Photo Credit: Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports
Let’s just get right to it.
Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers return to home to the friendly confines of Green Bay after suffering their first loss of the season. Super Cam and the still undefeated Panthers will try to hand the Packers their second loss of the season as they try to stay undefeated. This game definitely feels like foreshadowing for things to come in January. We still have a lot of football left to play, but the NFC road to the Super Bowl could very well hinge on the winner of this game. Neither of the super star QBs have a receiving corp worth writing home to mom about, but both teams do have stout defenses.
This one probably won’t be a shoot out. Eddie Lacy and Jonathan Stewart’s numbers should get called early and often, and the kickers will get a chance to shine in cheese-land. Usually, I’d go with Rodgers. It’s rare for Green Bay to lose at home, and even more rare for them to lose back-to-back games. However, the media has been announcing this tidbit all week long, which is almost sure to jinx the Pack.
Randall Cobb, was supposed to be Rodgers’ go to guy following Jordy Nelson’s preseason knee injury, be he only has 132 receiving yards and zero touchdowns over the last four games. This one is going down to the wire with the kickers in charge. Pick: Panthers +3 #GBvsCAR
New England Patriots vs. Washington Redskins
The New England Patriots are set to scrimmage against Washington in Foxboro on Sunday. The Patriots are favored by -15. You guys know the rules. No matter how bad a team is in the NFL you just can’t spot the underdog two touchdowns. These are grown men, they have pride and this is how they make their living. The Patriots have been wining but they haven’t been administering any knock out blows lately. Washington has been losing, but they’ve also kept it close, and even visited OT a couple time this season. This game should be a walk in the park for the Patriots but it may just be a trap. Wouldn’t it be so characteristic of the 2015 season — during which seemingly anything can happen — if the Patriots were to fall to Washington.
I doubt that is going to happen but everyone in New England better stay woke.
New England has won 20 of its last 22 games. Surely they can make it 21 out of 23 right, but will they cover? That ladies and gents is the real question. #WASvsNE Pick: Washington +16.5
Tennessee Titans vs, New Orleans Saints
Marcus Mariota is back on the field and headed to the Big Easy where things are anything but easy for opposing QBs. Mariota is coming off a knee injury that kept him out of the past two games. Drew Brees is coming off of a shoot out with the Giants where he threw 7 TDs in one of the wildest offensive games this season. When in Nawlins it’s not wise to eat the Gumbo if you’re on the opposing team and it’s not smart to bet against Brees in the dome. The Titans interim coach is going to have to wait a little longer to get that first W. Pick: Saints – 8 #TENvsNO
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills
Another interim coach on the road looking for a win. Dan Campbell and the Dolphins have actually fared well since firing their head coach. Buffalo has a great defense, but they are also adept at shooting themselves in the foot. The Dolphins may have a shot in upstate NY against their division rival. Pick: Dolphins +3.5 #MIAvsBUF
St. Louis Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings
Vegas has the Rams vs. the Vikings as a pick ‘em. Which in short means even the “experts” can’t decide who will win this one and you want me to pick. Yeah right you know I’m only right 65% of the time right? If the wise guys in Vegas can’t decide on this one neither can I. My advice to you is to enjoy veteran running back Adrian Peterson going against rookie running back Todd Gurley. Pick: Anyone’s guess #STLvsMIN
New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jets went to Oakland last week and stunk up the place. So, sorry for your bad luck Jacksonville, even though you’re fresh off a bye and well rested the Jets are going to be a little mad at being manhandled by the Raiders last week. Even without that this wasn’t a good match up for the hapless Jags. Blake Bortles, I kind of feel bad for you, because you and the Jaguars are probably going to feel the brunt of the whipping the Jets suffered at the Raiders hands last week Pick: Jets -9 #JAXvsNYJ
Oakland Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Silver and Black travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. Le’Veon Bell went down last week with a badly torn MCL and PCL. Just when you thought the Steelers were going to pull it all together nope the injury bug rears its ugly head again.
Pittsburgh is almost in a must-win situation if they have postseason hopes. There are still three undefeated teams in the AFC and one of them is the Steelers division rival so it’s wild card or bust it is for the Steel Curtain. If the Steelers want a wild card spot they have to take care of business against the Raiders. Pick: Steelers -4 #OAKvsPIT
New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Big Blue’ takes on Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Bucs in Tampa. Last week the Giants lost a heartbreaker against New Orleans, while the Bucs took the Atlanta Falcons to OT and won. Despite their up and down play the Giants still have a chance to win their division. No one is talking about the great play from quarterback Eli Manning, but the could be the difference today. Sorry Jameis I don’t think this is the week you start your win streak. Pick: Giants -2.5 #NYGvsTB
Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers
Getting benched has got to be a blow to Colin Kapernick’s ego. The Niners have been horrific, still how bad do you have to be at QB to get benched for Blaine Gabbert? Not to mention the alleged meeting between players and coaches where it’s rumored the players asked that Kaepernick take his talents to the bench. The Falcons are reeling after losing to the Bucs last weekend. The 49ers are only playing for respect. That could spell bad news for the Falcons traveling across the country to Niner country. In good conscience, roll with the 49ers. Pick Falcons -7.5 #AtlvsSF
Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning returns to Indy and who knows which version of Andrew Luck will show up. Will we see DIRECTV Andrew Luck, or will it be cable Andrew luck? Unfortunately, Luck will be without favorite target TY Hilton this week. All I can say for the Indy fans is to watch reruns of Welcome Back Kotter sing the theme song and hope that Peyton doesn’t take you to Omaha too many times. Indy’s new face of the organization can’t afford to be subpar. Pick: Broncos -5 #DENvsIND
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Of course, the stars would align to have Dallas in a primetime showcase the week that all eyes are focused on Big D because of the pictures of Greg Hardy’s victim being released. Greg Hardy is scum but that is not breaking news. So lets move on. Is this the week that Dallas finally finds the win column without Tony Uh Oh, I mean Romo? Will DeMarco Murray go off and get revenge against the dreaded Cowboys defense? Who knows. Anything can happen when these two teams meet on the field. For the Tony Romo haters still out there, the Cowboys are 77-48 with him and 6-14 without Tony behind center. . I don’t know how, but numbers never lie. Pick Dallas -3 #PHIvsDAL
Chicago Bears vs, San Diego Chargers
Surely you didn’t think because my Bears were playing on Monday Night Football that you were going to trick me. Nope not going to happen. The Bears are in San Diego this week. That’s all you get. Pick someone will win someone will lose. #CHIvsSD
Good luck, enjoy the games and remember this is just for entertainment and bragging rights. If you go blow the rent don’t tweet me. You see my win-loss record. Until next week everyone.
Season Record ATS 54 -83
