NFL Best Bets for Week 9
November 4th 2011- Old Man Winner             

SF -3.5 @ Wash

This sets up like the classic trap game and I looked right and left and didn't see the sucker. You know what that means . . . .

Here is what a classic trap games look like - 1) A west coast team traveling all the way across country and playing in the Eastern time zone in an early game, 2) the home team coming off a game where they were embarrassingly shut out (the first Shanahan team to have ever been held scoreless in a game), 3) The traveling team is playing over their heads and has become a favorite in the game, 4) the home team has several significant injuries, 5) no one is picking the home team to win or even cover. CLASSIC TRAP GAME - STEER CLEAR! For reference, see Stl vs. NO week 8.

Not me - I'll bite!

SF may only need to score a couple of field goals or one touchdown to cover this spread. Shouldn't be too hard, especially since Harbaugh has done a masterful job with Alex Smith to bring his turnovers to almost nil. You can be assured that all week he is just preaching to let their defense win this one. If there is a way to win one like this it is with a very conservative offensive plan and a very aggressive defensive one - which is exactly how the 9ers play. They are young and travel well, already having won 3 games in this time zone this year against teams with a combined 14-5 record (subtracting the 3 losses to the 49ers).

Just a walk in the park, Kazansky!

How do the Redskins score? Their top RB, WR, TE, and QB (arguably) are not playing in this game. They will be hard pressed to end the game with a two digit total.


SF 17 Was 6