Merriman: ‘I don’t want to say the Raiders tucked it in, but they tucked it in.’
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Former NFL Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman is back to discuss the biggest football storylines in the league and gives his Week 15 picks to help you with your NFL betting.
This week, we discussed the Los Angeles Rams’ key win over the Arizona Cardinals, the Jacksonville situation and who is the favorite in the NFC.
Rams Show Something in Win
Gambling.com: You mentioned how you wanted to see the Rams beat a good team. Did they prove anything to you in the 30-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals?
Shawne Merriman: They did, for a lot of different reasons. I still believe Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury made some mistakes and could have had an opportunity to win the game, and the end was definitely horrendous. In those types of situations in the NFL, you’ve got to practice those things as far as getting out of bounds, 10 seconds left, spiking the ball and those things. That just comes with not being coached up ready for.
GDC: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had 287 yards passing and three touchdowns. Did he look more comfortable against Arizona?
SM: Yeah, but I said this. I said this when (wide receiver) Odell Beckham and (defensive end) Von Miller got there. Just because they're on the team, it doesn’t mean they're going to go out and win games. It takes time. It takes time for him to get comfortable. Obviously (wide receiver) Cooper Kupp is going to keep being tremendous, and as long as they keep doing what they do on defense and get takeaways, that’s what’s helping them.
NFC Playoff Picture
GDC: Who do you like most in the NFC right now? The Rams picked up the key win. The Green Bay Packers looked strong in the victory over the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulled out an OT win against the Buffalo Bills.
SM: It’s wide open, but it has to be between Tampa and Green Bay. Yes, I like how the Rams played, but truth be told, they probably should have lost that game if the Cardinals went with field goals and was coached up better towards the end of the game.
At this point, you can never go against Tom Brady. I’ve spent most of my time trying to figure out and go against what he’s doing, but you can’t. That overtime win against the Bills and him running, and every time Tom Brady runs, you just hold your breath because you know if he gets hit in the right spot, he’s just gonna break. But his willingness to do it for his team in that position, just hats off to him. You can never go against Tom Brady.
Chargers Get Needed Win
GDC: The Chargers had a convincing win over the New York Giants. What did they show to you?
SM: It was a team they should have beat. They gave up 14 unanswered points at the end of the game, and I think they took their starters out, but the depth of the team has to be better. There can’t be that much of a drop-off when you take the number ones out. It can’t be. At some point in time if injuries happen, those number twos have to come in and step up and fill the void.
What’s Up With The Bills?
GDC: The Bills have now lost three of four after looking like a perennial AFC contender. Any cause for concern there?
SM: Yes. I think what cost them started with the Jacksonville Jaguars loss. It was kind of an exposing moment for them at that time, and it’s a copycat league. People will do exactly what another team did just to beat you and find out your weaknesses and keep doing it until you stop them.
Hurts Has to Perform For Eagles
GDC: Looking at the Philadelphia Eagles, they’ve won four of their last six games and now have a key matchup with the Washington Football Team. What’s going to be key for them?
SM: Jalen Hurts is back in the lineup as the starting quarterback. But I think if Jalen Hurts doesn’t perform this game, they will make a quarterback switch. The fans will be calling for (Gardner) Minshew. The players will be calling for him because you can tell by their morale and excitement when he’s on the field. Jalen Hurts will be under a lot of pressure this next week or two.
Wild Card Potential
GDC: Any wild card team you see that could get hot and make a run into the postseason?
SM: I have to stick with my Chargers, man. I really do. I’ve been at the games and seen them, and just their ability to score points, that’s the scariest thing. When you have an offense that can put up 30, 32-plus points a game, you just hope your defense goes out there and just stays firm. Don’t need to go out there and be spectacular. Just stay firm and play well against the run. Keep teams out of the end zone and give up three points here or there. That’s how they will win a lot of football games. This was the Kansas City Chiefs a couple of years ago, winning 41-38 or 49-41.
And the Chargers are scary because they have a leader with quarterback Justin Herbert, and I don’t think we’ve seen a guy come in and do what he’s doing.
Don’t Mess With the Logo
GDC: We saw the Las Vegas Raiders jump on the Chiefs logo prior to the start of Sunday’s 48-9 loss. As an opposing player, does that motivate you when you see that?
SM: Yeah, that’s why they got their ass kicked. Look, I get it. You’re trying to motivate the team and you’re trying to get everybody going in the right direction, but that ain’t it. Y’all ain’t it. It’s one thing to have confidence, but another to be stupid. You have some of those guys who aren’t built to do that kind of thing and then show up for it.
More Meyer Miscues
GDC: More drama now with Jacksonville coach Urban Meyer who reportedly called his assistant coaches losers and was in screaming matches with players. What is your take on the Jacksonville situation?
SM: I think Urban will finish the season out, but I think he’ll be gone. The decision is made for them, so unless you have another coach right now and you’re ready to go with him, you’re not going to bring somebody that’s in the market. The only thing they can do is finish the season out.
