??Jason’s Jewels??

 

We’re Halfway There

 

Welp folks, we have reached the halfway point of the 2024 NFL season and the more things change the more they stay the same.  

 

The cream is starting to rise to the top.  

 

The Kansas City Chiefs are the lone undefeated team in the NFL and with how bad Patrick Mahomes is playing all I can say is that this is a scary scene for the NFL.   

 

They recently added LB Josh Uche from the New England Patriots and NFL coaching legend, Bill Belichick, says that the addition of Uche to the Chiefs defense is a good one.  

 

If Bill said it then it must be true!!!

 

Anyone paying attention knows that the Chiefs have a stout defense which is essential for them this year as Mahomes game manages his way to a possible threepeat.  

 

It will be interesting to see how DeAndre Hopkins affects the offense.  His addition along with Uche helps solidify Kansas City as THE team to beat in the playoffs.  

 

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin are in first place in the NFC North with a 6-2 record.   

 

They chose to bench Justin Fields after he led them to a 4-2 record in favor of Russell Wilson.  

 

Once again we need to just leave Mike Tomlin alone and let him continue to put on a master class of coaching like he has done his entire career.  

 

The offense looks much smoother under Russell Wilson as their passing attack is more efficient.  

 

As a result Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have better running lanes and have become more efficient themselves.  

 

They still have TJ Watt on defense and again their coach is Mike Tomlin.  

 

They have quickly become a team that no one wants to see.  

 

The Buffalo Bills have managed to find themselves in everyone’s good graces again as Josh Allen is now the betting favorite to win MVP and the Bills are now 6-2 on the season.  

 

The Bills are on a 3 game winning streak and with games against the Dolphins and Colts up next they should be 8-2 when they host the currently undefeated Chiefs on November 17th.  

 

Quick shout out to the Los Angeles Rams for becoming the healthiest team in the NFC West.  

 

Last Thursday they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 30-20 in a game where they got back Puka Nukua as well as Cooper Kupp and all of a sudden they look like contenders.   

 

In a division led by the Arizona Cardinals at 4-4 the 3-4 Rams find themselves at their healthiest since Week 1 and look poised to take advantage of Seattle and San Francisco being banged up. 

 

They better get on it quick because word on the street is that Christian McCaffrey might play starting in Week 10.  

 

The NFC West is wide open at the moment and if these dudes let the Arizona Cardinals win this division………..shew…..that’s nasty work.   

 

Anyways, let’s get down to the nitty gritty as we update the REAL TEAMS, FAKE TEAMS and REAL FAKE TEAMS list as we head into Week 9.  

 

REAL TEAMS:

 

Buffalo Bills

Pittsburgh Steelers

Kansas City Chiefs 

 

Baltimore Ravens-the Ravens lost to the Jameis Winston-led Cleveland Browns this week and the Lamars took one in the chin this week.  No fear though.  The Browns and Ravens split their two games last year so seeing that happen this year changes nothing for me.  They are still easily one of the best teams in the NFL. 

 

Houston Texans-as the injuries pile up for the Texans we will find out just how good they are.  I expect them to lean heavily on Joe Mixon until they get Nico Collins back.  It’s a good thing they are in one of the worst divisions in the NFL.  

 

Denver Broncos-listen, this team sits at 5-3.  Has a strong defense and Bo Nix is improving each time out.  Yes, they have only defeated one team with a winning record(healthy Tampa Bay Buccaneers).  Yes, they are 3 games behind the mighty Kansas City Chiefs.  Yes, we will find out a lot about the Broncos the next three weeks as they face the Ravens, Chiefs and Falcons.  Don’t be surprised if they win one or two of these games.  

 

Los Angeles Chargers-much like the Broncos the Chargers have a stout defense and have only defeated one team with a winning record(ironically, the Broncos).  We will find out about the Chargers soon enough as well.  With games against the Browns and Titans up next they will then face the Bengals, Ravens and Falcons.  We’ll see that they are made of by the end of November.  

 

Washington Commanders-we all saw the Jayden Daniels Hail Mary to win the game against the Chicago Bears.  Is there anything this kid can’t do?  The Commanders sit atop the NFC East with a 6-2 record.  The Commanders face the Giants this weekend and then they will face the Steelers and then the Eagles.  Jayden Daniels toughed out a rib injury to play last Sunday.  Their Commaders will need to keep him healthy and upright if they plan to finish this season as the NFC East division winners. 

 

Philadelphia Eagles-the Eagles are healthy again and Jalen Hurts is stealing Saquon Barkley touchdowns with the Tush Push every single Sunday.  Their defense seems to have solved some early season issues and with games against the Jaguars and Cowboys up next they should get plenty of practice in before they meet the Commanders for what could be a showdown for first place in the NFC East.   

 

Detroit Lions-okay, Detroit.  Okay.  These guys are the hottest team in football right now and it ain’t close.  They are dominating the weak teams like they should and they are winning against the good teams like they should.  Jared Goff should be getting more MVP love as he is the fourth betting favorite to win it at +600.  With a plethora of weapons on offense and a bend-but-don’t-break defense leading them, the Lions arguably haven’t played their best football yet.  Give me a Ravens-Lions Super Bowl and I won’t complain about anything in sports for the whole year of 2025.   

 

Green Bay Packers-I can’t stop saying it.  There’s just something about this team, man.  These guys are good.  6-2.  Don’t sleep.  

