Top Shelf Games: Talent-rich, highly competitive and aged in oak barrels... spiritually speaking
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7) - Denver's stalwart defense was able to shut down another high-flying offense recently when the Patriots came to town, but they needed some untimely injuries to help. Now we'll see if they can slow down Pittsburgh's turbo-charged passing game in this Lady Blitz Game of the Week. I reckon some of the miscues between Brock Osweiler and his receivers could smooth themselves out with more reps, but the struggling Broncos' offense doesn't look ready to go toe-to-toe with Antonio Brown and company at this time.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (-2) - In this corner, we have two 6 - 7 teams with backup quarterbacks vying for the "honor" of winning the AFC South. It probably won't make for great television to the casual fan, but it is one of the more meaningful games on the schedule this week. I don't feel great about either team, but I'm going to give DeAndre Hopkins the chance to shred Indy's defense while J.J. Watt and a quietly blossoming Jadeveon Clowney try to ground the Colts on the other side of the ball.
Carolina Panthers (-4.5) at New York Giants - That 16 - 0 is well within sight for the Panthers with three weeks to go. But if I had to pick one team as an upset specialist, it'd be the New York Giants. They were one series of bad clock management away from ruining the Patriots winning streak [again] earlier this year, and even though they're far from world-beaters, they tend to show up in big games. I'm most intrigued by the Josh Norman-Odell Beckham matchup and whether or not the Panthers offense is up to the challenge without Jonathan Stewart and possibly Greg Olsen. This really could be a close one, ladies and gents!
Arizona Cardinals (-3.5) at Philadelphia Eagles - Did you know Carson Palmer has already thrown for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns this season? Those are Brady/Rodgers numbers. Palmer owes coach Bruce Arians a fruit basket for a reanimated career and a genuine shot at the Super Bowl. I like the Cardinals' chances against the much less reliable Philadelphia offense.
Well Drink Games: They may surprise you from time to time without all the high expectations5
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-5.5) - These two teams have been in a bit of a tailspin lately after a strong middle half of the season. But the Vikings have a laser focus on protecting their wild card spot and the kind of defensive front that tends to give Jay Cutler fits from time to time. See also: the Bears' questionable run defense.
Buffalo Bills (-2) at Washington Redskinks - I really need Tyrod Taylor to pull it together for my fantasy team, and he usually does that when I pick against the Bills... and put him on the bench. Only the former is going to happen this week. But I'm also going on the fact that the Redskinks have been pretty good at home this season, especially Kirk Cousins. Given that every other team in the NFC East has a very tough matchup this week, Washington can make some real separation with two weeks left to go if they can keep Greg Roman's multi-faceted offense at bay.
Buffalo Bills (-2) at Washington Redskinks - I really need Tyrod Taylor to pull it together for my fantasy team, and he usually does that when I pick against the Bills... and put him on the bench. Only the former is going to happen this week. But I'm also going on the fact that the Redskinks have been pretty good at home this season, especially Kirk Cousins. Given that every other team in the NFC East has a very tough matchup this week, Washington can make some real separation with two weeks left to go if they can keep Greg Roman's multi-faceted offense at bay.
Green Bay Packers (-3) at Oakland Raiders - If Aaron Rodgers isn't already having nightmares about facing Khalil Mack this weekend, he should. Mack notched five sacks in upsetting the Broncos last week, and this Raiders team is really starting to look dangerous/fun for 2016 even if they haven't been able to get there just yet. Nevertheless, the Packers' offensive line is getting closer to full strength, and maybe Mike McCarthy is finally redeeming his playcalling after all.
Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers (-1.5) - What a gross game. What is this even doing in the Well Drink bucket? (Note to self: Have you seen the garbage in the House Punch tier this week?) If I'm trying to be optimistic, this could have some sloppy big-play antics given how rough these two defenses look. So I'm counting on the Chargers shooting themselves in the foot in terms of 2016 draft position but also giving the home crowd something to cheer about in what may just be their final game in San Diego.
Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints (-3) - Oh Lawd. Here I go jinxing the Saints again. But before you roll your eyes, just know that Drew Brees at home in prime time is unimpeachable. Since 2010, the Saints have gone 16 - 1 when they play at night in the Superdome. I look forward to seeing how they'll screw that up against the uneven Lions.
Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers (-1.5) - What a gross game. What is this even doing in the Well Drink bucket? (Note to self: Have you seen the garbage in the House Punch tier this week?) If I'm trying to be optimistic, this could have some sloppy big-play antics given how rough these two defenses look. So I'm counting on the Chargers shooting themselves in the foot in terms of 2016 draft position but also giving the home crowd something to cheer about in what may just be their final game in San Diego.
Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints (-3) - Oh Lawd. Here I go jinxing the Saints again. But before you roll your eyes, just know that Drew Brees at home in prime time is unimpeachable. Since 2010, the Saints have gone 16 - 1 when they play at night in the Superdome. I look forward to seeing how they'll screw that up against the uneven Lions.
House Punch Games: Most likely to be lop-sided, sloppy and/or otherwise painful to digest
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams (-1.5) - Sadly, I already picked the Bucs in this one via social media. And since I'll be taking some time off over the next two weeks, I should be back to good posting habits for the remainder of the season. Woot!
New York Jets (-3.5) at Dallas Cowboys - Kanye have mercy, Matt Cassel. Is Brandon Weeden really that much worse? I say Ryan Fitzpatrick's tamed beard goes 4 - 0 in this Saturday night snoozer.
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3.5) - This could/should be the exclamation point on the Falcons' fall from grace this season. It's also the official Red Flag Bowl for any team thinking about hiring another Seattle assistant for a head coaching gig in the near future. Of course, the Browns probably won't pay attention and hire Darrell Bevell any day now. Anyway, I really like what the Jaguars offense has been cooking as the season's gone on - that's a lot more than I can say for that underwhelming Atlanta offense.
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-14) - Welp, it looks like the Patriots have figured things out again. I hear this Gronk guy is pretty good. What says you, Marcus?
Kansas City Chiefs (-7) at Baltimore Ravens - The formerly 1 - 5 Chiefs are now sitting pretty with the 5th seed wild card spot in the AFC. They've got a decent chance of winning out with this one, the Browns and the Raiders left on the schedule, and maybe some of that Royals devil magic has been wearing off on them down Lancers Lane. #obscureKansasCitygeography
Cleveland Browns at Seattle Seahawks (-15) - The Seahawks may not get a bye week in January, but this is a pretty good consolation prize.
Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5) at San Francisco 49ers - Things just got a lot more interesting for a Bengals team that probably didn't want things to get more interesting in one of their best seasons in decades. Still, I'm feeling optimistic about Cincy surviving a few weeks without Andy Dalton. 1) A.J. McCarron may not have tons of pro experience, but he's had plenty of snaps on the biggest stage in college football; 2) the 49ers' run defense should be pretty generous in order for Giovanni Bernard and Jeremy Hill to stay on schedule; and 3) I'm obligated to make fun of Blaine Gabbert every week.
Lovely Lady Locks
I’m trying my hand at three points-based picks every week that I think are locks. I hope to count my Monopoly money by the end of the season and will keep you posted along with my overall picks record. For Week 15, my Lovely Lady Locks are:- Jets -3.5 over Cowboys
- Bears +5.5 over Vikings
- Packers -3 over Raiders
So How's My Pickin'?
Straight Up Record: 129 - 79
Against the Spread: 21 - 21
No comments:
Post a Comment