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Chicago Bears

Week 8 Podcast

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Halfway through the season, and what a journey is has been.
In our Week 8 Podcast, Wade & Ryan reflect on the season thus far, and some of the top stories that have dominated the league. (hint:Covid plays a big part).
The boys also look back at the Week 7 games in the league, with such storylines as ‘Patriots Piss Themselves’ ‘St. Justin Hubert’, and ‘Dalton Losses his Head’, leading the front pages.

Ryan and Wade then dive into their week 8 predictions, treading carefully not to touch on their own teams lest Lady Luck flick them in the nads.
Among some of the top predictions the guys make for Week 8 include:

LA Rams (5-2) vs Dolphins (3-3)
Rams -3.5  +46

The Rams are fresh after a beating of the Bears on Monday night, but are they really that good? Their D is fast and furious, but Goff and the O have been more of whimper.
Flores has taken Fitzmagic out of the magic hat, giving Tua his first shot at an NFL start.
Miami is at home, so it reckons that they have a plan for this one, as 4 wins would move them up nicely to second in the AFC East.
Ryan thinks that the Rams will dominate this one, but Wade smells a Miami upset.
Ryan- Rams 27 Dolphins 14
Wade- Dolphins 24 Rams 23

Patriots (2-4) vs Bills (5-2)
Bills -3.5  +44

These records would have been reversed a few years ago, as fans across the League are revelling in the Pats sucking off a start to the 2020 NFL season. The Bills have lost focus the last few games, with Josh Allen not looking like the beast he was to start.
The Patriots look like that they are in free fall, with rumours circling that they are having a ‘fire sale’ to get rid of some of their top talent to trades, in what looks to be a signal of a rebuild.
Ryan hates betting on his own Bills, especially on games where dildo’s are involved.
Wade likes betting on both teams, as he has no favour in either of them.
Ryan- Patriots 23 Bills 20
Wade- Bills 27 Patriots 21

Steelers (6-0) vs Ravens (5-1)
Ravens -3.5  +49

Teams coming off a bye usually have energy and focus to lay a beating on the first team that they face back, although the Steelers struggled with the Eagles a few weeks ago.
The Ravens spent their week off shoring up their D and adding Dez Bryant to their practice squad.
Pittsburgh has benefitted with a plethora of scoring options each week, with new receivers seemingly popping out of the woodwork to add TDs to the tally. Big Bloated Ben has been inconsistent, yet effective-which still gets wins.
The Ravens will be angry in this contest, which will make it tough for the Steelers to build up momentum on drives. They will need their D to stand on their heads in this one.
Wade & Ryan both see a big game here, with the Ravens ultimately coming out on top.
Ryan- Ravens 30 Steelers 20
Wade- Ravens 31 Steelers 26

Saints (4-2) vs Bears (5-2)
Saints  -4 +44.5

The Saints are marching in to Soldier Field, albeit with more injuries than they would have wanted.
The Bears are searching for their offence, which could use some Viagra as they could use a stiffening up.
Chicago is coming off a loss to the Rams, in which they were bloody awful at scoring. New Orleans is fighting some sort of drama, with Michael Thomas acting like a petulant wide receiver. One wonders if Thomas will ever really come back, as he seems more addicted to spreading misery.
Ryan is bullish on the Bears, and thinks that the Saints are not as good as they seem.
Wade isn’t as confident on his Bears, and sees things getting worse before they get better.
Ryan- Bears 26 Saints 24
Wade- Saints 30 Bears 22

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Have a great week 8, and make sure that you listen to the whole podcast.

TNF-Falcons vs Panthers

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Let’s take a stroll down to the dirty south, as the filthy Falcons visit the poo-stained Panthers in what should be another Thursday Night Game.
None of these teams would ever have expected to start the 2020 season only to be out of it halfway through.
Here we are on a dark, dank Thursday to see this one through, luckily most UK fans will be in bed.

