Raiders -3
DiscreetCat
Moderator
Just took the Raiders -3. In case you guys didn't see the Dolphins play on Thursday night, they were completely inept with 3rd-stringer Tyler Thipen at the helm, and strangely, the coaching staff had such little confidence in the ground game that they completely refused to run the ball, despite how ineffective Thigpen was. That might've had a lot to do with the fact that they started the game with their backup center, who then left the game with an injury himself and is now out for the year. They ended up having to move a guard over to play center, and going further, one of their starting tackles is injured as well. Starting QB Henne could potentially return this weekend, but that's up in the air right now, and with the way their offensive line is right now, it probably wouldn't make much difference. Especially when you consider the guy was benched for Chad Pennington just a couple of weeks ago.
And this team is only a 3-point dog this week, on the road???
Get the -3 while you can, I don't think it'll last long.
And this team is only a 3-point dog this week, on the road???
Get the -3 while you can, I don't think it'll last long.
Comments
I'm not mad about losing, and i'm not bad about being wrong (i'm wrong all the time), but i was definitely dismayed by the Dolphin's gameplan, thinking that they would make a concerted effort to run the ball (with a good bit of the Wildcat thrown in) considering the short week of preparation and the fact that Thigpen (who hadn't started a game since 2008) was being forced into action. I did consider that the use of their backup center might effect the number of Wildcat plays (due to the direct snap, which is obviously harder and requires more practice), but i thought that the second-string center for the Dolphins would be well-versed enough in that so it wouldn't make a huge difference. The of course went out the window when the BACKUP center got knocked out with an injury, but there was still no excuse not to be handing off or pitching out when the game was still well in reach (6-0 at halftime, and 9-0 in the third quarter) and Thigpen was doing absolutely nbothing through the air. They just flat-out refused to run, even with Brandon Marshall (who is very possibly out this week, btw) knocked out of the game.
So yeah, the fact that i had action on the game (and the Brown bet in particular) got me looking at the game very closely, so much in fact that i madea halftime bet, something i rarely do. And that's definitely why i was looking forward to betting against this week, as early as possible. So sure, in that respect, it has everything to do with the Ronnie Brown bet that i lost last week.
PS - The Raider/Dolphin game was off-the-board in the vast majority of Vegas sportsbooks today, and the only couple of places that had it remained at -3, which i found very surprising. We'll see what happens throughout the course of the week, but i'll be shocked if the number goes down.
PPS - I'm also looking at the under, which is currently 38.5. Might bet that today.
NCAA
Neb -171/2 vs Colorado: Neb coach gets back to Big 12 refs against a team who quit 2 months ago.
Miss State -21/2 vs Ole Miss: Idiot Ole Miss coach Nutt already suspending players in a feeble attempt to create an excuse as to why he lost Egg Bowl.
Ariz State -13 vs UCLA, another miserable Bruin season under overrated coach Neihausel; bruins not close to beating anybody lately, this one could be over with early.
CAL -7 vs Wash: Cal couldn't stick with very good Stanford team, but Wash is no Stanford.
Ark -3 vs LSU: Hogs won't need a miracle on Markham to outscore LSU. QB Mallett has several big-time WR to score at will against a LSU defense who has been tough, but not tested against the likes of Razorback NFL type offense. Hogs win and secure a BCS Bowl Game in New Orleans for Coach of the Year, Bobby Petrino!
I thought the same thing about this number and will probably take the Bengals. But JESUS they blew a 17 point halftime lead at home to Buffalo. And the final score wasnt even close.
A source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter that Bruce Gradkowski and not Jason Campbell will start at quarterback in Week 12.
Score a victory for the coaching staff over Al Davis. Gradkowski saw a majority of the team's first-team reps in practice this week, but is an unappealing option in fantasy leagues against the Dolphins.
Oh, and I see the Dolphins decided to run the ball this week...