NFL Over/Under: Playing the Odds

Every Wednesday here at the National Football Post I play the NFL odds. This week: Dallas Cowboys' drama, Shaun Alexander, the Titans, and more…

8- Games The Pac Man will miss due to suspension (OVER)

By now you have heard the news—not that this is really news. Look, we all knew this one was coming sooner or later. Pac Man Jones is a time bomb—in the worst way. I went with the over on this one because I think Commissioner Goodell has had it with this guy (I know I have). I would not be surprised to see this be the end of this story, but I think we all know better. Trouble or not, Jones can still play the game of football, and that is really all that counts when it comes down to it in the NFL. Slap him on the wrist, make him sit in a “timeout,” or ground him for the weekend. Goodell has to feel like an angry parent of a teenage kid. Beyond all of this nonsense lies the fact that Jones let his team down at a time they really needed him. Sometime in Pac Man’s life he is going to have to be taught what the word “accountability” means—because he has no idea right now. But, let’s be honest—he wasn’t making any plays.

300- Yards new Redskin Shaun Alexander gains on the ground this year (UNDER)

I have to think this is one of those “throw you a bone” types of signings by the Redskins. Alexander has worked with head coach Jim Zorn before, and coaches are known to do these types of things. Sort of like a courtesy call. Alexander is a big name (nothing new in DC), a former MVP, and creates some buzz amongst the fans. Besides that, I think he is just a fill-in for the time being. With RB Ladell Betts going down with a knee injury that could keep him out for a couple of weeks (or more), Alexander can step in for Clinton Portis for a carry here or there—but this is Portis’ team, so don’t expect the former Seahawk to start putting up 100-yard games. When Betts comes back he might be at the airport heading back home.

2- Games the Cowboys win without QB Tony Romo (UNDER)

I don’t see it folks. Yes, they brought in WR Roy Williams via trade yesterday from the Lions (Remember Terrell, there is only one ball), but they are battling tons of injuries at key positions—not to mention the major one at QB. Romo is a Pro Bowler. When you lose your starting QB in the NFL—it is time to panic. When you lose a Pro Bowler, it is time to break down and cry a little. I see them beating St. Louis this weekend (they should watch the Redskins-Rams film first), and then dropping one at home to Tampa. That leaves a trip to the Meadowlands to face the Giants, who we saw aren’t unbeatable on Monday night. Most likely another loss, putting them at 5-4 heading into the bye week. This team is in trouble, and I don’t see a solution until Romo returns, and the secondary starts to play good defense. It could turn ugly, or the ‘Boys could rally and make me look like an idiot.

25- Percentage of Fans who think the undefeated Titans are for real (UNDER)

This is an easy one to call. Do you ever remember an undefeated team at this point in the season getting as little respect as Tennessee does? All I heard about after week two last year was the Patriots, and their undefeated start—not to say that the Titans are going to run the table this year (no chance), but we need to start talking, writing, and watching this team play. There is an obvious reason we flip the channel when they are on, or why we can’t name a single receiver on their team—they are boring, but in a good way. Teams like this, such as the 2000 Ravens, win ugly, play ugly, and wear hideous uniforms (Titans’ uniforms are the worst in the league). But, they are there when it counts, and they make opposing players get out of bed on Monday feeling like they just went on a week long bender and took up boxing. I like this team for that reason.

0- Hours Tony Gonzalez slept last night after he wasn’t traded (PUSH)

Gonzalez might not sleep the rest of the season after this. Think about it, instead of waking up to practice with the Bills, the Giants, the Cardinals, or the Eagles—Gonzalez will walk back into the Chiefs facility and prepare for another beating this week against the Titans. Notice anything about those teams I just listed? Well, they all have quarterbacks, and they are all in the hunt to play in January this year. The Chiefs’ players will be in the Bahamas come January and Gonzalez will have to watch the playoffs on TV—again. This situation didn’t make any sense to me. Why not trade Gonzalez and utilize the draft picks you would get from the deal? I know Gonzalez is a long-time Chief (maybe the greatest of all time in that uniform), but the more wins you get, the more money you make as an organization. Bad move by an organization that isn’t going to win for a while, and a long couple of months coming up for Gonzalez.

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