The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger: PIGSKIN 2020: Week Nine

COVID hits Broncos, John Elway.
COVID hits a flock of Ravens.
COVID hits Lions, Matt Stafford.
COVID Protocol: Dolphins, Lions, Falcons.
COVID Positive Tests a/o Friday: Packers, Bears, Bengals 2x.
Steelers levied fines due to COVID protocol violations.
NFL separately fines Raiders and John Gruden and takes away a (sixth round) draft pick over COVID violations.
Teams affected by COVID: HOU, IND, KC, DAL, NYG, GB, CHI, SF, ARZ, BAL, DEN, DET, ATL, MIA, PHI, JAX.

FOOTBALL STUFF

Pittsburgh Steelers NFL's lone undefeated team.
Saints Malcolm Jenkins buys lunch for 300 poll workers in Philadelphia.
Jets still without a win and insist on playing an injured Sam Darnold.
Favorites are just 51-68 ATS this season.
Sixteen team playoffs? Really?

ICYMI

WEEK NINE

Friday Line ~ NYP/MGM

WTF -2 1/2 Giants

Gamely effort last week by the Giants, but their condition remains unchanged. So does that of the No-Names. Refer back to their first meeting, the Giants lost by one at MetLifeless Stadium.

Loss 23-20 Giants

Seahawks -3 BILLS

Okay .. I'm done trying to be smart and going against the Seahawks.

Loss 44-34 Bills

FALCONS -4 Broncos

Trending .. after starting 0-5, the Falcons are 2-1 in their last three games. Broncos have no idea who will start for them at quarterback.

WIN 34-27 Falcons

TITANS -6 1/2 Bears

Two teams on a two-game skid. A moe talented Titans squad gets back on track. If you thought the Bears looked bad against the Saints, wait till Sunday.

WIN 24-17 Titans

VIKINGS -4 Lions

There's a worse game on the docket, but I'm declaring this Toilet Bowl IX. This game represents the epitome of parity. Might as well flip a coin. The ponderous Vikes are coming off a big win. Matt Stafford could be a COVID casualty come game time.

WIN 34-20 Vikings

Ravens -1 COLTS

Great defensive battle. The Birds are fuming after last week's loss. They had a chance to win. I expect them to confound Philip Rivers just enough.

WIN 24-10 Ravens

CHIEFS -10 1/2 Panthers

Time for Andy Reid to remind everyone why he's a great coach. He'll devise something for Teddy Bridgewater. The return of Christian McCaffrey won't matter. The rest is academic.

Loss 33-31 Chiefs

Texans -7 JAGUARS

The Jags are just bad. Gardner Minshew hasn't garnered any attention since Week Two. Houston presently suffers from what I call transient dysfunction, which has spilled onto the playing field. They pummeled the Jags in their first meeting, and they'll do it again.

Loss 27-25 Texans

Raiders +1 CHARGERS

Red Flag: bookies give no respect to the Bolts. The "defensive flu" that destroyed the Falcons season has apparently made its way into the Chargers locker room. They're giving away two-point leads like candy. Parity says Raiders win their second straight in a triumphant return to California.

WIN 31-26 Raiders

Steelers -13 1/2 COWBOYS

The demise of Jerry's World continues ...

Loss 24-19 Steelers

CARDINALS -4 1/2 Dolphins

The Fish sleep with the rattlesnakes. NFL's biggest pain in the ass .. Miami visits Arizona. Tough to call. Not confident, but think the Cardinals are a smarter, more competent club.

Loss 34-31 Dolphins

BUCS -5 Saints

This spread is interesting, to say the least. Brees and Brady have thrown over 1,100 touchdown passes. Johnny Unitas called; he says he's not impressed.

Loss 38-3 Saints

Schmear of the Week (2-5-1)

Steelers -13 1/2

LOSS

Monday Night Freight Ball

Patriots -7 1/2 JETS

Loss 30-27 Patriots

Good luck and have a great Football Sunday, everyone!

Post-Game

Week Nine Record: 5-8

Overall Record (ATS): 63-50-3 (+10)

Schmear of the Week: 2-6-1 (-15)