Week 5 Picks

Week 4: 10-5  Overall: 36-28

Well the Cardinals got handed their first loss Thursday against the Rams.  It we all knew they had their problems on offense but that was a lot of sacks and missed opportunities.  Week 5 picks!

Dolphins vs. Bengals

The Dolphins are better than their 1-3 record would lead you to believe.  Young Ryan Tannehill is playing well, Hartline although not a premeir talent is putting up good numbers and they seem to run the ball well no matter who is in the backfield.  The Bengals are leaning on their 2 sophomore studs Dalton and Green.  Although their defense isn’t quite what it was last year, they haven’t needed it. 

Pick: Bengals

Packers vs. Colts

Luck has played well thus far this season and especially for those with Reggie Wayne on their fantasy team.  They have a tough matchup this week with Green Bay.  The Packers have underwhelmed a lot of people this year and a lot of it has come from a lack of an explosive offense.  They will look to get back on pace this week even without the injured Gennings.

Pick: Packers

Ravens vs. Chiefs

Flacco has continued to try to prove he is an elite quarterback in this league, and has done a pretty good job so far.  Torrey Smith has improved his consistency although he has relied on big plays down field.  Charles looks to have fully recovered from his torn ACL last year ranking 2nd in the league in rushing.  The Ravens however, are just too balanced for the Chiefs. 

Pick: Ravens

Browns vs. Giants

The Giants typically get off to a slow start each year, yet are still doing pretty well through the air even without their true number one guy, Hakeem Nicks.  The Browns are a better team than their 0-4 record would make you think but have a uphill batter to beat the Super Bowl champs.

Pick: Giants

Eagles vs. Steelers

The Eagles look to be on the right track even though they have been quite up and down all year.  If the turn overs continue to go down and McCoy’s workload increases they are very formidable.  The Steelers have relied much more on the passing attack of Big Ben and less and less on their historically good defense.  This week could have a lot of big plays, mostly through the air.  Rashard Mendenhall is back in action for the first time this year but I  don’t see him making a huge difference unless it’s near the goal line.  This looks to be an interesting game.

Pick: Eagles

Falcons vs. Redskins

I’m sure a lot of people will be picking this as their upset of the week.  RG3 is this years Cam Newton doing it all on offense.  Well not all of it, Morris has been running the ball extremely well too.  Their defense is another story and this week they face one of the hottest offenses in football.  Matt Ryan has looked like an MVP so far this season and Roddy White continues to be the man.  The Falcons just have too many weapons and if they continue to hold on to the football, it will be hard for anyone to beat them this year.

Pick: Falcons

Seahawks vs. Panthers

Cam Newton is still a freak of an athlete but it hasn’t accounted for wins in the NFL.  It hasn’t even accounted for that much of a productive season statistically either.  This week they face another one of the tough NFC West defenses.  Seattle is tough to run on ranking 2nd in rushing defense and 2nd in overall defense.  If the Seahawks get any sort of offensive production I see them pulling out the W.

Pick: Seahawks

Bears vs. Jaguars

We all know the Jags aren’t that good.  The Bears although inconsistent have an easy matchup this week.  Look for Forte to get back into the swing of the offense this week.

Pick: Bears

Titans vs. Vikings

The Titans finally got some offensive production out of Chris Johnson last week but now face an under rated Vikings D.  The Vikings are another one of those teams in the league this year that rely on good defense, runnings the ball and limiting turnovers.  Plus Percy Harvin odes everything on the field.  He is like a real life Boobie Miles. 

Pick: Vikings

Broncos vs. Patriots

Another classic Peyton vs. Brady game.  This time Manning will be sporting orange and blue.  Each week Manning is looking more comfortable in the offense.  Meanwhile Brady who has been hot and cold, came up big late last week against the Bills.  I’d like to see this be a close game for old time sakes but if New England can run the ball like they did last week they should be fine.

Pick: Patriots

Bills vs. 49ers

The Bills have been battling injuries and blown leads.  Things don’t get any easier this week as they face the 49ers and their ridiculous defense.  If Fitzpatrick and limit Ints they might keep it close otherwise the 49ers will handle this team easily. 

