NFL Week #8 Free Money Report

"This is The Blanket reporting from inside the cash cage at one of the biggest sportsbooks in Vegas, I recognize some of my money in here and that is the wrong answer. I plan on rescuing my green friends this Sunday and also releasing some of the other captured money from the vault into my pocket" I have changed the title of my NFL handicapping blog to reflect a new direction as The Blanket has been slightly above .500 the last two weeks. So lets see how the new image works out as I delve into the numbers and stats to put out a paragraph to back up my research. The way I normally come up with my selections has alot to do with eyeballing the lines when they first come out, from there I go with my gut feeling on a line similar to taking a difficult multiple choice exam, like the LSAT for example. Then I isolate the games I like from eyeballing, I look at trends of covering, but that rarely is an indicator of which way I will go. I like to analyze the teams tangibles, coaches, players, etc. This formula usually results in windfall profits as it will this Sunday. Here is what I have to redeem myself:



Ravens -3 Jared Gaither will be back in the line up for this game allowing Micheal Oher to switch back to his natural side. This will give Flacco time to throw which he has not had in two games. I just cannot see the Ravens losing a 4th game in a row, especially at home. The Broncos are a solid team and have made me alot of money this year, Orton has been outstanding, but the Broncos have basically run away with the AFC West and have the Steelers next week. The Ravens are playing for pride and need this game to stay in the division hunt. I see this to be a low scoring game, but the Ravens should pull it out at home. Both QB's have outstanding protecting, both teams can stop the run, but the Ravens have been struggling against the pass, however, I think having Gaither back in the line up really helps Flacco. 2 units.Win.




Texans -3 Wow, the Texans have won two games in a row, could they be turning the corner? Johnson is banged up and is questionable for this game with a lung contusion. Schaub has alot of other weapons though, such as Daniels and Slaton. Buffalo has an outstanding defense, Fitzpatrick is actually an improvement over Edwards. However, there is a disturbing trend the Bills have and that is they hate covering on the road. The Bills are just 1-7 in their last 8 ATS at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Texans sketchy defense was pitching a shut out until Alex Smith came into the game and brought the 49ers within 3. I am fading that because obviously the Texans had not planned for Smith to enter the game. The Texans beat the Bengals soundly who just like the Bills have a sound defense, but the Bills offense is nowhere near the Bengals. This is a good spot for the Texans as they could be in a wildcard position if they keep playing well. 4 units. Win.




Colts -13 Not even The Blanket is brave enough to bet against Peyton Manning. He is far and away at the top of his game this year. The 49ers are still in transition and have been struggling to run the ball as of late. Smith is getting the start and has to face Freeney and Mathis, have fun Alex. The Colts defense has vastly improved so I think San Fran will struggle to move the ball both on the ground and in the air. The 49ers might be able to shut down Addai, but Manning has too many weapons in Wayne, Clark, Garcon, Collie and Brown for the 49ers to account for. Will the Colts ever lose? 2 units. Loss.




Dolphins +4 Kris Jenkins is out for this game, the Jets premiere run stopper and here come the run happy Dolphins. These teams hate each other, while most teams would fold up shop with a 2-4 record I don't see a Sparano/ Parcells team doing that. Henne won't be phased by the hostile crowd, this guy was the QB at Michigan and had to play in the Horseshoe and at Sparty as well as Happy Valley, none of these places are welcoming to the Wolverines. Maybe Sparano will bench hands of stone Ted Ginn for this contest as he has proved several times he cannot handle the power behind a pass coming from a Wolverine. This game will be tight and the Jets are without Washington as well and their WR's are nothing to write home about. Will Allen Miami's best CB is done for the season too. I see the crowd turning against Sanchez quick if he throws a pick against the Dolphins opportunistic defense that picked Brees 3 times last week. Miami covers a squeaker. 2 units. Win.




Cowboys -10 Wow, I am taking the Cowboys and the Gators in the same weekend? Definitely a first for me. The Cowboys torched the Falcons, the Falcons were embarrassed and should enter the witness protection program. Romo had time to throw and delivered an excellent performance. Miles Austin will command safety help all game long against the Seahawks abysmal secondary, forcing Williams to step up and make plays. The Cowboys secondary played with heart against Atlanta lets hope they continue this week. The Cowboys will be able to run the ball with any of their three backs, Lofa Tatupa is out for the year and his absence will show. Jones and Locklear so Hasselbeck will be a sitting duck as I expect the Cowboys pass rush will be unrelenting, I doubt Morris will have any success against his former team as the Seahawks O-line hates to run block and pass protect. The Cowboys will not take this game lightly as they are poised to make a play for taking the lead in the NFC East. 3 units.Win.




Jaguars +3 David Garrard is playing well and I am definitely not laying points with the Titans. Especially with the Fisher / Manning jersey fallout, this team is in disarray. Collins is gassed and I expect to see VY at some point in this game. I also think MJD will have a big game and which one of the Titans beat up secondary is going to attempt to cover Mike Sims-Walker? The Jags are a better team then the Titans and I am getting points? I like it! 2 units.Loss.




Vikings +3 I guess I did not learn my lesson last week. Favre tossed a pick at a horrible time and blew a cover for me. Let's hope he doesn't have to play from behind in this game. The Packers got their 4 wins against garbage teams ( Lions, Browns, Rams and Bears) They have yet to beat a decent team. The Vikings have had a much tougher schedule. Rodgers has been sacked alot this year, look for that to continue here. Tauscher and Clifton should be back for this game, but who knows if they will be ready to handle the Vikings D-line and mad man Jared Allen, the Vikings secondary is beat up but I don't envision Rodgers having much time to throw. Vikings pull out a close game, I like the points here. 2 units.Win.




Cardinals -10 I'm not too high on this game, matter of fact there is no NFL game this weekend that makes me want to lay big units on. The Cardinals hate covering double digit spreads at home. Then again they are playing the Panthers, who scored 2 points against the Bills (minus a TD in garbage time) Delhomme will struggle against the Cards secondary. Arizona looks to have figured it out as Warner went deep twice against the Giants. The Cardinals defense has been looking great the last couple of games as they blew out the Seahawks at Qwest field and really frustrated Eli last week. I think the Cards will put Delhomme on suicide watch after this game. Cards big. 2 units. Loss.


Season Record 38-14-1
Eight games so far, if I have a good Saturday with my college action I might add two games, those being the Raiders +17 and the Giants Pk. I am thinking bettors will start pounding the Eagles making the Giants a dog. The Chargers can't run the ball and the Raiders will shut down the passing game, just ask the Eagles. Lets hope I can get back on track this weekend, I need it.