Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) celebrates with teammate Everson Griffen (97) after sacking Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
To the grumpy tweeter who promised me nine road teams absolutely would not win last week, I apologize.
You were right …
Ten road teams won last week. That brought the record of road teams through two weeks to 17-13-1, thus threatening one of the oldest cliches in sports: "(Fill in whatever team you're playing for at the time) have the greatest fans in the NFL!"
Order supposedly will be restored to home-field advantages this week. The Jaguars beat Tennessee in the slop in Jacksonville Thursday night. And, so far, only two road teams are favored — the Rams at Cleveland on Sunday night and the Bears at Washington on Monday night — in the remaining 15 games. The Panthers play at Arizona, but there is no line at this point because of the uncertain status of Cam Newton.
Four teams are getting more than 7 1/2 points, including the woeful Dolphins (plus-22 1/2) against the Cowboys, and the wounded Jets (plus-22) against the Patriots.
The Vikings are 8 1/2-point favorites at home against the Raiders. It should be an easy pick, eh? Well …
That's what we thought in Week 3 last year. The Vikings were 17-point favorites when they lost at home to Buffalo 27-6.