Falcons (1-6) vs Panthers (3-4)
Panthers -3  + 49

Falcons

The Falcons have allowed more come from behinds than a tramp-stamp, boasting some of the most embarrassing scores thus far this season. Despite Matt Ryan throwing up hundreds of yards every game, Atlanta has looked like a hot mess in every aspect thus far.
Their O-line is as porous as a tea bag, their D is shot, and have so many injuries that they should qualify for benefits.
Last week against the Lions was a debacle, as Gurley did the one thing Matt Ryan asked him not to do…score a TD.
Fortunately for them however, they are starting to get some of their team mates back, including Old Faithful Julio Jones.
The last time these teams played a few weeks ago, the Falcons lost 23-26, but that doesn’t seem likely again this week.

Panthers

Carolina started the season out by losing the top running back in the game, only to string some wins together despite the key injury. Teddy Bridgewater looked good, Mike Davis was a nice surprise, and Robby Anderson and DJ Moore were suddenly fantasy studs…then they started to lose.
The Panthers have struggled recently, as their defence hasn’t been able to keep up with other teams that are scoring at will.
Christian McCaffery is still out, which means the Panthers will struggle once again against an Atlanta team who finally won a game in week 6.
Carolina is in free fall, and they are going to need some healthy returners if they want to even think at making a playoff run.

Prediction

Atlanta will be pissed from losing last week when they were favoured to win 99%-1% with 60 seconds left in the game. Todd Gurley should have a bounce back game, and Ridley will score at least 1 TD.
Not worth staying up for, but will be a great game to catch up on with your coffee on Friday morning.

Falcons 26 Panthers 23

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Head Gase

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Adam Gase still has a job, which might be one of the more messed up things to happen in 2020. The Jets are the worst team in the NFL, which makes Gase the de facto worst coach in the NFL, so why is this happening?
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why:

Woody Johnson

Ambassador Johnson is a busy man. The Jets owner is not only an Ambassador to the UK, but also the scion to the Johnson & Johnson empire. Johnson has been busy working as a British interpreter to Donal Trump, as well as helping the US navigate the upcoming Brexit.
Johnson was supposed to devolve all Jets activities, but you have to wonder if his touch is missing on the team.
It’s like having your neighbours train your puppy. It might be convenient now, but what kind of dog are you going to get?
In the case of the Jets, a bad dog. A very bad dog.

Sam Darnold

Gase chose a solid rookie QB in Sam Darnold, now we can all watch as Gase slowly crumbles the young mans career. Darnold is getting absolutely smoked with no O-line to protect him, and he is aging far too fast in NFL years. Giving Darnold to Gase was like giving a Fabrege Egg to a toddler. He’s just going to smash it up, then ask for a new one.

Player Vacation

The Jets are jettisoning players like someone threw a grenade in their fuselage. They have lost talent on every side of the ball, and it will take years to recover the amount of guys who had fled the sinking Jet. In doesn’t instils much confidence in fans when no one wants to play for your team, as well as thinking that you have the worst playable field in the league. Until Gase leaves, this haemorrhaging will continue to bleed New York of talent.

Play Calling

Someone needs to take Gase off the play calling role. He has too many fingers in too many pockets, which ultimately leads to step in and take the reigns away from him. The Jets plain old suck across everything, so it might make sense for him to take a step back and let someone else tank the team.

Adam Gase will probably make it until the end of the NFL season. The Jets are unlikely to fire the idiot, which means that they will be looking to destroy a new QB next year. Stay in school Trevor Lawrence.

 

The Picks Six

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Okay… well… let’s call that an inauspicious start. In the debut week of this column, my week 6 picks were… largely disappointing. My overall week predictions (9-5) salvaged my tips which did not have a particularly impressive showing. Largely, the blame for this falls squarely at the feet of two teams: The New England Patriots, who inexplicably made the beaten up Denver Broncos look like the ‘85 Bears, and the Cleveland Browns who… ugh… Browns-d it right up against the Steelers. Should I have seen that coming? Probably. Anyway, new week, new me! Let’s go again. Redemption starts here. Same concept: Six sections, including sure things, longshot punts and a prediction for every game. 

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The 1st and Goal from the 1. (Season Record: 1-1)

So somehow went 1-1 last week on this. Shoutout the Dolphins for doing what they were supposed to, even when Cam was too incompetent to do his job… 

Okay. Simple things. That’s what we’re looking for here. So… Who is the worst team in the NFL? Gang Green: The 0-6 New York Jets. And who are said Jets playing this week? Oh, the Bills of Buffalo? With one Joshua Allen at Quarterback? He who has a rocket arm and legs that carry his big sturdy frame forward at alarming speed and momentum? I like him. He wasn’t good against the Chiefs – but we’ll blame the conditions a bit – so I expect Josh to bounce back big here. The Jets are firmly planted in the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. The Bills win this game. ZERO doubt.

