There are two games on Sunday at 1:00 PM that have caught my eye. These games sit on complete opposite ends of the fan interest spectrum. Pittsburgh at Tennessee could be the game of the week as both teams fight for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. San Francisco at St. Louis could be the least watched game in the history of the NFL. I like them both. It’s like meeting Jessica Alba and Sally Jessy Raphael at a bar on the same night, and wanting to take them both home equally. Sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself to find a winner.
Because I’d like for you to continue reading, I’ll begin with the game that matters. The Titans (12-2) are a slight one point home favorite to the streaking Steelers (11-3). Tennessee has been the most profitable team in the league thus far this year, going 11-3 ATS. They started the season by covering in their first seven games. Bookies in the Nashville area were begging for change. It was pure bedlam! But the team that looked to have everything locked up just a month ago has been showing some vulnerability.
After absolutely crushing the lowly Lions and Browns by a combined score of 75-19, they took on a decent Texans team last week. While enduring a 13-12 loss that saw them held out of the end zone, they also lost their defensive star, Albert Haynesworth. A sprained MCL will have big Albert out until the playoffs. Speaking of Haynesworth, who had the better stomping – Albert or Christian Laettner? That would be an interesting poll.
Enter the Steelers, winners of five in a row, in which they covered their last four. They can all but wrap up homefield with a win here. They are 4-0 ATS vs. teams with winning records, so they play the big boys tough. The game temperature will be in the 20’s, so it will be like home miserable home for them. More importantly, Pittsburgh boasts the league’s top pass, rush and overall defense. This could very well force Titan’s quarterback Kerry Collins out of his comfort zone. It may not suffice for him to merely manage the game. He may have to actually make plays. I don’t see that happening. I’m taking the Steelers in this one.
Then we have our Sally Jessy Raphael game. That’s what I’m calling it. I will be the only sap at the bar requesting it on a TV, and I wouldn’t even be upset if other patrons beat me up for wasting a screen on this mess. Let’s delve a little deeper into the murky depths, shall we?
Jacksonville already lost on Thursday. Now, the Rams (2-12) can join them as the least profitable team in the league. They are currently 4-10 ATS, and looked just horrendous doing it. They’ll be getting 5.5 pts at home when they play the San Francisco 49ers. At this point, the Rams should be faded like Patrick Ewing’s hair in the 90’s. They’re that inept.
St. Louis has not been favored in a game all year long. Even the Lions were favored in Week One! Their 12 losses have been by an average of 20.4 points. They have even been blown out by bad teams like Seattle, Buffalo, and yes, these same Niners. San Fran beat them 35-16 in Week 11. Not sure why the end result will be any different this Sunday.
The Niners could be without running back Frank Gore, who is questionable. This doesn’t affect my thinking here. This isn’t as much an endorsement for San Francisco as it is a death knell for St. Louis. 2-0 coming right up. Soak it in.
I want both
Because I’d like for you to continue reading, I’ll begin with the game that matters. The Titans (12-2) are a slight one point home favorite to the streaking Steelers (11-3). Tennessee has been the most profitable team in the league thus far this year, going 11-3 ATS. They started the season by covering in their first seven games. Bookies in the Nashville area were begging for change. It was pure bedlam! But the team that looked to have everything locked up just a month ago has been showing some vulnerability.
After absolutely crushing the lowly Lions and Browns by a combined score of 75-19, they took on a decent Texans team last week. While enduring a 13-12 loss that saw them held out of the end zone, they also lost their defensive star, Albert Haynesworth. A sprained MCL will have big Albert out until the playoffs. Speaking of Haynesworth, who had the better stomping – Albert or Christian Laettner? That would be an interesting poll.
I want both
Enter the Steelers, winners of five in a row, in which they covered their last four. They can all but wrap up homefield with a win here. They are 4-0 ATS vs. teams with winning records, so they play the big boys tough. The game temperature will be in the 20’s, so it will be like home miserable home for them. More importantly, Pittsburgh boasts the league’s top pass, rush and overall defense. This could very well force Titan’s quarterback Kerry Collins out of his comfort zone. It may not suffice for him to merely manage the game. He may have to actually make plays. I don’t see that happening. I’m taking the Steelers in this one.
Then we have our Sally Jessy Raphael game. That’s what I’m calling it. I will be the only sap at the bar requesting it on a TV, and I wouldn’t even be upset if other patrons beat me up for wasting a screen on this mess. Let’s delve a little deeper into the murky depths, shall we?
Jacksonville already lost on Thursday. Now, the Rams (2-12) can join them as the least profitable team in the league. They are currently 4-10 ATS, and looked just horrendous doing it. They’ll be getting 5.5 pts at home when they play the San Francisco 49ers. At this point, the Rams should be faded like Patrick Ewing’s hair in the 90’s. They’re that inept.
St. Louis has not been favored in a game all year long. Even the Lions were favored in Week One! Their 12 losses have been by an average of 20.4 points. They have even been blown out by bad teams like Seattle, Buffalo, and yes, these same Niners. San Fran beat them 35-16 in Week 11. Not sure why the end result will be any different this Sunday.
The Niners could be without running back Frank Gore, who is questionable. This doesn’t affect my thinking here. This isn’t as much an endorsement for San Francisco as it is a death knell for St. Louis. 2-0 coming right up. Soak it in.
Do not want
