I almost always write the same introduction around the fourth week of the season. That is, I find myself shocked that one-quarter of the year has already passed. This year, I didn’t.
Now, I’m shocked.
By the end of this week, most of the teams will have played half of their games.
They’re halfway there.
The closing of the first half of the season often acts as a checkpoint to see where certain teams are relative to the overall state of the league. We should be able to draw conclusions from these numbers. This year, they still feel a bit unbelievable in certain areas.
We know the Dolphins are heading for no more than one or two wins, and we know the Patriots are well on their way to another 13-3 season, at worst. But, what about the Saints in the absence of Drew Brees? Are they going to be on-pace for a 14-2 record? Are the Texans or Rams going to be halfway through 8-8 campaigns – which would be the projection if either team loses.
This is where we look at the upcoming checkpoint and try to determine how the numbers could be valid.
And where they’re wrong.
Below are predictions for each game against the spread. Spreads have been taken from various websites and are subject to change. The spread in parenthesis denotes the selected team. An asterisk denotes a confidence pick.
*Confidence Picks – 2019 Season: 25-19-1 (Last Week: 3-4)
(2018 Season: 63-48-4) (2017 Season: 53-48-4) (2016 Season: 53-67-3) (2015 Season: 69-45-2) (2014 Season: 61-46-2) (5-Year Total: 299-254-15)
All Picks Against Spread – 2019 Season: 55-50-1 (Last Week: 8-6)
(2018 Season: 137-118-12) (2017 Season: 137-119-11) (2016 Season: 123-136-8) (2015 Season: 143-117-7) (2014 Season: 149-114-4) (5-Year Total: 689-604-42)
Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings
I absolutely love storylines in the National Football League. I point them out whenever we have one.
On Thursday Night Football, we have two.
Indeed, they are the same storylines, just from different sides and, no, it doesn’t make this game suddenly watchable. But, it is interesting. And when a 1-6 team plays against a 5-2 team, perhaps “interesting” is the best we can get.
The storyline to which I am referring is ‘revenge.’
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins will seek revenge against his former team.
Washington Redskins quarterback Case Keenum will seek revenge against his former team.
And isn’t it just as strong in both directions?
Remember that the Vikings moved on from Keenum after a 13-3 season specifically so they could target Kirk Cousins.
And remember that the Redskins refused to sign Cousins to a longterm deal despite repeated ‘franchise tags.’
Whatever the outcome, the two quarterbacks want to send a message to their former employers.
One of the reasons why the Redskins were so hesitant to pay Cousins was because of his continued mediocrity, despite always avoiding disaster. As I wrote last week, he had never before led a team to a record of at least three games over .500.