 

Minnesota Vikings-the 5-2 Vikings have dropped two in a row to the Lions and Rams.  Have no fear though.  They have the Colts, Jaguars, Titans, Bears and Cardinals up next.  They control their own destiny.  

 

Atlanta Falcons-the Falcons slyly slid into this position because they are 5-3 and atop the NFC South.  With the injuries to Tampa Bay the Falcons have seized the moment and taken over first place after defeating and sweeping the Buccaneers on Sunday.  That’s all I got to say about that.   

 

FAKE TEAMS:

 

Cincinnati Bengals-I don’t know what the future holds for the Bengals but despite their failures this season they will still be a tough out for most teams left on their schedule.  The playoffs seem light years away at the moment. 

 

Cleveland Browns-with Jameis Winston at the helm anything is possible.  They get a slight bump for their win against the Ravens.  They very well could be REAL FAKE again real quick if/when Jameis has his blow up game.  We all know it’s gonna happen.  If he can maintain this level of play they will be a big problem. 

 

Indianapolis Colts-Joe Flacco makes them better.  Period.  Not good enough to be a REAL TEAM but they are definitely better.  

 

Chicago Bears-at 4-3 the Bears are doing better than I expected. Caleb Williams hasn’t been a total bust and their defense is carrying them.  That Hail Mary the Commanders just pulled off will be in the highlights for the rest of the season.  

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-until they get Mike Evans back they will likely be a FAKE TEAM.  Cade Otton can only do so much and their defense is horrible.  

 

Arizona Cardinals

San Francisco 49ers

Los Angeles Rams

Seattle Seahawks

 

The NFC West is FAKE TEAM central as the Arizona Cardinals are in first place along with the 49ers and Seahawks as they are all 4-4. The Cardinals are the only healthy team in the division and the records show it.  Once McCaffrey comes back the 49ers should be elevated to a REAL TEAM but at 4-4 they disgust me.  I don’t care how bad they beat the Cowboys.  Being 4-4 and tied with the garbage Arizona Cardinals is embarrassing.  Be better.  

 

REAL FAKE TEAMS:

 

Miami, New England, New York Jets-??️

 

Jacksonville, Tennessee-??️

 

Las Vegas-??️-nice win over the Ravens though.  How, Sway?????

 

Dallas Cowboys-they get worse every week. ??️

 

New York Giants-??️

 

New Orleans Saints-they do get Derek Carr back.  They may upgrade to FAKE TEAM soon.  

 

Carolina Panthers-??️

 

 

Now, on to the the Lock of the Week and the Underdog of the Week.  

 

Last week I chose the Denver Broncos over the Carolina Panthers locked in at -8.5.  The Broncos won 28-14 in what was a relatively sweat-free bet which is just how I like them.  That moves us to 5-3-0 on the 2024 season for my Lock of the Week and 20-7-1 overall dating back to last season when I began my Lock of the Week.  

 

This week I would love to pick on the Carolina Panthers again but they play New Orleans and even though Derek Carr is expected back I don’t feel warm and fuzzy about this one.  We don’t know who the QB for Carolina will be either so I am staying away from this one.  

 

As I gaze over the NFL landscape trying to find a lock, the best one I could find was the Atlanta Falcons at -2.5 over the Cowboys.  

 

The Cowboys are a hot mess right now and this is truly just gut handicapping at its finest.  

 

The Cowboys are horrible against the spread this season and Atlanta isn’t much better against the spread.  

 

I really feel like Atlanta will win this game by a field goal so I like the -2.5 odds that this game is currently listed at so I am going to lock this one up. 

 

Might be a bad read on my part so if you feel inclined to bet this Lock of the Week don’t be afraid to take the Falcons money-line if you have to at -148.  I’m taking the spread though.  I have faith in Atlanta.  

 

This week……

 

As for my Underdog of the Week, I had a couple of choices lined up.  

 

I like the Houston Texans against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football at +1.5 even though they lost another WR this week.  The Jets are a mess but they are at home so while I still might bet this game, I won’t endorse it.  

 

Nope, the game I am endorsing as my Underdog of the Week is the Denver Broncos at +9.5 against the Baltimore Ravens.  

 

This spread is just too high.  I do think the Ravens win this game by 3-7 points but not 10.  That’s too much.  Especially when that defense is still giving up plenty of offense through the air.  Just sets up nicely for a backdoor cover by the Broncos.  

 

Bo Nix is getting better and more confident this week and if this game was in Denver I’d slam the money-line.  

 

Instead I am betting the spread and sprinkling the money-line at +380.  

 

My Underdog of the Week record is 4-4 against the spread and 3-5 against the money-line.  

 

No Underdog of the Week choice was made last week and I did not regret that decision. This week though, give me the Broncos at +9.5 against the Ravens.  

 

Don’t get it twisted though.  As I have said all season, if the Ravens are healthy when the playoffs start, they will win the Super Bowl.  My money is already on it! 

 

Got money on the Chiefs too, though. ??

 

That’s all I got for this week.  Thank y’all for taking time out of your day to read ??Jason’s Jewels??.  I do truly appreciate it.  

 

Y’all be easy!!! ✌?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniels is in the discussion for MVP.  Just because he’s a lock for ROY shouldn’t exclude him from MVP consideration.