Dear Vegas: Why Would You Bet Against the Jets?

Dear Las Vegas,

I know you love to steal money from the willing, stripping them of their hard-earned savings and absconding with the bounty. I know you love to ruin lives with your greed, your existentialistic views on the importance of self-control. But why Vegas, why would you set the Chargers as nine-point favorites this Sunday against the New York Jets? Why would you bet against the intangibles, the things that aren't seen, heard, or felt? Why would you bet against the implementation of one of the most rock-solid formulas in the history of football?

Is it because you have no regard for the "little guy?" Is it because Mark Sanchez threw an average of 1.25 interceptions per game during the regular season? Is it because you don't value the meaning of experience, defense, or a strong ground attack?

Listen, Vegas. I don't like you, and I know you don't like me. But let's put our differences aside and truly analyze your intentions. You're putting a team that ranked 31st in total rushing yards and 32nd in average rushing yards per play as nine-point favorites against a team that was 1st in pass defense in the entire league—allowing almost 500 yards fewer from the next ranked team. You're putting a team that allowed almost 120 yards rushing per game as nine-point favorites against a team that ran for over 170 yards a game.

I don't mean to sound rude, but that seems a little illogical to me.

Did I mention that the team you placed as nine-point favorites this weekend went on a two-week long hiatus from competitive play?

Now, I don't want to get into this argument, but let's just say I'm a firm believer in momentum. Which reminds me, the team you so wrongly placed in the "underdog" category this weekend just came off dominant 10-point victory against a team that was a 2.5-point favorite that week.

Again, I don't want to sound rude but you were wrong that week, too.

Hopefully you've seen my perspective on your incorrect opinion. Hopefully, you've seen the error of your ways. Hopefully, you'll use a different method in calculating your "odds" in the future.

Or maybe you shouldn't. Maybe you should keep it the way it is. I'm sure the Jets wouldn't mind.

Sincerely,

Your Favorite Critic