NFL Week 9 picks: Hail Mary

Jim Vallet and Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter



In football terms, a Hail Mary has come to mean a long desperation pass, almost always at the end of a game or half of American football. The term goes back at least to the 1930’s, when it was mentioned by members of Notre Dame’s players and coaches asking for Mary’s help to win football games. When you think about it, since “Notre Dame” literally means “Our Lady” and refers to the Virgin Mary it makes sense for people around Notre Dame University to ask their namesake for help. Originally, it meant any desperate football play, but the popular meaning over the years has changed to the meaning of today.



One of the more famous “Hail Marys” happened in the 1975 NFL playoffs when Roger Staubach, “closed (his) eyes and said a Hail Mary…” as he heaved the ball, which was caught, towards Drew Pearson in the end zone to beat the Vikings. That play was not the last play of that game as the Vikings got the ball back, but were sacked twice in a very disappointing ending. 



There have been many others executed by Aaron Rodgers (a couple of times) Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins, David Garrard and Mike Thomas, BYU, and other equally lucky and talented QB/Receiver combinations.



Whenever a “Hail Mary” works there is always a lot of credit that the offense receives as well as criticism of the defense. Last Sunday was no exception. 



On the last play, Commanders’ QB Jayden Daniels howitzered the football 65.9 yards downfield, it was was tipped at least once by a Bears’ defender, and deflected forward into the waiting arms of the only player on either team to be in the end zone, Commanders’ wideout Noah Brown. Touchdown, game over, Commanders win!



I choose to look at the extraordinary skill of that play. Jayden Daniels threw the ball over 65 yards in the air, and it was very high. Try throwing an NFL football that is completely inflated over a telephone pole and carry for 66 yards. Can’t do it? Don’t worry, not many can.



Way better than a game ending field goal.



Buffalo Bills (-6 ½) vs Miami Dolphins: Although I don’t like giving 6 ½ to a team that needs to win, Buffalo seems to be hitting its stride.

Los Angeles Chargers

Washington Commanders (-3 ½) at NY Giants: What does Daniel Jones have hanging over the Giants that they continue to play him? I keep hearing how tough Jones is and what a nice person he is. Well, I’m a nice guy, too, but that doesn’t mean I can play quarterback in the NFL.

Atlanta Falcons

New Orleans Saints (-7) at Carolina Panthers: The Saints should have Olave and Carr back, and they got Hill back last week. The Panthers stink, although not as badly at home as on the road.

Tennessee Titans

Philadelphia Eagles (-7 ½) vs Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence has no one to throw to, but he hasn’t proven he can throw to his team this year at all. The Eagles are hot.

Indianapolis Colts

Last week 3-2


Robert’s picks
Vanderbilt (+7 ½) at Auburn: I didn’t get the money a couple weeks ago with Missouri against Auburn, but it wasn’t because I was wrong about the game. Auburn only managed 286 total yards, ran for only 3.1 yards per carry, but earned a push against the pointspread because a Missouri punt returner fumbled a punt and Auburn recovered it for a touchdown. But here comes Vanderbilt, which I think is just a legitimately better team than Auburn, where losing by a touchdown wins the bet. Sign me up.

North Carolina (-2 ½) at Florida St.: I would much rather be getting the Tar Heels plus points, but the guys who make the lines don’t get caught off guard very often. North Carolina had a bye after their four-week run of mayhem and misfortune, and used it to regroup, walloping Virginia 41-14 last week. Meanwhile, the Florida St. season went off the rails in Week 0 with that loss to Georgia Tech in Ireland, and they havne’t shown any signs of turning it around. I’ll take the team that has come out of its funk against the one that hasn’t.

Nevada (+2) over Colorado St.: Everything lined up perfectly for Colorado St. last week against New Mexico, and they did win. But it took a punt return for a touchdown and a New Mexico fumble at the goal line to make it happen. Nevada has lost three of the last four, but after being woefully undercoached the past two seasons, this should be where the upgrade they made on the sidelines this season should make a difference.

Chargers (-1 ½) at Browns: Jameis Winston plays a great game, everyone sings his praises all week, then he throws four interceptions. It’s just like Titanic. No matter how many times I watch the movie, the ship sinks every time.

Cowboys +3 at Falcons: As I scrolled through the lines, looking for which underdog seemed most likely to win this week, I keep coming back to the Cowboys. This looks like a spot where they’ll play with urgency, and the Falcons defense has been burned often the last four weeks. I sense an offensive breakout coming for the Cowboys.

Lions (-2 ½) at Packers: Two weeks in a row the Packers have let a late lead slip away and then settled for a field goal to win but not cover. I don’t think they’ll be so lucky this time. Whether Jordan Love plays, or its Malik Willis, I think the Lions take the chance to establish dominance in the NFC North.

Last week

College 1-3

NFL 2-1

Season

College 17-20

NFL 14-8-1