We’re about a quarter of the way through what has been a crazy unpredictable season so far. There’s only one undefeated team left, and after that it becomes really difficult to figure out who is good and who is not.
Maybe things will start to clear up this week? Here we go.
GAME OF THE WEEK – Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) at Houston Texans (3-1), KC by 1.5 – The NFL’s best team takes on one of the NFL’s suddenly most interesting teams on the road in what looks to be a really intriguing Sunday Night matchup. The Texans have exploded on offense over the last couple weeks, but now face a much stiffer test with this Chiefs defense. Deshaun Watson has looked better in his first few starts than anyone could have predicted, and he gets a friendly crowd for his toughest test yet. I think we’ll see some points go up, as both of these offenses have been looking prolific recently, but it’s hard for me to pick against the Chiefs still, as they are for my money the most well rounded team in the league. Should be a good one regardless. Chiefs 30, Texans 27
THURSDAY NIGHT – New England Patriots (2-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1), NE by 5.5 – Tough draw for Tampa on a short week. They get the homefield advantage, but they have to play a pissed off Patriots team. The Patriots have the league’s worst defense right now, but they should be capable of outscoring Tampa. Patriots 34, Tampa Bay 27
Los Angeles Chargers (0-4) at New York Giants (0-4), NYG by 3.5 – In a matchup of stoppable force versus movable object, something’s gotta give! Both of these teams were supposed to be playing much better than this, but the Giants have been especially bad so far, and look dysfunctional to boot. I think the Chargers are playing better football, despite the drama surrounding their move to LA. UPSET! – Chargers 23, Giants 16
Buffalo Bills (3-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-3), CIN by 3 – The Bengals’ offense has come to life since they fired their offensive coordinator, but they still have a good deal of work to do to pull themselves back into the hunt in the AFC. The Bills have two of the highest quality wins in the NFL this season on their resume already, handing Denver and Atlanta their only losses, but be on the lookout for a letdown from a team that is probably not prepared to handle success. Bengals 20, Bills 17
New York Jets (2-2) at Cleveland Browns (0-4), CLE by 1.5 – The Jets were supposed to be the worst team in the league by far this year. Instead, that honor once again belongs to the Browns. So much for improvement. UPSET! – Jets 23, Browns 9
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1), PIT by 8.5 – Oh hey look, the Jaguars are bad again! So much for that two-week tease. The Steelers at home should be able to handle them. Steelers 30, Jaguars 17
Tennessee Titans (2-2) at Miami Dolphins (1-2), TEN by 3 – How did the Dolphins win a game? Their offense is looking even worse than the Giants’, and somehow Jay Cutler is worse than ever. Even while banged up and smarting after a humbling defeat against Houston, Tennessee should be able to take care of business here. Titans 27, Dolphins 9
San Francisco 49ers (0-4) at Indianapolis Colts (1-3), IND by 1.5 – What a dogshit game. Colts 17, 49ers 13
Arizona Cardinals (2-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-1), PHI by 6.5 – Arizona has been fortunate to win a couple games against bad teams, but have looked anemic doing so. Philadelphia is a class above the Cardinals at this point. Eagles 20, Cardinals 10
Carolina Panthers (3-1) at Detroit Lions (3-1), DET by 3 – Another really intriguing matchup this week. It’s hard to know what to make of the Panthers, especially after they took down the Patriots, but let’s give anyone credit who beats New England in its own stadium. Detroit has a much better defense than the Patriots, and much better suited to holding Cam Newton in check. This one’s going to be physical, but I like the Lions at home. Lions 24, Panthers 20
Seattle Seahawks (2-2) at Los Angeles Rams (3-1), LAR by 1.5 – The Seahawks ended up blowing out the Colts this past week, but it took until the second half for them to break away from a team that was missing Andrew Luck and is one of the worst in the league without him. Otherwise, throughout this year the Seahawks have barely been able to score a point. Plus, we all know the troubles they have with a) going on the road and b) the Rams. Goff, Gurley and company have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the year so far, and I like them to continue doing what they’ve been doing. Rams 23, Seahawks 17
Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at Oakland Raiders (2-2), OAK by 2.5 – Assuming the Raiders are playing without Derek Carr here, they’re going to be at a significant disadvantage, even though Flacco has been playing like horse shit this season. Give me Baltimore on the road. UPSET! – Ravens 24, Raiders 16
Green Bay Packers (3-1) at Dallas Cowboys (2-2), DAL by 2 – Another big-time game this week, and the Packers’ ability to come in and pull off the minor upset largely depends on their ability to get healthy. They were playing without their top FIVE offensive tackles this past week, as well as their best two defensive players, one of their starting corners, a starting ILB, and now lost Davante Adams to a concussion and Ty Montgomery to broken ribs. It’s just insane how demolished by injuries they’ve been already this season, but they’re still finding ways to win. I just can’t bet against Aaron. UPSET! – Packers 30, Cowboys 20
Minnesota Vikings (2-2) at Chicago Bears (1-3), MIN by 3.5 – Chicago is playing really bad football and Mitch Trubisky is making his first start against one of the league’s better defenses. Yeah. Vikings 26, Bears 13
BYES: Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Washington
