9-7 last week, finally falling back towards mediocrity. I blame the Bears, as I had to watch more of that game than I would have otherwise. With Mariota going down and the Cards/Browns winning, there were not a lot of things for this partisan to be happy about, besides the weather. (I got a tan in December!?!) Fantasy team is up 3 headed into the second leg. That's something.
HOUSTON @ TENNESSEE
Matt Cassell, while probably not made of sand, melted down last week. He couldn't beat Jacksonville's secondary, I'd bet he probably won't figure out Houston's.
CHICAGO @ MINNESOTA
Minnesota still can't score. Chicago has been playing spoiler long enough to be dangerous, but they made me look pretty dumb last week against a hungry Redskins team. This pick is tentative.
ARIZONA @ LOS ANGELES
The Cards are too good at running the ball to let the Rams back into this one if they get ahead. The only way I see LA winning at home is with early points off turnovers.
KANSAS CITY @ SAN DIEGO
The Chargers are just sooo 2000 and late. Better luck is overdue for this franchise, but short of a division change or a Brees homecoming season, next year might be even rougher.
SEATTLE @ SAN FRANCISCO
The Sqwaks just need to hit cruise control and put their talons up for this one. They haven't looked capable of that all year, but I think they can get it done comfortably against a familiar (new haircut?) QB.
GREEN BAY @ DETROIT
The Lions have looked more like the Lions of yesteryear recently, and now get to be spanked at home in front of fans who at one point were certain they had this whole playoff thing locked up. Woe, the ides of Janurary.
BALTIMORE @ CINCINNATI
The Ravens just lost their season by scoring too quickly. Chances are, they haven't gotten over it inside the locker room just yet.
CAROLINA @ TAMPA BAY
Both teams are a bit of an enigma to me right now. Going with the home one.
JACKSONVILLE @ INDIANAPOLIS
Stupid Jacksonville hurt my man. Damn you Jags. Damn you.
NEW ENGLAND @ MIAMI
They could rest their starters. They won't. Even if I had insider info that Brady won't take a snap, it wouldn't justify taking the Dolphins here.
BUFFALO @ NEW YORK JETS
Tyrod Taylor has been benched, so EJ Manuel will get to test his mettle this week against a Jets team that is probably less interested in playing than the rest of the Bills are. If you know what's good for you, don't watch this game.
DALLAS @ PHILIDELHPIA
The Cowboys had every reason to give their starters a rest last week against Detroit. I think they actually do rest them this week, and the Eagles win accordingly. Lane Johnson looked every bit as good against the G-men as the Philly faithful could have expected, now if only Dallas could figure out New York...
CLEVELAND @ PITTSBURGH
The Browns, to the surprise of many, got their first win against a depleted Chargers team, making it a rough week 16 for us Lions fans. We now get to wonder how many years we might have to wait for another 0-16 team to join us in historical abomination. Pittsburgh hits the gas, then coasts 3 quarters.
NEW ORLEANS @ ATLANTA
The Saints are trying to reach .500, and the Falcons are playing for a first round bye. Atlanta is also expecting at least one more win in the Georgia Dome before the doors are shuttered for good this offseason. Usually a stadium's last ride is cause for away teams to worry. Not so at the Joe in Detroit so far, but that's a story for another blog.
NEW YORK GIANTS @ WASHINGTON
Washington needs a W to get into the playoffs. DeSean Jackson is having himself a year, averaging almost 20 yards a catch over the last 4. As good as the Giants are, I think OBJ will be slowed by Norman, particularly when McAdoo has no reason to risk his stars in a game that's all cost / no benefit.
OAKLAND @ DENVER
I want to see Denver take this game seriously. However, I don't see any incentive to risk injuries this week just to potentially reward Kansas City. I think playing backups makes much more sense if you are heading into the postseason, but I've never had to answer to a player on my fantasy team when he gets hurt week 17. Paxton Lynch can use all the reps he can get. Oakland still wants this AFC West title, in part to forget their own QB issues, which almost certainly will dash their SB hopes.
When you come to a fork in the road, take it. - Yogi Berra
No comments:
Post a Comment