I watched a video the other day that said for a football fan, Tuesday and Wednesday are basically our weekends. Thursday's, we watch Thursday Night Football. Friday, some crummy games, but there's some college football on. Plus there's some good high school football too. Saturday, College Football. Sunday, NFL. (FOOTBALL DAY). Monday, you have Monday Night Football and we wrap up our week, listen to podcasts and blog posts about what the week meant and what to expect the following week and we start over again.
This video got me thinking. I do LOVE to watch football all week. But what really is the most enjoyable part about football in the Fall? What really is the best part about sports?
WHAT IS ACTUALLY BETTER!? - betting on sports, watching sports, or playing sports? I mean honestly, put it on the table and you could only do 1 of them for the rest of your life. Bet, watch, or play. Which one are YOU going with??? And while watching sports is the CLEAR winner here, follow below to see the case that I make for each.
Betting - SUREEE, we all love to bet and gosh does it make sports fun. The fact that I can place a bet for some superstar athlete to out perform some other sub par athlete or EVEN BETTER, pull an upset, and win REAL MONEY!!! You don't even have to do much. You don't have to watch it. You don't have to even enjoy it. Sure you can do a little bit of research and know the difference between your p's and d's, but we're talking about real money here. We got enough financial business people in here. The safest play? hmmmm. Maybe not. But the chance to win an +234598 parlay from one NFL weekend. Bruh. Put me down for a $1.
Playing - Off the top of my head, we were all at least high school athletes of some sort. And as I talk to my high schoolers often, high school athletics was incredible because you didn't have to organize anything, but I think the peak of playing sports really does come after. Sure, I may not be able to put on pads and play "real" football again, but we're not just talking about football. We have golf, cornhole, darts, beer pong, pick up basketball at 6am, kan jam, spike ball, or some pool basketball Nothing is better than embarassing a younger, more athletic person in a game just because you are flat out better. Playing sports helps to remind you that you are still capable of something more than looking at excel sheets or drinking beer all day. Hell, you can even play sports AND drink beer.
Watching - Ahhhhh. Find yourself a pool, a nice comfy couch or recliner on a Sunday afternoon, or if that's not your style, head to a big sports bar or even a stadium to enjoy getting to WATCH a game. You're not just watching stats, you don't have to wake up sore tomorrow, and you get to cheer or talk crap about whatever is going on to whoever is around you. Watching sports brings community, it brings fellowship, it brings love. We work hard enough during the week, we deserve time to sit around, drink some cold ones, prob your feet up, smack some buffalo chicken dip, and veg out as athletic specimens, or people who may even look older and fatter than you, making millions (or at least more than you) in some event that looks fun. Ahhhh. The life.
Watching sports is just more feasible than playing, and betting on sports just isn't the same without actually watching it. Sure, playing and betting are both enjoyable in their own right, but if you can't watch it, what the heck you doing.
Luckily for you, we do have some LOCKED in bets this weekend from your Commish, your Ass, and a special guest with maybe his own new blog coming out soon. Be on the lookout 👀👀
Bet 1 - Tee Higgins - OVER 23.5 yards longest reception @-110 (THURSDAY NIGHT SPECIAL)**
It's an easy explanation here. Dolphins have given up longer receptions to 2 receivers in EVERY game they've played this year. Xavien Howard is matched up with Jamaar so Tee shouldn't see too tough of coverage. AND Tee hit this last game, after being close the first two. He looks to get more involved this week as the Bengals look to battle.
Bet 2 - Oakland Raiders - ML @-145
Raiders have too much talent to start the year 0-4. Yes, good teams go 0-4 but an in conference game against the Broncos who have looked flat out horrible too. Their offense has put up 17, 16, 11 and haven't played anyone impressive....and lost the Broncos lost to the Bears. What more needs to be said
Bet 3 - TNF SGP
(If you're on FanDuel, opt. in for the "No Sweat SGP"...If the bet doesn't hit, you get your wager back in free bets)*
Joe Mixon - Anytime TD (-150)
Joe Mixon - 60+ Rushing (-154)
Ja'Marr Chase - 40+ Recieving (-750)
Jaylen Waddle - 40+ Recieving (-500)
Chase Edmonds - 25+ Rushing (-188)
Parlay Total +482
Com'on...as long as Perine doesn't get every touch on the goalline, this bet is pretty secure. Plus...its a no sweat bet up to $20 on FanDuel. Might as well turn your Andy Jax into a Kwispy Benjie. Plus it might keep you interested in another potentially underwhelming weekday game. I just placed it, you should too.
*No, I am not working for FanDuel.
TO THE PREDICTIONS...
Week 4 PREDICTIONS
Matchup of the Week
Team Keegs (2-1) vs Nice Diggs (2-1)
When it comes down to it these two teams have put up the most points in the league through 3 weeks. One manager actually drafted his team, the other manager slept after geting baked on stolen week while the rest of the league drafted the league. Who should we be voting for? The team we all have part ownership in? OR, the team that was actually drafted. Lets break it down...
