A Fool and His Money in Week 15
By Nick from Fantasy Football Fools
Jacob here. I guess itโs time for us to stop covering up the deep, dark secret weโve been hiding for the last several weeks. You see, we killed Chadam.
Itโs not that he was doing a terrible job picking spreads each week โฆ well, actually, he really was falling off there near the end, but, regardless, we killed him because we couldnโt stand his incessant picking of the Texans. It was just too much. Even with Sage at the helm? Are you serious?
.jpg?w=2560 "Raiders Football")
Now, itโs over.
The most recent picks, other than a few rare occasions like last week, have been made by Nick and Nick alone. Thatโs why we stopped carrying Chadamโs record at the bottom each week if you caught the clue.
We buried the body at the side of Reliant Stadium, and then...Nick peed on it. I donโt know why he did. I think itโs some kind of dominance thing. Chadam may or may not have been completely dead. We donโt really know. We just simulated the Houston Texans offensive line for him by having Chadam stand behind a sheet of paper while we drove a car at himโmaybe it just knocked him out?
If youโre out there Chadam...if youโre still alive, can we call a mulligan? I mean, youโre out of the fantasy playoffs in our shared league, what else are you going to do besides return as a faithful contributor to your foolish friends?
Now that โthe incidentโ is off my chest...take it away, Nick.
New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears
Nick Takes: BEARS (-3) over Saints
The Bearsโ pass defense is not very good, and the Saints passing game is one of the best. But December in the Windy City can affect even MVP-caliber quarterbacks. Da Bears!
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
Nick Takes: Titans (-3) over TEXANS
Jeff Fisher claims the Titans arenโt going to rest any players even though theyโve secured the division and a first round bye for the playoffs. Do you believe him? I think the Texans will compete in this game, but a fourth quarter turnover costs them the spread.
Washington Redskins at Cincinnati Bengals
Nick Takes: Redskins (-6.5) over BENGALS
The Redskins are limping their way to the end of the 2008 season. Lucky for them, The Bengals have already ended their season. I would expect any team to beat the Bengals by a touchdown or more. That list includes but is not limited to the Florida Gators, Detroit Lions, Texas Longhorns and the Little Giants.
Green Bay Packers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Nick Takes: Packers (-1.5) over JAGS
Jack Del Rio doesnโt seem interested on the sidelines, and when the coach isnโt interested, you can be damn sure the players arenโt interested. The Packers are at least playing hard, especially Aaron Rodgers and his Brett Favre complex. I donโt know what exactly a Brett Favre complex is, but later in life, Rodgerโs psychiatrist will explain it.
San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins
Nick Takes: 49ers (+6.5) over DOLPHINS
Mike Singletary has done something besides guaranteeing himself some future Coors Light commercials this season; he has gotten the 49ers to play hard. First, they hold the Bills to three points at home, and then they beat Jets. I just realized the 49ers are on a winning streak. That might be their first one in three years. I think the Dolphins might get shocked in this one.
Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts
Nick Takes: Lions (+17) over COLTS
I canโt give up 17 points. I want to, but I canโt get myself to do it. The Colts are at home and just won their last game by 32 points, but I just canโt do it.
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Takes: Chargers (-5) over CHIEFS
I like the Chiefs, but Iโm picking the Chargers for one reason only: I desperately need Philip Rivers to have the game of his life. I am going against Jacob in the semis of our fantasy league, and as a result of what I consider a very dirty trade on Jacobโs part in the early weeks of the season (Peyton Manning and Tony Scheffler for J.T. OโSullivan and Santana Moss), I have to go against Mr. Commercial the week he is playing the Lions. Thus, it would be bad karma of me to pick the Chiefs over the Bolts and still hope for Rivers to have a good day.
Note from Jacob: Nick has never heard of a "Buy Low" and doesnโt believe in them...just like he doesnโt believe in diabetes. In my defense, since Nick has ranted on this trade all season: 1) I didnโt offer this trade. It was an offer I received; 2) The league did not veto the trade when it happened; 3) At the time, Moss was the No. 1 fantasy receiver, on pace for a Braylon Edwards-like season, and JTO was putting up solid numbers as a Mike Martz quarterback (better numbers than Peyton was at the time); and 4) I ran the trade past a message board of neutral parties who all agreed it was a solid trade of equal potential/value just to avoid any outrage from my own league (but, of course, I still get Nick).
Comment below if you want to jump in on the trade discussion; otherwise, weโll save further talks for a later, season-wrapping post.
Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
Nick Takes: JETS (-7) over Bills
Both these teams are looking really bad right now. I donโt want to have to pick a winner. The Jets cost me some serious dough last week when I bet on them to beat the 49ers. Iโm officially writing them off as a team that is too inconsistent to be a serious threat in the playoffs, but they have a better chance of recovering than the BillsโI hate you Brett Favre. (Language toned down at editorโs request.)
New England Patriots at Oakland Raiders
Nick Takes: Patriots (-7) over RAIDERS
I wonder which Patriots team will show up. I also wonder which Raiders team will show up. Regardless, Iโm going to bet on the Belichick to have his team ready for a game they desperately need to win.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
Nick Takes: RAVENS (-1.5) over Steelers
Iโm really starting to like these Ravens. Iโm not impressed by a comeback win over the Cowboys at home. The Steelers should never have been down by 10 points to begin with to a team that isnโt going to make the playoffs.
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
Nick Takes: Giants (-3) over COWBOYS
By reading my previous pick, you probably know who Iโm going to pick in this game. Normally, I would worry about a team resting after they secured the division, but I donโt think that will be a problem with the Giants this week. Tom Coughlin will not let his team suffer back-to-back losses and go into the playoffs on a cold streak.
Cleveland Brown at Philadelphia Eagles
Nick Takes: Browns (+14) over EAGLES
The Eagles were born to let people down. They have played great the past two weeks, so what does that mean? Itโs time to lay an egg! Andy Reid just doesnโt have the magic anymore. I think this game will be a big letdown.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
Nick Takes: Bucs (+3) over FALCONS
I was expecting this line to be the other way with the Bucs favored by three. I guess Vegas is now respecting the fact that the home team has won every NFC South matchup. I think the Bucs break that trend in this one. They have been in late-season playoff struggles before, and the Falcons are untested with the postseason on the line.
Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers
Nick Takes: PANTHERS (-7.5) over Broncos
The Panthers made a believer of me on Monday night, but you never know what to expect out of the Broncos. I definitely think the Panthers will win, but Iโm a little leery of giving Denver more than a touchdown. Denver will also need another running back to step up for the now injured Peyton Hillis.
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
Nick Takes: Seahawks (-3) over RAMS $
($ = Nickโs lock)
The Seahawks have been competitive the past two weeks, which is more than I can say for the Rams. The Rams may play inspired because they have a chance against this opponent, but Iโm a firm believer that you canโt just turn it on in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals
Nick Takes: CARDINALS (-3) over Vikings
Iโm very tempted to take the Vikings in this, but as I write this pick, Gus Frerotteโs status is still unknown. I never would have guessed in a million years that one of my picks rests on whether or not Frerotte is starting. What a crazy NFL season.
UPDATE: Reports now indicate that Tarvaris Jackson is the likely starter for Minnesota in this one. Frerotte is still being plagued by back pain.
Last Week:
Nick: 7-9
Current Standings after Week 14:
Nick: 104-97-3
Nickโs Locks: 9-7
.jpg?w=2560 "Rams Camp Football")
