Do we or don’t we? I learned a lesson last week with my picks. And that lesson was not to single out the Monday night game as my “Uber Eats” pick of the week. It didn’t occur to me that this could be problematic until Monday, when I had the realization that we wouldn’t know the outcome of the Monday nighter until well into the evening, which, meant, if holding to the rules of the pick, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the dinner without getting the cover.
Mrs. Holliday had picked everything up in preparation for that Colorado-themed charcuterie board I promised her if Sean Payton’s crew were able to get the cover. When half time hit, it was clear the Browns and Broncos were not going to do anything to tip us off to a possible result. In fact, the opposite, as the game went back and forth. At one point we started putting the board together in anticipation of the Denver cover, only to watch Cleveland respond and put themselves in a spot position that, while winning the game outright might not happen, it was going to be pretty difficult to blow a pointspread cover as a 5.5 point dog. Which is what ended up happening on the final play of the game thanks to that Jameis Winston pick in the end zone.
The charcuterie board was hurriedly finished up, and we sat down with some wine, cheese, cured meats and a selection of olives and pickles to toast a Broncos cover right around 10:30pm. Suffice to say this week’s “Uber Eats” call will be from an early Sunday game. And with that, it was nice to grind out a 2-1 ATS week, which brings the overall record to 25-13 -1 ATS. This week, as always, I have three plays, with the Uber Eats pick of the weekend coming to us from the BIlls – Rams game. It’ll be sushi if the Rams can cover, in honor of this great takeout one Saturday a few years ago from Sakae Sushi, a unique takeout only place in Gardena that’s been around since the early ‘60s.
College Football
Tulane vs. Army
Big deflation last week for Tulane in that loss to Memphis, and a lot of rumors swirling around the team about Coach Sumrall bouncing to greener pastures. Now they travel to play an Army team on their home field where they’re very difficult to beat. Good set-up for a home underdog that matches up well.
Play: I’ve taken Army +5
NFL
NY Jets vs. Dolphins
Seeing money come in on the underdog Jets, as this line has dropped to 5.5. I’m fine going against the “sharp” money flow, and backing a Miami team that beats up on weaker teams, like this New York group. The Jets couldn’t stop the Seahawks last week when they had to, continued to make the dumbest mistakes and mental errors you’ll see (we’re talking something like 10 penalties in the second half alone). Miami gets it together and rings up Rodgers and crew.
Play: I’m taking the Dolphins -5.5
Bills vs. Rams
The Bills are in the middle of a three-game stretch vs. NFC foes, coming off that win last week in the snow vs. the Niners, and heading to Detroit next week. Yes, there are all non-conference teams, but there is a case to be made for this to be a “sandwich” situation for Buffalo. A huge Sunday nighter vs. San Fran in which they dominated. They couldn’t have played any better, Now traveling to the West Coast to face a Ram team trying to scrap their way into the playoffs, with perhaps a Super Bowl preview matchup on deck next week. I like McVay and the Rams as a home underdog, catching a Bills team that couldn’t be riding any higher, in a down spot.
Play: I’m on the Rams +3.5