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| RG3 and the Redskins take on the Vikings. Photo credit NFL |
What’s up my fellow football freaks? Long time no talk; at least that is what it feels like to the SwampMan. I apologize for The Weekly Muck not making it on the site last week due to technical difficulties. Furthermore, I apologize for it being late this week as well. It won’t happen again. Last week was another great one in the Swamp with the Panthers, Texans, and Ravens covering while the Packers and Chargers decided to be party poopers. The Charger pick missed by a half point, while the Packer’s backup QB’s backup was forced to take the reigns when the original backup was hurt early in the game. I hope your still with me after that sentence. So in a nutshell it was another solid 3-2 week for Swampy although none of this matters since it was not posted on the site for you to view. So that being said, I don’t know why I am even bringing it up. I apologize once again, and will just shut-up and dive on into this week’s Muck 5. First up:
MIAMI DOLPHINS +1.5:
Let’s just start with the fact that the Phins are coming off of a horrendous outing while they suffered an embarrassing defeat to a winless Tampa team on prime time television last Thursday night. I will chalk this one up as a classic “let down” game. This was all in all a tough spot for the Dolphins. With all those weird distractions that have been going on with the offensive line, it had to be hard for Coach Philbin (dad from Step Brothers movie) to keep his team focused. This was a case of this team just plain coming out flat and waking up too late in the game to do something about it. They came out the second half and got right back in into it to make it a game but in the end it wasn’t enough. I think after that showing, at home, this defense will be jacked up a bit to get after the happy passing Philip Rivers. The Phin defense has many playmakers in place like shutdown corner Brent Grimes, newly acquired Superb Bowl MLB Ellerbe, and stud beast DE Cameron Wake. These guys are far too talented to keep getting worked like this. They will bounce back at home and force Cry me a Rivers into some costly mistakes that end up determining the game. It won’t be easy by any means, but the Dolphins get back on track here.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS +5:
Man these guys just can’t seem to put together a complete game can they?! They finally looked GREAT offensively in the first half of their last game against the Vikings two Thursday nights ago. RG3 was alive and slinging the rock while Alfred Morris was moving the ball effectively. They appeared like they were on the verge of busting this thing wide open. Then halftime came, and I think it was a combination of fatigue setting in, the Vikings got hot, and the Skins laid down thinking they had the game won already. Do not forget that this could have easily been a Skin dubbya in the waning seconds of the game. They had four downs to get in the endzone to tie the score up and the Viking defense stepped up to hold them off and get a rare win. I think this blown lead had to really have gotten under Shannahan’s skin and that they will be prepared this week with the extra days to rest. They needed to win last week, therefore they REALLY need to win this week in order to keep any playoff hopes somewhat alive. They are even lucky they can do so with their division being so terrible and wide open at this point. Nickfoleon Dynamite on the other hand has been balling, no doubt about it. However who has he really beaten? Catching the lowly Raiders sleeping and then the Packers off two TDs on blown coverage? The Packers missed two FGs early on and several other opportunities with the confusion of backup #2 in the game unexpectedly. The Pack could have easily still won that game despite this. AKA I am taking the points in this ever so important, divisional matchup.
PS- Revenge factor anyone? Don’t forget that the Skins were the guinea pig for the Eagles new explosive Chip Kelly offense week 1 in front of the world. Take the pts. Lambskins keep it close if not win outright.
