Belichick soap opera enough to throw off Patriots
Another soap opera-style scandal has consumed the NFL this week, and this one features New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. It’s the second time in just over a year that the human hooded sweatshirt has been cast as a sneaky cheater.
In the most recent episode, the league busted Belichick for placing a gofer on the sideline Sunday to videotape the opponent’s defensive signals for the purpose of stealing them. Belichick was fined $500,000 and forced to apologize.
In July 2006, he was involved in a shadier tale. Belichick was named as the "other man" in a New Jersey divorce case. He was accused of carrying on a long-term extra-marital relationship with a woman who worked as a receptionist for the New York Giants.
The Boston Herald blasted the headline: "Bitter N.J. man claims … BILL STOLE MY WIFE."
In a league where players are busted for steroids, dogfighting and strip-club brawls, Belichick is an unlikely outlaw.
What does this have to do with handicapping a football game? The story of Belichick being busted for spying has been a major distraction to the Patriots, and the drama surrounding it has overshadowed the biggest game of the week.
New England is a 4-point home favorite over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. I was leaning toward the underdog anyway, but the Belichick controversy sealed the decision to back the Chargers.
San Diego is seeking revenge for its loss to the Patriots in the AFC playoffs. After that game, Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson ripped Belichick for being classless. He apparently knew something.
Tomlinson will be motivated to cut up a New England defense missing standouts Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour, and it’s hard to believe quarterback Philip Rivers will play as poorly as he did last week against a better Chicago Bears defense.
The Chargers also bring the league’s fiercest pass rush. In the Patriots’ 38-14 blowout of the Jets, quarterback Tom Brady had time to sit in the pocket, read a book, drink a glass of milk and let Randy Moss run around in circles until he got open.
Brady won’t get comfortable this week with Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips flying around the ends.
There is also the matter of San Diego being almost unbeatable in the underdog role — 12-1-2 in its past 15 games. The Chargers lost three games last season, all by three points each.
Four more plays for Week 2 (home team in CAPS):
• Bengals (-7) over BROWNS: Cincinnati swept Cleveland last year by a combined score of 64-17. This is a big quarterback mismatch, with the Bengals’ Carson Palmer much more capable than Derek Anderson.
• TITANS (+7) over Colts: Tennessee covered both games and won one against Indianapolis last season. Titans quarterback Vince Young does not throw pretty passes like Peyton Manning, but Young is a winner.
• Saints (-31/2) over BUCCANEERS: New Orleans was humiliated in its season opener as its high-powered offense did not score a touchdown against the Colts. The Saints blew out Tampa Bay 31-14 on the road last year, and with quarterback Jeff Garcia and running back Cadillac Williams banged up, the Bucs are in a bad spot.
• DOLPHINS (+4) over Cowboys: The Dallas defense was exposed last week, but Tony Romo made up for that by passing for 345 yards and four touchdowns and running for another score. Miami’s defense will make it tougher on Romo. The Dolphins can be dangerous if Ronnie Brown runs it more than Trent Green throws it.
Last week: 3-1-1 against the spread
Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans can be reached at 387-2907 or myoumans@reviewjournal.com.