Week 4 Picks

Week 3: 10-6  Overall: 27-22

Thanks to the best quarterback in the league’s (in his opinion) 356 passing yards out of 46 passing attempts the Ravens handled the lowly Browns last Thursday.  Now for the rest of the week:

Patriots vs. Bills

The Bills are 2-1 very much with the help of their running game.  It has eased some of the pressure off of Fitzpatrick allowing him to not be forced to force the ball.  Spiller is questionable to start but it seems Jackson will get back on the field sooner than initially expecting.  I still think Brady and Bilichick are angry and plan on rolling over the divisional rival Bills.

Pick: Patriots

49ers vs. Jets

The 49ers were stunned last week against the Vikings.  This week they face a struggling Jets team with inconsistency on offense and no Revis on defense.  I look for the Niners to bounce back to their dominating form.

Pick: 49ers

Seahawks vs. Rams

The Seahawks have proven to me so far that season that they have a good defense, a quality running game and the refs who shall not be named anymore, absolutely favored them in 2 out of their 3 games.  They won’t need it in this one.  Seattle’s athletic corners should be able to handle their only receiving threat, Amendola. 

Pick: Seahawks

Panthers vs. Falcons

Cam Newton is struggling so far this season.  And after seeing what the Atlanta pass defense did to Rivers once they had a lead does not bode well for Newton.  I have a hard time believing you can stop this Falcons offense right now and if anyone is, it is unlikely that Carolina will be that team.

Pick: Falcons

Vikings vs. Lions

After a hot start last year the Lions open the gates 1-2.  Stafford hasn’t been quite himself and is now battling another injury.  Leshore’s emergance as a running threat along with the best receiver in football gives them a chance every week to put up numbers.  They haven’t been able to stop very many people though.  Ponder has looked great so far this season but did so against 2 poor defenses and what was that other one?  Oh right the 49ers.  Last week Ponder only threw for 198 yards but has yet to through a pick this year and threw two redzone TDs.  If it’s a shooting match I see the Lions winning, if its low scoring the Vikings should win. 

Pick: Lions

Chargers vs. Chiefs

Chargers had a horrible lost last week as the Chiefs finally got a win with the help of Jamaal Charles (he’s back!).  Rivers and Turner will be happy they are facing a Cheifs defense that ranks 28th in points allowed this season.  If the Cheifs get out to t a slow start again and have to abandon the run, it could be bad news for them.  If they stick to the running game (although I don’t see Charles getting 30+ carries again), they will be in better shape.

Pick: Chargers

Texans vs. Titans

Although Locker had a big game last week, they still have yet to get productivity out of their star running back Chris Johnson and this week they face the Texans.  Houston is the most balanced team in football (and possibly the best).  Look for Foster and the gang to keep rolling.

Pick: Texans

Bengals vs. Jaguars

MJD is still a monster out of the backfield.  Outside of that though, the Jags aren’t impressive at all.  Dalton, however continues to impress me as he takes more control of the offense.  Also A.J. Green week in and week out is proving he is one of the top receivers in the league.

Pick: Bengals

Raiders vs. Broncos

You have Peyton Manning now what?  Well starting 1-2 probably isn’t what they expected, yet it isn’t all that surprising  to people who aren’t Denver fans. The Raiders had a big win over the Steelers last week and look to keep the ball rolling.  Maybe that Carson Palmer deal could work out in the end.  Like last year this division will be very much up for grabs.  Even though Heyward Bey’s absence hurts, leaning on McFadden will help.

Pick: Raiders

Dolphins vs. Cardinals

Everyone is picking the Cardinals.  Their defense destroyed Vick last week so if your Ryan Tannehill you must be having a rough time getting some sleep this week.  The Dolphins are good at the running game (both offensively and defensively) and the Eagles when they ran the ball last week (which wasn’t much) did so well against AZ.  Gotta stay with the hot hand and Ray Horton’s defense though.

Pick: Cardinals

Redskins vs. Buccaneers

RG3 although exciting is having trouble winning games (sound familiar Carolina fans?).  The Bucs look inconsistent at times as well.  This week I look for all those fancy stats for RG3 to amount to a win. 