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The 45yd Field Goal (Season Record: 0-1)

This line should be posted all over the Cowboys’ locker room walls. The UTTER disrespect… Dallas are ONE POINT favourites against the 1-4, very average, lacking in any real talent beyond Terry McLaurin and Chase Young Washington Football Team. Yeah, I get it: The Cowboys were awful on Monday. Dalton didn’t sling it like we were expecting (see, my over losing), Zeke’s hands have been replaced with sticks of butter, and their defense couldn’t stop a team of referees from picking up a first down. BUT this is still the Dallas Cowboys offense. Zeke will not keep putting the ball on the ground. The Cowboys should run (and throw) all over this team. Dallas Cowboys -1.0. Yes please.

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The Hail Mary (Season Record: 0-1)

So we need a long shot, or at least big odds for this one. There aren’t many underdogs I like on the board this week, so I’m sticking to heavily backing a favourite I love. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this yet, but the Jets are AWFUL. Even with Sam Darnold back, they’re not good enough to put a fight up against the Bills. The Bills defense held up quite respectably against the Chiefs passing attack, and Frank Gore is not going to run through the Bills like Clyde Edwards-Helaire did. Josh Allen will sling it, the Bills will score points. I like the Bills to win every quarter at 7/1. 

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The Over (Season Record: 0-1)

Oooooooh there could be some points scored this weekend… lots of tasty matchups which I can see disintegrating into shootouts and garbage time touchdowns. So I’m gonna rattle off a few here:

Browns vs Bengals – Over 50.5

Well, Baker HAS to bounce back. The Browns really need this game, but a scrappy Cincinnati team (who pushed the Colts close last week) can put up some resistance. The Browns have been quietly very good on offense aside from in their two lopsided losses. I don’t think they lose this game; I think they score 30+ on a below-par Bengals defense. Joe Burrow is good enough and determined enough to keep himself in the game – despite the absence of Joe Mixon. Points. 

Lions vs Falcons – Over 55.0

Yep, the line is high, but Stafford and Ryan could very legitimately shred each other’s DBs all afternoon long. D’Andre Swift has started to break out a little bit, and Gurley and Hurst are providing a nice compliment to Atlanta’s stacked WR room. It’s high, but I think it’ll get there. 

Seahawks vs Cardinals – Over 56.0

Another high line, but the newly-flexed Sunday Night Football matchup is one of the most electric of the weekend. Russ gets back in the kitchen, ready to cook after his bye week. Kyler is fast becoming the one rival to Lamar’s title of biggest dual threat Quarterback. Hopkins, Kirk and Fitz vs Lockett, Moore and Metcalf. Carson vs Drake. Carroll vs Kingsbury. Nobody on the field will want to defend. 28 points each has been almost a guarantee for these two teams so far. Let’s keep that run going. 

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The Parlay (Winning Parlays: 0/1, Winning Legs: 3/5) 

Browns -3.0

I know. I know. I know. We took Cleveland last week, and they burned us. I know. BUT this is a new week, and much less formidable defense for Baker to throw against. The Browns torched the Bengals earlier this season and I think a Cleveland win by a TD or more is likely. 

Panthers +7.0

Now, I do think the Saints win this game, but Teddy Bridge is good enough to keep it close. 7 points feels like a lot for a Saints team who – whilst coming off a bye – are missing their top two WRs to injury and the COVID-list. I expect a heavy dose of Alvin Kamara and Mike Davis respectively. Tight game, Saints win, Panthers cover the 7 points. 

Cowboys -1.0

See above… this line feels fraudulent. The Cowboys comeback story arc starts here. 

Bills -10.0

Yuuuuuuup, it’s a lot of points. How many did the Jets lose by last week? 24!? 24 to 0!? Against the Dolphins!? Okay, ha, yeah, definitely Bills -10.0.

