This week, the usual suspects are all more or less expected to win, and I just don't buy it. SEA-LA set me back a bit, but -157 adheres to the odd number rule and is therefore OK with me.
LOS ANGELES @ SEATTLE
The Rams absolutely lost the trade they made last year with the Titans. They gave up a 1st and a 3rd for Goff, who we all know is a hot pile of trash on a rusty tin roof. Now they get to watch the Titans get WAAAY better than they already are next year and have to somehow build around Goff with no picks. Cellar, meet Rams. Rams, Cellar.
DETROIT @ NEW YORK GIANTS
I've gone against the Lions too much already this year. It's embarrassing enough to be the last one on my home team's bandwagon, but Seattle was a great place to snow-bird while the Ford-owned franchise found its sea legs the same year they lost Megatron. Both teams have to throw, I think Stafford and Big-Play Slay can force Eli to make some more funny faces.
TENNESSEE @ KANSAS CITY
This one is complicated. I think to compare Denver and KC would be to do the Chiefs a disservice, but there are plenty of parallels. The Broncos secondary certainly scared Mariota from throwing anywhere near his own wideouts. Kansas City will keep them quiet for a second straight week. However, the Titans defense might be sneaky good without Cox around to screw it up. All Mariota has to do is hit a few deep throws to win this game. My backup guess: He loses the game on his first red-zone pick.
INDIANAPOILIS @ MINNESOTA
Waffling here. Sam Bradford and TY Hilton are both questionable at time-of-post, if one of them can go, and the other can't, I reserve the right to mulligan. My gut says Minnesota is too good on D to let a one dimensional offense like the Colts beat them at home.
SAN FRANCISCO @ ATLANTA
The story leading in to this one surrounds Julio's toe, and whether or not to sit your star because there's a good excuse. Simply no way Chip beats a playoff team.
NEW ORLEANS @ ARIZONA
The Saints are too bad on defense to beat any team that ranks in the top 10 on that side of the ball. They can win in a shootout, or not at all.
MIAMI @ NEW YORK JETS
Matt Moore's last win came 5 years ago against the Jets. I think he's a good enough backup to get the job done on the road, especially since he's across Bryce Petty. The Jets should keep Ajayi bottled up. It will probably come down to special teams and turnovers, just like the previous bout.
GREEN BAY @ CHICAGO
Chicago held Detroit to within 3, I think they can make Green Bay sweat a little more than the Seahawks did last week. The Bears secondary only allows 235 yards through the air, they could sneak up on some folks from Wisconsin who celebrated a little longer than usual after their last W.
JACKSONVILLE @ HOUSTON
Jacksonville played Houston tight once, I for one hope they can win this one. But I wouldn't try to convince anybody else their offense can get it done against a Houston defense that specializes in stopping aerial attacks.
CLEVELAND @ BUFFALO
The Browns are not worth disparaging further.
PHILIDELPHIA @ BALTIMORE
Baltimore still has it all to play for. Philly doesn't, and after seeing 3 more Eagles go down to injuries, I doubt they find a way to play with the required intensity. The Eagles are 1-6 on the road to boot. Wentzlmania has officially hit it's first goose patch. Expect the boo birds to blame yet another coach for their own failings (letting/making Andy Reid go).
PITTSBURGH @ CINCINNATI
The Bengals usually sport a stout rush defense, but this year they allow close to 120 yards a game. That won't cut it against Le'Veon Bell and Co. ESPN's matchup predictor has the Bengals, but most sportswriters favor the Steelers, including this one.
NEW ENGLAND @ DENVER
Denver has the hardest 3-game slate in NFL history between them and the playoffs (Three 10+ win teams in a row). The scheduling gods have it out for last year's Cinderella.
OAKLAND @ SAN DIEGO
Sandy Eggo is just waaay too beat up to win games. I don't give them any chance of upsetting the Raiders, especially without Melvin Gordon or any of their usual WR's. This is my lock of the week, if you're asking.
TAMPA BAY @ DALLAS
Tampa Bay has that "it" factor that Dallas had in the preseason. Jameis has his team playing together. The defense and the offense have each other's back. "Special D" has far too many egos to satisfy individually before they can determine what is best for the team as a whole.
CAROLINA @ WASHINGTON
Jordan Reed is the ex factor here, and another swing vote injury. I think Carolina can win this game if they don't have to worry about the pass-catching TE. Motivation is starting to be a serious question in Carolina, as they can't help but take their eyes off the football when they all know they're going to get to the golf course early.
Quotient Quotables:
"Outlaws are can openers in the supermarket of life." Still Life With Woodpecker - Tom Robbins
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