Pick: Redskins

Saints vs. Packers

I wouldn’t have believed it if you told me these two teams combined record would be 1-5.  Sadly for the Saints the play on the road again.  In a possible high scoring affair, I just think the Packers are an all around better team.

Pick: Packers

Giants vs. Eagles

Last week Arizona showed everyone Philly’s true colors.  They can’t hold on to the football and don’t run the ball as much as they should.  The Giants continue to look like a dominant football team and much of this is without the help of Hakeem Nicks who is doubtful to play again.  They have so many options though that they should be fine.

Pick: Giants

Bears vs. Cowboys

Both teams got victories last week off of lack luster performances.  The Cutler to Marshal combination hasn’t been seen since week one and they face a tough Dallas secondary who could shut them down much like Green Bay did.  The Cowboys are having trouble finding an offensive rhythm as Jason Witten continues to be a non-factor.  I strongly believe that once Forte is truly back to full health, this Chicago team will begin to roll.  This week I don’t think is the week for that however. 

Pick: Cowboys

Week 1 Overview and Thursday Night Pick

Week 1: 9-7 Overall:  9-7

So week one is in the bag.  There were some predictable victories and some upsets.  Here are the top 3 things that I noticed during week one. 

1.  RG3 is the real deal.  He not only upset the new look Saints but did so with style.  Scrambling around, finding open targets, and busting big plays.  He made a team that had no offensive rhythm last year look stunning.  Griffin threw for 320 yards with 2 TDs and no picks.  The Saints defense is a watered down version of years past but this still was an impressive performance.  With a tougher pass rush this week facing the Rams, lets see if RG3 can keep up this high level of performance. 

2.  Either the 49ers aren’t a fluke team or Aaron Rodgers isn’t as perfect as we expected him to be.  I will not doubt the fact that the 49ers defense is VERY good and that the Green Bay defense is exploitable.  But with the extra weapons the 49ers added this off season with Manningham and (gasp) Randy Moss, there are viable options other than Gore and Davis.  This looks to be much of the same formula as last year and if Smith continues to complete 77% of his passes they will be a top seed once again.

3. All the reports were right.  Atlanta will throw the ball more and Julio Jones is a top receiver in this league.  Roddy White has always been Ryan’s go to guy but with more of a game plan surrounding Jones, the sophomore receiver had a huge game.  Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers combined for only 18 rushing attempts.  Once The Falcons took to the air in the second half, what was a close game became 16 point victory.

Overall last week I was at least positive. I went 9-7.  This week I vow to not get worse.
Here is my pick for the Thursday night game:


Bears vs. Packers

Last week Aaron Rodgers didn’t look quite like Aaron Rodgers.  Green Bay couldn’t get anything going with a lack of a running game, a beaten up Jennings meanwhile facing a tough 49ers defense.  Randall Cobb showed to have an improved role in the offense yet still the team fell up short.  The defense still struggled like it did last year allowing Gore to run up and down the field.  They even allowed Randy Moss to stroll his walker into the endzone to catch a TD pass. 

The Bears played a much easier opponent in the Colts.  They faced a rookie QB and a soft defense.  Brandon Marshall was reunited and I’m sure it felt good as the former duo hooked up for 119 yards on 9 catches.  Meanwhile the rushing tandem of Forte and Bush look deadly.  Rookie Alshon Jeffery also looks to be a good 2nd option for Cutler.

I see this game being more high scoring than Green Bay’s week one outing.  Both teams have the talent to put up high numbers.  I don’t see Rodgers disappointing two weeks in a row and I do see Cutler scorching this Green Bay defense.  I think this game will come down to 2 things: special teams and turnovers.  Both teams have electric return men, which ever one gets better field position will help their team get the W.  Chicago should rely a bit on their run game this week.  If Cutler gets into a throwing match with Rodgers, history shows he will force a throw which leads to turnovers. In the end I see this costing the Bears the W.  The Bears are a more balanced team but I can’t see Rodgers and his cheese heads losing two in Lambeau. 

Pick: Packers