Pick: 49ers

Chargers vs. Saints

Rivers and the Chargers offense is starting to get in the swing of things.  Even with their star running back coming off the bench, putting up points on this New Orleans team won’t be too difficult.  The question is if they can keep up.  Although they aren’t winning, Brees is still putting up tons of yards and a good amount of TDs.  I see New Orleans finally coming out of their slump.  It is just too un-like a Turner’s Chargers team to start the season so well.

Pick: Saints

Texans vs. Jets

The Jets aren’t that good.  They now are without Reevis and the boo-birds have started asking for Tebow.  The Texans however are still the most balanced team in football.  I see the Texans flying to the East Coast and taking care of business.

Pick: Texans

Week 4 Overview and Thursday Night Pick

Week 4: 10-5  Overall: 36-27

Another 10 win week for me.  Let’s see if I can improve next week.  Here are my take aways from week 4.

Don’t be the ones playing pissed off powerhouses

After two straight losses and being down 21-7 sometime in the 3rd quarter the New England Patriots looked to be going down the wrong path to success.  Then something clicked and Brady lit up the Bills for a total of 52 points (31 in the 4th quarter!!).  Brady better watch out, if he continues to have that pissed focused look on his face it just might stay that way. 

The 49ers are the other power house who handed out an ass kicking.  After a tough lost to an apparently good Viking team, the 49ers defense was looking to hand out punishment.  What better way to do it than to face the no offense Jets.  Poor Sanchez just might get benched for a running ba...I mean Tim Tebow.  On a positive note, Rex Ryan has lost some weight guys!

I’ll never understand certain team’s consistency issues

Chicago can’t decide if they are an elite team in the NFC or if they are shackled by Jay Cutler and their offensive line.  One week they are getting destroyed by Green Bay then next they are dominating a Dallas team who on paper should be better than they were last year.  Maybe they will be more consistent going forward baring injury. 

Philadelphia is another team I don’t understand.  Weeks 1 and 2 they turn the ball over like crazy but still win.  Week 3 they pay for their turnovers.  Week 4 they beat a talented Giants team (less talented without Nicks on the field though).  The Eagles have gone from talks of starting U of A QB Nick Foles to now praising that Vick is back.  They don’t turn the ball over this week, which in prior weeks would have meant they would dominate opponents, yet instead they squeak by this week.  Dynasty anyone?

Another week of 3 undefeateds

There are three undefeated teams left still after week 4: Texans, Falcons, Cardinals.  The Texans are the best team in the NFL in my opinion.  They have the best running attack in the NFL by far and have a more than capable QB (as we saw in week 3).  They have a healthy Andre Johnson and a back up running back that will start in most leagues.  Oh yea their defense has been great also.

The Falcons continue to ride on the success of Matt Ryan (who I drafted in my fantasy league, based on reports of increased pass attempts).  Turner proved last week that he still can contribute when given the chance (regardless of any DUIs).  Roddy White is clearly still “the man” and Julio Jones will still put up great numbers from time to time.  Their defense has shown that it is capable of playing with a lead too, being ranked 8th in the league in pass defense.  This team is probably the second best team in the league behind the Texans in my opinion right now.

The Cardinals are the surprise team here.  I’ll admit, I’m an avid Cardinal fan, but I surely didn’t expect this.  Kolb stepped up when it mattered most and wont the Cardinals a week 4 contest they probably shouldn’t have.  Costly turnovers helped Arizona against an amazing performance from Tannehill and Hartline (who seemed to run only two routes all game: hitch/curl and hitch and go).  We’ll see if they can keep this up but the offense will need to greatly improve if they want to make a splash in this years playoffs.

Thursday night game:

Cardinals vs. Rams

The Rams surprised me last week against the Seahawks as they continue to pick off opposing QBs.  This week their task of AZ isn’t much tougher (offensively).  I see this game being quite low scoring.  If your Arizona however, Danny Amendola scares me.  Just look at what Brian Hartline did last week against your secondary, now you face another great route runner who focuses on short to mid range routes.  Much like most of each of these 2 teams victories thus far, this game will come down to turnovers.  Which ever team can force timely turnovers and increase their field position will win.  I’m going with the hot hand.

Pick: Cardinals