Really didnt have enough free time lately BUT I AM BACK NOW!!

Monday Nite Football 9/11

Early Game:

Skins ML -199 (3 Units)

I went ML cause I just couldnt see how Minny can win this game. You have a new revamped OL which will not be at it's best tonite(needs more reps together and in a visiting stadium). It was and has been extremely tough to run on the Skins in Washington. The only backs that had success were LT , Alexander(only the 2nd Half) and Tiki to a degree. Basically guys with better track records then Chester Taylor. Otherwise there arent many yards to be found for opponents. Thats leaves the passing game. Is Brad johnson throwing to Taylor , Robinson , WIlliamson and his TE's going to scare anyone?? Yes, hypothecially these WR's are capable of big plays and days BUT Look at what Greg Williams did to better offenses in the postseason. Really hard to see how Minny tops 14 points here w/o the aid of a Defensive score or punt or kick return TD.

This Viking team was 3-5 away last year but was getting 9 vs NYG and 6 vs GB!!! They won SU but watched the other teams self destruct. NY lost 24-21 and didnt allow an offensive TD. Then Minny won @ DET as favs . Not very impressive. What is new about this years version?? They have always struggled outdoors and all 5 losses were by at least a TD last year. Think about getting 6 @ GB and 9 @ NY......isnt Wash clearly better then GB and a notch below NY?? I think so ... Minny had 9 wins and all against bad teams ....best road win @ NYG and best home win vs STL. Then Det and GB twice and Chi in week 17 , thats 7 wins the other 2 home wins vs New Orleans and Cleveland. Excited about Minny yet??? They added Tank Williams cause opposing QB's were compiling lofty yardage totals against them and drafted Greenway both are OUT for the year. They lost there 2 best WR's from last year in Burleson and Koren Robinson(at least best talents if not statistically)

They had 9 TD's away last 4 games but 4 were either defensive , punt or kick returns and another was a 80 yd TD pass. Which sort of backs up my 10-14 pt range I see Minny getting without some help from a defensive or special teams TD.

Now Wash stunk all preseason ( see Al Saunders dropping 10 staright preseason)but that happened last year as well. They did start slow offensively after that last year and wont see much of Portis tonite but with Betts and Duckett the running game looks decent. Minny was stout versus the run last year on the road it was the passing game that killed them. Now that Brunell has more weapons with Lloyd and Randle-El aboard. What people seem to forget is that the Skins offense started slow after adjusting to Brunell being the QB then struggled alot in the 2nd Half of the year cause they had NO WR's outside of Santana Moss. Patten went down and they had ZIP( it was Taylor Jacobs and McCants if I recall)! Now teams CAN'T focus solely on Moss and if they do Lloyd , Cooley and Randle-El can make plays. Wash improved greatly IMO from last season in minor areas.

Under 36 -101 Wash/Min(1unit)

Number somewhat on the low side but really can see this at 17-10 or 20-13. Dont really expect Wash to top 21 pts after the sluggish start in the preseason. However with the likelyhood of alot of pass attempts here due to lackluster running games the CLOCK might be running slowly. This scariest final is 23 -14 , 20-17 or 24 -14 game... but hoping Wash offense starts slow again and Minnys defense has vastily improved n the road.


Over 42 -101 SD & OAk (5units) & Over 41.5 -104 (2units more)

Basically the SD defense is built on or better at stopping the run but w/o Foley that might even take a step back. That leaves Mr.Monday Nite Randy Moss to make some plays in the passing game on an average secondary. I like how Brooks progressed as the preseason went on and dont sleep on WR's like Alvis Whitted and Ronald Curry or forget Jerry Porter is still there(dont buy Randy's moaning....Whitted had 14 receptions in 1 game last year). The key for Oakland is the play of the OL. SD can get to the QB and the OAK OL has been so-so in the preseason. What I like is the fact last year this game was in the 50's both meetings(but fell below) and now we get low 40's! Seabass has looked solid in the preseason and hopefully he gets off to a quick start. After tonite Lamont Jordan should be more then an afterthought.

Oakland +3.5 -115 bought the half NOW--(2units)

While SD has owned them I dont see how one can overlook the loss of Brees who did alot in those SD wins. I'll take Shell and Randy Moss getting points at home on MNF! Real simplistic approach as there isnt much of a valid arguement for Oakland other new start , new regime and talent on the roster....

Basic Rankings for NFL( 1, 2 ,3, 5,7 , 10 Unit increments)


TEASER-
Over 32 Oakland , Under 46 Washington and Skins +6 (3units)

Good Luck