This week our friends on the other side of the Rio Bravo (Grande, if you read us from there), celebrate the Thanksgiving. In any other year my reaction would have been a solid “Mñeh” and take advantage solely of the fact that it’s the most “NFLero” holiday there is.
But 2020 is not like any other year. If there is a time for us to embrace, at least once, Thanksgiving, it should be this year. Because I know well that if you are reading this, you have reason to be grateful. And I also.
There is much to be thankful for. You who read and I who write, we have enough health, work, shelter and food to do our part. In this year 2020 you can’t ask for much more and if you have it, value it.
I appreciate that I don’t have the Drew Brees ribs, Joe Burrow’s knee, Dak’s ankle, Jason Pierre-Paul’s hand or Adam Gase’s mental capacity. I would like, however, to have some of your checks.
I am thankful that my work does not depend on Tackling Derrick Henry, holding Aaron Donald, babysitting Philip Rivers’s kids or to teach Antonio Brown etiquette and good manners.
I give thanks for the celebrations of JuJu, by the arm of Mahomes, by the hands of D-Hop and for the laughs that week after week originate in the East of the National Conference.
I give thanks for the future of the league in the hands of Kyler, Herbert and Tua. And for the memories that Brees, Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger leave us week after week.
I am thankful that the debate of who was the architect of the dynasty of los Patriots it has no winners and in reality Belishit and Tom were, are and will always be complementary.
I am grateful because, despite the fact that Iván has two consecutive weeks of triumphs, he still has a very long way to go and less and less time in this race of picks.
But why should I give him more chances? Here the FORECASTS for week 12 of the NFL.
Game of the week
Chiefs (-3.5) in Tampa Bay: Just a couple of years ago, when Patrick Mahomes first ran into Tom Brady on a grating, many were talking about a proverbial courier change. The young lion who challenged the older lion for rights to the pride. That October 14, 2018 in Foxboro could really have been the generational watershed.
But we must not be confused, Mahomes has nothing of Brady in him. Brady is cerebral, Mahomes is intuitive. Over the years, Brady was like death by gout torture, slow, methodical, and cruel. Mahomes, for his part, is capable of ripping your life from you in one fell swoop, he is pious in that sense.
Mahomes learned from an early age to save the best of his show for when the lights are brightest. In his current version with the Bucs, the only show Brady has put on for the main moments is an act of escapism. Two games against the division’s greatest rival, two defeats. Four primetime games, three losses, and a controversial win.
The frustration of a 43-year-old guy who is not what he used to be, who is far out of his comfort zone, has been exposed nationally – and international – with 5 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions in four games in prime time this season. “JameisWinstonescos” numbers. Sunday’s game against the Chiefs isn’t primetime, but it’s still the hottest game of the week, and that doesn’t bode well for Brady and the Bucs.
In fairness, it’s not all Brady’s fault. Coach Bruce Arians, who in his long career has worked with quarterbacks such as Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Carson Palmer, all but the latter in his younger years, is used to using the long pass as a system. Much to ask of a 43-year-old with declining skills who hasn’t exploited that resource since joining Randy Moss with the Patriots more than a decade ago.
Mahomes doesn’t have that problem. Mahomes and the Chiefs have no problem. They know they can attack any defense. They know they can beat any defense and they have a defense that is capable of making just enough plays not to put it all on their virtuous passer’s plate.
That is reason enough to suspect that this will not be the last trip from Kansas City to Tampa Bay this season.
Chiefs 34-27 Bucs.
Insurance of the week
Chargers en Buffalo (-6): West team playing in the East at 11:00 in the morning at low temperature. There’s not much to think about it. Bills 33-26 Chargers.
Surprise of the week
Panthers en Minnesota (-4): I am contractually obligated to surprise, and this one does not seem entirely far-fetched to me. Panthers 27-24 Vikings.
Los TurboPicks
Texans (-3) en Detroit: If I wanted to see two entities without talent, without preparation and who already threw in the towel, I would watch any sports debate program. Texans 26-24 Lions.
Washington en Dallas (-3): The winner of this game will be a division leader and that, my friends, is sadder than the death of Mufasa. Cowboys 26-24 Washington.
Ravens and Pittsburgh (-5): The Ravens are slowly flying toward mediocrity and their staunch rival would gladly give them a nudge. Steelers 27-21 Ravens.
Raiders (-3) en Atlanta: The Raiders are a young enough and inexperienced team to allow one loss to turn into two. Will it happen? I hope not. Raiders 28-23 Falcons.
Giants (-6) en Cincinnati: At least the Bengals have no fans to disappoint. Giants 26-13 Bengals.
Titans at Indianapolis (-3.5): I got that damn tickle in my chest, maybe it’s a hunch … or maybe it’s the studs. Titans 28-27 Colts.
Browns (-6.5) en Jacksonville: You have more chances with Scarlett Johansson than Mike Glennon against the Brownies. Browns 27-16 Jaguars.
Cardinals (-2) and N. England: The meeting between Cam Newton and Kyler Murray is like when the wife meets the lover: A younger and improved version. Cards 31-23 Pats.
Dolphins (-7) en NY Jets: The Dolphins don’t need a quarterback to win this game, but at least that way they would be on a level playing field with the JETS. Dolphins 23-10 Jets.
Saints (-5.5) in Denver: It smells of surprise to me, but being the coward that I am … Saints 28-26 Broncos.
49ers en L.A. Rams (-7): I confess guilty to not having given the Lambs the respect they deserve. It won’t happen again, at least not this week. Rams 27-17 49ers.
Bears en Green Bay (-9): Mitch Foles or Nick Trubisky. It doesn’t matter. Packers 24-19 Bears.
Seahawks (-6) en Philadelphia: Carson Wentz has become the worst quarterback in a division that includes Daniel Jones and Andy Dalton. It is all I can say. Seahawks 34- 24 Eagles.
DeTocho’s Bet
Chiefs -3.5
Panthers +4
Seahawks -6
Picks Race:
Week 11
Pyrrho: 9-5
DeTocho: 8-6
In the season:
Pyrrho: 100-61
DeTocho: 108-53
Against the spread:
Week 11
Pyrrho: 6-7-1
DeTocho: 5-9
In the season:
Pyrrho: 66-85-10
DeTocho: 75-82-4
