Apologies for the Maddenism in the title of this post, but hear me out. Yesterday we talked about our friends in Washington D.C. who seem a bit worried about a 14 point spread in favor of the Skins. As of this typing, the spread remains at 14, but is expected to go up as the weekend progresses. The folks at Mr. Irrelevant aren't the only people cautiously skeptical of the point spread.
SI's premiere crusty old football guru, Dr. Z, has similar thoughts on this issue.
Here's my theory about coaching changes during the season. The game immediately following one of those changes generally is upscale. Everyone's concentration is a bit sharper. Thus, I'll take the Rams and their new coach, Jim Haslett, getting 13 1/2 in Washington.
Both the Raiders and Rams are dangerous opponents this weekend.
Both coaches used bye weeks that provided extra preparation. Both have let a cleansing of sorts unfold in their locker rooms. Both have commanded the attention of their players. Both have tried to renew confidence and instill a rest-of-the-season-is-all-that-matters, 12-game mantra.
Both lead teams that for the first time this season are not dealing with a head coach/front office disconnect or a constant clock-ticking watch on when -- not if -- their head coaches would be fired.
So with all this talk of taking the Rams and the points, is it becoming too much a "sure" thing? I'll defer to Turfshow Times to sort through this mess.
Now, it's important to stay realistic about this; a coaching change doesn't suddenly turn a team into a Super Bowl contender. However, the point about release, catharthis and a new found enthusiasm on the field can indeed have some impact, if only a temporary one, as players improve their execution and the other mental aspects of their game...like not quitting or turning to panic when adversity strikes during a game. I guess we'll see this weekend, which maybe isn't a bad one to bet against the spread at least.
Yea, they're not too sure -- and neither are we. Only certainty is that I'm looking forward to seeing the Rams play more than at any other point this season. That's a small victory for Rams fan-dom.
SI's premiere crusty old football guru, Dr. Z, 
