yielded records of 185-100-1 SU (64.9%) and 159-123-2 ATS (56.4%), including his “Best Bets” going 13-7 SU\/ATS and “Upset Specials” a sparkling 15-3 SU\/ATS.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s talk disappointments. And yes, that includes our picks, particularly our Best Bets and Upset Specials, which haven\u2019t been Best nor Special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ll keep trying. Meanwhile, here are eight teams that have played as if they aren\u2019t interested in the postseason \u2013 and five of them made the playoffs in 2021. Sure, it\u2019s only three games, but some trends we are seeing are ominous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steelers: The offense is abysmal, there\u2019s little imagination with the ball, and already there are calls to bench quarterback Mitch Trubisky for first-round selection Kenny Pickett. At least the defense makes some big plays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patriots: The Belichick Bunch was expected to make a major step forward after last year\u2019s recovery. Instead, the Patriots looked overmatched by Miami and, at times, by Baltimore. And now Brian Hoyer might have to be behind center?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saints: This has gotten really ugly. Most everyone figured New Orleans would miss the retired coach, Sean Payton. Injuries have played a role in the Big Easy, but the defense is on the field far too long and Jameis Winston looks uncertain as a passer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commanders: Some folks picked Washington as a dark horse contender. For now, the Commanders can\u2019t block anyone and look like a high-draft pick favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chargers: OK, this one is more about who is hurt than who is slumping. Still, this LA outfit might have as much talent as the one it shares SoFi Stadium with, but it\u2019s not showing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
49ers: No one should be surprised that keeping Jimmy Garoppolo as a QB insurance policy would pay off. Except he has looked mediocre or worse \u2013 no true preseason practice has been damaging \u2013 and the Niners have been sloppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cardinals: Arizona, which usually starts fast and then fades, probably should be 0-3. It dearly misses standout receiver DeAndre Hopkins and has no balance on either side of the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Raiders: They ARE 0-3, and it\u2019s hard to fathom how poorly they have performed over long stretches. The coaching hasn\u2019t been inspiring either. This is a team on the edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commanders at Cowboys (-3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s all about the pass rush here: What Dallas can do with it and how Washington can\u2019t stop it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BEST BET: COWBOYS, 23-10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nRams at 49ers (-1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
San Francisco has dominated the regular-season series lately. That ends Monday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UPSET SPECIAL: RAMS, 20-16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nVikings vs. Saints (+2 1\/2) at London<\/p>\n\n\n\n
See above about the Saints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
VIKINGS, 24-13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJaguars at Eagles (-6 \u00bd)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last month, my son picked the Jags to win the AFC South. He might be on to something, but they just need to cover here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EAGLES, 30-26<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nChiefs at Buccaneers (+1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hurricane Ian took away some of the spotlight from Patrick Mahomes vs. Tom Brady. So do all the Bucs\u2019 injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHIEFS, 20-17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBills at Ravens (+3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A bounce-back win for the Bills? Or a major statement by the Ravens after the one Miami made in Week 3?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BILLS, 30-26<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTitans at Colts (-3 \u00bd)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indy made a statement last week, but the Chiefs really handed that game to the Colts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TITANS, 21-20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSeahawks at Lions (-4 \u00bd)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Detroit\u2019s another team that threw away a victory last week. Not this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LIONS, 31-17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBroncos at Raiders (-2 1\/2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Raiders are too talented not to get some wins. Aren\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RAIDERS, 24-20<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nChargers at Texans (+5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Injuries already are destroying the Chargers. Don\u2019t be surprised if Houston springs an upset. But ..<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHARGERS, 22-19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBears at Giants (-3 \u00bd)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Does anyone believe these 2-1 teams are headed for the postseason? And one of them will be 3-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GIANTS, 20-10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPatriots at Packers (-9 \u00bd)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There shouldn\u2019t be a line on this one, given New England\u2019s quarterback situation. Can the run game keep it close for the Patriots?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PACKERS, 24-13<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBrowns at Falcons (+1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Atlanta has hung tough and made things interesting. Cleveland is schizophrenic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FALCONS, 19-17<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJets at Steelers (-3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If Pittsburgh flops here, look for Kenny Pickett at QB. The Jets get back Zach Wilson \u2013 whatever that means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
STEELERS, 16-10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCardinals at Panthers (-1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boomer Sooner for Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PANTHERS, 23-19<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s 2022 RECORD<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last Week \u2013 Straight up: 8-7. Against the spread: 9-6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Season – Straight up: 24-20-1. Against the spread: 21-23-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Best Bet – Straight up: 1-2. Against the spread: 0-3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upset Special – Straight up: 0-3. Against the spread: 0-3.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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