We had our first (and hopefully last) tie of the season last week!
Now approaching the half way point in the season, we can begin to fully
understand just how unpredictable the NFL can be. I am not the smartest analyst
in the world, but I will tell you that I certainly know what I am talking
about. The record is only there to show you just how crazy Sundays can get.
With that said, how about I pick out who is going to win/lose this week?
Last Week: 9-5-1
Overall: 63-43-1
Thursday Night Football (5:25 pm AZ time):
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans
This game features two young and talented rosters that likely won’t
see a record higher than 8-8 this year. So naturally, this game becomes a
primetime event. The casual NFL fan likely won’t care to tune in to this game,
but you can make certain that I’ll be paying attention to how this game goes. The
Jaguars certainly had the higher expectations coming into this year but that
means nothing going into this game. Marcus Mariota is playing lights out
football and will terrorize a young Jaguars defense all night while Blake
Bortles struggles once again. This game will be low scoring. Give me the home
team by six.
Sunday Morning Football (10:00 am AZ time):
Washington @ Cincinnati
Bengals (London)
The Bengals cannot go into this game underestimating Washington. The
Bengals have vastly underachieved all season long and could easily drop this
game. Washington, however, is missing key cogs on their team in the form of
Jordan Reed and Josh Norman (concussions). Even if they play Sunday, they won’t
be at 100%. The Bengals have a lot to prove right now and with how well the AFC
West has been playing, they may need to win the AFC North if they want a shot
at the post season. Look for a statement win for the Bengals before they enter
their bye week in week nine.
Seattle Seahawks @ New Orleans Saints
This needs to be the week the Seahawks offense puts something
together. Facing one of the worst defenses in the league, the pressure is now
on for Russell Wilson to make something happen and score points. Coming off a
week in which the Seahawks were lucky to get six points, all eyes are on the
offense. Drew Brees will have his hands full against a very good Seattle
defense, but should still be able to have himself a fantasy relevant day. Thankfully
for the Saints, this game is in New Orleans. Unfortunately, that ultimately won’t
be enough to stop a Seahawks team in need of a statement game.
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
The Cardinals as of late have not played well in Carolina. Fresh off
a bye week, Cam Newton and the Panthers are hungry for a big win to save their
season. They will run into a defense that had arguably the most dominant
performance of the season, however. The Cardinals and the Panthers both need
this win badly, but a bad Carolina secondary and offense line will be their
downfall, while David Johnson gets 150+ scrimmage yards.
Oakland Raiders @ Tampa Bay
Buccaneers
The Raiders look really good… well besides their defense, that is.
The Buccaneers not only get home-field advantage, but also feature one of the
league’s better pass offense. Add in how well the supporting cast of Jacquizz
Rodgers and Peyton Barber have been at running back for the Bucs, and this game
could be a shootout. Derek Carr and Amari Cooper should get things going but
the Raiders defense will ultimately be their downfall on the road against a
team looking to challenge for their division title.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts
Alex Smith is once again playing mistake-free football and Spencer
Ware looks like the guy to make things happen at running back. Marcus Peters
looks like the Defensive Player of the Year and the Chiefs as a whole look
competitive every week. The Colts, behind the arm of Andrew Luck, are playing
more competitive than I would’ve thought but the defense once again can’t stop
a nose bleed. Ware is going to have a field day while Smith does just enough to
put up points on nearly every drive. The Colts would easily be able to win this
game if the defense could just get a stop, but ultimately will lose the time of
possession battle and be unable to keep up.
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
The Patriots only loss this year came at the hands of the Bills
back in week four and were straight up shutout. Here’s the big difference: The
Patriots didn’t have MVP Tom Brady back then. Now that he’s back, expect the
Patriots to have revenge on their minds and go into this game with the full
intention to shutdown anything the Bills try to get going. A hampered-at-best
Shady McCoy won’t be enough for the Bills offense to get anything going and put
up minimal points in what will be the most lop-sided victory of the week.
New York Jets @ Cleveland Browns
It seems fair to pick against the Browns every week, but this
could finally be the week that they get their first win. Unfortunately, this
analyst doesn’t think so. The Jets are coming off a very impressive victory of
the Ravens and look to get their offense rolling once again against one of the
league’s porous defenses. The Jets rack up five sacks and Brandon Marshall nabs
two touchdowns in a crucial road win for the J-E-T-S. JETS. JETS. JETS. JETS.
Detroit Lions @ Houston Texans
The Texans need to get things going in a hurry if they want a shot
at the postseason. They may play in a very weak AFC South, but the Titans are
now very quietly 4-4 on the year and the Colts offense has a chance to win them
nine games. Unfortunately for them, they will run into a Lions teaming facing
an MVP caliber Matthew Stafford, who will proceed to throw three touchdowns
against a stout Texans secondary. The Texans offense will once again be unable
to get in sync and lose another game at home.
Sunday Afternoon Football (1:05 and 1:25 pm AZ time):
San Diego Chargers @ Denver
Broncos
The Broncos need this win to be able to take the lead in the
division while the Chargers look to sweep the Broncos and sit at 4-4 and just a
game back from first place in a loaded AFC West. Philip Rivers is playing out
of his mind while Melvin Gordon just piles on the touchdowns. Too bad for them,
this game is in Denver and the defense will be hungry to put lots of pressure
on Rivers. Trevor Siemian will get the job done once again and the Broncos a
major win in the division.
Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons, or more specifically Julio Jones, will be salivating
at the idea of gashing this Packers secondary. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers
are coming off an impressive win against the Bears and have had plenty of rest
time thanks to playing last Thursday night. The Packers will be forced to throw
a lot without a stable run game, but thankfully have the weapons to keep up
with the Falcons high-scoring offense. This game will be a shootout, but I trust
Rodgers to come in the clutch and put together a game winning drive to win the
game.
Sunday Night Football (5:30 pm AZ time):
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas
Cowboys
Who would’ve thought this game would be as important as it is? The
Eagles get my vote for surprise team of the year and the Cowboys roll out two
rookies who are both favorites for the Rookie of the Year award. This game is
going to be very entertaining to watch and will also give us a very good idea
of who will win the surprisingly competitive NFC East. As much as I wanted to
take the Eagles here, I went with the home team and will bet on Zeke Elliott to
roll up another 100-yard rushing day.
Monday Night Football (5:30 pm AZ time):
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
Happy Halloween, CHI-town! The Purple People Eaters are coming to
town and are going to absolutely embarrass your defense. This game is going to
be a nightmare for the Bears, who have looked downright awful this year. Jay
Cutler returns, but I fully expect him to toss multiple interceptions and seal
the game away early thanks to a good-enough Vikings offense.
Richard Bradshaw is available to follow on
Twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.
