OK, because I'm still wired after watching MNF (more on that later...
), and because I won't have time to do this tomorrow due to a prior commitment...doing it now...
10-5 last week week so without further ado, the week 5 picks from the pea brain in eastern NC:
TNF
Colts @ Patriots - Yeah, whoever scheduled this as a prime time matchup got it wrong. Colts @ Pats? Yeah...I think Brian Hoyer will see some game time tomorrow night. Colts 13 Pats 31
As expected, not really much of a contest, but the Colts didn't just phone it in, they put up a bit of a fight before it got away from them. W
Early Sunday Games
Titans @ Bills - Well, two teams heading in different directions. The Bills proved that "any given Sunday" is still a real thing, but I think that game 2 weeks ago was the only "any given Sunday" the Bill have in them. Titans 24 Bills 10
The Bill did have another "any given Sunday" in them....or was it the Titans? Either way, head scratcher, to be sure. L
Falcons @ Steelers - Two teams significantly under performing. I don't see the 28-3ers pulling it off, not with half their defense on IR against Big Ben at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela. Not an easy walk in the park for the Steelers however, who have their own issues on defense. Falcons 27 Steelers 31
Yup. Fails fans, here's your fork:
Steelers dodge a really bad start, but they have to deal with the Bengals...and that could be a problem. W
Broncos @ Jets - The J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS are not really ready for prime time and won't be this year. The Broncos will probably be right about average this year. Average wins the day in this one. Broncos 24 Jets 17
Huh. Well, what was that? I really misjudged someone prior to this game....need more data to tell which team. Maybe both? L
Jaguars @ Chiefs - Now THIS is a game to watch, strength against strength. The Jags D against Mahomes and the crazy good Chiefs O. I'm thinking a real stalemate there - the question is can the Chiefs spaghetti strainer D do enough to limit Bortles, who will not have Fournette running the ball to give balance. Home team 3. Jaguars 28 Chiefs 31 (but, it's really a coin flip - could go either way)
More Chiefs D than expected, less Jags O. The Chiefs are looking like the team to beat in the AFC so far. W
Packers @ Lions - Two teams that are confounding to say the least. I think that while Stafford is a true "elite QB", his supporting cast is not quite enough to get them over the top. Rodgers on the other hand is the A-Rod of the NFL, and even without the supporting cast, they will take this one. Packers 30 Lions 20
Got this one upside down....and A-Rod looks rough, not good. L
Ravens @ Browns - He Browns keep ALMOST being good enough. I think the team is a good head coach away from being a legit NFL team - the parts are there, but not organized well enough to succeed. Hue Jackson will be gone by January. Today, the Ravens keep rolling in the AFC North. Ravens 27 Browns 17
Huh, again. Ravens were sleepwalking, and the Browns were awake, sort of.... L
Giants @ Panthers - The Giants have a better than you think D, and a lot of talent at skill positions on O. Their lack of a creditable offensive line will sink them, again, this week (and I'm not happy about it, trust me). The Panthers will have JUST ENOUGH to beat the Giants (but I would not be surprised to be wrong on this one). Giants 23 Panthers 27
Well...the Panthers are showing signs of cracks in that D. They were more lucky than good in this one. W
Dolphins @ Bengals - The wheels came off the Phins train in Foxboro last weekend. They won't get them back on this weekend. Dolphins 17 Bengals 34
Pretty much - Bengals spotted the Phins 14, then just embarrassed them on both sides of the ball. W
Late Sunday Games
Raiders @ Chargers - The Gruden Comedy Tour gets back on track in El Lay. With extreme prejudice, no less. This isn't a talented group lacking leadership due to a poor head coach and rookie at QB, so no unforced errors to bail Chuckie out. Raiders 10 Chargers 34
I overestimated the Chargers offense. No matter, it was never really in doubt. W
Cardinals @ 49ers - Now, here's a game no one wants to watch, with good reason - quite possibly the worst two teams in the NFL right now going head to head? Pass! The "home-team/who-cares" 3. Cardinals 9 49ers 12
Hm. L
Vikings @ Eagles - Two teams that were supposed to be almost a lock to be in the NFC Championship Game again, both struggling to get above .500 instead. Home team 3. Vikings 21 Eagles 24
Woof, what is up in Philly?
L
Rams @ Seahawks - Mismatch city. Rams are scary on both sides of the ball, and their front 7 versus the screen door posing as an offensive line in Seattle will make for a long afternoon for Russell Wilson. On the other side of things, the Legion of Boom has become a fond memory for the 12th Man. It will be a quiet afternoon in the loudest stadium in the NFL. Rams 38 Seahawks 17
The Rams offense is as advertised, but if that defense shows up against say, the Eagles or Saints, it could get ugly.... W
Don't care about either team, neither will be contenders come the post season based on their performance in the first quarter of the season. I think Watson outduels Prescott, and the front 7 of the Texans manages to contain if not corral Elliot. Cowboys 17 Texans 24
Pretty much. Pretty much don't care, either. W
Monday Night Game
Redskins @ Saints - I admit it, I'm a homer (like anyone would ever doubt it
), but I've got a feeling about this one. The Saints D has gotten just a bit more on point each week, and the offense is what it is and will always be. The Skins are no patsy, but it's Monday night, at the Superdome, with Drew Brees poised to set yet another major NFL QB record - the most total passing yards from scrimmage. The last time Drew was ready to set a major NFL record, breaking Dan Marino's 5K+ passing yards for a season in 2011, on MNF, in the Dome, the Saints flat embarrassed the Falcons. It happens again, this time with the Redskins playing the part of the hapless Washington Generals to the Saints being the Harlem Globetrotters. Drew passes Peyton before halftime (just over 200 yards), they then put Boom & Zoom into full effect for the second half, and the Saints get their first 40-burger of the season.
Saints 42 Redskins 23
OK, let me get this out of the way: ANY QUESTIONS, BITCHES? As a QB, he's statistically already the GOAT, and he's not just rewriting the record book, but shredding it. Sorry, call me a homer all you like, but the man is THE MAN. Whoo, that pass to break the record was just off the charts. Otherwise, I was pretty much on the mark, right down to the final score being almost spot-on....Drew passes Manning before halftime: CHECK; the Redskins never actually in the game: CHECK; MNF beatdown: CHECK; Saints notch their first 40-burger: CHECK.
Even the defense showed up and looked competent for most of the game (that garbage-time TD was just that - garbage time). The Saints offense is on track, and the defense is trending up. This keeps up, there will be a lot of nervous front-runners (I'm looking at you Rams....Eagles....) that are likely to be chasing the boys in black & gold.
A big W
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This week, 9-6, two week total 19-11
