THIS WEEK'S UNDERDOGS

SPEED OF LIGHTNING, 

ROAR OF THUNDER

FIGHTING ALL WHO ROB OR PLUNDER 

(or are favored by Vegas)

do-do-do-do UNDERDOG!

THIS WEEK'S BIGGEST UNDERDOGS

Philadelphia    +8     @  NEW ORLEANS
Denver            +7           LA CHARGERS
Oaklan            +5           ARIZONA
JACKSN        +5           Pittsburgh
DETROIT      +4           Carolina


8 points is a pretty wide margin, even if it is the Saints (8-1),  the best team in the NFL right now.
We've all forgotten the Eagles (4-5) are world champs, that's for sure.  Right now, they're just trying to stay out of the Basement.  They will beat the spread, but won't win the game.

I also think the Broncos will beat the spread with the Chargers, but still think they'll pull the L. 

You know it's bad when you are 5 point underdogs to the Cardinals.  I can't say the Raiders will even score in this game.   Cards allow 25 points a game, Raiders 30.   On offense, the Cards average 13.8, Raiders 16.3 points per game.  So, the question is, who will clank one off the upright last, preserving the loss?

The Lions would be 10 point underdogs if the Panthers hadn't gotten completely shellacked by the Steelers last Thursday (52-21).  Still, 4 point 'dogs, at home at the Kat Box, ain't chopped liver.  Panthers cover the spread.   

MARQUEE DOORMAT GAMES

Not very many Doormat teams are even playing  this weekend.  SF, Buffalo, Cleveland and the NYJets, are all golfing or eating pork rinds and watching pro bowling.

Raiders (1-8)  @ Cardinals (2-7)  
The Charaders will be in the driver's seat if they lose this one, gaining a critical tiebreaker over an NFC foe that is still a solid contender.  They already hold the tiebreaker over the 49ers (having lost to them in Week 8).  This is gonna be a tough one.

Bucs (3-6) @ Giants  (2-7)
Hot on the 49ers tails, the Giants lost a big one last week, winning in Santa Clara, and losing their tie-breaker with the Whiners. Eli Manning leads the league in sacked yardage (over 240 yards) and sacks with 32.  Despite this, the Whiners blitzed him only once, getting their lone sack, showing great craft at the skill of losing. If the Bucs use the same plan, the Giants will have a hard time losing this game. 
Bucs hold the ace with Fitzmagic, a magic show that often blows up in your face. Says here Bucs pull into tie with Giants.  They'd better lose, because next week they get the 49ers, and we all know how good they (49ers) are at losing late, and often. 

Hard to believe the Saint's only loss is to the Bucs, in Week 1. 

BLOWOUT OF THE WEEK?
Jaguars vs. Steelers
The Jags have a great opportunity to lose big and get somebody fired with this one. 
Will the Steelers be pooped out from last week?  No more points to pile?  They'll still win. 
Interesting the point spread is only +5 for the Jags.  Jacksonville still has a good defense, despite the plummet into the Basement (5 straight losses).  Leonard Fournette is back at RB for the Jags, so PERHAPS this game will be close.  Jags still lose.

MISCELLANY
The Jet's Sam Darnold, our interception leader with 14, gets the week off, so the rest of the field gets a chance to catch up.  4 guys with 10 interceptions.  Get to work, you bums.

aaaaAAAND That's The View From the Basement!!!