Beating Vegas: Are the Rams Good?

Green Bay Packers +2 at Dallas Cowboys

In what will be called the “marquee match-up” this Sunday, the Packers will go into Dallas. The Cowboys are 2-2 and still have yet to be a “good” team. The Packers standing at 3-1, may just be the brand of “good” that the Cowboys need to get a “W” against to prove to the world that they are still playoff contenders. The public’s money is going HEAVY on the Green Bay Packers here and this is why: 1. The last time the world saw the Packers play was on national television, making short work of the lowly Chicago Bears; and 2. The Aaron Rodgers-Factor. Rodgers is one of the most visible players in the NFL and if he is ever getting points, the public is quick to jump on it. Why shouldn’t they? I’ll tell you why. The Cowboys pose the same threat to the Packers as the Falcons did a few weeks ago. The Cowboys average rushing yards a game are right at what Green Bay allows (114 in comparison to 111) and as long as Prescott can complete intermediate passes against the zone coverage, which he does well, the Cowboys should have little resistance from the Pack. Of course, though, there is: the Aaron-Rodgers-Factor. And although he is off to another impressive start to the season, the Packers offense is painfully one dimensional. Go with the team at home, who people are doubting and have better balance on offense.

The Pick: Cowboys -2

Seattle Seahawks +1.5 at Los Angeles Rams

I honestly never thought I’d see the Rams be a favorite ever again. I mean, it’s the Rams. Remember they took that “bust” Jared Goff last year in the draft. Yeah… .about that. Jared Goff has the third best Quarterback Rating in the league at 112.2 and has thrown 7 touchdowns with only one interception. As a team, the Rams have the best offense in the league and are 3-1. The Seattle Seahawks are still a “good” defensive team, and although being a “good” defensive team is usually a. . . “good” thing – it loses it’s value when not too long ago you were the “best” defense. Things get really put into perspective when you factor in the Seahawks offensive game plan is pretty much “let Russell Wilson create.” It seems that over-night the Rams have become a viable player in the NFL while the Seahawks have been slowly regressing. This game is usually close anyway – just got to ride with the hot hand at the moment.

The Pick: Rams -1.5

Arizona Cardinals +6.5 at Philadelphia Eagles

Well, look at what we got here. One team, I’m not too high on and the other is a team I basically told everyone to bet against for the whole season. Listen here. . . Yes, the Arizona Cardinals are traveling to Philadelphia, and yes, the Cardinals are looking pathetic but we’re taking the Cardinals this week – why? Because 70% of the public is taking the Eagles to win this game by a touchdown. 6.5 is a lot of points in the NFL and you still have to believe that Bruce Arians is one of the best coaches in the NFL. The Cardinals have special teams talent and defensive talent to give the Eagles a headache this week. The Eagles last two wins came against winless teams and they won both games by the smallest of margins. The Cardinals are desperate for a big win, they throw the ball a lot (2nd in the NFL in passing yards) and that is the weakness of the Philadelphia defense.

The Pick: Cardinals +6.5

Good Luck and Wager Wisely!

G.W. Gras

twitter @GeeSteelio