NFL Underdogs: Week 10

By Brian Covert
Wed, Nov 8, 2006


Man November sucks.

It’s cold, it’s wet, and it’s not going to get any better from here.

I can’t believe that I’m only 29 years old but I’m already looking forward to retirement so I can move down south and while away the time with a nice tall gin and tonic and a competitive game of shuffleboard.

But you know what I was thinking the other day? Why don’t I just head down there now?

Seriously, what’s keeping me (and everyone else for that matter) from moving down to Mexico for these brutal winter months to sit on the beach and enjoy the sun and surf? I figure I can get by on about 10 dollars a day, sleeping on a hammock and eating burritos for every meal.

In order for that to happen though, I’m going to need to start making some money now. And what better time to start than with these underdogs Sunday? I can picture it now; a couple of units down Sunday morning followed by a couple of wins that afternoon and then a quick call to the travel agent Monday and I’m off.

Of course, this entire game plan depends on an over-the-hill quarterback, a running back who’s five years past his prime and a team that has let me down every time I’ve bet on them this season. But that’s not enough to deter me and I’m thinking they’ll reward me for my faith. In fact, I’m not thinking–I’m betting on it.

Hey, everyone has to have a dream.

Green Bay at Minnesota – Packers +5

There was something I wanted to say about this Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings matchup...

Oh yeah, I remember what it is. It seems every time these two squads hook up, someone winds up winning by a field goal.

That was the case last year when the Vikings won both games by three points including a 23-20 win at the Metrodome in late October.

And it wouldn’t surprise anyone if that was what it came down to his time, especially considering the sorry state of the Vikings’ offense.

Minnesota has scored a total of 10 points over the last two weeks and is 28th in the league, averaging only 16.2 points per game. Meanwhile, the Packers have actually looked half-decent recently, winning two of three games while averaging 25 points per game.

Buffalo at Indianapolis – Bills +10 ½

Remember the 2001 Chicago Bears?

You know, the Dick Jauron-coached team that surprised everyone by going 13-3, finishing second in the NFC before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional playoffs.

Do you remember who their running back was? Does the name Anthony Thomas ring a bell? Remember him, they nicknamed him A-Train after the 225-pounder rumbled his way to 1,183 yards on just 278 carries.

Well don’t look now but the A-Train has returned as a featured back, running for another Dick Jauron team, the Buffalo Bills. And although he hasn’t run too much behind Willis McGahee this season, his 134 yards on 31 carries prove he isn’t too far removed from the 2001 season.

That has to make bettors like the Bills as they go up against the Indianapolis Colts and their 30th-ranked run defense. Especially considering another running back thought passed his prime, Tennessee’s Travis Henry, ran all over them for 123 yards in a 14-13 Titans loss as 17 ½-point dogs in Week 5.

St. Louis at Seattle – Rams +3 ½

Somebody upstairs must like the St. Louis Rams.

After a heartbreaking home loss to the Seahawks in Week 6, the Rams must’ve thought any chance at winning the NFC West title was out the window.

But wouldn’t you know, just four weeks later it looks like St. Louis has been served with the Seattle Seahawks on a platter. Not only is the team still missing running back Shaun Alexander but they are also without quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

If you recall, Hasselbeck was the only reason Seattle won that game, throwing for three touchdowns and no interceptions with Alexander out with his broken foot.

I’d hope Scott Linehan and the rest of the Rams coaching staff are stressing this to their team this week. If not, I may not be responsible for what`s said in this column next week