Kevin and Thom talked about the uncontaminated as-of-yet Josh Johnson and why you should root for him. They also talked about the Redskin-fan conundrum of rooting for the current team to win games knowing that it may result in no off-season changes. They discussed about Bruce Allen’s influence over who plays and who doesn’t. They talked about Joe Theismann’s tweet, the MNF broadcast booth returning in ’19,Trevor Ariza, and last night’s Panthers-Saints game. The show finishes up with “Coaching Blunders” which includes a non-blunder stroke of brilliance by Bill Belichick.

Kevin recaps the Redskins’ win over Jacksonville and breaks down their current playoff position. JP Finlay/NBC Sports Washington joins the show from Jacksonville to describe the feeling in the locker room about Josh Johnson and their playoff hopes. Kevin goes “Around the NFL” and then finishes up the show with “Weekend DVR” where he brings in Chris Miller/NBC Sports Washington to talk about the Wizards’ win last night and the Trevor Ariza trade.

Redskins will beat Jacksonville if…

  1.  …Jacksonville’s defense doesn’t post.  If it does, the Skins’ offense isn’t going to score more than 10 points.  It’s easily the most talented defense the Skins have played all year.  Dallas is a close 2nd.
  2. …they punt it well.  This is something they’ve done well all year.  Tress Way is the teams’ MVP.  Their punt coverage has been good.  Make Cody Kessler drive it long distances and they can hang in there.
  3. …they finish plus 2 or better in the turnover category.  You can probably tell I’m not very optimistic about the Skins’ chances.  They are in turmoil organizationally and the team they’re facing while not very good record-wise, is better than the Skins talent-wise.

Prediction:

Jags 27-6

WHAT’S THE FRIDAY FOOTBALL SMELL TEST? 

It’s a contrarian handicapping philosophy. I look for the games where the public is convinced they are right about a point spread and I go the other way.  There’s more to it than that including unique access to information about where certain sharp action is but for the most part, it’s the realization over many years that the house wins more than it loses and the house advantage comes from much more than just the built-in vig/fee advantage.

The lines used are from covers.com as they appeared Friday during the show.  Lines change.  Typically, if a line is worse for me than it was on Friday, the contrarian handicapper in me regards that as a good thing.  It usually means later sharp money is with me.

To hear all of the Smell Test picks as they were discussed on Friday’s podcast, go to the 1:26:50 mark below.

https://thekevinsheehanshow.com/2018/12/14/skins-soap-opera-with-cooley/

THIS YEAR

Last Week: 7-3-1

Overall: 93-71-4

SMELL TEST PICKS FOR WEEKEND OF 12-15-18  

Sunday, December 16:

49ers +3.5

Steelers +3

Monday, December 17:

Panthers +6

Kevin and Thom open the show with a brief discussion of last night’s Wizards-Celtics game. They turn to Jay Gruden’s reaction to Mason Foster’s comments and whether or not Foster should have been released. Maryland Football Coach Mike Locksley is a guest on the show. Kevin and Thom talk Redskins ownership, Bryce Harper, and finish up the show with their NFL Power Poll.