This post originally appeared on ClashDaily.com
As Tom Petty sang, ‘I’m freee….free falling’, as this week’s games trashed my batting average back to 9-7. Just shameful! I don’t mean me, of course, but the league for getting so many of their scores inexplicably wrong! My consolation is that only one expert at ESPN even equaled my record this week, all the rest picking worse. Anyway, this always happens this time of the season, as teams are discovering week to week who they are going to be this year. Some weeks they flex (Falcons, Commanders), and some weeks they splat (Eagles, Bengals). I’m sure I’ll look dumb again over the next few weeks, as teams either gel or smell. For now, I’m at 33-15 (70%). Let’s get to the picks.
Steelers at Browns – Both of these teams surprised me last week by winning, and their entire division shares the same winning record. I still find myself waiting for the Browns to immolate and for Pittsburgh to see Rodgers depart with an injury and descend into no-QB land from which few teams emerge into the playoffs. That said, I like the visitors in this one, based on stout defense and a cagey senior signal-caller. Pittsburgh ‘Steels’ a Rust Belt rumble by the lake.
Colts at Commanders – DC wasn’t comic last week when they swatted away the invading champs like so many horseflies. They didn’t choke when Seattle surged late, which shows you something about their mental toughness. The Colts held off Houston to bag their first win, and are showing promise despite a losing record. I see this as a pick-em, with the narrow edge to Indy on strong running & passing. Danny Jones hangs an Indy 500 (yards) on Washington’s defense as he masters the Commanders.
Titans at Ravens – The Black Birds showed out in Rio, besting the Cowboys in a wild late photo-finish. This week should see them buff up their defensive stats against Tennessee’s sour mash offense. Ravens re-Ward Cam with a cold shot in Whiskey Town.
Patriots at Bills – My Pats are rapidly falling out of contention, mainly because a predictable, ineffective offense leaves their stellar defense on the field too long. I have said since Week 1 that McDaniels needs to go, and this game will say it louder than I ever could. Bills are a win machine, and they will pit the league’s best offense against the 31st. New England can’t find the end zone with a road map and compass. Flying Elvis has left the building…scoreless. Bills in a stampede.
Jets at Bears – What the heck got into Da Bears last week? Holy Liberty Bell, they mauled the Feebles with Case Flippin’ Keenum taking snaps! Old QBs never die..what’s next, dig up Johnny Unitas or Earl Morrall and suit em up? I’m going to do what you’re all thinking and take them this week against NY. Jets set for a rough landing in the Windy City.
Jaguars at Bengals – Catfight!! These two feline foes are evenly matched, and to prove it they split the panel at ESPN 50/50 this week. The Jags pulverized the Patriots last week while the Bungles dropped a close one to Pittsburgh, so I see it as ‘even-up’ week. I like Burrow to pull his squad through to victory at home. Tigers over Jaguars by a whisker when the fur flies Sunday.
Cowboys at Texans – Sounds like a game developed in the Department of Redundancy Department, doesn’t it? Most of the cowboys I’ve known are Texans, and ALL of the Texans I’ve met are cowboys, at heart anyway. Although Houston is winless, they are due. Dallas shows flashes… and then they flash in the pan. In this Lone Star shootout, I’ll take Houston’s better defense over the Cowboys’ better offense. Dak is less than stellar as Houston emerges from the cellar.
Cardinals at Giants – Another tough pick, as Arizona has played pretty well against some tough opponents, and the Giants have outperformed expectations as well. That said, these aren’t good teams statistically, and with no Darts from Jaxson downfield, we get to enjoy the legendary ups-and-downs of Famous Jameis at the Giants’ helm. Hurricane Winston likes to distribute footballs all over the stadium to whomever the wind is blowing, regardless of jersey color. Just my gut telling me that this game belongs to Jacoby Brisset. Cards don’t fold in the Big Apple.
Rams at Eagles – The Rammers put up the most yards in the NFL, which is only worth anything if it results in points (20th) or clock control (11th). In other words, big deal. Watching them play ‘last team with the ball wins’ Sunday night against Denver showed that they are overrated. Likewise watching the Beagles get beat by Case Keenum’s Windy City Bruins was…disappointing. The Rams need to figure this out fast, or they will be out of the playoff picture by mid-season. This is a good game to do that. McVay’s LA’s prove Ram-tough in the City of Brotherly Lumps.
Packers at Buccaneers – Two Bays go to battle. The Packers are in total disarray, while the Panhandle Pirates have been holed at the waterline and are taking on water. Captain Mayfield is down with scurvy, so his cabin boy Jalon Daniels is stepping up to direct the cannon fire this week. As bad as Green Bay is and unreliable, I still feel compelled to pick them again this week because….Jalon Daniels. Jordan Loves him some pirate booty in sunny Tampa.
Dolphins at Vikings – Norsemen gorge themselves on roasted porpoise. Try the fish tacos.
Chiefs at Raiders – Yup, THIS is the week. Give Vegas their due for being undefeated, but that’s about to change. Chiefs beat the house in Vegas.
Chargers at Seahawks – The Bolts put on a spirited game in Buffalo last week, exceeding my expectations for two quarters, but the outcome was never in doubt in my mind. Buffalo can hang 20 points on you in a blink, much like Kansas City, and they socked away the pesky Chargers in the 3rd quarter. I’ll take the Squawks looking to shake off the stink of the Commanders loss by suffocating Justin Herbert. Drew Locks and loads another win in the din of Lumen.
Broncos at Niners – This is the game of the week, methinks. The Broncos have been playing some good ball and they seem to improve weekly, regaining that playoff lustre from last season. San Fran is clearly the dominant team in the league so far, racking up yards, points and defensive stops. Some of the ESPN pundits agree with my assessment of Denver’s progress, with three of the ten picking them here. As promising as Payton’s Ponies are playing right now, beating Frisco in their own sandlot is a tall order. Prospectors punch the Ponies poignantly.
Lions at Panthers – Catfight II! I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the league has all four cat teams playing each other this week, nor the Texans playing Cowboys. Goodell is messing with some new marketing ideas, clearly. Ok, on to the game. These teams match up much more evenly than you think. They are 3rd & 5th in points per game, 9th and 7th in yards per game, and close in most of the other game stats that decide Ws & Ls. I’m giving the Cryins one more chance to prove who they really are (good), because I still believe…for now. Black Cats are good luck for the King of the Jungle.
Falcons at Saints – The Falcs ripped the Cheeseheads last week, while the Saints fell to the upstart Raiders. I think Atlanta played one of perhaps 4 really good games they will turn in this season last week, while I think that either N’Awlins or Charlotte will win the division this year. In this divvy battle, Dirty Birds are on the menu as Thanksgiving comes early to Bourbon Street. Pass the creole sauce!
Enjoy the games!
-Pigskin Pundit (Nate Clark)
This post originally appeared on clashdaily.com
