Before we take a look at Monday night’s NFL church raffle prize of a game between Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles, let’s get on our knees and join Houston running back Justin Forsett for a little twitter reflection.
On Monday night @JForsett tweeted: “The verse for tonight is Proverbs 6:23 Goodnight & God Bless!!”
Proverbs 6:23 reads: ‘For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life’
On Tuesday @JForsett tweeted: “The verse for tonight is Romans 3:23 Goodnight & God Bless!!”
Romans 3:23 reads: ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’
On Wednesday @JForsett tweeted: “The verse for tonight is Exodus 15:13 Goodnight & God Bless!!”
Exodus 15:13 reads: ‘In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling’
On Thursday @JForsett played against the Detroit Lions.
In the third quarter of the Thanksgiving Day game with Houston trailing by 10 points, Forsett ran up the gut for eight yards before being tackled by Lions defenders.
The officials failed to see his knee and elbow clearly hit the ground and didn’t blow the play dead.
Recognizing this, Forsett got up and kept running for an 81-yard touchdown, which was allowed to stand because Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz, in understandable incredulity, threw a challenge flag on the play. But that action nullified any review.
Yes, this is a ridiculous rule and it will be changed. Yes, Schwartz is dumb for not knowing the ruling. And yes, the officials – led by Walt Coleman – should be dragged by their ears to the nearest optician.
The Texans cut the deficit to three points and won the game by three in overtime, costing Detroit handicap backers who took the +3.
On Thursday night @JForsett posted: “The verse for tonight is Psalm 92:1-2 Goodnight & God Bless!!”
Psalm 92:1-2 reads: ‘It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night’
There was no sign of guilt on Friday morning, as @JForsett tweeted: “The verse for tonight is Psalm 46:1 Goodnight & God Bless!!”
Psalm 46:1 reads: ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble’
There is no time to cast judgement on his actions, for I have to read my bible. Where was I? Let me see… ah, yes… Matthew 7:3-5
Time for another great Musical Interlude from Big & Rich – That’s Why I Pray…
Carolina Panthers @ Philadelphia Eagles (BBC Red Button, Tuesday, 1.25am)
At the fag end of a miserable, fractious season, Andy Reid will leave his performance without showing any interest in offering encores, and there will be no applause asking for it.
It has been a hugely traumatic few months for the head coach. His 14th season in Philadelphia has unquestionably been the hardest.
Reid, emotionally drained following the death of his eldest son, Garrett, 29, in August, clearly needs a break from football. He’s led the Eagles to nine playoff appearances, six NFC East titles, five conference championship games and one Super Bowl loss. There’s no question he’s a fine coach and will be a winner wherever he ends up. He just needs to recharge his batteries, perhaps take a season out.
But you can’t help but think he’s been badly let down by his players this season. To his credit, Reid has tried everything to get a response, including firing a loyal friend, defensive coordinator Juan Castillo.
Nothing has worked. The Eagles have lost their last six games and, with a 3-7 record, are almost certain to miss the playoffs for the second straight year. Two of their three wins have come by a one-point margin and the other on a missed field goal by the New York Giants in the closing moments of their Week 4 clash.
Of course, they have not been helped by a tough schedule (the AFC North and NFC South are among the toughest divisions in football – only two of the eight teams currently have losing records) and injuries, particularly to quarterback Michael Vick.
Vick will again be sidelined with concussion and was perhaps going to lose his job to rookie Nick Foles anyway. Foles looked every bit the rookie making his first start as Philadelphia produced and abject performance in a 31-6 thrashing by Washington last week, having more penalties (nine) than points. They gained positive yardage on just 30 of 71 offensive plays.
The lack of talent and depth, coupled with injuries along the offensive line, mental lapses and dropped passes, has seen the Eagles’ season rapidly tailspin.
While it shows great belief in your young quarterback, asking Foles to throw 15 times in the first quarter of his first start was a poor coaching decision. Leaving in star running back LeSean McCoy also backfired: he suffered a concussion with under two minutes remaining. The Eagles were down 25 points. Why run? Another questionable coaching decision.
The Eagles could cut their losses at the end of the season and also gain a high draft pick, so the incentive is not necessarily to win. Vick and Reid will depart and it looks an opportune moment to clean house. ‘This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper,’ to paraphrase T.S. Eliot. You have to feel for Reid. He deserves better.
As for Carolina, they were also considered playoff contenders, but sit at 2-8 after losing seven of their last eight, their latest loss in overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach Ron Rivera is also uncertain over his future after winning just eight of 26 games in two seasons.
The Panthers find new and interesting ways to lose games each week and have thrown away four games having held fourth-quarter leads. Yet their defence has played well for the most part, with the defensive line – in particular ends Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy – applying plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. They rank 12th in points allowed per game, averaging 24.3pg and before collapsing late on against Tampa, they had held opposing offenses to 20 points or fewer in the preceding five games.
Philadelphia are 3-point BETDAQ handicap underdogs and the points total is set at 41. It’s not a game you would stay up for unless you were a diehard fan of either team and it is an awkward one to handicap, although if in any doubt, you should follow the usual rule of backing the home dog with the points on Monday nights. It is, however, a rule that has out-served its legend, thanks to the dilution of quality spread over three prime-time nights each week.
The Eagles looked like they had given up the ghost last week against Washington and in a battle of quarterbacks you’d probably take Cam Newton over Foles.
So Carolina, despite being on the road, look the most trustworthy option and merit our support.
Suggestions:
Carolina -3
Don’t forget to check out John Arnette’s views on the game at betdaqnfl.com
Milham’s 2012 record:
Week 11: 8-4
Week 10: 6-8
Week 9: 9-4
Week 8: 7-9
Week 7: 8-6
Week 6: 6-8
Week 5: 4-9
Week 4: 10-3
Week 3: 5-8
Week 2: 7-6-1
Week 1: 7-5
Twitter: @simonmilham
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
