Fantasy Football News: Thank You, San Francisco
READ MORE: Fantasy Football, Ladd K. Biro, San Francisco 49ers
· The always intimidating Ladd K. Biro praises the San Francisco 49ers defense for his team’s offensive production. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
· Hey! A new fantasy column! Fantasy Land! This week’s debut column tells people to keep an eye on Chicago Bears’ running back Thomas Jones and Eagles’ kicker Todd France! Thanks, Fantasy Land! [Star-Telegram]
· Sporting News’ fantasy wonk Vinnie Iyer says that offensive numbers are crucial, but defense wins leagues. And then he says to pick up the Patriots defense because a linebacker with a fused neck has returned to the team. [Sporting News]
· Todd Davis says that it’s time to part with San Antonio Saints’ kicker John Carney. We’ve owned him every year we’ve played in a league and refuse to get rid of him. He’s like family now. [Dallas Morning News]
Chopping Lines: Unleash the Colts
READ MORE: Chopping Lines, Indianapolis Colts, NFL Betting, San Francisco 49ers
Sun. 1 p.m.
Indianapolis Colts (3-0)
at
Tennesee Titans (1-2)
Best Line: TEN + 7.5, INDY -7
Yes, the Colts are suddenly defensive monsters, but the offense has been very un-Peyton like. Where are the scoreboard explosions like The Natural? Where’s Reggie Wayne? Where’s Brandon Stokley? Where’s Sean Dawkins? Just seeing if you’re still awake. Anyway, this offense has to break out at some point, right? And this is the perfect team to do it against as the Titans are still trying to rebuild their defense and are used to being torched by their AFC South rivals. We say Peyton goes all Culpepper this week and this is an easy double-digit win.
PICK!: INDY -7
Chopping Lines: Watch Out for Falling Cardinals
READ MORE: Arizona Cardinals, Chopping Lines, NFL Betting, San Francisco 49ers
Sun. 8:30 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
at
Arizona Cardinals of Mexico City(0-3)
This is a line that’s baffled many all week. How can these banged-up, winless Cardinals who are starting second-string quarterback Josh McCown be favored against a 49ers team that is equally as lowly(but can score points) be favored in this game? It makes no sense whatsoever. Yet, these are the types of games that sometimes run away from you. It looks too good to be true. Nevertheless, the Arizona Cardinals are hardened dung right now. Unless the bookies are banking on 49ers quarterback Tim Rattay drinking dirty water before game time, this seems like an easy money line victory for the underdog. A fun side bet is how many Mexican fans will be wearing Pat Tillman jerseys. Our o/u is a solid five.
PICK!: SF +3
NFL Betting: The Arizona Cardinals Are Favored In Mexico and Heads Shake
READ MORE: Arizona Cardinals, NFL Betting, San Francisco 49ers
For Sunday night’s scintilating match-up between the lowly San Francisco 49ers and the scorching Arizona Cardinals in Mexico City, the Cardinals are GIVING three points to the 49ers. Okay, okay…we’re as confused by this line as Covers’ Stephen Nover who asks the all important question “WHAAA?”:
Can someone please explain why the Cardinals are favored here? Maybe someone should inform bookmakers this game is at a neutral site, not in Arizona.The 49ers will be flying through two time zones. Arizona has double revenge, losing twice in overtime to San Francisco last season. Other than that, I can’t think of any reasons for the Cardinals laying points.
Yes, San Francisco won just two games last year. Yes, the 49ers’ offensive line isn’t very good and their secondary was torched for 363 yards by Drew Bledsoe this past Sunday, the first time in 33 games Bledsoe surpassed 300 passing yards.
But the Cardinals are worse. They are 3-23 their last 26 away games. Their defense is soft up the middle, and they have no offensive line or ground attack. The Cardinals’ offense has produced one touchdown in three games, and they have committed 16 more penalties than their opponents.
But Nover is forgetting the major X-factor in this game: Cardinals’ quarterback Josh McCown starting in place of the groin-strained Kurt Warner. McCown has a 16 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in his career…eh, that’s not gonna work. We’re just as confused.
Why Are the Cards Favored in Mexico? [Covers]
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Chopping Lines: Bonus Benza - What Bruised Sternum?
READ MORE: BENZAPick!, Chopping Lines, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, 1PM
San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
vs.
Philadelphia Eagles (0-1)
Best Line: PHI -13, SF +13.5, O/U 40-41
When Christmas morning comes and there is no gift under your tree from Daddy, you’re gonna think that Daddy forgot all about you. You’ll probably forget that Daddy gave you your gift way back in September in Week 2 of the NFL. And here’s your gift: Almost never do we see a crummy team on the road suffering a Letdown Game come up against a Super Bowl contender playing at home in a Something To Prove game. This is a rare find and that’s the reason why Daddy had to give you his gift now, O.K.? Even though Donovan McNabb is suffering from a severe belly ache and it looked like he was passing lefthanded, the Eagles still have way too many weapons for San Fran Freako to handle. Also look for T.O. to turn it up a notch when he needs just 116 yards to become the 4th active player with 10,000 yards and it could come against his former team. Everybody say, “Thank you, Daddy!”
BenzaPICK! - PHI -13
Football Betting: Why It’s Never Good to Bet on Mike Martz
READ MORE: Arizona Cardinals, Mike Martz, NFL Betting, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams
How much more do we need to learn about Mike Martz’ bumbling coaching ability than yesterday’s testicle-shriking 28-25 loss against the lowly San Francisco 49ers? The Rams are not that bad—as you can tell by the 200 yards of offense they put up in the 4th quarter. But, again, it’s his stroke-induced play calling, reticence to really play defense, and overreliance on big plays that ultimately get him cooked. As 6 1/2 point favorites yesterday and strong offensive showing in the preseason, the Rams game seemed like an easy chalk victory for most bettors even though the Rams were just 3-7 against the Niners in their last 10 meetings. And next week against the Arizona Cardinals, it seems like a perfect opportunity for a rebound. St. Louis may very well be favored next week at Arizona and win, but beware of this all important stat:
St. Louis is 1-4 in ATS at Arizona in their last five meetings.
We don’t expect this to be a huge line, but also be wary of any line giving Arizona more than 3 points in next week’s game or take the Cardinals. Mike Martz may be an “offensive play-calling genius” to some people, but to many others, the man is just a one-trick pony in the same way Buddy Ryan was for defenses. So does that mean we should expect a bounty on Cardinals’ kicker Neil Rackers next week? At least it’d be more interesting to watch.
Martz Takes Blame for Bad Play Call That Sealed Rams’ Fate [SF Gate]
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