Tag: Steelers

Looking Live at NFL Week 4, 2025

Mabel had anaphylaxis on Monday. Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur in dogs. Histamine and other chemicals are released from the body’s immune system in response to an allergen. Causes of anaphylaxis are insect bites and stings, food allergies, mediciations, and chemicals.

The day started routinely. I woke up with Mabel, equipped her harness and leash, and walked the blocked. She performed her lavatory business, as usual, and I started my work day in the office. At around 9 AM Mabel vomited her entire breakfast and staggered outside our bedroom. A lone piece of excrement in the corner of the hallway to the bedroom. My wife, Lili, an accomplished veterinarian, sprung into action. She checked Mabel’s gums and saw they were pale, almost white.

“It’s probably anaphylaxis.” Mabel began defecating. “I’m taking her to work.” I stayed behind to clean up before leaving to meet my pride and joy, and my wife. A doctor cautiously diagnosed Mabel with anaphylaxis based on her symptoms. Later the blood work all but confirmed it. Anaphylaxis is difficult to diagnose without observing the exact moment a dog interacts with causing agent, for example a wayward ant. The doctor hospitalized Mabel for 12 hours. We picked her up after midnight.

Mabel is fine, but clearly a little traumatized from the event. She didn’t understand what happened to her. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent resting and recovering. Since then she’s back to her old self, thankfully. So how do I transition this into NFL spreads? Poorly, but I will endeavor. The Raiders defecated twos in a row… See! Poorly! Let’s just get into it. The Preseason (weeks 1-4) is nearly over. After this slate we should understand these teams more clearly and better project the remaining three quarters of the season.

Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers, O/U 41.5

I don’t care this game is being played in Dublin. Pittsburgh can’t run the ball and Aaron Rodgers cannot handle push rush pressure this season. Rodgers has been pressured on 30.2% (ranked 27th) of his 96 drop backs, according to Pro Football Focus, going 6/22 passing, 146 YDs, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. Granted his line isn’t offering adequate protection but in his prime pressure didn’t bother Rodgers, and that’s the point. He’s not who he once was. This Pittsburgh team as it’s been for over a decade is just middling. I really don’t care who is playing quarterback for Minnesota. I trust Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores. Vikings cover and over 41.5 points.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ San Francisco 49ers (-3.5), O/U 46.5

After two weeks of investing in the 49ers I’m shorting them this week. The quarterback position seems incredibly volatile in San Francisco. Sure Brock Purdy has been cleared to start but back-up Mac Jones is questionable and was limited in practice this week. Both WRs Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings are also questionable. Admittedly both teams are a little messy. 49ers beat up on the Saints and failed to cover against the Cards. They were lucky to beat the Seahawks who are looking strong after 4 weeks at 3-1 (3-1 ATS). The 2-1 Jags are 2-1 ATS and are teetering on the “we’re a good bad team” to a good team fault line. Instinctually I’m taking the Jags to cover and under 46.5 points. Just too many points, and the 49ers capricious QB room makes me nervous. Also the 49ers special teams are ass.

New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins (-2.5), O/U 44.5

I don’t give two fucks, I’m shorting the Dolphins again. Sure both teams are 0-3 but the Jets are 2-1 ATS while Miami is 1-2. The Jets could be 2-1. In no universe is Miami anything other than 0-3 and they’ll be 0-4 Monday night. I’m not surprised the Fins are favored. Look at the public treads, most of the tickets (57%) and money (53%) are on the Fins to cover (even more so on the moneyline). People just can’t quit a team that was hot for 11 weeks 2-3 years ago. I’m old enough to have seen trendy teams come and go, like the band Fun or the 15 minute celebrity of Sabrina Carpenter. We’ll forget her in a year or two. We’ll also hopefully forget Chris Grier, the longest tenured GM without a playoff win, who has achieved nothing since his hiring in 2016. Nerdboy Mike McDaniel will be back on the 49ers this season or next as some sort of consultant or coordinate. Miami will dump Tua and his salary like Mabel trying to expel the allergic reaction she had from her anus. The longest-tenured current NFL general manager without a playoff win.

Honorable Mention: Washington Commanders @ Atlanta Falcons (-1.5), O/U 43.5

I texted my dad and my good friend Andrew Murray my picks (I didn’t think I’d finish this blog). I only pick 3 spreads a week but this one really has my attention. The Falcons were just boat raced 0-30 by a terrible Panthers team. After a loss like that statistically teams bounce back and cover the spread over 70% of the time. But this is Atlanta… I don’t take them seriously organizationally on down from their “Super Bowl Winning” GM Terry Fontenot, as Michael Lombardi would say (I miss him podcasting). Washington on the other hand is a well built team and stellar organization. They won easily with Marcus Mariota. I expect more of the same this week. Condoms straight up! Over 43.5 points.

Antonio is a Raider

My Oakland, soon to be Las Vegas, Raiders traded 3rd and 5th round 2019 draft picks to the Pittsburgh Steelers for wider receiver Antonio Brown.

Initial reaction, great… We’re adding a prima donna receiver and giving him more money on top of a three year contract. What could go wrong? A lot.

While no receiver of Brown’s caliber or contract length has ever been traded, I have reservations about the move putting the Raiders back into the playoff hunt.

This team needs improvement at every position, including quarterback. It’s uncertain how committed the team really is to Derek Carr. The vibes feel off however if Carr takes full advantage of Brown’s top tier talent he’ll solidify the position.

There’s a lot to breakdown here. Who won the trade? Ultimately both teams. The Steelers get off Brown’s money and personality, opening an opportunity to unquestionably feature Juju Smith-Schuster and build upon their team with more cash.

The Raiders get perhaps the best receiver in the NFL forfeiting two picks this year. I hate to see the 3rd rounder go; however, you have to give something of value.

Is a 3rd and 5th equal to Brown? No, so the Raiders paid of less value in compensation.

Adding Brown will serve as a litmus test for Carr’s future with the team. Carr’s performance was awful last season but deserves another opportunity after a year of transitioning with Jon Gruden and a sorry offensive line.

Look… This team still needs work everywhere, but this line should be better. Gruden claimed injuries dogged the line, somewhat true, yet the team reached on guys like Kolton Miller. OL coach Tom Cable did not produce results as he had in the past.

They’ve had a full season and an new off-season. There should be some improvement, enough to give Carr to throw it. If he still can’t do that it’s time to move on.

I expect Brown’s first year as a Raider to be solid to great; unfortunately, that’s where I foresee his antics replaying themselves.

If the team isn’t competing as he’s used to or Carr doesn’t throw his way lookout for drama. Carr must perform well or the organization has to hope Brown buys into Gruden’s vision…

Whatever the hell it is, and there lies my biggest concern as a fan. Gruden clearly orchestrates every aspect of football operations yet I can’t see or feel the team’s identity, culture, or what its plan(s) are.

If Antonio Brown is your foundational piece to establishing those aspects history is against us.

Perhaps times are changing. Chiefs’ receiver Tyreek Hill might get a $100 million dollar contract. Cannot deny his value to the team’s system and young QB.

Receivers historically just don’t equate to win shares, for example Odell Beckham Jr.

While it’s flashy to have Brown on my team now, certainly the biggest star we’ve had in over a decade, I worry this will mean nothing when it comes to winning games.