Time for another round of football picks with Michael and Monica . I hate these new Thursday games, because I feel rushed in making these. Oh, well. Here we are: Cleveland at Cincinnati: This division is so competitive that it’s possible that depending on how this week’s games shake out, any of three teams could finish the weekend in first place, while Baltimore is lurking just behind, in last place. Even Johnny Manziel can’t be too upset, sitting on the bench watching Brian Hoyer, who was supposed to eventually turn over the ball to “Johnny Football,” leads the Brownies into contention. However, contending is not the same thing as winning. As we get late in the season and big divisional clashes loom, I’m taking experience. The Bengals have done this before. Expect a lot of yards on the ground, but not for the right reason—these two teams, despite their success, rank # 30 and 31 in the NFL in rush defense. BENGALS over Browns. Dallas at Jacksonville. At London, the Jags don’t even get a home game when it says they are home. No problem. The Cowboys suddenly look vulnerable, with Romo ailing but backed up by the ineffective Brandon Weeden (makes you wonder why the Cowboys couldn’t try harder to keep Kyle Orton as a backup instead of letting him slip away to the Bills.) The Jaguars, despite their inferior talent level, have been playing surprisingly inspired football recently. Something about this game just doesn’t feel quite right. UPSET SPECIAL: JAGUARS over Cowboys. Miami at Detroit: Two teams on a tear, hoping to carry it through to the playoffs. It doesn’t get any better than this. Intriguing matchup, and arguably the best game on this weekend. Miami is also 3-1 on the road, but all three of those road wins are against teams with a combined four wins on the season, between them. That’s two fewer than Detroit has. LIONS over Dolphins. Kansas City at Buffalo: This game is another candidate for game of the week. With both teams at 5-3 and in second place in their respective divisions, this game has huge playoff implications. The Bills are for real, but the Chiefs know this game is important, and this is the time of the year when pressure starts to build and you have to go with experience. CHIEFS over Bills. San Francisco at New Orleans: Both teams come in at 4-4. But one is coming in hot, and the other has been losing momentum. That will continue. SAINTS over 49ers. Baltimore at Tennessee: One team is still chasing the playoffs, and the other is waiting for the season to end. The difference will show on the field. RAVENS over Titans. Pittsburgh at N.Y. Jets: The frustration in New York is palpable, and sooner or later this year they Jets will explode all over some unsuspecting playoff contender. But not this week, with Michael Vick now replacing Geno Smith despite the fact that Vick has a foot injury that will limit his running game. With a lot of divisional play coming up soon, however (and with the rest of their division in playoff contention,) the Jets will have their day. Soon though, not yet. STEELERS over Jets. Atlanta at Tampa Bay: Two teams that were good two years ago, were terrible last year, began the season with high hopes, but are now back to struggling. Something has to give—the Falcons are winless on the road and the Bucs are winless at home, so one or the other streak will end. It will be Atlanta’s road streak. FALCONS over Buccaneers. Denver at Oakland: Last week the Broncos were beaten badly by New England, while the Raiders went to Seattle and almost came back to beat the world champs. Does this mean they could beat the Broncos? No, it doesn’t. BRONCOS over Raiders. N.Y. Giants at Seattle: Speaking of the Seahawks, they are playing their last mediocre team before six straight against good teams that will make or break their season. But, a game won now will help as much in the standings as a game won then. So they will win it now. SEAHAWKS over Giants. St. Louis at Arizona: The Cardinals are undefeated at home, and it will stay that way. CARDINALS over Rams. Chicago at Green Bay: One of these teams thought for awhile it could win the NFC central. The other one really does have a shot. Plus, the Packers are undefeated at home, and it’s starting to get towards thick parka time (which they can’t wear on the field.) GREEN BAY over Chicago. Carolina at Philadelphia: The Eagles are another team that is undefeated at home. Not good news for the Panthers who have dropped three straight. Make that four. EAGLES over Panthers.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 07:23:09 +0000
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