Ernesto the Prediction Iguana opened his NFL prognostication season with a perfect 6-0 slate last week, 3-0 in teasers. That result brings into razor-sharp clarity why we wait until Week 5 to start playing our picks. This week’s slate is particularly difficult – there is still a remarkable fluidity to the League so far this season, and over the long haul we are still waiting for season to season consistency to many franchises.
As always, we do teasers here, so you get to move the line six points in either direction, using lines from www.vegasinsider.com, HOME TEAM IN CAPS. Here we go…and remember, when you collect, tell your bookie the iguana sent you.
GREEN LIGHT
JETS-patriots OVER 41
JAGUARS-rams OVER 37.5
The NFL is an over league. Points sell tickets, write headlines, and raise ratings. The Pats exemplify “next man up,” and their high octane offense will find its rhythm enough to push this one above 41. The Jags are one of the season’s pleasant surprises, averaging 28 points a game and leading the AFC South. They smeared mighty Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh. The Rams are the other pleasant surprise. They’re back to their track meet days of old, at least for now.
AMBER ALERT
RAVENS -1 vs bears
REDSKINS-49ers UNDER 52.5
The Bears beat the Steelers, but I’m still not convinced. All the Ravens have to do is win the game – at home, no less. The Niners are putrid. They may put up a few field goals, but they need GPS to find the end zone, and you need a lot of touchdowns to hit 52.5.
RED WARNING
BRONCOS -5 vs giants
FALCONS-dolphins UNDER 53.5
The average score of a Dolphins game this year has been 17-10. The Giants in disarray and devastated by injuries. Mile Hugh is a tough place to walk into under those circumstances.
