Thursday Night saw the Saints act like the Saints at home for the first time in nearly a year, as they beat the Falcons 31-21 in New Orleans. Today, Arizona heads to Pittsburgh in what Madden is calling the potential Super Bowl 50 Preview. The Panthers head to the Pacific Northwest, where they have not had much success. The marquee game this week though is the Pats heading to Indy in what people are calling a revenge game, but not for the team that got blown out in the AFC Championship game, but rather the team that won 45-7. Lastly, a Monday Night NFC East rivalry game between the NY Football Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles could decide who goes to the playoffs and who's coach retires/heads back to college. So, let's get to some picks.
Washington
at NY Jets -7
I think it's pretty clear both the Jets and Redskins are better than most analysts thought. If Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't turn the ball over, the Jets play really well. Kirk Cousins has been inconsistent for Washington, but he's still their best option under center. The Redskins blew a chance to upset the Falcons last week, losing in OT on a pick 6, while the Jets are coming off a bye after thumping the Dolphins in London. The Jets have better skill position players, a better defense, and they're playing at home. Give me the Jets to win, but I think Washington keeps it close and prevents the Jets from covering the spread. Jets 27 Redskins 23.
Arizona -3.5
at Pittsburgh
If Big Ben were under center for the Steelers, I'd go with Pittsburgh to get the win, but with Vick under center, I'm going with the Cards. Vick and the Steelers absolutely stole one from the Chargers on Monday night. If you look at the numbers for Antonio Brown when Big Ben is playing vs. when he's not, it's pretty clear that Vick isn't utilizing his skill set the way Roethlisberger can. Give me the Cardinals to win and cover 33-24.
Kansas City
at Minnesota -3.5
Last week was heartbreaking for Chiefs fans as they lost their star RB and fell to the Bears at home on a last second drive to drop to 1-4, and their season is essentially done. Minnesota is coming off a bye, with a AP getting a week of rest. Expect him to get plenty of touches, as Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings passing attack hasn't exactly been elite. I'll take the Vikings to win and cover against the Chiefs. Vikings 22 Chiefs 17.
Cincinnati -3
at Buffalo
Buffalo is 3-2, while the Bengals are 5-0. EJ Manuel will start for the Bills today, and Buffalo should get Shady McCoy back as well. If Tyrod Taylor was under center, I'd go with the Bills to get the upset, but he's not, and I don't believe in EJ Manuel as a competent NFL QB. The Bengals looked terrible for most of last week against Seattle, but they came storming back off some phenomenal plays to get an OT win at home. I'll go with Cincy to get a win on the road as EJ Manuel struggles. Cincy 24 Buffalo 17.
Chicago
at Detroit -3
The Lions have looked awful through the first 5 weeks of the season, and the Bears haven't exactly looked decent, but they've managed to grind out 2 wins so far. I think Detroit finally gets it done this week, and they break through for their first win. Stafford got put on notice after being pulled in the game late last week, and I think he bounces back. Give me the Lions to win and cover. Lions 31 Bears 27.
Denver -3.5
at Cleveland
I think it's pretty evident, this season is Peyton Manning's swan song. The Broncos are undefeated, but only because their defense has been bailing them out. Manning doesn't have the zip on his ball the way he used to, and the Broncos offense is ranked 30th out of 32 teams so far this year. This game looks to be another struggle, but the Cleveland Browns are in the top 10 in overall Offense and Defense in the NFL. I'm going with the Browns in an upset special. Cleveland 23 Denver 20.
Houston
at Jacksonville -2.5
A battle of two 1-4 AFC South teams takes place in Florida today. Houston has struggled to find it's signal caller all season, and Blake Bortles has looked like a decent NFL QB this season. The Allens (Robinson and Hurns) are developing into a nice tandem for Bortles to target going forward. Give me America's team to get the win over the Fighting Bill O'Briens. Jags 27 Houston 13.
Miami
at Tennessee -2
The Dolphins made the right move firing Joe Philbin after their loss in London. Dan Campbell, the TE coach, is the Miami Interim Head Football Coach, and...Good Lord will you look at this guy? If there's a coaches Rumble Royal, I'm taking Dan Campbell. I remember watching him on Hard Knocks a few years ago, and he's an intense individual. I think he gives the Dolphins a spark and they go to Nashville and get a win. The Dolphins have too much talent to keep losing. Miami 28 Tennessee 24.
Carolina
at Seattle -7
Carolina has benefited from a favorable schedule so far, but they've won each of their games with good defense and a balance offense. The Panthers have struggled against Seattle, and winning on the road in the Pacific Northwest is a monumental task for any team. If the Panthers can get after Wilson, they'll have a fighting chance, but Marshawn Lynch looks to be active for today's game and he's bound to break through at some point. Seattle wins a hard fought physical game 20 -17. By the way, it was just reported that the fire alarm in the Panthers hotel in Seattle went off at 5:30AM, but only on the Panthers floor. Because...of course it does.
San Diego
at Green Bay -10
San Diego suffered a devastating loss last week against the Steelers, and are looking to get to .500, but they have to go to Green Bay to do it, and hardly anyone beats the Packers at Lambeau. A warm weather team going to Lambeau does not augur well for the Chargers. They'll give the Packers a battle, but I like Green Bay to win and cover in a shoot out. Green Bay 38 San Diego 27.
Baltimore -2
at San Francisco
I don't think anyone expected the Ravens to start the season out 1-4. They're essentially out of the playoff race, and John Harbaugh may be looking to moving to the West Coast for the USC job. The 49ers have looked even worse than the Ravens though this year, and reports out of San Francisco are that Kaep might be headed to the bench. This looks to be an ugly game from the start, and usually I'd go with the home team, but I think the Ravens have a better QB and a better coach, so I'll go with the Ravens to win and cover. Ravens 17 49ers 13.
New England -9
at Indianapolis
How is this line only 9 points? I think New England comes out guns blazing. They have got to be pissed after the Colts raised the issue that caused Deflate Gate. They are going to want to run this thing up from the start. Luck may be a go tonight, but his arm clearly won't be 100%, and the last time it was the Colts lost by 38 points. Indy is going to win the AFC South by default, but they don't look anything like a Super Bowl contender right now. Give me the Pats to win and cover 35 - 17.
NY Giants
at Philadelphia -5
Want to hear something really surprising? If the Eagles win on Monday Night Football and the Redskins lose, the Eagles are in 1st place in the NFC East. That's utterly shocking to me, because Philly has not looked like a playoff team. If this game was in New York, I think most people would go with the Giants. I've watched most of the Giants game this year, and they look like a team that should win the NFC East. I'm going with Eli and the Giants over Bradford and the Eagles. The Giants have a better QB, better receivers, and a better head coach. Eli may falter, but I'll take him over Sam Bradford, who's been in the league since 2010 and has yet to deliver. Giants 28 Eagles 23.
Let's hope NFL Sunday works out better than College Football Saturday. I feel your pain Michigan fans.
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