GDC: What’s it like as a player when these types of reports get leaked out?
SM: When I see a source, it can come from anywhere. I’ve seen “sources” come from people just around the organization who isn’t even in there. So, when you say a source, it could be from anywhere. It could be front office, it could be equipment managers or player personnel. It doesn’t matter.
When I see source, it doesn’t necessarily always mean player. Players have to understand the media is there because of the organization. They’re first, the player is second. So, if a player is leaking information like that, it’s the stupidest thing they could do in their career because no media is ultimately going to stand up for that player.
Week 15 NFL Picks
Here are Shawne’s picks for the week. All moneyline odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Kansas City Chiefs (-160) at Los Angeles Chargers (+140)
SM: I’m taking the Chargers. I like them in a 34-28 type of game. Key for the Chiefs’ success lately is outside of being explosive on offense, they’ve been playing better on defense, which is giving them turnovers, field advantage and more opportunities to score points. They are getting after people upfront. But (defensive lineman) Chris Jones is in COVID protocol this week, and if he’s not playing, that’s going to be a big dent into their plans.
Las Vegas Raiders (-120) at Cleveland Browns (+100)
SM: I’m taking the Browns. I don’t want to say the Raiders tucked it in, but they tucked it in.
New England Patriots (+125) at Indianapolis Colts (-145)
SM: I’m taking the Patriots. I know the Colts are healthy again and just got off the bye but have had trouble winning against good teams. I think it’s going to be very smart football from New England coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
Carolina Panthers (+375) at Buffalo Bills (-510)
SM: Bills. I think they will finish the season out and put themselves in position to move forward.
Arizona Cardinals (-675) at Detroit Lions (+475)
SM: Cardinals. I think the Lions will get one more win, but it won’t be this week.
New York Jets (+375) at Miami Dolphins (-475)
SM: I’m taking the Dolphins. With the Dolphins, it’s a matchup problem. They can win, but it’s who they got. Can they match up well with their style of football? Are they playing a defense that has three or four sacks a game and can get after them up front? They’re playing a team this week with a weak pass rush and not great against the pass in the secondary, then they have a shot. But as soon as they match up against a team that’s quality in those areas, they’ve shown they lose games.
Dallas Cowboys (-525) at New York Giants (+385)
Cowboys.GDC: What did you make of Dallas coach Mike McCarthy guaranteeing a win last week?
SM: I like the coach to coach the games. That’s what I like.
Washington Football Team (+210) at Philadelphia Eagles (-260)
SM: I’m taking Washington. They can stop the run and run the ball against the Eagles. I don’t know if Washington (wide receiver) Terry McLaurin will be back with that concussion or not. That will be a big thing. If Terry is back, I’m taking the Washington Football Team.
Tennessee Titans (-125) at Pittsburgh Steelers (+105)
SM: Titans.
GDC: What did you think of Pittsburgh wide receiver Chase Claypool celebrating instead of getting the ball to the official and saving seconds on the last drive against Minnesota?
SM: With them, it’s leadership and it’s showing. It started back a few weeks ago when he wanted music at the damn practice. Then you get off and you’re thinking about music but then you do something like that where you’re worried about yourself and looking good as opposed to the team situation.
Houston Texans (+155) at Jacksonville Jaguars (-180)
SM: I’m taking the Texans. Right now, the Jaguars just have too many outside things. It’s different than the Lions. The Lions are still buying in and still fighting. There’s no extracurricular stuff going around the organization. They’re still focused, even though they’re not playing well and not winning games.
The Jaguars, man, I just think they believe Urban Meyer is already out of there, so your mentality changes as a player when you know a coach could possibly be gone this year.
Cincinnati Bengals (+130) at Denver Broncos (-150)
SM: I’m taking the Bengals. The Bengals brought in pieces to support (quarterback) Joe Burrow. They’re blocking better, running the ball and brought in wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. They got him an offensive line. Joe Burrow is going to play lights out no matter what, but they gave him the tools to be successful.
Atlanta Falcons (+330) at San Francisco 49ers (-435)
SM: I’m taking the 49ers. I think they flipped the script. When (tight end) George Kittle is playing well, it’s really hard to beat them. I’m talking about anybody.
Seattle Seahawks (+170) at Los Angeles Rams (-200)
SM: I’m taking the Rams.
Green Bay Packers (-235) at Baltimore Ravens (+190)
SM: I’m taking the Packers. I think the Packers are so hot right now. I would probably say they’re probably the scariest team to play right now with what they’re doing.
With (Baltimore quarterback) Lamar Jackson’s ankle injury, you’re taking away 50% of their offense. That’s what you’re doing. It’s nothing about his throwing ability that makes him the player that he is, is that he can both pass and run, and you have to respect both when he’s healthy.
New Orleans Saints (+360) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-490)
SM: I’m taking the Bucs
Minnesota Vikings (-190) at Chicago Bears (+160)
SM: I’m taking the Vikings even though you don’t know which team is going to show up.
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