Instead of spending 10 paragraphs trying to determine the outcome of Sunday’s Jets-Colts game, let’s do something a little different and delve into the winners and losers of this disastrous Gang Green season. Not all of these opinions will prove correct, but we need to hit on only about 52 percent for them to be more accurate than the picks.
LOSER: Aaron Rodgers — The sure-shot Hall of Fame quarterback has taken the biggest hit of anyone. From last year’s Achilles tear on the fourth play of the season to the current 3-7 start, Rodgers has wrecked both his leg and a chunk of his legacy.
Not only that, like a multilevel marketer, he’s taking down a lot of his friends with him. From Allen Lazard to Randall Cobb to Nathaniel Hackett, none of his buddies will be telling their grandkids about their time with the Jets. Davante Adams hasn’t been here long enough to wear the stains.
WINNER: Robert Saleh — Fired after five games, the former head coach is getting paid and killing time working with his pal Matt LaFleur in Green Bay. Given what’s happened since, Saleh’s 2-3 record looks great by comparison. He has a lot of friends in the league and is a good salesman of himself, so I’m betting he gets another shot in the near future.
LOSER: Joe Douglas — This is too bad because if you look at the talent level of the Jets roster, it’s miles better than when he took over. Yet, the team is 30-63 in his tenure and is pointing downward.
Douglas never “built the wall” for Sam Darnold or Zach Wilson, and when he finally brought in a decent line to protect Rodgers, the team is still losing, even worse than before. Joe D. will probably have a front-office job in the NFL for as long as he wants, but it might take him a while to get back to the power chair.
WINNER: Zach Wilson — Must be nice for him to be able to sit on the bench in Denver and not take any hits or slings or arrows. Until he plays again, Wilson can claim everything was the Jets’ fault and not his, and there won’t be any evidence to prove him wrong.
LOSERS: Woody Johnson and brother Chris — This is almost sure to be the team’s 14th consecutive non-playoff season. There’s not enough space to properly criticize them here, and I’m sure no one really wants to be reminded, anyway.
SUNDAY’S WINNER: What does this all mean for the Colts clash? Well, there’s one thing that often happens in hopeless Jets seasons: They win enough games to cost them in the NFL draft order. We’re not to that point yet, but a win over the Colts followed by a bye, the return of some injured players and a couple of more wins against a fairly weak schedule would put them back in that useless 7-10 area.
So we’ll go with that narrative, as the Jets reprise the strong second half they had vs. the Texans and take advantage of a returning Anthony “Tap Out” Richardson behind a banged-up offensive line.
The pick: Jets -4.
Green Bay Packers (-5.5) over CHICAGO BEARS
When the line was 6.5, I was close to talking myself into it being a good value for a desperate divisional home underdog. Now this looks like a nice price to fade a Chicago team that’s desperate because of a Hail Mary followed by two blowout losses including to (gasp!) the Patriots. Is Caleb Williams the NFL’s new “mistake by the lake?”
DETROIT LIONS (-14) over Jacksonville Jaguars
Biggest spread of the NFL season, and I’m tempted to take the points on principle alone. But I don’t expect the Jaguars to score many points with Mac Jones leading a decimated offense. The Jags intercepted Sam Darnold three times last week, and Jared Goff threw five picks against the Texans. However, I don’t expect either of those circumstances to repeat.
TENNESSEE TITANS (+6) over Minnesota Vikings
Craziest stat of the season: The Titans rank No. 1 in total yards allowed, No. 1 in passing yards allowed and 29th in points allowed. A lot of that last number came from back-to-back road games at Buffalo (34-10) and Detroit (52-14). Looking for them to keep this close against Darnold, who’s coming back to earth a bit of late.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (-7.5) over Las Vegas Raiders
Tough situational spot for the Dolphins, who traveled cross country after a Monday night win at the Rams and will face a Raiders team off a bye. Miami at 3-6 really needs this game, though. Though Las Vegas owns a shock win at Baltimore, it’s offensive weaponry is diminished by injuries and the trade of Davante Adams.
Los Angeles Rams (-4.5) over NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Rams have a similar travel situation to the Dolphins. L.A. lost Monday, so that will provide more impetus for a bounce-back at a desperate 4-5 mark. Matthew Stafford’s offense is at full health.
Cleveland Browns (-1) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
This game flipped favorites overnight into Thursday, with the Browns becoming small favorites. The Saints got the new-coach bounce for Darren Rizzi, a live-wire Jersey guy, but they needed three missed field goals to beat the Falcons. Great spot for Jameis Winston to return to the Superdome.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (+3) over Baltimore Ravens
In this decade, the Steelers are 7-1 outright against the Ravens with the one loss by two points. Mike Tomlin is up to 65.4 percent as an underdog in his career. And I’m happy to try George Pickens and Mike Williams against the Ravens’ 32nd-ranked pass defense.
DENVER BRONCOS (-2.5) over Atlanta Falcons
Broncos pretty much had the Chiefs beaten at Arrowhead but lost on a blocked field goal. Going to zero in on one stat here that could determine how the entire game will go down: The Broncos rank second with 35 sacks while the Falcons are last with nine. Factor in two injuries to Kirk Cousins’ arm and this shapes up as a rough trip for Atlanta.
Seattle Seahawks (+6.5) over SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The 49ers have won the past six meetings, all by more than this spread. Still, the Seahawks will be playing for their season at 4-5 off a bye, and are a scary offensive team with DK Metcalf back to join Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Kansas City Chiefs (+2.5) over BUFFALO BILLS
Will the Chiefs’ great escape vs. Denver be the final warning before their first loss, or the springboard to the NFL’s first 17-0 regular season? Patrick Mahomes’ troops are fully healthy while Josh Allen is dealing with some questionables in Amari Cooper and Dalton Kincaid, and Keon Coleman already ruled out. Mahomes is 12-1-1 ATS as an underdog.
Cincinnati Bengals (+1.5) over LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Very watchable Sunday night game. Leaning to the Bengals because they are the more desperate team at 4-6, have a little extra rest off a Thursday night barn-burner loss in Baltimore, and could be getting back Tee Higgins to help the unbelievable Ja’Marr Chase.
Betting on the NFL?
Monday
Houston Texans (-7.5) over DALLAS COWBOYS
Texans have topped 24 points just twice this season, so there’s not a lot of margin here if they have their normal output. The return of Nico Collins should improve that outlook against a Cowboys team that’s 0-4 at home, getting outscored by a total of 150-59, and now has Cooper Rush (45 yards passing vs. the Eagles) at quarterback.
Best bets: Texans, Browns, Broncos
Lock of the week: Texans (Locks 5-5 in 2024)
Last week: 7-7 overall, 0-3 Best Bets
Thursday: Eagles (W)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dave Blezow’s one of the longest tenured NFL handicappers at the Post with picks dating back 31 years. He won the Post’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most recently in 2023.
