Here we are at Thursday already, so it’s time for my picks of the week. After an 11-2 week, my composite record now stands at 33-10. Hopefully the momentum will continue with this week’s picks.
Atlanta at New Orleans: Matty Ice is on fire and the Saints defense leads the league in yardage allowed. Final score: Falcons 27 – Saints 17 as Rob Ryan’s job is in jeopardy.
Cincinnati at Buffalo: I’m still waiting for Andy Dalton to revert back to being Andy Dalton. Tyrod Taylor says he may play in spite of his strained/torn MCL, but we’ll just wait and see who lines up under center. Quite frankly, I see the Bungles still unbeaten after this one. Final score: Bengals 24 – Bills 13.
Denver at Cleveland: Here are some wacky stats for you . . . Peyton Manning has 6 TD passes and 7 INT’s so far this season. Meanwhile, Josh McCown has 6 TD’s and only 1 INT. Go figure. Nevertheless, the Denver defense will most likely make a play late in the game – perhaps a pick six – to give the Broncos a road win and keep their unbeaten record untarnished. Final Score: Broncos 31 – Browns 27. In order to avoid this, the Browns O-line will have to keep McCown’s uniform clean by giving him the best protection he’s ever had in his life.
Chicago at Detroit: This is the game this week where prison inmates will ask to not watch – yeah, it’s going to be that bad. Final score from Ford field: Lions 16 – Da’ Bears 13.
Houston at Jacksonville: Even on the road, the Texans are far better that Jacksonville. Final score: Texans 24 – Jaguars 10.
Kansas City at Minnesota: With Lorenzo Charles out for the season, the Chiefs offense is pretty much one dimensional. Teddy and AP will do enough to get the W. Final score: Vikings 23 – Chiefs 20.
Washington at New York Jets: The Skins aren’t good enough to get a road win in the big apple – regardless of which team they’re playing. Final score: Jets 23 – Redskins 13.
Arizona at Pittsburgh: I normally hate picking West coast teams traveling to the East coast, but the Steelers are coming off a last second win on Monday night. With the short week to prepare, I give Arizona the edge . . . That and the fact that the Cards are a much better football team. Final score: Cardinals 31 – Steelers 23.
Carolina at Seattle: The Seahawks are really ticked off after blowing a double digit lead in Cincinnati. The 12th man will be too much for the Panthers to come out of Seattle undefeated. Final score: Seahawks 24 – Panthers 20.
Baltimore at San Francisco: The Ratbirds will lose a close one on the road. Final score: Forty Niners 24 – Ravens 23.
New England at Indianapolis: After signing a 2-year $20,000,000 contract extension, starting LT Nate Solder goes out and tears a biceps muscle. In spite of that, Tom Brady is still Tom Brady. Final score: Patriots 34 – Colts 20.
New York Giants at Philadelphia: This crazy divisional game could even go into overtime. Final score: Giants 23 – Eagles 20.