First Call: T.J. Watt's historic pace, John Harbaugh not happy after K.C. loss, Gerrit Cole in playoff form

Wednesday’s “First Call” puts T.J. Watt’s hot start in a statistical perspective. John Harbaugh doesn’t have answers for his team’s defeat versus the Kansas Chiefs. Gerrit Cole is off to a hot start in the playoffs. And some unbelievable numbers about sports gambling.

What’s Watt?

How good has T.J. Watt been so far this year for the Steelers?

According to Pro Football Focus, his win rate on pass rushes is 29.5% to lead the NFL. The stats-based NFL website claims their record for a full season is 25.9%.

So, not a bad start, eh?

As a team, the Tennessee Titans have allowed just three sacks in three games. Only two teams — the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers — have allowed fewer. That’s an adjusted sack rate of 3.1% according to Football Outsiders, second best in football.

As a team, the Steelers lead the NFL with 15 sacks. Watt has 3.5 sacks. Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Aldon Smith is the only NFL player with more (4.0).

Harbaugh is hot

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh was not happy after his team lost to the Kansas City Chiefs Monday night.

“They beat us,” Harbaugh said, via ESPN. “They out-executed us. They out-game-planned us. They just beat us. That’s the story. Big-picture stuff, all of that, I don’t know. They’re better, obviously. They’re a better football team at this point in time.”

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson called the Chiefs “our kryptonite.” As ESPN points out, Jackson is now 0-3 against the Chiefs. He’s 21-1 against the rest of the NFL in the regular season.

Jackson went so far as to say the Chiefs copied what the Tennessee Titans did to them in the playoffs last year in the postseason.

“It looked like the same thing from the Tennessee game, to be honest. That’s all,” Jackson said.

The Chiefs will host the Patriots on Sunday. The Ravens visit Washington.

Playoff form

Former Pirate Gerrit Cole opened the playoffs for the New York Yankees last night.

And he did so in top form.

Cole and the Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians 12-3. The right-hander finished seven innings, allowing two runs. He had 13 strikeouts with no walks.

The Cole Train was hauling ? pic.twitter.com/hHDfxJDCK0

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 30, 2020

ESPN Stats and Info discovered that Cole is now the first pitcher in postseason history with three career games totaling at least 12 strikeouts.

That outing continues a hot streak from Cole. Over four September starts, Cole pitched 27 innings to the tune of a 3-1 record. His ERA over that time was 1.00 and his strikeout-to-walk ratio was 34:5.

They call it gambling for a reason

Wanna throw down a few bucks on an NFL game? Be my guest.

Or, you can do something more constructive with your money. Like light it on fire.

How hard is it to gamble on the NFL, especially without true home field advantage as your guide? Well, take a look at these numbers from David Bearman at ESPN. He’s their deputy editor of sports betting.

Pretty crazy how even things are on the spreads. As for totals, overs still ruling.

Fav 24-24
Dogs 24-24
Away 24-24
Home 24-24
Away Fav 8-8
Home Dog 8-8
Away Dog 16-16
Home Fav 16-16

Overs 29
Unders 19https://t.co/JlyYy4VSpv

— David Bearman ESPN (@DBearmanESPN) September 29, 2020

Yup, the NFL has achieved its lifelong goal: total and complete gambling parity. If covid-19 shuts down the league for good, Roger Goodell will go out a happy man.