QB - TALK ABOUT A FREAKING MATCHUP. Arguably the top 2 MVP candidates of Josh Allen & Lamar Jackson, ranked #1 and #2 respectively. ANDDDDDDDDDDD they are playing each other!!!! While these QB's matchup so extremely well, and it should be fun, the biggest difference is that the Buffalo D gives up the LEAST fantasy points to QB's through 3 weeks, where as the Ravens give up the 3rd most. Most week this would be even. Not this time. ADVANTAGE - KEEGS
RB - Derick Henry & Antonio Gibson vs CEH and Damian Harris. Beyond Derick Henry, these RB's aren't worth my time. It ends there. ADVANTAGE - KEEGS
WR - DJ Moore & Amon-Ra St. Brown (or Devonta Smith) vs Stefon Diggs & Devonte Adams. Even with the help of Amon-Ra, who has looked great, if Josh Allen gets the nod as the better QB, then his receiver gets that not too. It's the name sake by all means ADVANTAGE Nice Diggs
Flex - Tyler Locket vs Travis ETN. Not clear options in either one of their offenses. Both could have a game and multiple receptions, but mehhhhh. EQUAL
D/Kicker - GB & Seibert vs Houstan & Carlson - Carlson being #2 in kicking gives you a very, very slight edge. But do you want his kicks, or Adams TD's.
Prediction: Keeeeeeeeegs
Ass Prediction: Kommunity-Keegs
Cincinatti Forklifts (1-2) vs Victorville Vengeance (1-2)
To think both of these teams started off the year 1-0 and have both dropped two straight games. And Victorville looked like a straight MENACE coming out the games dropping 136.2 on Nice Diggs. Both teams look to get things rollin again this week and I like the looks of the Forklifts in this one, largely based on matchups. Herbert shouldn't have to do much in Houstan, but look for Ekeler to get things rolling this year finding the endzone. AJ Brown and the Eagles should put up NUMBERS in a high scoring affair vs Jacksonville (not the Jacks), and a happy welcome of rookie Drake London to the starting lineup vs a Cle D that gives up the 6th most points to receivers in the NFL. On the other side, Patty might have some tough sledding in a TB game that will slow things down. Two backup RB's have looked better than their starting counterparts, but tough matchups for them both. Forklifts lift themselves over the Vengeance in this one.
Prediction: Forklifts, and spoonlifts, and knifelifts
Ass Prediction: The Lifts are DUE
The PP May Already Be Dead (1-2) vs Throw Bombs, Bang Moms (2-1)
We got a PP and some banging moms matched up in this one. If only we could pair the return of Zach Wilson into this matchup, we'd find out how big he really is. Unfortunately for PP, Moms are just too talented in this one...and they don't lose two weeks in a row. 7 out of the 9 starters for Moms are in the top 13 at their position, where as it's only 3 for PP. And while Nick Chubb is playing well behind a run heavy Defense in Believeland, I don't believe there is enough support here. Can Matt Ryan actually have a decent game in Indy...is it even possible? Can Najee Bang Zach Wilson's mom if he scores a TD vs the Jets? Kyler has had a tough outing this year and might continue to vs Carolina, but he and Hollywood are too talented to not find the endzone this week. And Deebo Samuel looks to get back to his old ways in week 3 of Jimmy G. Closer than hoped, but Moms all the way.
Prediction: Banging Bombs & Throwing Moms
Ass Prediction: BIG Upset....PPs Please
Jacksonville Jacks (1-2) vs Saving Private (Matt) Ryan (2-1)
WELCOME TREVOR LAWRENCE TO THE BIG MANS GAME. Does Trevor Lawrence actually belong in fantasy line ups? Have we seen QB's with long hair be successful? Sure. I mean Tom Brady did. But have we seen QB's with as long of a face as Trevor has be successful? That has yet to be seen. And the Jacks are hoping long faced Trevor puts up numbers in a potential shootout vs da Eagles. Amari and Barkley have been the studs for the Jacks, but have the Jacks figured out what compliments them best? As for the name I can never pronounce on the first try, "James....Earn this. Earn it." They need all the motivation and help they can get and they're hoping that while they looked like they may be overcome by the German forces, that they will earn victory the rest of the season. (a stretch, yes. but deal with it). Can Jamaal Williams be the true RB1 for Detroit vs the Seahawks? I think yes, they have looked damn good. Tee Higgins looks to have a big night vs the Dolphins tonight, and the Steelers D looks to welcome back Zach Wilson and his mom.
Prediction: Jacks
Ass Prediction: Both lose......
ok. jax
Lake Erie Elves (1-2) vs Excel Extraordinaire (2-1)
I wanted to do everything I could to convince myself that the Elves had an upset here, but I couldn't make it happen. They do welcome Evans back, so expect him to have a big week, but I don't think Njoku goes off everyweek and Kupp has a tough matchup vs the SF defense on Monday night. They'll scheme him like always, but it might be tough sledding this week. But EE looks like they could have something cooking if everyone hits at the same time, and this could be the week. Maybe Dak comes back for CeeDee and Kirk should be in for a fun day vs the Eagles. Jalen Hurts continues to prove why he is top 2 in MVP contention.
Prediction: Excel Non Gendered
Ass Prediction: Excel Boy
Chicago Dogs (1-2) vs Team EDawg (1-2)
I'm surprised that the Dogs haven't made a bigger effort to make some trades this week. Maybe they have, but I just haven't seen any evidence. There's too many question marks on this team and they can't continue to fall behind. Sure Tom and Alvin have a friendly matchup this week. Does that mean much with how they've played this year? We get to see a Marshon Lattimore and Justin Jefferson matchup, which JJ has said is one of, if not the toughest corner he has faced. Look EDawg to take an early lead tonight with Burrow and Mixon finally living up to last year's potential, while Herbert shows he deserves to be in the mix at RB, even when Mont is healthy.
Prediction: Edawg - you should change your name to the Mic-6-pack
Ass Prediction: Mic-6-pack
With Love, Commish