PIGSKIN 2017: Week Nine

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Nine

RESULTS

Week One 

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

Week Seven

Week Eight

Scoreboard
Week Eight Record:  6-5
Overall Record:  41-59-2
Schmear of the Week:  4-4

Bagels in the Basket:  -20


1st and Ten

• The Eagles boast an NFL best 7-1 record, and lead the Eastern Conference with 232 points.  Hard not to view the Chiefs vs. Eagles as some sort of sneak peek for some very important game.
• Don't look now, but four straight wins has the Seattle Seahawks tied for first place, again.

2nd and Long

• Guru, Guru, on the wall, who is the worst second place team of them all?  That would be Denver, the only one of eight second place teams with a losing record.
• The Houston Texans suffered their second season ending injury at a key position; the premier position; when quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a torn ACL in practice.

No Gain

• Roger Goodell's contract is up for renewal.  This Ezekiel Elliott thing is yet another matter flying in the face of his supposed authority.  He makes Tammany Hall look good.  Jerry Jones is even turning against him.
• Let me get this right ... the Cleveland Browns negotiate a trade acquiring quarterback AJ McCarron from the Cincinnati Bengals, but failed to file the accompanying documents by the deadline, because the front office was too busy partying?
• No London game this week; what a tease.

PUNT!

• Andrew Luck's back-up - Indianapolis' offensive line couldn't even prevent a mailbox from hitting the quarterback.
• If there's anything in these emails and text messages certain owners are now forced to surrender revealing collusion practices directed at Colin Kaepernick, the entire league will be so screwed.  That said, would it surprise anyone if the powers that be do in fact find something incriminating?  Stay tuned.

WEEK EIGHT
Friday Line ~ NYDN

Rams -3 (GIANTS)
The Giants will be playing minus two starting offensive linemen and two suspended corner backs, and playing with two inconsequential wide receivers.  If Eli, tight end Evan Engram, and Orleans Darkwa, call run up the score all by themselves without the help of the other eight guys, more power to em.  Did I mention the Rams are second in the conference, and fourth in the NFL in points scored, and allowed the fifth least points?  How the hell do you think this will go?
WIN  51-17 Rams

EAGLES -7 1/2 (Broncos)
Only mystery here is the Broncos; what happened?  In any event, they won't have things figured out by Sunday.  The Eagles will make sure of that.
WIN  51-23 Eagles

SAINTS -7 (Bucs)
The Bucs have been nothing short of disappointing.  The Saints have won five in a row and are home in the Dome.
WIN  30-10 Saints

JAGUARS -5 (Bengals)
The Bengals are so determined to get Marvin Lewis fired.  Two of their three disappointing wins came against the Browns and Colts.  I wouldn't let that get around if I were them.  Only their stingy defense has allowed them to loiter around this long.  Jacksonville's D has been even stingier.  Only they've either beaten questionable opponents, or underachieved against other questionable opponents.  Get my drift?  They have less problems scoring than Cincy, though.
WIN  23-7 Jaguars

PANTHERS +1 (Falcons)
Two sputtering teams facing off in a division game.  One team's quarterback is growing increasingly angry with himself, while the other team's QB is getting increasingly angrier with the world.  Be angry and take the point.
WIN  20-17 Panthers

TEXANS -7 (Colts)
Despite losing a second key player to season ending injury, the Texans are still equipped to outperform the Colts who are without their one star player.
Loss  20-14 Colts

Ravens +3 1/2 (TITANS)
Any team losing to the Dolphins smells fishy to me.  Titans also own unimpressive wins over Cleveland and the Colts.  They're not playing the way I thought they would be.  If the Ravens have taught us anything this season, it's that they're not going away with out a fight.
WIN  23-20 Titans

Cardinals -2 (49ERS)
Despite acquiring Jimmy Garappolo, the 49ers will not be winning their first game of the season.  Not yet.  Maybe within the next two weeks.  This is the Cardinals one week to feel good about themselves again.  Then its back to the Pit of Misery!  Dilly!  Dilly!
WIN  20-10 Cardinals

SEAHAWKS -7 (D.C. Hogs)
Right on schedule, look who is in first place, again!  The Hogs are reeling, losers of two straight against division rivals Philly and Dallas.  In fact, it was their second loss against the Eagles, and they also lost to the Chiefs.  That makes the Hogs a second tier outfit.
Loss  17-14 Hogs

Chiefs PK (COWBOYS)
Ezekiel doesn't even figure into my thinking.  With or without him, this pick is based on strength of schedule.  Dallas claims dubious victories over the awful Giants, struggling Cardinals, the 0-8 49ers, and the reeling Hogs.  They lost to the Rams, Broncos, and the Packers with Aaron Rogers.  The Chiefs have thus far defeated the Patriots, Eagles, Hogs, Texans, Chargers and Broncos.  Alex Smith is an under-rated QB; always has been.  He won't balk under pressure.  That's not to say Dak Prescott will.  Great match-up.
Loss  28-17 Cowboys

Raiders -3 (DOLPHINS)
The Raiders are coming off a loss to Buffalo, who themselves recently lost to the Jets on Thursday night.  Marshawn Lynch is back from suspension.  Perhaps he and Derek Carr together can get the Raiders moving in the right direction again.  Miami has been shut out twice this season, yet enter the game with a 4-3 record, with wins over the Falcons, Jets, Chargers, and Titans.  Damn sea mammals.  Stay away from this game.
PUSH  27-24 Raiders


Schmear of the Week:  (4-4)
Texans -7
LOSS


Guten Appetit
I call this one Pre-Holiday Jambalaya - when I try wiping out everything possible in the fridge and freezer prior to holiday food shopping.


Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday, everyone!


Post-Game
Week Nine Record:  7-3-1
Overall Record:  48-62-3
Schmear of the Week:  4-5
Bagels in the Basket:  -20