Top Shelf Games: Talent-rich, highly competitive and aged in oak barrels... spiritually speaking
San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos (-6.5) - The stakes could not be higher for these two teams in our Lady Blitz Game of the Week. Although the tides are likely to change over the next few weeks, both the Broncos and 49ers are surprisingly clinging to wild card spots for now in stacked divisions. They’re also playing some very good football at the moment, which could make for a Sunday night classic, especially after last week’s Eagles-Giants rumble proved to be a dud very quickly. Anyway, I expect the 49ers to put up a good fight and try to slow this game down, but with mounting injuries that now include Patrick Willis and a challenging trip to Mile High, it’s hard not to see the Broncos pulling away in the second half.
Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (-3) - After looking like the best team in the NFL for three weeks, the Bengals could be in real trouble if they drop/tie their third straight game. The rest of the AFC North is creeping up quickly. The Colts are trending in the opposite direction with excellent play from Andrew Luck, and they’ve got an excellent chance at home this week to overtake Cincy in the conference seeding. Methinks the referees will be paying a little extra attention to the Bengals’ extracurriculars after nasty rumors of Vontaze Burfict’s ankle-wrenching tactics. And if that leads to trigger-happy officiating, the Bengals are at a big disadvantage this week.
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) - By Kanye I hate hate HATE having to pick games for the NFC East. They pull the football away Charlie Brown-style every time I think I’ve figured these teams out. But these are the facts: 1) The Dallas Cowboys look unstoppable with DeMarco Murray consistently on the field behind the best offensive line in football; and 2) Eli Manning has to figure out how to keep the Giants offense on the field without Victor Cruz or Rashard Jennings. Here’s a prop bet that should be out there: Will Dallas’s offense get more than 40 minutes on time of possession? And if there are any fantasy football advisors out there who feel like dabbling in the comments section, should I even attempt to start Odell Beckham over Alshon Jeffery?
Well Drink Games: They may surprise you from time to time without all the high expectations
New York Jets at New England Patriots (-9.5) - Hand it to Rex Ryan, no matter how bad the Jets look year-to-year, he usually seems to get the best out of this team when they’re playing the Patriots. Still, this looks to be just about as big of an uphill battle as any New York has played under his tenure. The secondary is looking mighty porous just as Tom Terrific is reclaiming that moniker, and Geno’s Jets just aren’t primed to win a shootout.
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (-3) - If the Lions decide to stick entirely to field goal attempts, the Saints may have a shot here. I’m hoping at minimum that the bye week will lead to better decision-making on the part of Sean Payton and Drew Brees. But the test for Brees’ offense could not be more difficult given the way Detroit’s defense has played this year. Did I mention Jimmy Graham is out? Meanwhile, the Saints’ defense could have a very tough time corralling a versatile Lions attack. Yeah, I’m pretty much hoping for a not-blowout. Howzat for managing expectations?!
Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears (-3) - I’m not sure what to think of this game, and truthfully, I don’t particularly care. These are two “meh” teams with a couple upsets and ugly losses on their records so far this year, though the Bears are in much better position to be relevant in January at this point in the season. So Chicago, I guess.
Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (-4) - Chargers fans might be feeling a little anxiety about that defense after rookie David Carr dropped four TDs on their team in Oakland last week. But do you trust Philip Rivers to win a shootout these days when called upon to do so? I do.
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) - This is a good test for whether or not the Texans are actually any good. They've beaten three divisional bottom-feeders and no one else this year, but the Steelers have been on the ropes for most of the early season. I think this could be an old-school smashmouth kind of game, but one in which Pittsburgh has the better weapons.
House Punch Games: Most likely to be lop-sided, sloppy and/or otherwise painful to digest
Cleveland Browns (-5.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars - Poor, poor Jaguars. Playing the Cleveland Browns used to be a source of hope that you wouldn’t go 0 - 16. Not this year’s Browns.
Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills (-5.5) - The Bills have had a wild ride so far this season. They owe a lot of the successes they've had to a crazy-good run defense that is allowing less than 70 yards per game, which is unfortunate for a Vikings team that will certainly want to run first. They've got a chance if Teddy Bridgewater can air it out pretty often with success, but that's a lot to ask a rookie on his third full start.
Seattle Seahawks (-7) at St. Louis Rams - Before things got out of hand in the second half on Monday night, the Rams were pretty fun to watch, eh? Unfortunately, after a very hard-fought first leg of the season, I can only see St. Louis going downhill from here, and that’s pretty bad for a team that’s already 1 - 4. There’s only so many close losses a team can take, and the Seahawks could not be more ready to avenge last week’s rare home loss.
Arizona Cardinals (-3.5) at Oakland Raiders - David Carr played a heckuva game against the high-flying Chargers last weekend. With that in mind, I don’t think this will be a total rout, but the Cardinals’ defense is just too good, and Carson Palmer has come back from his shoulder injury at a very high level. Crazy to think the Cardinals could be 6 - 1 at the top of the mighty NFC West after this week. Apologies in advance for the Lady Blitz jinx.
So How's My Pickin'?
Last Week's Record: 9 - 5 - 1
Season Record: 53 - 37 - 1
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