Ecks & Bacon....Feel The Sizzle!!!
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Las Vegas - Gonna take the temperature on the National League Championship Series between the Dodgers and Mets before opening the wallet. So how about some NFL action.
Starting with a look at the Bucs vs. Saints. Obviously, this handicap is mostly about New Orleans QB Derek Carr and his status. And his status is BENCH GUY. Which means that rookie Spencer Rattler will start at quarterback for New Orleans. If we're talking QBs then lemme throw some Baker Mayfield numbers at you. Mayfield has been rock solid so far this season, completing 110 of 153 (71.9%) for 1,164 yards with 11 TDs and only 2 INTs. And the Bucs are luxuriating with 10 days rest, while the Saints are on a short week off the Monday nighter. So as long as the spread does not jump over five points, it's still at 3.5, we're gonna get in the kitchen with Baker.
Swing to Philly for the Eagles vs. the Browns. Gotta start with the elephant in the room and that's Deshaun Watson. Not gonna get into the history of all his trouble off the field, so lemme just hit you with this. Here are Watson's stats since being traded to the Browns. In 2022, he had 7 TDs and 5 INTs. In 2023, he had 7 TDs and 4 INTs. In 2024, he has 5 TDs and 3 INTs. So, Deshaun has thrown a total of 19 touchdown passes since coming to Cleveland, and he has settled 23 lawsuits. On the other side of the field, Jalen Hurts has been struggling. Why? Two of his main weapons, WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith were not on the field. Between the two of them last year, we're talking 187 receptions for 2,522 yards. BOTH will be back. The final piece of this puzzle is all about the bye week. Doug Pederson coached the Birds for five years and he was 0-3 coming off the bye in his last three seasons. Nick Sirianni took over in 2021 and he has pitched a PERFECTO the last three seasons after the bye. Expecting a big day for the Green Birds and a sizable green deposit in the Bank of Benj.
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