Welcome to the recap blog. Weekly results are a silly thing to track -- the small sample and high variance nature of the NFL makes them totally irrelevant. However, I do feel it's important to have an easy place to track all our bets, where we can easily see how we're performing over a larger sample size.
Dallas (+3.0) over LA Chargers (3 units)
Admittingly, this wasn't an ideal way to win this. Dak Prescott had a horrid game, going 23/27 (85.2%) with 237 yards, 0 TDs, 1 pick, and a 64.9 PFF grade. His high completion percentage looks far less impressive when you factor in his low aDOT (average depth of target) of 5.3. Luckily for us, the Cowboys ground game was unstoppable -- Tony Pollard carried the ball 13 times for 109 yards (8.4 average) and a TD, while Zeke Elliot had 16 carries for 71 yards (4.4 average) and a TD (side note: Pollard > Elliot, fight me). On the other side of the ball, Justin Herbert had a game to forget -- PFF dinged him with 3 turnover worthy plays, 2 of which led to interceptions. Los Angeles fell behind 14-11 in the half and had just 3 2nd half drives. Dallas ended up winning out-right, which was more than enough to cover the 3-point spread.
Final score: Dallas 20, LA Chargers 17 (+3 units)
Tennessee @ Seattle (-5.5) (2 units)
This ended up being the high scoring game everyone predicted, but unfortunately the worst quarterback ended up being better. In 1 game samples, such can happen. Ryan Tannehill was 27/40 (67.5%), good for 347 yards (8.7 average) and a PFF grade of 92.6. Derrick Henry was also an absolute monster, carrying the ball 35 times (!!!!!!) for 182 yards (5.2 average) and 3 TDs. He averaged 4.57 yards AFTER contact, second most on the week behind Nick Chubb. I'm firmly on the running backs are overrated train, but anytime you can run a play 35 times and gain 5.2 yards, you should do it. Julio Jones also had his best game in a Titan uniform, catching 6 balls for 128 yards. The Seahawks offense played well, but 30 points wasn't enough to win, much less cover.
Final score: Tennessee 33, Seattle 30 (-2 units)
Minnesota (+4.5) @ Arizona (1 unit)
The early story out of Minnesota is 5th round rookie KJ Osborn, who has been operating out of the slot primarily for the Vikings. Osborn ended up catching 5 balls for 91 yards a touchdown, and even though it's far too early to declare the Vikings to have a capable third wide receiver, it's the biggest progress they've made in the area in quite some time. Also starring for the Vikings was Dalvin Cook, who carried the ball 22 times for 131 yards (6.0 average). The Cardinals also flexed their rookie wide receiver talent, with second rounder Rondale Moore going 7/114/1. It was an exciting, back and forth game -- Arizona was up 24-23 at the half. Minnesota then had a pick six to take a 7-point lead to start the 3rd quarter, but Arizona then immediately answered back with a touchdown of their own. Both teams then struggled offensively, able to only put together a field goal each, giving Arizona a 34-33 lead with 2:03 left. Minnesota then put together a final drive, but kicker Greg Joseph missed a 37-yard field goal to end the game. Since we had the Vikings +4.5, none of this mattered for us, so we got to just enjoy some football drama sweat free.
Final score: Arizona 34, Minnesota 33 (+1 unit)
Kansas City @ Baltimore (+3.5) (2 units)
Onto Sunday Night. At this point we were up 2 units, so with a 2 unit bet on the Ravens +3.5, we were either breaking even or winning 4 units. After breaking even last week, I was eager to get a win on the board. The game didn't disappoint.
Lamar Jackson was unstoppable on the ground, gaining 107 yards on 16 carries (6.7 average) while Hollywood Brown reeled in 6 catches for 113 yards a touchdown. The Chiefs offense was expectedly dominant -- they always are -- with Travis Kelce leading the way with 7 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. It's worth noting that Tyreek Hill was extremely limited, catching just 3 passes for 14 yards. As for the game, Kansas City jumped out to a 21-17 lead at the half. The Chiefs then followed that up with 2 3rd quarter touchdowns, putting them up 35-24. The 4th quarter was all Ravens, however, starting off with a Tavon Young interception that set the Ravens up with solid field position, which they then parlayed into Jackson rushing touchdown. After failing on the 2 point conversion attempt, the Chiefs were up 35-30. However, after a Kansas City drive that lasted just 5 plays and gained 13 yards, Baltimore put together another touchdown drive, again failing the two point conversion attempt, leaving them up 36-35. That put us in a solid spot, with Kansas City only needing a field goal to win, but that naturally wouldn't be enough to cover. None of that mattered, however, since Clyde Edwards-Helaire fumbled on the ensuing drive, allowing Baltimore to run the clock out.
Final score: Baltimore 36 - Kansas City 35 (+2 units)
Week 1: Jameis Preserves the Even Week (2-2, even)
Week 2: Thanks for Fumbling, Clyde (3-1, +4 units)
Season total: 5-3, +4 units