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| (Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) |
Picks in CAPS. Revisited comments in Italics.
Baltimore at CHICAGO
Jay Cutler will miss the game with an ankle injury suffered last week, and that is exactly why I am picking the Bears. Chicago has looked better with backup QB Josh McCown at the helm, and I expect them to continue playing well together against a mediocre Baltimore team.
McCown statline: 216, 1 TD, 0 INT. Bears win. 1-0!
NEW YORK JETS at Buffalo
Geno and the Jets will break their roller-coaster pattern and win their second game in a row in Buffalo. EJ Manuel will play in his second game back from injury, but will be missing his number one and two receivers, Steve Johnson and Robert Woods. The Bills will limp into their bye next week with a loss.
Damn you, Geno Coaster! Jets lose big 37-14. 1-1.
Cleveland at CINCINNATI
This has the potential to be the quietest great game of the season, as the Browns seem to be clicking with Jason Campbell at QB. Their defense is making a case to be regarded as one of the best in the league, and AJ Green will have his hands full all day with CB Joe Haden. However, the division-leading Bengals will bounce back from back-to-back OT losses with a win at home against the Browns.
AJ Green held to SEVEN yards, but Cinci still won. 2-1!
Washington at PHILADELPHIA
Chip Kelley's offense finally looks to be clicking. Nick Foles has thrown for 10 TDs and 0 INTs in his last two games alone, and the Eagles have moved into a tie for first place with Dallas in the NFC East. Although Philadelphia has lost 10 straight home games, I have them shocking their fans with a win on Sunday over Washington and its 26th ranked passing defense.
Foles throws for 298, but no TDs, and still not INTs. 3-1!
DETROIT at Pittsburgh
All aboard the bandwagon! I'm taking Matty Stafford and Megatron to take down the underachieving Steelers. Detroit is playing like a hungry team, and after missing the playoffs last year with an 8-game losing streak, they have their eyes set on a return to the playoffs. They'll improve their chances of winning the division with win on Sunday.
Never bet on Jim Schwartz. 3-2.
Atlanta at TAMPA BAY
The Bucs are no longer winless, and if they beat the Falcons on Sunday, they will have the same exact record. That is how poor the Falcons have played this season. QB Mike Glennon has looked decent, but has been aided by a sneaky good running-game (which is now down to third-string RB Bobby Rainey) and a surprisingly solid Bucs defense. I expect Atlanta to be thwarted yet again when the travel to Tampa to face the Bucs.
Wowzers the Falcons are terrible. 41-28, and the score doesn't do it justice. 4-2!
ARIZONA at Jacksonville
The Cardinals' quest for a wild-card berth will be aided with a win against the Jags. Fans of Arizona are no doubt hoping for a 49ers loss in New Orleans, as they would move into a tie for second with San Francisco and increase their odds of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The Jags got a win last week; I hope they had enough time to savor it.
Jacksonville is terrible, but still it was hard to pick the Cardinals. Paid off this time. 5-2!
Oakland at HOUSTON
Terrelle Pryor will miss the game with a sprained knee, Darren McFadden will miss the game with whatever his injury is this time, and the Raiders will miss both of them as their offense struggles against the Texans. Houston will see its head coach, Gary Kubiak, return after collapsing during the game against the Colts. QB Case Keenum has played well in all of his two starts, losing by three points in each game, but will get his first victory as a starter today at home.
I only picked them to lose so they would win... 5-3.
Afternoon Games
San Diego at MIAMI
After an embarrassing nationally-televised loss to the winless teams, I expect the Dolphins to rebound at home against the Chargers. San Diego has a history of losing on the east coast and losing crucial games toward the end of the season that cost them the playoffs, and I have gotten so used to the trend that I expect nothing less. Keep your eye on Phillip Rivers, because I think he is in for a long day, and there are bound to be some entertaining temper tantrums on the sidelines.
Hahahahahahaha Chargers. I love it. 6-3!
San Francisco at NEW ORLEANS
Drew Brees will be slowed by a strong San Francisco defense, but not impeded enough to suffer the loss at home. Kaepernick and the 49ers look to get back on track against a mediocre Saints defense, and will have much success in the running game, but will be unable to keep pace with Drew Brees, and the Saints will escape with a narrow victory.
Narrow victory indeed. Hartley kicked the winning FG as time expired. 7-3!
GREEN BAY at New York Giants
Run the ball! That's all the Packers have to do to leave the Meadowlands with the win on Sunday. That formula eluded them last week, but by now, hopefully someone has relayed the message to third-string QB Scott Tolzein, who will start the first game of his career on Sunday. The Giants have played well for the past three games, but obviously didn't play well for their first 6, as they are currently 3-6. I expect them to lay another egg on Sunday and miss a chance to beat an injury-plagued Packers team.
GB tallied 55 rushing yards and a loss. 7-4.
Minnesotta at SEATTLE
The Vikings are fresh off a win and I hope they enjoyed it while it lasted. They travel to one of the loudest stadiums to face one of the best teams, and stand little chance of winning. WR Percy Harvin will play his first game for the Seahawks, and it will come against his former team. Look for his number to be called all afternoon, as Seattle will look to take advantage of yet another explosive weapon on offense.
Easy pick. 8-4!
Kansas City at DENVER
*Sunday Night*
The Broncos will finally bring the Chiefs down to earth. The KC offense will struggle for most of the game, while Peyton Manning will move the team up and down at will, and the Chiefs will drop their first game of the season. The teams face each other again in two weeks, in Kansas City, and the division winner will likely be decided by the outcome of those two crucial games.
Closer than I thought it would be, and I'm definitely taking KC in the next meeting. 9-4!
*Monday Night*
When I wrote this earlier I thought NE was at home. The Pats are off the bye, but I can't NOT root for the Panthers, especially because I need them to stop Gronk or I will lose my fantasy match-up.
Caaaaaam! Won the game, won my fantasy game, and ended 10-4 this week!
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