Beat the Odds With Dick Todd: NFL Week 9

Raiders vs. Chargers

Gruden is a character and an absolute maniac. I thought it was questionable to give any coach a 10-year contract when the Raiders decided to hire Gruden. Regardless of the large contract, the Raiders have been gritty this year and Gruden deserves credit. At 4-3, they have been a competitive club through the 2020 season. Darren Waller is an absolute stud and a terrific story. Waller overcame a drug addiction that plagued him early on in his career and has become one of the best tight ends in the NFL. This Raiders team went into Cleveland last week and took home an impressive win. They’re also the only team who has taken down Mahomes and the Chiefs this year. I’m very surprised they’re getting any points versus the Chargers this week. I’m feeling Gruden and the Raiders getting another win. Knock on wood if you’re with me.

LV: +1

Dolphins vs. Cardinals

Here’s a game that drives me insane when I think about it. I love what Brian Flores has done with the Dolphins, but I didn’t think it was necessary to put Tua in over Fitzpatrick with the way he was playing considering the Dolphins were winning. With Tua only starting one game thus far, the Dolphins are currently at 4-3 and have been another team that’s played tough all year. But let’s not forget about the Cardinals and the duo of Kliff Kingbury and Kyler Murray. Murray is growing into his own this year and the Cardinals look like they’re here to stay after an impressive comeback win over the Seahawks in their previous matchup. With all that said, I think this will be the postgame where analysts talk about what Tua has to do better going forward. Keep in mind too that the Dolphins defense and special teams were big components in their win over the Rams and Tua only threw for 93 yards that game. Tua, you’re coming into Kliff’s world on Sunday and Kliff is a winner in life.

ARI: -4

Saints vs. Buccaneers

Tom Brady is a psychopath. The kind of psychopath who wins six Super Bowls and decides to keep playing football. The kind of psychopath who at 43-years-old decides he wants to continue playing football during an uncertain time in the middle of a pandemic. Oh yeah, he’s also married to Gisele Bundchen. Frankly, I don’t know which of them ages better. They’re both just beautiful human beings. If there is one thing we know about Tom Brady by now, he doesn’t like to lose. Brady lost to the Saints in week 1 on the road in his first game in a Buccaneers jersey. Since then, Brady has proven that he’s still got it. I don’t see Brady losing the rematch to Brees at home.

TB: -4.5