Well, yet another winning week made it 3 out of 4 for me in the NFL pre-season. I’m not going to yack about it too much, but this is how the story went – gotta keep records…. I finished the pre-season 10-6-1.
New York Jets @ Philadelphia Eagles(-3):
The Eagles were up 13-3 in this game, but the luck of the 3rd stringers couldn’t hold on. An 11 yard touchdown pass to Paul Raymond with 2:25 to go in the 1st half gave me a little taste of things to come, and it was a late Jesse Chatman touchdown run that gave the Jets a 27-20 win in Philly. My only favorite lost – I should have gone all underdogs apparently.
Detroit Lions (+3) @ Buffalo Bills:
The Bills had more yards (both passing and rushing), first downs, a better 3rd down efficiency, and just about everything else besides score. That’s where the Lions came out victorious, 14-6. Buffalo couldn’t put points on the board, and were busted twice for safeties, giving away nearly as many points as they scored on those plays alone. The Lions scored 14 first half points and that was enough to finish off the BIlls.
Atlanta Falcons (+3) @ Baltimore Ravens:
The offensively challenged Ravens continued their frustrating pre-season – but at least Joe Flacco looked good enough to be named the opening day starter. Not that the Ravens had a choice, he’s the only healthy signal caller left on the roster. Anyway, the Falcons got a touchdown pass from D.J. Shockley and that was enough to cover the spread. The 3rd quarter field goal was just icing as the Falcons won by a point.
Carolina Panthers (+3.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers:
I had a feeling that half point would come in handy. Amazing how that works – I loved the Panthers at +3.5 and only thought them decent at +3 – and this is why folks. Jeff Reed hits a 43 yarder to win it, and everyone’s a winner – except the Panthers of course. Anyway, Pittsburgh won by 3 and I won by the good old .5.
Minnesota Vikings (+3) @ Dallas Cowboys:
With the Cowboys up 3, Nick Folk kicked a 52 freaking yarder to go up 6 points and finish off my push. Damn kickers! Ha. Folk and the Cowboys brought me to 3-2 on the week and 10-6-1 overall during the pre-season. Lost here, but won a chicken dinner with my nice pre-season work.