My Favorite Saturday Bet

I’ve seen some cases made for the Commanders that involve talking up their defense a bit. The word is that Dan Quinn has made some strides toward at least respectability on that side of the ball, as evidenced by holding a good Bucs unit to just 20 points last week on the road.

Maybe so, but from where I stood, it seemed like a bit of Tampa Bay shooting themselves in the foot with a bad turnover and a horrid sequence of plays late, leading to a FG to tie instead of a TD to take the lead.

My more significant takeaway was a solid 350 yards of offense in the rookie QB’s playoff debut, with seemingly no nerves at all. The Commanders had five red zone possessions, took just one sack (for zero yards), and did not turn the ball over.

The hardest thing for me to reconcile is the Lions’ defense right now. I left the regular season wondering if they had turned a bit of a corner. They’ve always had a few decent pieces. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are strong secondary players, but the lack of high-end skill players at the other levels has hurt their ability to be as effective.

But, with the pass rush looking effective and the defense seemingly causing issues left and right for a potent Vikings offense, I was left pondering how much (if any) of an upgrade they needed heading into the postseason with Alex Anzalone back in the fold. While it’s dangerous to call a Dan Campbell-coached team a bit fraudulent, seeing the Minnesota offense, especially Sam Darnold, look wholly lost for the second straight week has me cooling a bit on the Detroit defense.

So today, while I’m looking to back the Commanders, I’ll be taking the coward’s way out and actively cheering for the Lions to score and score quickly when they have the ball. Just get to 24, fellas. You’ve done it 10 times already this year.

Washington Commanders Team Total over 23.5 -110

“Twist my arm play” for the other game? Chiefs -9 -110

News 📰

• In the most obvious move ever, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says we’ll be going to 18 games soon.

• The Titans have found their new GM, courtesy of the two-time defending champs.

• Kellen Moore is now the betting favorite to be the next head coach of the Cowboys but is also taking other interviews

• The Pats, 49ers, and Seahawks are still looking for new OCs, as Cleveland is the first to fill their vacancy by promoting from within.

Injuries 🤕

• Kansas City did activate CB Jaylen Watson ahead of this game but opted to rule out WR Mecole Hardman for at least one more week.

• Houston is listing LB Azeez Al-Shaair, RB Joe Mixon, WR Robert Woods as questionable for this one. TE Teagan Quitoriano is not going to be activated off the IR despite practicing.

• The Lions have ruled out starting LG Kevin Zeitler; rookie Christian Mahogany will start in his place. RB David Montgomery is back and playing after missing time with a knee injury. Reserve/Depth DB Ennis Rakestraw is off the IR and listed as questionable. Defensive Lineman Pat O'Connor is also OUT.

• Commanders are listing LB Jordan McGee as out. LB Mykal Walker and TE Colson Yankoff as questionable. Bobby Wagner didn’t practice early in the week with his ankle injury but was able to be upgraded to limited and comes into the game without an injury designation.

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Weather ⛈

• The Kansas City game will be cold but not as bad as last year’s Dolphins game. Temps will be in the mid-20s, but with winds 10-15, the real feel could be closer to single digits.

• Detroit/Washington is looking like a cozy 72 and calm (indoors)

• Snow is in the mix for both games tomorrow; it could be a fun Sunday.

Situational 📆

• Both games are obviously top-seeds coming off their bye, but it’s been an extended break for the Chiefs, who rested starters in week 18 with things locked up. This is a rematch of a December win against Houston, also at home.

• The Commanders have an even more considerable rest disadvantage, having played Sunday evening last week rather than being off or playing Saturday morning like the other three teams today.

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