Perry Perspective: Oct 28
from
BetWWTS.com
Injuries, absences finally take their toll
It?s certainly true that when it comes to successful systems in the NFL, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Yet, it?s also true that a system can only lose so many parts before the whole begins to crumble.
Case in point: the New England Patriots. Despite being decimated by injuries and losing Pro Bowl players through salary disputes, the Patriots? defense has dominated the league over the past few years.
But this season it seems the Super Bowl Champs have gone over the tipping point and have lost a few too many parts, particularly the likes of safety Rodney Harrison (knee) and linebacker Tedy Bruschi (stroke). The loss of defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, the man who crafted the Pats? defensive juggernaut, has obviously had an effect as well.
Crennel, of course, took over the head coaching job in Cleveland, where the defense is now ranked at No. 8 in points per game (ppg). Whereas, after sporting the No. 2 defense last year and the No. 1 defense in 2003, New England now ranks No. 28 in ppg.
Sunday night, the Patriots host the Buffalo Bills (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) in an AFC tilt. We currently have New England listed as a fat 9-point favorite, even though the Pats are only 3-3 straight up (3-3 against the spread) compared to the Bills, who are 3-4 SU (3-4 ATS) this season.
The total in this game is currently pegged at 44, a little low when you consider the struggling New England defense is allowing more points than we?ve become accustomed to - New England is 5-0-1 on the OVER/UNDER so far.
Another NFL system that may have hit the tipping point this year is the St. Louis offense, which has been mired in injuries, illness and now turmoil. Perhaps the biggest part missing from the whole St. Louis system is coach Mike Martz, the mastermind behind the legendary Greatest Show on Turf.
Martz is battling a heart infection and has missed the Rams? last two games. Earlier this week he announced he will not coach the rest of the season because of the infection. The speculation is that he is gone for good, especially following the cell-phone fiasco that took place during last Sunday?s game against the Saints.
During the game, Martz attempted to call in a play from his home, but before a cell phone could be brought to the Rams? offensive coordinator it was intercepted by Rams? management. The move infuriated Martz.
Making matters worse for the Rams are injuries which have crippled the backbone of the team?s high-powered passing attack. After missing last week?s game due to a shoulder injury, quarterback Marc Bulger is listed as questionable for this Sunday?s game against Jacksonville (1 p.m. ET, CBS). And both of Bulger?s favorite wide receivers are also limping - Torry Holt is doubtful with a knee injury and Isaac Bruce is questionable with turf toe.
With all these missing parts, the Rams will be 3-point home dogs come kick-off time. They would likely be bigger dogs had they not been playing at the Edward Jones Dome, where the Rams are an amazing 28-7 straight up over the past five years.
It also helps that the Jags have injury problems of their own as well. Jacksonville?s offensive line has been struggling to stay healthy all season and running back Fred Taylor is returning to the lineup after missing a game because of an ankle sprain.
And keep in mind the Rams, despite all the turmoil and injuries, still beat the Saints 28-17 last week with veteran backup Jamie Martin leading the charge. Although he was only making his fourth start, Martin, a 36-year-old veteran, was competent, completing 18 of 29 passes for 198 yards. He didn?t throw a touchdown but he didn?t throw any interceptions either.
Wisely, Martin and the Rams turned to the running game, handing off to RB Steven Jackson 20 times for 97 yards and two TDs. Regardless of whether Bulger or Martin starts on Sunday, employing a similar offensive strategy this week could pay dividends for the Rams - the Jags? defense is allowing more than 120 yards per game on the ground this season (No. 23 overall).
At 43 points, the total in this game is relatively modest even though collectively the two teams are 9-4 on the OVER/UNDER this year, and they?re playing in the Dome.
Good luck with your bets!
from
BetWWTS.com
Injuries, absences finally take their toll
It?s certainly true that when it comes to successful systems in the NFL, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Yet, it?s also true that a system can only lose so many parts before the whole begins to crumble.
Case in point: the New England Patriots. Despite being decimated by injuries and losing Pro Bowl players through salary disputes, the Patriots? defense has dominated the league over the past few years.
But this season it seems the Super Bowl Champs have gone over the tipping point and have lost a few too many parts, particularly the likes of safety Rodney Harrison (knee) and linebacker Tedy Bruschi (stroke). The loss of defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, the man who crafted the Pats? defensive juggernaut, has obviously had an effect as well.
Crennel, of course, took over the head coaching job in Cleveland, where the defense is now ranked at No. 8 in points per game (ppg). Whereas, after sporting the No. 2 defense last year and the No. 1 defense in 2003, New England now ranks No. 28 in ppg.
Sunday night, the Patriots host the Buffalo Bills (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) in an AFC tilt. We currently have New England listed as a fat 9-point favorite, even though the Pats are only 3-3 straight up (3-3 against the spread) compared to the Bills, who are 3-4 SU (3-4 ATS) this season.
The total in this game is currently pegged at 44, a little low when you consider the struggling New England defense is allowing more points than we?ve become accustomed to - New England is 5-0-1 on the OVER/UNDER so far.
Another NFL system that may have hit the tipping point this year is the St. Louis offense, which has been mired in injuries, illness and now turmoil. Perhaps the biggest part missing from the whole St. Louis system is coach Mike Martz, the mastermind behind the legendary Greatest Show on Turf.
Martz is battling a heart infection and has missed the Rams? last two games. Earlier this week he announced he will not coach the rest of the season because of the infection. The speculation is that he is gone for good, especially following the cell-phone fiasco that took place during last Sunday?s game against the Saints.
During the game, Martz attempted to call in a play from his home, but before a cell phone could be brought to the Rams? offensive coordinator it was intercepted by Rams? management. The move infuriated Martz.
Making matters worse for the Rams are injuries which have crippled the backbone of the team?s high-powered passing attack. After missing last week?s game due to a shoulder injury, quarterback Marc Bulger is listed as questionable for this Sunday?s game against Jacksonville (1 p.m. ET, CBS). And both of Bulger?s favorite wide receivers are also limping - Torry Holt is doubtful with a knee injury and Isaac Bruce is questionable with turf toe.
With all these missing parts, the Rams will be 3-point home dogs come kick-off time. They would likely be bigger dogs had they not been playing at the Edward Jones Dome, where the Rams are an amazing 28-7 straight up over the past five years.
It also helps that the Jags have injury problems of their own as well. Jacksonville?s offensive line has been struggling to stay healthy all season and running back Fred Taylor is returning to the lineup after missing a game because of an ankle sprain.
And keep in mind the Rams, despite all the turmoil and injuries, still beat the Saints 28-17 last week with veteran backup Jamie Martin leading the charge. Although he was only making his fourth start, Martin, a 36-year-old veteran, was competent, completing 18 of 29 passes for 198 yards. He didn?t throw a touchdown but he didn?t throw any interceptions either.
Wisely, Martin and the Rams turned to the running game, handing off to RB Steven Jackson 20 times for 97 yards and two TDs. Regardless of whether Bulger or Martin starts on Sunday, employing a similar offensive strategy this week could pay dividends for the Rams - the Jags? defense is allowing more than 120 yards per game on the ground this season (No. 23 overall).
At 43 points, the total in this game is relatively modest even though collectively the two teams are 9-4 on the OVER/UNDER this year, and they?re playing in the Dome.
Good luck with your bets!
