So this is what it’s come to … Tommy DeVito is back on the bench before many of the Tommy Cutlets T-shirts, Giants No. 15 jerseys and his endorsed Rao’s pasta sauces have even been shipped to homes across North Jersey. The ink on the “Passing Paisano” trademark barely had time to dry.
Brian Daboll announced this week that Tyrod Taylor will start Sunday’s game against the Rams at MetLife Stadium. The Giants coach said numerous times in an annoying Bill Belichick sort of way that Taylor did a lot of good things in the second half in place of DeVito in Philadelphia and had “earned the right to start” Sunday.
Sure, the Giants were down 20-3 at the half before the switch and lost by a competitive 33-25 margin. Taylor was better than DeVito on this day, but he wasn’t exactly Eli Manning. It was 20-10 and the Eagles were driving when Adoree’ Jackson’s 76-yard pick-six tightened the game.
What Daboll didn’t specifically say is that Taylor gives the Giants a better chance to beat the Rams. That would have steered the conversation into an area the coach would not want to discuss — whether it’s better in the long run for the Giants to, um, not win their final two games and maintain their current draft position of No. 5 in 2024 and possibly enhance it a little.
No coach or team ever wants to lose, but we know Daboll and GM Joe Schoen are coming back, and it would benefit them more to have the best available pieces to use going forward more than it would to win one or two of the remaining games to put some lipstick on this pig of a season. But that type of stuff is for fans and sportswriters anyway.
As for DeVito, the benching seems to stamp the last month and a half as 15 minutes of fame that, for now, have run out. It’s sad if this is the case because Tommy Cutlets was by far the most interesting thing that happened in New York sports this fall. As a sports parent, it was fun to watch Tommy’s family — particularly his dad — get to enjoy all of this.
As for Sunday, this was going to be a potential disaster for the Giants no matter which quarterback is playing. The Giants own the worst point differential in the NFL at -157, incredible considering they are only five games under .500. The Panthers needed to go 11 games under .500 to be at -145.
And here come the Rams, winners of five of their last six games, battling to keep their wild-card position, and fully healthy with an array of offensive weapons, including Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, and a defense led by Aaron Donald.
The pick: Rams -5.5.
All odds are provided by BetMGM Sportsbook and were accurate at time of writing.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (-3) over Miami Dolphins
The Ravens face a tough turnaround, traveling home cross-country after a Monday night beatdown of the 49ers that wasn’t as close as the 33-19 final indicates.
The last opponent a tired team would like to see on short rest is the Dolphins’ track squad. The midweek injury report is littered with stars on both sides who are listed as questionable, and that could break better for one team or the other. But at this point, just thinking of which defense can stop the opposing quarterback, I don’t think the Dolphins can stop Lamar Jackson and I do think the Ravens can give Tua Tagovailoa problems.
Ravens also going for the AFC top-seed clincher.
New England Patriots (+13) over BUFFALO BILLS
Have to like this many points with a Patriots team that has given up an average of 15.7 ppg over the last six games. Of course the Bills’ previous two home games were wins of 32-6 over the Jets and 31-10 over the Cowboys. Patriots won first meeting, 29-25 in Foxborough.
CHICAGO BEARS (-3) over Atlanta Falcons
Home-field advantage isn’t usually worth a full three points anymore, but I’m drawn to the Bears on a 37-degree day with double-digit winds against a visitor that plays indoors. Have at it, Justin Fields!
Tennessee Titans (+5.5) over HOUSTON TEXANS
Both Will Levis and C.J. Stroud are expected to return in this matchup, which is probably better news for Houston, his performance vs. the Jets a few weeks ago notwithstanding. Still, there wasn’t much difference between these teams in a 19-16 Texans OT win on Dec. 17 so I’ll take the generous head start here.
Las Vegas Raiders (+3.5) over INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Had been riding the Colts for a good while but we ran headfirst into a brick wall of a 29-10 loss at Atlanta. Raiders come in off scoring 63 at the Chargers and then beating the Chiefs at Arrowhead.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (-6.5) over Carolina Panthers
Jags have lost four in a row following a three-point win so it’s been a long time since they’ve had any fun. The spread is still pretty high considering Trevor Lawrence might sit out. With all of that, I think this is the week the Jaguars’ full team comes out and cleans up the mess.
Betting on the NFL?
Arizona Cardinals (+10.5) over PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Visitors from the desert get a 48-degree, sunny day in South Philly. Eagles could be ready to break out but are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five and their defense has been leaking points, even against the likes of the Giants’ offense.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-2.5) over New Orleans Saints
Hard to believe this Bucs team lost six of seven games in a midseason stretch. Now Tampa Bay — led by Baker Mayfield and Vita Vea — has won four in a row and has five double-digit wins on its card. In their last six games, Saints are 2-4 with the wins over the Panthers and Giants.
San Francisco 49ers (-13) over WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Only scary thing about the Commanders is Jacoby Brissett starting at quarterback. Niners have the long trip on short week but will be mad after getting crushed by the Ravens. Their eastern jaunts have included wins of 30-7 at Pittsburgh, 34-3 at Jacksonville and 42-19 at Philly.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+3.5) over SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
It feels as if this has been a bad season for the Steelers, but they’re 8-7 and still in playoff contention. Seattle’s last three wins have been by three points each, so the spread is looking nice.
Los Angeles Chargers (+3.5) over DENVER BRONCOS
Sean Payton isn’t sending a great message to the Broncos by benching Russell Wilson over his contract rather than his performance. Wilson wasn’t great but his 26-8 TD/INT ratio gave the team a chance this season. C’mon Easton Stick!
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (-7) over Cincinnati Bengals
Cincy had won three in a row before getting smoked in Pittsburgh. Ja’Marr Chase missed that game and could sit again. That’s not good for Jake Browning. KC has lost its last four ATS but needs to get right before the playoffs.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (+1) over Green Bay Packers
This line shifted three points in Green Bay’s favor on the announcement Jaren Hall would start at quarterback for the Vikings. I doubt ex-starter Nick Mullens is worthy of that kind of respect. He’s bad and threw for 303 and 411 yards in the past two weeks in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Willing to stick with my pick and back Hall.
Best bets: Buccaneers, Rams, Ravens
Lock of the week: Buccaneers (Locks 4-11-1 in 2024)
Last week: 8-7-1 overall, 2-1 Best Bets
Thursday: Browns (W)
