I've had a rough season so far, and last week was barely over 50%. I could do just as well if I picked using a dart board! Oh well, I will continue to persevere, and hopefully my prognostication skills will improve.
Thursday night
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks : Seattle can be a tough place to play, but I have noticed that even the return of the fans hasn't really given most teams a home field advantage. Both teams have decent defenses, so the primary difference is the offense. Russell Wilson has been a bit off, and the offense reflects that. Matthew Stafford has been doing a wonderful job, but he is showing the same overthrow tendencies that limited his effectiveness with the Lions. This will be a low-scoring defensive challenge, and strangely Seattle has a tendency to lose close games. RAMS, 23-20
Sunday early morning
New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons : The NFL returns to London for a battle between two one-win teams. The eerie quiet of the London fans will probably be more strange to the Jets, who are used to boisterous (often annoying) antics from their fans. The more experienced Falcons will probably like the calm setting, and therefore perform better. FALCONS, 20-13
Sunday early games
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers : Oh man, the Steelers are really having problems. Denver running attack has been mostly ineffective, but Teddy Bridgewater has turned the passing attack into a force. He may not play, though, as he needs to pass the concussion protocol. Drew Lock is capable but not nearly so dynamic, and may have problems against the Steelers defense. Bridgewater isn't participating in drills until Thursday, so we don't know if he will play. Thus, I offer two picks - if he plays, and if he doesn't. BRONCOS 23-13 (if Teddy plays), STEELERS 16-13 (if not)
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings : I hate to say this to my Detroit friends, but the Lions are truly pathetic this year. The offense can't seem to get it into gear and the defense couldn't stop a kid on a tricycle. VIKINGS, 24-13
Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals : This game will really test if the Pack have fixed their offensive line woes, because this Bengals defense will test them. I think the Pack still needs to do a little more work on that end, so this game will be close, but a late game error due to a scrambling Aaron Rodgers may seal the deal for Cincy. BENGALS, 27-24
Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Bucs : Sorry, Miami, but this battle of Florida is an easy pick. BUCS, 27-16
New England Patriots at Houston Texans : People are taking about Pittsburgh (and a 2-2 Chiefs team), but the most shocking decline this season for me has to be the Houston Texans. Their usual vaulted defense is weak, and Davis Mills just isn't shaping up at QB. Mac Jones is starting to get his bearings, so the Pats definitely have the edge at QB. Oddly, they also have the defensive edge. PATS, 24-16
New Orleans Saints at Washington : Jameis Winston is still showing the inconsistencies that he has suffered in his previous NFL stops, but the defense and running game has bailed him out. Washington is yet to find a clear identity, but one thing is certain -- their defense stinks! SAINTS, 27-17
Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers : It looks like Christian McCaffrey will be playing again this Sunday, so that boosts the Panthers offense. Sam Darnold is still a bit inconsistent, but he definitely is playing better than he did as a Jet. PANTHERS, 31-20
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars : The team is starting to lose faith in their coach, and (as I predicted, I might add) Trevor Lawrence's development progresses at a snail's pace. Not a good situation. TITANS, 23-13
Chicago Bears at Las Vegas Raiders : The Bears have a terrible record against the Raiders, no matter where they are located. RAIDERS, 27-10
Cleveland Browns at Los Angeles Chargers : This is the closest to a "toss up" game I think we will see all season. I'd love to skip this one, but I pick them all. Really either team could win this game. Justin Herbert is more flashy than Baker Mayfield, but Mayfield has a better sense of what is happening on the field. Both teams have stiff defenses. Home field might help the Chargers, but special teams favors Cleveland. I'll go for the surprise Browns win, but this one is really a gut feeling. BROWNS, 23-21
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys : Ain't no way the Giants defense is stopping that offense. COWBOYS, 30-17
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals : The only remaining unbeaten team should remain so for a while. CARDINALS, 28-17
Sunday night
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs : Both teams have great offenses, but the Chiefs defense has really been poor recently. That certain swings this game to the visitors. BILLS, 30-24
Monday Night Football
Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens : The Colts offense is really having some trouble, and the Ravens defense will just add to their problems. RAVENS, 23-10
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