In what has been one of the most unpredictable starts to an NFL season in recent memory, most of us are struggling mighty with our picks. Here’s what we’ve got on tap this week!
GAME OF THE WEEK – THURSDAY NIGHT – Philadelphia Eagles (4-1) at Carolina Panthers (4-1), CAR by 3.5 – Been a while since we’ve had such an appealing Thursday night matchup. Both of these teams have been pleasant surprises this year. Carson Wentz’s development has come along much quicker than I think anyone expected, and the Panthers are bouncing back nicely after a rough 2016 campaign. On a short week I have to go with the home team, but I expect this to be a relatively low scoring, close battle. Panthers 20, Eagles 17
Cleveland Browns (0-5) at Houston Texans (2-3), HOU by 10 – Yeah, even without a couple key defenders (including JJ Watt), Cleveland doesn’t stand much chance keeping up with Houston’s suddenly potent offense. Texans 34, Browns 17
New England Patriots (3-2) at New York Jets (3-2), NE by 9.5 – So maybe the Jets aren’t tanking like we all thought… but they’re still not competitive with the Patriots. Patriots 33, Jets 13
Miami Dolphins (2-2) at Atlanta Falcons (3-1), ATL by 11 – The Falcons are coming off a bye and get to play one of the most anemic offenses in pro football in the comfort of their own stadium. It’s going to be a slaughter. 35, Dolphins 10
Detroit Lions (3-2) at New Orleans Saints (2-2). NO by 4.5 – It’s pretty clear that the Lions weren’t going to be able to sustain their play of the first several weeks, as they had an unusually high turnover margin. But one has to think they’re still a better team than the Saints, right? Still, the Saints always play significantly better while at home, and are playing better defense this year than they have in several years. Tough call here, but I’ll take New Orleans to get it done coming off the bye. Saints 24, Lions 23
Green Bay Packers (4-1) at Minnesota Vikings (2-3), GB by 3.5 – The Vikings looked straight up bad against the Bears. The BEARS! They still don’t have a healthy starting QB, they’ve lost their rookie RB stud for the season and their top receiver is banged up as well. That defense can still ball, but when you’ve got Aaron Rodgers on the other side of the field, there’s only so much you can do. Packers 27, Vikings 17
Chicago Bears (1-4) at Baltimore Ravens (3-2), BAL by 6.5 – The Bears are looking like one of the worst teams in football right now. Ravens 24, Bears 10
San Francisco 49ers (0-5) at Washington (2-2), WAS by 10 – Washington is coming off a bye and is taking on one of the league’s worst teams at home. You do the math. Washington 31, 49ers 13
Los Angeles Rams (3-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2), JAX by 2.5 – Really interesting battle between a pair of up-and-coming teams. Both of these teams can play really great defense, but right now the Rams appear to have the more trustworthy offense. I think that’ll be the difference. UPSET! – Rams 24, Jaguars 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) at Arizona Cardinals (2-3), TB by 2.5 – The Cardinals now have Adrian Peterson, but that’s not going to help much behind that awful offensive line. The Bucs are inconsistent, but capable of playing with just about anyone when they’re on their game. I’ll take them on the road. Bucs 23, Cardinals 17
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-0), KC by 4 – Pittsburgh is really offensively challenged right now, thanks in large part to the horrific play by Ben Roethlisberger. Ben plays even worse on the road, and he’s facing one of the best defenses in the league. The undefeated streak continues for the Chiefs. Chiefs 27, Steelers 20
Los Angeles Chargers (1-4) at Oakland Raiders (2-3), OAK by 3 – The Raiders desperately need this game to get back into the hunt in the division. I believe they’ll take it. Raiders 24, Chargers 20
New York Giants (0-5) at Denver Broncos (2-2), DEN by 12 – Coming off a bye against potentially the worst team in the league, the Broncos are in zero danger of losing this. I’m just mad we’re subjected to this shit on SNF. Broncos 27, Giants 10
Indianapolis Colts (2-3) at Tennessee Titans (2-3), BETS OFF – Unknown right now which QBs will be playing for each team, but in any circumstances I’m taking Tennessee. Titans 23, Colts 16
BYES: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks
