Here on the gulf coast of Florida, the leisure activity options are pretty vast.
I could go to the beach or play golf. Maybe take a boat out into the intracoastal, play poker at the card room, see a concert or eat shrimp tacos.
In the words of the late, great John Belushi on “Saturday Night Live” …
But nooooo!!!!
I spend most of my waking hours reading, watching and listening to content about the Jets.
My head is full of incredible stats, such as the Jets have been outscored 107-6 in the final two minutes of the first half in Aaron Glenn’s first 24 games. I know the team is 5-19 in his tenure. I’ve heard quite a bit about how offensive coordinator Frank Reich calls plays that Fred Flintstone could have run at Prinstone University, and that he might not realize he has a great receiver named Garrett Wilson.
I’ve read something about the Jets having just one interception since the beginning of last season. And how every loss seems to have some historical stat or embarrassing element tied to it.
It’s enough to make you want to pick the opposing team in every game the Jets play. And honestly, that might have been a better idea than what I’ve been doing, trying to objectively figure them out each week these past 32 ¹/₂ seasons in this space.
Probably the most frustrating thing about this Jets season is that this shouldn’t be happening. The offense, in particular, appears to be loaded with young playmakers. They’ve had three different 100-yard receivers and two 100-yard runners, yet the most they’ve scored in any game is 25 points.
That’s also part of the peril of blindly betting against them. The talent’s there, and the victories could start to come with just a little better coaching.
All of this leads us to Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium against the old-AFL rival Raiders. They’ve dropped four in a row in a brutal stretch against the Chiefs, Patriots, Bills and Rams — alternating three-point losses and blowouts. They’re getting close to flipping the switch from Kirk Cousins, who will play this week, to Fernando Mendoza.
Last week, the Jets defense left pedestrian Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich wide open for five catches for 86 yards. It’s hard for me to believe Glenn will have a better plan to stop Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. Passes to the tight end neuter a pass rush. The Raiders will score and the Reich offense seems to have a points cap. It’s hard to overcome poor coaching.
The pick: Raiders +1.5.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (-9.5) over Indianapolis Colts
This line steamed from 7.5 to as high as double digits as the Colts began their fire sale with trades of Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. It’ll be a challenge for hot-seat coach Shane Steichen to keep his players motivated when ownership has basically declared the season over. Rain in the forecast scares me with this spread, but the Jaguars are rested off a bye and have beaten the Browns by 24 and Patriots by 29 in their first two games at Everbank Stadium.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-2.5) over Atlanta Falcons
Have to respect the way the Bucs have clawed back from 0-4 to 2-5. Last week, their defense scored on a fumble return and their special teams ran back a blocked PAT for two points. Props to the Falcons for handing the 49ers their first loss, but they might be heading into a buzzsaw here. Baker Mayfield’s had a week to wipe off the rust and Bucky Irving is running hot.
DETROIT LIONS (-3.5) over Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have allowed an average of 10.4 ppg over their past five wins. A first loss is coming for them soon, like it did for the 49ers and Chiefs last week. And there’s no offense like the Lions to make that defensive dam break wide open. Jahmyr Gibbs is hurting, but let’s get it with Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (-11.5) over Tennessee Titans
Another double-digit spread that went up another point on the Titans trade of defensive line star Jeffery Simmons to the Bears. He was the face of the franchise, and I’d expect this deal will hit the locker room hard. Bengals would need just 28 points if the Titans match their average of 15.4. Let’s have two good halves this time, Joe Burrow!
Baltimore Ravens (+3) over BUFFALO BILLS
Willing to take a shot on the Ravens as underdogs, as Lamar Jackson’s return should liven up their whole operation — which was getting stale with Tyler Huntley. The past three Bills games all have been decided by three points, and there’s hope this one could be even closer.
Arizona Cardinals (+7) over DALLAS COWBOYS
The Cowboys are looking better on both sides of the ball, but this opponent could be their Kryptonite. The Cardinals have won the past four games against Dallas in this decade and are 8-1 straight up against the Cowboys since 2008. It’s also a short week for Dallas, which won Monday night.
Cleveland Browns (+3.5) over PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Browns won the first meeting 27-24 in Cleveland, part of a 5-1 run in which the average margin has been 3.5 points. The Steelers are fresh off a game in France, and thus far no team that’s played in Europe this season has covered the spread the following week without taking a bye.
Los Angeles Chargers (+6.5) over LOS ANGELES RAMS
I don’t think the Chargers are going to end up 0-17 straight up and 0-17 against the spread, so this has to start going the other way at some point. They’re not actively tanking or selling star players. Whatever pride they have should show here against their So-Fi co-inhabitants.
DENVER BRONCOS (+1.5) over Kansas City Chiefs
Though the numbers are far from eye-popping, the Broncos have won three in a row since Sean Payton took over the offensive play calling. Denver also has beaten the Chiefs the last three seasons at Mile High, and Patrick Surtain II’s return should make things a little tougher on Patrick Mahomes.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (+6.5) over New England Patriots
Spread ticked down from 7.5 after the Dolphins broke into the win column against the Jets. They’ve had great success against the Patriots in Miami over a long period, going 10-3 both straight up and ATS the past 13 seasons, per killersports.com. So this still feels like a nice head start for an underdog bet.
Philadelphia Eagles (+6.5) over WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
This comes down to not being willing to lay so many points with the Commanders. The Eagles are a battered and possibly broken team playing on a short week. I’m thinking they perk up at the sight of a division rival and Tanner McKee gets a little better each week with use.
Betting on the NFL?
MONDAY
Chicago Bears (+3) over SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
The trade of two first-round picks for Jeffery Simmons is a monumental move for the Bears. He’s the top-ranked defensive tackle in the NFL by Pro Football Network and is a supreme leader. It’s not known if he’ll be on the field Monday night, but even if not, the deal should give the Bears players a boost knowing the team’s all in for a title run. Seahawks also bulked up with Quenton Nelson from the Colts, so he and Simmons could go head-to-head in a great Monday night battle.
Best bets: Bengals, Buccaneers, Lions.
Lock of the week: Bengals (Locks 3-4 in 2026).
Last week: 7-6-1 overall, 1-2 Best Bets.
Thursday: Panthers (late).
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dave Blezow’s one of the longest tenured NFL handicappers at the Post with picks dating back to 1994. He won the Post’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most recently in 2023.
