FRIDAY AFTERNOON QUARTERBACK: NFL WEEK 15

BY ADAM GREENE

You might look at the overtime victory of the Los Angeles Chargers over the Las Vegas Raiders as one of the best games of the season and a solid reason to praise the NFL’s continuation of the Thursday Night Football program, but how dare you?

I picked the Raiders to win and in spite of Marcus Mariota showing every QB hungry NFL team that they have an option outside the draft, it was not to be. Los Angeles won 30-27, knocked the Raiders realistically out of the playoff hunt, and created some controversy on the firing of LA’s coaching staff. Which, if it results in head coach Anthony Lynn keeping his job, will be nothing short of a disaster.

Herbert threw for 314 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Mariota, who should probably take the field for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season, threw for 226 yards and a touchdown and ran for 88 yards and  a TD in one of the funnest and now most meaningless games of the season.

Running back Josh Jacobs picked up 76 yards and a TD in the worthless performance while Austin Ekelar continued to be your late season fantasy football MVP with 60 yards rushing and 19 yards receiving.

At any rate, I took a loss both straight up and against the spread which bodes ill for the entire rest of the week. Bet accordingly.

HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-7, O/U: 50.5)

Under normal circumstances, you’d think the Texans would look at this game as a chance to ruin the Colts’ postseason run. But I see this Houston team folding up its tents and crafting a “Good luck in all your future endeavors” banner to interim head coach Romeo Crennel. Colts 24, Texans 17

DETROIT LIONS AT TENNESSEE TITANS (-11, O/U: 51.5)

It’s almost cruel for the Lions, after getting the boost from firing head coach Matt Patricia, to face a team like the Titans with designs on a possible Super Bowl run. Tennessee can up its first 10-win season in more than a decade with the victory. Titans 41, Lions 23

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS (+6, O/U: 49.5)

I have picked the Falcons to win for the last time, so you know what that means… a season ending three game victory streak. This team is my monkey’s paw. Bucs 31, Falcons 23

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (-1, O/U: 41.5)

This is it. I’m finally accepting the reality that the Patriots will not make the playoffs this season. Bill Belichick is famously bad against his former assistants and Brian Flores is one of his best. After this one, his deal with the devil could be null and void. Dolphins 23, Patriots 20

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (+6, O/U: 44.5)

A couple of weeks ago the Seahawks obviously overlooked an NFC East team and it cost them the top spot in the NFC West. I don’t see it happening again, though I, and the rest of the NFL world, will be rooting for the Washington Football Team in spite of ourselves. No one wants to see a losing squad hosting a playoff game. Seahawks 27, WFT 16

CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-3, O/U: 46)

For two teams not currently in the playoff seeding, this game counts as a postseason elimination game for the loser. For the Bears and Mitchell Trubisky, it’s a chance to find redemption as he tries to continue his NFL career. For Kirk Cousins, it’s a chance to do what he’s done best throughout his NFL tenure, get eliminated from the playoffs as soon as humanly possible. Bears 20, Vikings 17

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (-13, O/U: 47.5)

The Ravens might not have solved anything in what we’ll gingerly call the “Toilet Game” against the Cleveland Browns last week, but they sure as hell have enough in the tank to knock off Jacksonville as they battle for the draft’s top pick. Ravens 38, Jags 17

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS (+3, O/U: 45)

The match up between Kyle Shanahan against Mike McCarthy as head coaches might be as lopsided as it gets in the NFL this season. Shanahan has obviously earned his job, working outright magic with a junior varsity squad after nearly all his Super Bowl roster went on injured reserve. McCarthy, on the other hand, could probably crush a Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. 49ers 20, Cowboys 16

NEW YORK JETS AT LOS ANGELES RAMS (-17.5, O/U: 43.5)

The line scares me, but the final outcome does not. If there was ever a team that shouldn’t overlook anyone it’s the Rams, who went from 2003 to 2017 between winning seasons. Rams 34, Jets 10

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (-7, O/U: 49.5)

Jalen Hurts changes the complexion of this game, as Philadelphia is just three years removed from a Super Bowl campaign. Still, I like Arizona as an upstart and they should take this opportunity to clear up their own postseason plans, and the playoff bracket in the NFC in the process. Cardinals 24, Eagles 20

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (+3, O/U: 51.5)

Drew Brees has been cleared to practice for the Saints, but considering he injured his entire body, don’t look for him to even suit up. That being said, the Taysom Hill Saints are not to be waved off, as head coach Sean Payton is 8-1 without Brees over the last two seasons. Still, they’re playing Kansas City, who likes to spot teams a double digit lead before crushing their hopes and dreams. This three point spread is a gift. Chiefs 27, Saints 16

THIS WEEK

Straight up: 0-1

Against the spread: 0-1

LAST WEEK

Straight up: 9-7

Against the spread: 9-7

SEASON

Straight up: 136-71-1

Against the spread: 109-99

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