Jones made smart decision in Vikings switch
The big story impacting NFL betting this week has been Daniel Jones parting with the New York Giants, and now he finds himself joining the Minnesota Vikings. He wanted to go to a playoff team so he’s got his wish in that respect.
I think it is a really smart move by him for a couple of reasons. Firstly, he is now going to be working with a quarterback whisperer in Kevin O'Connell. We’ve already seen what he’s done with Sam Darnold, and that brings me on to my second point.
Darnold is probably going to move elsewhere next year, which could open the door for Jones if their next young quarterback isn’t quite ready to step up. I think he and his representatives have made a really smart move here.
As a former Giant, I also have to look at this from his former team’s perspective. It was only last year they handed him a $160 million contract and my first thought is that the general manager is going to be in some serious trouble. They could’ve made it work by signing Saquon Barkley, but they didn’t. That put a lot of pressure on Jones and he didn’t live up to it.
On the whole I do like this move from Jones and I think he’ll be in the NFL for a long time. He’s made the right choice in going somewhere where he can hone his skills under a quarterback specialist.
Chiefs are struggling but their era is far from over
Following their first loss of the season I made it clear that the Kansas City Chiefs had to make a statement against the Carolina Panthers, but in scraping past them by just three points they certainly didn’t do that.
It shows everybody in the league that they are beatable because they haven’t put up any blowout wins, they’ve all been closely contested. If you’re their opponents you have to accept that there’ll be certain points in the game where Patrick Mahomes takes over, but if you can stop the game from swinging in their direction in those moments, then you’re in with a chance.
It’s still way too early to suggest that the Chiefs-Mahomes era is coming to an end. You only have to look at the New England Patriots and Tom Brady and see the gaps they had between Super Bowl victories. It’s easy to forget that the Chiefs are still actually winning games in the league, just because they’re not doing it in style.
As far as I’m concerned, the Chiefs are still a good team with a good quarterback and great head coach. It’d be stupid of anyone to count them out of the Super Bowl at the moment.
Green Bay to send Dolphins Packing
My first game to watch this week is a Thanksgiving Friday special as the Miami Dolphins head to Green Bay. The big question for the Dolphins here is, how will they perform in the cold? Everybody is going to be looking for any signs of sloppiness from the Dolphins because of the weather.
That being said, Tua Tagovailoa has been slicin’ and dicin’. He’s getting rid of the ball quickly with short, precise throws which should be fine in the cold.
BetBuilder - Money line - Packers (Game) And Total points - Under 47.5 (Game)
This is a great matchup which will tell us a lot about both teams. Green Bay run the ball well and can keep it away from the Dolphins. I’ll be looking to see whether they can control the game on the ground and I’m leaning towards them to win at home because of the history of the Dolphins in the cold.
Prediction: Green Bay Packers to win
Lamar at home… enough said
The other matchup I’ll be keeping an eye on in Sunday’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have been so impressive on their seven-game winning streak and the superior talent they have in their team has been evident.
They were one of the most talked-about teams before the season because of the talent in the squad and now it’s shining through on game days. Saquon Barkley is the offensive player of the year and the whole team looks really good because they have a simple formula: it’s not all on the quarterback’s shoulders.
However, this game is in Baltimore and that will definitely make a difference.
Defensively, Baltimore might have a hard time stopping this Eagles offense, but I’m looking at the Lamar Jackson factor.
If there’s one factor that can swing the game in the Ravens’ favour it’s a simple one: Lamar at home. I’m really torn between the two teams but that is the one thing which makes me lean towards the Ravens here.
He can singlehandedly win games and that is why he’s the leading candidate for the MVP this year, despite already having four losses on his record. As much as a think this will be a thrilling, tight game, there is one thing I just can’t ignore… Lamar at home!
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens to win
