Island NFL games bring in the numbers -- and the bets. In an attempt to boost gamer bankrolls, this only occasionally profitable bettor will attempt to stack greenbacks. As always, fade or follow -- that’s up to you.
The Pick: Philip Rivers OVER 157.5 passing yards at Niners (-112, DraftKings)
Indy's future Depends spokesperson didn't wet himself in his return to action for the first time in five years. On the road and facing one of the league's stingiest pass defenses, he performed admirably, completing 66.7% of his attempts for 120 yards and a touchdown in Seattle. Rivers' efforts gave all dad-bods across the country false hope they too can still compete athletically.
Jokes aside, what the borderline HOFer accomplished off the street was nothing shy of remarkable. Yes, he didn't blast the box score, but unrattled and efficient, the 44 years-young passer nearly guided the Colts to an all-time upset. Postgame a visibly emotional Rivers expressed his "love for the game" and how "excited" he is to be "a teammate again." Heart of gold.
The venerable vet may physically be an octogenarian in QB years, but his brain and processing are as though he's still in his playing prime. As Rivers himself admitted, he'll never chuck a pinpoint 60-yard spiral, but the aDot-challenged slinger is still capable of committing death by a 1,000 paper-cuts.
In the Week 16 capper, expect a statistical step forward for the real-life grandfather with his Colts barely registering a playoff pulse.
San Francisco's defense is pure pyrite. Ranked bottom-half in several EPA categories -- dropback EPA D included -- they're more flexible than an Olympic gymnast. On the season, the Gold Panners have allowed 6.89 pass yards per attempt and 236.1 pass yards per game. In total, 12 QBs have topped 160 pass yards against them in 14 games.
Rivers' birth may predate the Sphinx, but the resurrected graybeard could turn back the clock in his second game. Keep in mind, San Francisco's highest ranking defensive back is CB Deommodore Lenoir who checks in at No. 67 in pass coverage grade at Pro Football Focus.
Pop a centrum silver and ride the Rascal.
Make us forty-somethings proud, Philip.
NO CONTEXT PARLAY PLAY: SGP - Philip Rivers 29.5u longest completion, Jonathan Taylor 17+ rush attempts, Christian McCaffrey 20+ receiving yards, Brock Purdy 175+ pass yards (+131, theScore)