In its 32-year history, there had never been a pummeling like the one Brisbane took last week against Sydney.
Wave after wave of attack from the defending NRL champions led to a 59-0 shellacking, just one week after Brisbane lost 34-6 to Parramatta.
Talk about shell-shocked.
Now, this young Brisbane side has to face a heavily-favored Manly Sea Eagles side smarting from a tough 19-16 defeat to Parramatta last weekend.
Both teams come into this contest at 2-2, but it is Manly that has its eyes on jumping up the ladder, with a chance to move up to fifth.
The line on this game is a direct reflection on the last two weeks for Brisbane. The Broncos have come back after the COVID-19 break and got blown out twice, by a combined score of 93-6. Last week’s 59-0 humiliation could be a motivating factor, or it could just prove that this young team is still learning the ropes.
I will go with the latter, as Manly will be the latest team to hang a big defeat on the Broncos.
All lines from Parx Online Casino — Check Fubo.tv for channel listings
AUSTRALIA NRL RUGBY
Manly Sea Eagles (-455) vs. Brisbane Broncos (+330), 5:50 am EDT (Fubo.tv)
THE PICKS:
Manly -11.5 (-124)
Manly ML and over 40.5 points (+123)
Manly -12.5 and over 40.5 points (+220)
Manly -12.5 and under 40.5 points (+350)
WINNING MARGIN BETS:
Manly to win by 13-18 points (+460)
Manly to win by 19+ points (+155)