Randall the Handle
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PHILADELPHIA –3 +1.00 over Arizona SPORTSINTERACTION
Andy Reid benched Donovan McNab and he deserved it. McNab needed a fire lit under his ass because he’s always smiling out there, he’s nonchalant as hell and he just got too complacent. The play of the QB or the attitude rubs off on the whole team and if you recall, the Eagles looked like legit Super Bowl contenders in the first few weeks of the season. No way do they come out flat again today in prime time in front of the whole nation. No way. Everybody is banking on the Eagles being messed up but I’m not buying into that for a second. Philly will be ready today folks and let’s not forget that they have a terrific defense. That 37 they allowed to Baltimore last week is misleading as hell and means absolutely nothing. In fact, the defense was once again outstanding. Wagering on the Cardinals traveling east on three days rest and playing in cold temperatures is about as appealing as being a turkey on Thanksgiving day. I’m just not close to being sold that the Cardinals are all that and that Kurt Warner is an MVP. Warner will get pressure from two places today. He’ll get it from the Eagles relentless pass rush and he’ll get it from his loud-mouth and controlling wife for not being home for the holiday. Anyway, under pressure and against quality opposition the Cardinals have not faired too well. Their wins have come against cupcakes at opportune times and just like the G-Men exposed them last week, the pissed-off Eagles will do the same this week and then some. Play: Philadelphia –3 (Risking 2 units).
DALLAS –12 +1.02 over Seattle PINNACLE
What a difference a Romo makes. Yes, Seattle should get their asses handed to them here, as Thanksgiving Thursday in Dallas has proven to be a nightmare for many teams over the years. This game is an absolute must win for the Boys because its last four games of the year will be against Pittsburgh, the Giants, Baltimore and Philly. Ouch. The Cowboys playoff hopes will be in true jeopardy if they pull a no-show here and it just doesn’t seem possible for that to happen. The Seahawks are a complete mess. Its offense has looked nothing like the ones of old under Holmgren, but then again he’s leaving at the end of the year so he couldn’t give a crap. The Seahawks passing total each week looks more like an NBA over/under then the passing stats of an NFL team. Traveling and playing on three days rest against a hungry and suddenly confident Dallas team is bad news for the Seahawks indeed. The Boys have their swagger back and this team of big egotistical personalities will show no mercy in front of a National TV audience. Thanks for coming out Seattle. Play: Dallas –13 (Risking 2 units).
Tennessee/DETROIT under 44 PINNACLE
For the sake of Thanksgiving, I’m putting this one up but no way can I endorse the Lions, nor can I endorse laying 12 road points on three days rest. Thus, I’m endorsing the total but I’ll be watching the West Virginia/Pitt game. Anyway, the Lions jumped out to a quick 17-0 lead on Tampa last week in the first seven minutes and those were gift points. They scored three more the rest of the way and they’ll face a similar, complex and extremely talented defense here. Duante Culpepper can’t run anymore, he can’t pass and he looks completely lost out there. In three starts, he’s thrown two TD’s and five picks. In fact, Culpepper was benched for Drew Stanton but was forced back into action when Stanton suffered a concussion. Getting benched by the Lions is equivalent to losing a race up a flight of stairs to Ed McMahon. How the Lions are going to score here is beyond me and the only question will be how many points the Titans score. We know for sure they’ll be running the ball early and often and should they get a comfortable lead, which they likely will, they’ll be running it even more. Tennessee does not have a potent offense, nor are they interested in running it up. Hell, the Packers/Saints total in New Orleans on Monday was 50½ and this one is just 6½ points lower then that. I don’t think so. This looks like a 27-3 game or thereabouts. Play: Tennessee/DETROIT under 44 (No bets).