If you want to understand my thoughts on how the Bears should approach the Rams defense tonight, they are all illustrated in Kyle Shanahan’s masterful scheme from a week ago. Avoid the middle. Throw on early downs. Screen them to death.
You don’t have to wager a ton of money to have fun gambling on the Super Bowl. But the trick is to space out the bets across the game. That way, even if the game’s a bore, and many of them are, you’ll have something to keep you interested throughout. Here are five bets, all courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Bet #1 -Coin Toss: Heads & Kansas City Chiefs (+255)
Why the hell not? (And this bet could be over before they even flip the coin!)
Bet #2 -Patrick Mahomes to Score TD & Chiefs Win (+650)
His running has started changing games because defenses are so afraid of his arm. The pressure from the Niners will be there so I expect Mahomes to take off more than usual. (And I’m all-in on Andy Reid winning this game.)
Bet #3 – George Kittle to Score a TD (+125)
Once Steve Spagnuolo and the Chiefs defense settles into this game, Jimmy G will be under pressure. That means he’ll be forced to get the ball out quickly and that means Kittle. Also, if this game gets away from San Francisco, I could see Kittle catching a million balls underneath deep coverage in garbage time.
Bet #4 -San Francisco to Win the First Quarter (+148)
The Chiefs don’t even wake up in these games until they’re down double digits.
Bet #5 -Total Over 54 Points (-110)
Who the hell roots for low-scoring Super Bowls? These games are only fun when there’s scoring. They’re not football games. They’re television shows. And television shows require action, especially because the experience always feels interminable. (The halftime show just never ends and it’s never good.) This game feels like it’s going to be way closer to Eagles/Patriots than Rams/Patriots.
Still have my head above water this postseason, thanks mainly to believing Derrick Henry is an unstoppable force and wagering heavily on him in both rounds. We’re down to the final three games of the 2019 NFL season. Need a strong finish to a solid gambling campaign.
2:05 PM Central
AFC Championship Game
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5)
Over/Under: 52.5
This is Andy Reid’s time. He’s one of the best coaches in the history of this sport. He’s got one of the most prolific, successful coaching trees in the history of the sport. He’s sacrificed so much for this game he loves and all that’s missing from his resume is a title. Once he wins on the final Sunday, his next stop is Canton. I can’t see him losing this title game at home. And I can’t see Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo not completely selling out to stop the run.
Final score prediction: Chiefs 34, Titans 20.
5:40 PM Central
NFC Championship Game
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers (-7.5)
Over/Under: 45
They can run the ball. They can rush the passer. They have a quarterback who always gets them into the right play and makes the big throw. Are the Packers a great team? No. But they’re built to succeed in this spot. I’m not taking them to win. But I won’t be surprised if they do.
Final score prediction: Niners 31, Packers 30
It was not an exciting game. So let’s get right into rapid fire…
Great individual play by Trubisky. But watch him in the pocket before he vacates. Tries to climb. 2nd straight week he’s done it. 👌
He grows as a passer with stuff like this. Progressions, patience, eyes down field. Then go if it’s not there. pic.twitter.com/fzxsMXEMOk
— Joe Tidei (@JoeyProspects) December 24, 2018
“So whoop-de-do and hickory dock
And don’t forget to hang up your sock.”
I always like the Chicago Bears…
…and what’s not to like about this 2018 vintage? Seriously. They’re not just good. They are an extremely likable group of fellas.
It is nice to have such thoughts in December.