BALTIMORE (4-3) AT TAMPA BAY (3-4)
TV: Amazon Prime, 8:15 p.m.
Line: Tampa Bay by 1.5; O/U: 45.5
Remember last season when Tom Brady was so infuriated during a shutout loss that he threw a tablet on the sideline, the Sunday Night Football cameras catching the instant meme for all the world to see? Or how about two weeks ago in Pittsburgh, when he was seen chiding his offensive line? Well, that's kind of how I've felt the last two weeks backing the Bucs as big favorites.
Losing at Pittsburgh was one thing (Brady may have been tired from attending Robert Kraft's wedding in New York two nights earlier, after all). But a 21-3 defeat at one-win Carolina, a team that had just traded its best player, fired its coach and can barely find the end zone? That's just too much. Brady has looked more frustrated by the game, and his decision to un-retire looks more puzzling with every incompletion or stalled drive.
Now Tampa Bay must regroup on a short week against a tough opponent in Baltimore. Considering this is the NFL, the land of how-did-that-happen outcomes, you shouldn't be shocked if Brady continues his Thursday night mastery (14-3 record). Lamar Jackson and the Ravens lost a TNF shocker at Miami last year. It happens all the time.
Still, there's no way I'm backing a Bucs team that has lost four of five, hasn’t covered since Week 2, has trouble scoring (17.7 points per game) and allows 118.3 rushing yards per game against Jackson and the No. 5 rushing offense (156.3). Note to self: Considering I've lost five straight TNF games, make sure there are no tablets around the living room.
The pick: Baltimore
