Even the most diehard Rams and Cowboys fans must have a little empathy for the 49ers. Right?
No? None? Geez, you guys are heartless.
Just as San Fran was rounding into the most feared team in the NFC, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was lost for the season with a broken foot. Garoppolo began the season as the NFL’s highest paid backup QB at $7 million but became the starter after Trey Lance was lost in the second game of the season with a broken ankle.
Who said lightning doesn’t strike twice.
The fate of the 49ers now lies in the hands of Mr. Irrelevant.
Brock Purdy, the last player taken in the 2022 NFL Draft, will be the starter for the remainder of the season. The former Cyclones star just might surprise but the oddsmakers aren’t taking chances.
The Niners entered Week 13 at +250 to win the NFC and +650 to win the Super Bowl. They exited, despite winning their fifth straight to improve to 8-4 with a 33-17 win over the Dolphins, at +475 to win the conference and +1100 to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Note to NFL Teams With Playoff Aspirations: Certainly hope you have a quality backup QB – or two.
Purdy has a chance to make history – and offers you a chance to win big.
No rookie QB has ever won the Super Bowl. Purdy, however, was not your classic Mr. Irrelevant. He helped Iowa State go from bottom feeder to winner in the Big 12, throwing for 12,170 yards with 81 TDs against 33 Ints. He was a solid 25-of-37 for 210 yards with two touchdowns and one pick in the win over Miami.
Having watched him in college, Purdy has that confidence/leadership vibe going for him. He dropped in the draft because of a perceived lack of elite height (6-1?) arm strength (Brady Syndrome) and mobility (not Josh Allen).
But he’s a smart dude, one accustomed to hearing how he’s just not enough, which is what The Loser has heard on many occasions, especially on dates.
So, The Loser is going all in on Mr. Irrelevant. We’re taking the 49ers at +474 to win the NFC. We would take them to win the whole enchilada but as long as that Patrick Mahomes guy stays healthy, well, K.C.’s backup QB is Chad Henne, a poster boy for backup QB in the NFL. He’s thrown for an impressive 13,290 yards but is 30-47 as a starter.
Don’t jump off that San Fran trolley just yet. 🚋
THURSDAY NIGHT FRIGHT NIGHT WITH THE RAIDERS
Raiders -6 over RAMS – The Loser usually loves home dogs playing in a marque night game. All that extra fan energy. Not this time. SoFi Stadium might have more Raiders than Rams fans. The Raiders have won three straight and at 5-7 are flirting with a playoff spot. The Rams (3-9) have lost six straight and we hear tee times in Southern Cali are going fast. 🏌
Biggest reason why we like the Raiders? Rams just claimed Baker “The Commercial Maker” Mayfield off waivers.
LOSER LOOK BACK (Last week’s “expert” advice in italics).
PATS +4 over Bills – Bills, 24-10. Pats coach Bill Belichick is a master of taking away the opposition’s best weapon. On the Bills, that’s WR Stephon Diggs (after QB Josh Allen). WR Gabe Davis has just one TD catch in the last five games. Does Mario Manningham or David Tyree ring a bell? Diggs and Davis catch touchdown pass and Allen plays his best game in six weeks. Loser!
+RAVENS -9.5 over Broncos – Ravens, 10-9. After a shocking 28-27 upset loss at Jacksonville last week, Lamar Jackson went scorched earth on Twitter with this beautiful soliloquy directed at a fan. “Boy STFU y’all be cappin too much on this app mf never smelt a football field never did s— but eat d— !!” Boy y’all be aching too much in the trainer’s room with a sprained knee mf doesn’t smelt good in a contract year. I have no idea what I just typed but Jackson is hurt for the second straight year and Baltimore’s playoff lock is coming loose.
BEARS +3 over Packers – Packers, 28-19. Time to put the 2022 season in a box and Packer it away. Only in the National Parity League can a team drop 7-of-8, win one game, and still be in contention for playoff position.
+SEAHAWKS -7 over Rams – Seahawks, 27-23 —The Seahawks have a big problem, and it isn’t at QB. They gave up 283 yards rushing last week in a 40-34 loss to the Raiders. They gave up 235 yards rushing to the Saints earlier this season. Good thing the Rams can’t run the ball. Seahawks have a bigger problem. Rams ran for 171 yards.
BUCCANEERS -3.5 over Saints – Bucs, 17-16 – Let’s not overthink. Tom Brady vs Andy Dalton. Tom Brady has another sideline tantrum. He also leads his 44th fourth-quarter comeback, surpassing Peyton Manning’s 43.
HOME team in CAPS
Last Week: 10-5; Best Bets: 1-2
Overall: 89-77-4; +Best bets: 19-14