Patriots -2.0

Bill is angry. Cam is angry. Stephon is angry. The whole of Boston is angry. The Patriots conspired to lose a game where their opposition didn’t score a Touchdown… HUUUUUH!? Yup. Somehow, that’s what happened. But this is the perfect bounce back game. Bill gets to shut down the guy he traded away. I don’t believe Jimmy G is good enough to beat the team who had earmarked him as the heir to TB12. They traded him for a reason. Shanahan will have some plans cooked up, but I think the Niners are still too injury ravaged to hand the Patriots another loss. 

£10 on this parlay pays about £235 depending on your bookmaker.

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The Full English (Season Record: 9-5)

Bills vs Jets – Bills

Panthers vs Saints – Saints

Browns vs Bengals – Browns

Washington vs Cowboys – Cowboys

Lions vs Falcons – Falcons

Packers vs Texans – Packers

Steelers vs Titans – Steelers (But this is such a toss up, won’t be at all surprised if Tennessee win)

Buccaneers vs Raiders – Buccaneers (piss off please Covid… I want to watch this game)

Jaguars vs Chargers – Chargers

Chiefs vs Broncos – Chiefs

49ers vs Patriots – Patriots

Seahawks vs Cardinals – Seahawks

Bears vs Rams – Rams 

Enjoy your week 7! As ever, I’m @callumjdsquires on Twitter & Instagram. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see me discuss or suggest picks for… Come chat and tell me why I’m wrong and your team is going to win this week. Jets fans need not contact me. Cheers.

All lines accurate as of 11pm Friday.

-Callum Squires is a British writer and former college athlete in America

Sky Week 7

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What a nut bar of a week it was in the NFL, as it had more surprises than a gender reveal at a polygamy cult.
There’s nothing like seeing Aaron Rodgers strip on an imaginary belt only to have Tom Brady yank it off of him throughout the night.
Week 7 is upon us, and Sky has released their schedule of games so you know which games will be blacked out on NFL Gamepass.

Time Change

‘Spring forward, fall back, 2020 is a punch in the nut sack’ as the old farmers expression goes. Clocks in the UK fall back on Sunday am, not that anyone will be awake to see it happen this year.
Those of you planning on watching NFL this weekend, be aware that the games are EARLY. That means they start an hour ahead, so you can stay up later.
It also means football (soccer) will clash with even more games, not that we can go to pubs and watch the games.

TNF

Giants vs Eagles
1:20am

If you stay up late to watch this one, you might have some problems. These two teams, who have a combined 2 wins between them will be duking it out Friday morning to fewer viewers than the stuttering girl on Babestation. At least you want to see her make it to the end of the night, this game-not so much.

Sunday

Steelers vs Titans
5pm 

Warm up that Sunday roast, we have a battle on our hands! The battle of the undefeated kicks off at 5pm, allowing us to see a game when the sun is up. But since the clocks change, we also lose that 5pm sunshine. Carry on 2020! You won’t be able to watch this game on NFL Gamepass (unless you have a VPN). Sadly none of the bars we work with are planning on showing this game…so get the BBQ started and safe distance this bad boy.

49ers vs Patriots
8:25pm

This game looked great at the start of the season, but now both of these teams are adequate at best. The Seahawks vs Cardinals will be on Gamepass if you’re looking for an ‘action game’, but this one should be ok.
Billy B will be looking to stymie Kittle in this match, as Jimmy G climbs out of his hole to see if he can win a big game. This game will finish by midnight, which means you can watch it with the kids who are still on half term.

Monday

Bucs vs Raiders
12:20am 

Midnight is still late, but not too late when 2020 is a perpetual holiday of pain. TB12 and the boys are flocking to Vegas to beat on Carr & the boys. This game might actually be worth staying up for, as Tom & Gronk look to have the band back together again. It finishes before 4am, so you have plenty of time to start your paper route a few hours later.

Tuesday

Bears vs Rams
12:15am

Not too late to be able to catch the Bears visiting LA for this Monday Night/ Tuesday am matchup.
This game should be exciting, as the Rams are somehow favoured in this contest. How many times will Goff get sacked? A few. This game is also available on Channel 5 and Amazon Prime.

DraftKings

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Watch this space, as we will update you on all the news and any potential cancelations for Week 7.