NEW YORK GIANTS -5:
OHHHH lookout now! Here come the Geeeeeeeee…MEN! They are primed for their run, just like we talked about a couple weeks back. They have gone ahead and done just what we predicted they would. If you are having a hard time remembering, don’t worry, SwampMans’ got ya. We declared that when they were 0-6, they would win a bunch in a row at home and get back in the mix, and probably even win the division outright, amazing. I know! In all seriousness though I really like this spot for them. I know that they don’t blow anybody out and like to make everything a bit dramatic regardless of who the team is but I believe that this is a perfect situation for them. They are catching the mighty Packers at home when they are no so mighty by any means. They have a backup QB’s backup starting and the guy looked everything average last week when in the game. The GMEN will be PUMPED up this weekend knowing that they absolutely HAVE to win this game to get back in the realistic race for the division. It’s incredible how it is still up for grabs; they are so lucky to even have a chance after going 0-6! Coughlin will have them ready to step and take this one. Last week Andre Brown looked great running the ball. This is exactly what Eli has been missing in order to open up the passing game for him. I think the GMEN feed off of the momentum in this one with the crowd going 4loko understanding what is at stake. I know the Pack has a strong running game but I like the GMEN to key on it and make Tolzien beat them, which he won’t. Look for the GMEN pass rush to rise from the dead this week and make this guy wish he was somebody else, anyone else, at all. BIG BLUE FOR THE BIG WIN!
TAMPA BAY BUCANEERS +1:
Mike Glennon, or as I like to call him, McGlennon is really impressing me lately. I firmly believe this kid is getting better every game. I like the way he spins it baby! The kid stands in the pocket fearless and makes great decisions. He actually kind of reminds me of Matty Ice, weird, since that is their opponent this weekend. The Falcons are on a downward spiral since that Jets MNF blowout. They haven’t been the same since. I know they have gotten some guys back but I really am still not sold. They are in turmoil and the Bucs on the otherhand have just proven to themselves that they can win when they play well. Short and sweet I really like the matchup of McGlennon versus that secondary at home to get their second win. They will come to play and take their shot against the divisional opponent and find pleasure in kicking them while they are down so to speak. The Falcons are a mess on offense and even with Stephen Jackson & Roddy White back, the Buc defense last week looked completely revived and I like their chances Sunday. The buc secondary is one of the most talented in the game; they will get it done versus a desperate Matt Ryan. So all in all I foresee a tight one here but in the end the Bucs get it done to put together win #2 at home.
***BLACK LAGOON BONUS PICK- SAN FRANCISCO 49ers +3:
These are two teams that seem to be going in opposite directions after last week. The Saints on one hand beat the crap out of the Cowboys Sunday night and looked pretty damn good, especially at home. However one has to realize how weak the Cowboys were at that moment and consider just how much of it was the Saints playing well and how much of it was a matter of the Cowboys crapping the bed (surprise). I think when the Saints play physical teams, or physical defenses in I should say, they struggle. Look at what happened when they faced that stout Jets defense. Their offense went from prolific to anemic, just like that! Coming off a huge loss at home I fully expect Harbaugh to have his guys ready for war. Aldon Smith is back with some playing time under his belt now, he should be starting to make a difference like he used to. This also opens up other pass rushers like his brother from another mother, the gigantic neck/head, Justin Smith. Jimmy the Ginger Graham is also all kinds of banged up. I give him a ton of credit for dominating like he does week in and week out despite how hurt he is. He is a freak no doubt, but I don’t think he takes over in this one by any means. I do think teams have kind of figured Kaepernick out a bit, I LOVED the Panthers last weekend. However I believe the Niners get back to their bread and butter. This is a simple formula; it consists of Gore, Gore, and more Gore. The Niners control the game, play the Saints tough and turn this one into a thriller at the end. Take the safety net, Niners +3.
All right everyone that about does it for another edition of The Weekly Muck. This week’s edition is brought to you by yours truly, from the depths of your local swampske, because yes, Swampthing is everywhere. Swampthing is like Santa Claus, he is always watching. Remember that folks, just kidding. Anyway everybody as always, feel free to reach out to me via Twitter @swampy_swami. Feel free to ask me anything you want regarding the picks above or maybe some other games that weren’t mentioned in The Muck, and I will gladly get back to you as quickly as I can. I encourage you to go spread your football knowledge that you have now absorbed to your friends and family. Challenge them with friendly wagers since they will most likely want the other side. Just be sure to make the winnings something good! Friendly wager or not, you will look like a genius and it is always fun to be the one with the highest football IQ in the room. Am I right!? Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy some footballllll!!!!!! Be back next week earlier time same place.
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