From the moment a friend in China said: “Oh, I ran out of cereal, ah but there is no fight, here I have a bat”, we knew this day was coming. Fearful and inevitable. The day the damn virus got into the NFL.
No, the “coronavairus” was not enough to alter the way we live and coexist, nor the way we work, study, move and dress. Now he messed with our entertainment too. His presence in _ so far _ four Titans players it is a clear reminder that the bug rules all aspects of our life. Everybody.
Now, as football fans, we frequently boast that the NFL is the best league in the world. It is the most used argument in that absurd rivalry with football and its followers. But that is of no use right now. It is now when Roger Goodell and company have to demonstrate and confirm that they really are the best league in the world.
How to answer? For the moment the Steelers-Titans was already postponedpossibly for Monday or Tuesday. But what the bug did with the NFL was just one jab, four players, only one of them a starter, it is a crisis clearly manageable. What will happen when the virus hits with all its might?
Is the NFL prepared for that situation? One would like to think so, but the reality is that COVID-19 is undefeated in 2020. Doubleheader cannot be played here like in the Major Leagues, the option of the NBA bubble is not viable and the only thing left to do is trust the judgment and prudence of the show’s protagonists.
But then news like the event of the raiders where several players met and interacted with guests at an auction. And the mask? Well thank you, there in the house, resting. So I don’t know &% #% $ @! may.
I asked them at the start of the season and I remind them now that I read complaints about the Jets-Broncos. Let’s value what we have, because when it comes to 2020, we don’t know what will happen tomorrow.
We can try, however. Here are the PICKS for week 4.
Game of the week
Patriots en Kansas City (-7)
Nothing is more fearful than being in the presence of the coronavirus or a fool. Seeing Patrick Mahomes on the other side of the field should be a close third place on the fear list. Mahomes and the Chiefs proved it on Monday, visiting and at the home of one of the league’s heavyweights, and they have a chance to ratify it next Sunday against the Patriots.
Kansas City’s display against the Ravens was a hit on the table, like Andy Reid does when he runs out of chips. It was a round performance and whose 34-20 win does not reflect the dominance over a Lamar Jackson who looked like a deer in front of the lights of a speeding car.
As usual, When a team has a commitment of such relevance on the horizon as that of the Chiefs against the Ravens, it is normal for the revolutions to drop a little next week, it’s even human, come on. But it’s hard for me to think that Reid and Kansas City don’t give as much or more importance to the Patriots than they did to Baltimore.
Belichick and a renewed Cam Newton have managed to keep the precept of the Patriots dynasty alive and those first in line to the top of the AFC want to make sure that perception is over once and for all. There is no better way to do it than with another dominant performance.
It will not be easy at all. From the Patriots we know that, unlike the Ravens, they are not going to try to start second, they are going to be prepared to play 60 minutes, they have a specific game plan for the ball control Chiefs (4th in the NFL in time of possession) and are better equipped to try to stop Mahomes.
The Pats have two wins in three games against the Mahomes Chiefs, including the postseason. But that doesn’t mean they have found the formula to stop the Kansas City passer, who has 8 touchdowns for 3 interceptions and 930 yards in those games. The presence of Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be, again, fundamental. Not to say decisive.
Chiefs 28-21 Patriots
Insurance of the week
Giants in LA Rams (-12.5): The Giants are the Kardashians of the NFL, they have nothing to contribute. Rams 31-17 Giants.
Surprise of the week
Broncos (-2) at NY Jets: The Jets look bad, but the Broncos with their third quarterback in four games look worse. Jets 20-17 Broncos.
Los TurboPicks
Colts (-3) in Chicago: Nick Foles is not nicknamed “Big D ** k Nick” for having good lyrics, right? Bears 26-23 Colts.
Saints (-4) at Detroit: I wish I had a stronger argument than “The Saints can’t lose three games in a row.” But at the moment it’s all I have. Saints 28-23 Lions.
Cardinals (-3.5) at Carolina: The Cards have already shown they aren’t a heavyweight, but against the Panthers they don’t have to be. Cardinals 31-20 Panthers.
Jaguars in Cincinnati (-3): Does anyone really think to see this? Truly? My respects then. Jaguars 23-21 Bengals.
Browns in Dallas (-5): The Browns: Making the rival look good since 1999. Cowboys 35-28 Browns.
Vikings in Houston: What did the Texans believe? What could they change to the best catcher in the game in his prime without consequences? Vikings 26-23 Texans.
Seahawks (-6.5) in Miami: These Dolphins are going to be more uncomfortable than Rafa Nadal’s pants. Seahawks 28-24 Dolphins.
Chargers at Tampa Bay (-7.5): There are better quality chargers at the supply center. Bucs 31-13 Chargers.
Steelers in Tennessee: When in doubt, go with the team without coronavirus cases. Steelers 28-26 Titans.
Ravens (-13.5) at Washington: Dwayne Haskins has the mental toughness of Britney bald. Ravens 34-20 WFT.
Bills (-3) in Las Vegas: There are politicians who are more reliable than the Raiders. Well, just as reliable. Bills 30-24 Raiders.
Eagles in San Francisco (-7): I have no evidence, but no doubts. Eagles 24-23 49ers.
Falcons at Green Bay (-7.5): The good news for the Falcons is that they won’t have an advantage to squander. Packers 34-24 Falcons.
DeTocho’s Bet
Bucs -7.5
Eagles +7
Bills -3
Picks Race:
Week 3
Pyrrho: 8-8
DeTocho: 10-6
In the season:
Pyrrho: 29-19
DeTocho: 35-13
Against the spread:
Pyrrho: 23-24-1
DeTocho: 27-20-1