 minutes – with the exception of Giovani Bernard’s amazing 35-yard TD. If you can name another nice play from the contest, I’d love to hear it.
It was almost fitting that the game ended on a safety with just over six minutes left in overtime. Yes, you read that right: The game ended on a safety in overtime.
You can put that on the brochure when you’re selling the Thursday night package to a major network, NFL.
Just another reason why these games should just be abandoned.
The lines are from 5Dimes and the home teams are in CAPS.
Atlanta +9 over CAROLINA
Look, the Falcons are pretty bad, but they aren’t nine points worse than the Panthers. Also, in a pretty close division game, you never want to be giving more than a TD.
Minnesota +11 over DALLAS
Can’t you totally see Adrian Peterson rushing for 200 yards here? I can. And while the Cowboys have been good against the spread, this seems like too many points. Even with Josh Freeman back under centre.
New Orleans -5.5 over NEW YORK JETS
The Jets are coming off a pretty bad beatdown while the Saints are rolling and are one of the league’s four best teams. Give the points on the road.
Tennessee -2.5 over ST. LOUIS
That was some god-awful play-calling on Monday night by Jeff Fisher in the fourth quarter. So while the Rams should have beaten the Seahawks, they won’t fare as well against the Titans. It’s always easier to get up for a division game in prime time.
BUFFALO +3 over Kansas City
Can the Bills really end the Chiefs’ undefeated run? Why not? They have played hard at home and the Chiefs aren’t actually as good as their record indicates.
WASHINGTON (pk) over San Diego
I realize the Chargers have shaken off their usual early east coast start funk, but I think it rears its ugly head here and Washington gets a big game from RG3.
OAKLAND -1 over Philadelphia
The under-rated Raiders are coming off a bye while the Eagles are going back to Nick Foles at QB. Shouldn’t this line be a bit higher?
SEATTLE -18 over Tampa Bay
Mike Glennon is going to get eaten alive by this Seattle defence at home. Does Greg Schiano get fired on the flight home? Or mid-week?
CLEVELAND +2.5 over Baltimore
Another hard-nosed game in the AFC North. Jason Campbell wasn’t terrible last week and the Ravens aren’t exactly setting the world on fire in their title defence season.
Pittsburgh +7 over NEW ENGLAND
Tom Brady has been ghastly for the past month and definitely looks hurt. The Steelers aren’t great, but can at least keep this game within a TD.
Indianapolis -1 over HOUSTON
There are just too many injuries on the Texans to back them. Both Arian Foster and Ben Tate are hurt and Case Keenum is starting at QB again.
GREEN BAY -11 over Chicago
You would have to think that the Bears without Jay Cutler will be just as bad as the Vikings, who the Packers just crushed. And you can’t discount the Lambeau Field advantage too.
This week: 0-1
Last week: 6-7
This season: 55-61-4