4-3 on Sunday.
5 units GOW 4-1
3 units POD 4-5
1 & 2 units 16-11
YTD +$1136
For some reason, MNF games have been really easy for me to read.
So, its no wonder i've reserved the best for last -- again.
My GAME OF THE WEEK:
505/500 New Orleans Saints -11½ -101
People are going to talk about the past. You can read it, you can hear it and you can see it, if you have the internet and a television, that is.
Lets talk about the future.
My top 4 reasons why the Saints will win and cover the spread tonight:
1) The only thing any handicapper needs to know about MNF is that the better team will usually win; even if that team is an underdog. Its only logic right? And if that team is going to win, they might as well cover the spread. Just take a look at this year's previous Monday night games and you'll find some examples.
And yes, sometimes the underdog is the better team. We all know who is the superior team tonight.
The key to beating the Saints is really simple -- outscore 'em. But on the field, its a whole different story. There is no defense in the league that can stop a very good offense. The Saints have proved this over and over, from week to week. The only way the Saints lose this game is if Brees and company will have a let-down or a sub-par game. According to my player [power] rankings, i don't see that happening.
I'll even venture to say this for the record: "There is no way the Saints are losing tonight."
No doubt, there will be people who will take a jab at that Falcons Moneyline tonight.
2) Darren Sharper will neutralize Tony Gonzalez. Again, i'm going off my player ratings. Gonzalez with a C- rating and Darren Sharper with a B- rating.
Matt Ryan will have to take shots down to field to his TE to keep pace with the Saints' offense. Yes, he will throw to Roddy but we all know that Tony Gonzalez accounts for more than [approximately] 1/3 of the Falcons' offense despite having weapons like Michael Turner and Roddy White.
I'm sure Coach Payton will have his line-backers pay extra attention to Gonzalez and specifically assign Sharper to shadow Gonzalez on his routes.
Falcons bettors will bank on Tony Gonzalez to be the x-factor for this game. I say otherwise.
3) The Falcons' 27th ranked pass defense plays perfectly to what the Saints do so well. No need to divulge further on that.
This should be a good day to pick up Marques Colston on your fantasy football roster.
4) Conversely, i'm also expecting a sub-par day from Michael Turner. If Turner can't get a steady running game going, that will ultimately affect the Falcons' passing game.
Mix in a stagnant Falcons running attack and the ability of the Saints defense to neutralize Tony Gonzalez and you have your game winner for tonight's game. And since its Monday night, the winner might as well cover the spread, yeah?
5 bills on the line to see if my divination of things come forth.
Other tidbits:
Falcons turn-over margin = +3
Saints turn-over margin = +8
According to my player ratings, the Saints defense should win the turn-over battle tonight. Darren Sharper already leads the team in interceptions. Lets see what happens tonight when Matt Ryan throws the ball his way.
Mojo below; the player ratings i've been talking about.