Perhaps you thought you were coming to this site to get an edge on the Thursday night game? Well, as much as a surprise to you that there was a National Football League game played on Wednesday afternoon yesterday, there is no Thursday game tonight.
Why?
Well, because of the scheduling changes forced by the Covid-19 infections in NFL camps, in this case specifically, the Baltimore Ravens. The schedule released last spring had the Ravens slated to host the Dallas Cowboys tonight. But, given the Ravens had to reschedule their second meeting of the year against the Steelers three times, finally landing on yesterday when they met their AFC North Division rival Pittsburgh at Heinz field, the league figured having the Ravens play on back-to-back days was ill-advised.
Of course, what do you think this is, baseball?
So, in order to give the Ravens ample time to recover from their most recent loss, they have now dropped three decisions in a row, they rescheduled their game against the Cowboys to next Tuesday. The league will also serve up a double-header on Monday, with Pittsburgh and Washington in the early game and the regular scheduled contest between the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers filling the late spot.
Well, the 49ers game isn’t exactly as scheduled either.
Because of the spike in Covid-19 cases in Santa Clara County, the health department has banned all contact sports. Seems 49ers owner Jed York didn’t buy enough of the Santa Clara political power to overcome this decision.
The 49ers home stadium is in Santa Clara, and football is recognized as a contact sport. So, the 49ers can’t use their home stadium, which has prompted them to move their next two “home” games to Arizona, and use the Cardinals home stadium while the Cardinals schedule does not conflict. The Cardinals are at home on Sunday and out of town for their Week 14 contest.
So, no Thursday night game, a double-header next Monday, another Tuesday night game, and a league that has holes on rosters caused by the virus that resembles swiss cheese.
Still, aside from the obvious obstruction caused by the pandemic, the league has hopscotched through the first half of their season with minimal interruptions. Hoping to continue this pattern is casting one’s fate to the wind.
One team that might have voted to cancel this season early, is the New York Jets. They haven’t missed a play date but haven’t won one either. This week they host the Las Vegas Raiders, a team that has lost their last two games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.
The Silver and Black actually played one of the better games of the season in their home loss to Patrick Mahomes and his defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs. They traded points with their talented opponents all night, even took a late fourth quarter lead before Mahomes scored the last points in a 35-31 Kansas City victory.
Buoyed by a good effort but straight-up loss, the Raiders went into Atlanta last week as a bet-on road favorite with confidence, and came out of that encounter after losing their lunch money. The Falcons swooped down on the Raiders, even though they were forced to play without star receiver Julio Jones, like they were dead on arrival. Final score; Falcons 43, Raiders 6.
But not to worry Las Vegas fans. Right? After all, this week you get the team that hasn’t won a game and the betting world figures you are going to win by more than a touchdown.
You think that is a good bet?
I suggest that is a high risk Las Vegas gamble.
Few things are more debilitating than playing poorly but not having to worry because of the perceived weakness of your upcoming opponent.
Send the Raiders on the road to the east, and have them come home after the Jets land on their first win of the season.
Qoxhi Picks: New York Jets (+8½) over Las Vegas Raiders