Week 5: Packers/Cowboys get into a shootout, Chiefs stay perfect
Well, the Kansas City Chiefs are the only undefeated team left after only 4 weeks (really, only one team left?). The Patriots have two losses at home this season in only three games. A franchise known for going seasons, yes plural, without a home loss.The Giants have yet to win a game as well as LA's newest addition to their sports commodities, the Chargers (what's that you say? They're playing each other this very week? More on that below #Barnburner). Let's get the picks started.
Sidenote:
My Condolences to the families of everyone affected by the tragedy in Las Vegas.
We lost some greats in the past little while. Mr. Playboy himself, Hugh Hefner. Thank you for bringing a many beauties in the pop zeitgeist. Legend.
As well as rocker Tom Petty, whose classics will always be found on radio, in bars, and sports arenas for the rest of time. My personal favourites include; "Don't Come Around Here No More" and "You Don't Know How It Feels." Legend.
New England Patriots 27, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
Thursday 8:30pm, Spread: New England -5.5
Did you know? ...Tom Brady has never lost to the Bucs. I look for this trend to continue. After 4 weeks the Pats are 2-2. This is new territory for the spoiled franchise during the Belichick era. The road seems more favourable for them. They want it more. Not to take anything away from Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston. We all know he'll have a great game. His poise and leadership, which became evident last season seems to have grown even greater over the short few weeks of this season.
Buffalo Bills 27, Cincinnati Bengals 26
Sunday 1pm, Spread: Buffalo +3.5
The Bills defense looks for real. Cincy has yet to really get it going (beating Cleveland doesn't really count as "getting it going"). I have a feeling this game comes down to a late Bills field goal for the win.
New York J-E-T-S 20, Cleveland Browns 16
Sunday 1pm, Spread: NY Jets +1.5
This game will be better than this season's Super Bowl. OK, that may be a minor oversell. I love seeing the Jets as this pathetic team again, but in the most complimentary way. I'm a fan of the "Gangrene" and as long as they stay 'dogs I will be rolling with them. This game could make it three wins in a row. which will also keep the Browns streak of losses alive at five straight.
#BetterThanTheSuperbowl
Carolina Panthers 20, Detroit Lions 27
Sunday 1pm, Spread: Detroit -3.5
Detroit looks different this year. Is it because of Mr. Money-in-the-Bank, Matt Stafford? (Now the highest paid player in the league and he didn't even have to defeat five other quarterbacks at a Pay-per-view). Stafford has looked decent this year, but has also appeared less than. The defense has been showing up, especially when the chips are down. They've also seemed to find (albeit minor) a running game. Now their opponent: the Carolina Panthers, have a quarterback who may not be money-in-the-bank at this time. Once a darling of the NFL with his dabs and Superman poses, Cam Newton has found himself in hot water among the media yet again. A major gust of wind passed through the state of North Carolina when everyone collectively shook their head at Cam's derogatory comment. I feel like he's been a distraction to the team this week and it will hurt the panthers chances at a "W".
San Francisco 49ers 20, Indianapolis Colts 22
Sunday 1pm, Spread: Indianapolis -1.5
"It's Rex Manning Day!"
Sorry, Liv Tyler, it's actually Peyton Manning Day. Yep, the GOAT returns for the retirement of his #18 jersey and the unveiling of his statue situated outside of Lucas Oil Stadium. Oh and there is a football game too. #BetterThanTheSuperbowlPartII
Tennessee Titans 19, Miami Dolphins 20
Sunday 1pm, Spread: Miami +2.5
No Mariota this week. So I'm going with Cutler and the Dolphins by default. Only because they are at home and Matt Cassel is an awful quarterback that is more painful to watch than Cutler. Yeah, I'm holding onto a grudge against Cassel for his work in Dallas in 2015. I want to forget.
Los Angeles Chargers 21, New York Giants 27
Sunday 1pm, Spread: NY Giants -3.5
THE BATTLE OF THE WINLESS. At this point in the season headlines are made when a pair of undefeated teams meet. This match-up is a headline stealer for the opposite reason. Someone will walk away with their first victory of the season. Could there actually be a tie? Maybe, but I'm not picking one here. The G-Men can't be this bad are they? so many of the "analysts" before the season started had these guys pegged for NFC domination and a trip to Minneapolis in February. I don't see them going 0-5. The Chargers are coming all the way over to the east coast to play a 1 pm game (10 am pacific time). That typically doesn't fare well for west coast squads. The River is not going to get ya Eli. Now close your mouth and start throwing touchdown passes.
Arizona Cardinals 13, Philadelphia Eagles 27
Sunday 1pm, Spread: Philadelphia -6.5
This has the potential to be a blowout. I don't see it that way, but I do believe the Eagles will play down to the Cards. What happened to the Cardinals? Such a far cry from the 2015 team. They need a healthy guy in the backfield named Johnson. Um, David not Chris. The former, is a fantasy stud that broke the hearts of owners, and the latter, well he ran for 2000 yards in a season almost 10 years ago. A running game is needed to relieve pressure on Palmer. That or bring old man, Kurt Warner out of retirement to hook-up with Fitzgerald a dozen more times. Now that's what I want to see.
#BattleOfTheBirds #BattleOfTheCarsons
Jacksonville Jaguars 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 20
Sunday 1pm, Spread: Jacksonville +8.5
This will be a boring game between two boring teams. As you get to know me from reading these posts it will become clear that I loathe the Steelers. Everthing about them. They'll win this game, but I don't want them to. On to the next game...
Seattle Seahawks 17, Los Angeles Rams 13
Sunday 4pm, Spread: Seattle +2.5
Seattle got it going last week in a big way. The Rams are looking like the real deal. So what does this mean in terms of Sundays game? It will be slow, boring and full of penalties. If you love offense then find another game. I love Russel Wilson so I'm taking Seattle. Simple as that.
Baltimore Ravens 27, Oakland Raiders 20
Sunday 4:25pm, Spread: Baltimore +3.5
If Derek Carr was playing in this game I'd be all over the Raiders to win this game at home. He is not. Who is you may ask, EJ Manuel, and he is not good (right, Bills fans?). I don't like Baltimore at all. I don't like coach Harbaugh and I don't like Joe "Cool" Flacco (I won't type the pet name I refer to him as). Lynch can't save the raiders offense in this one. Maybe next year, Raiders fans.
Green Bay Packers 33, Dallas Cowboys 30
Sunday 4:25pm, Spread: Green Bay -2.5
If you like offense and plenty of it get ready for this shootout. I have this feeling this game will go exactly like their meeting in last years playoffs. Packers win off of a Mason Crosby field goal with seconds to go. Dallas definitely did not look strong in the second half last week. The Rams took advantage of every opportunity and dominated big D on the road in Jerry World. Should not have happened. Now this week they welcome Mr. Rodgers into their neighbourhood. It'll probably be the most entertaining game of the week, but I don't see Dallas enjoying it in the end. Not cool, Zeus. Not cool. #UpsetOfTheWeek
Kansas City Chiefs 30, Houston Texans 26
Sunday 8:25pm, Spread: Kansas City -1.5
People always jump on the bandwagon of the last undefeated team and this years gridiron darling is the Alex Smith led Chiefs. This is going to be a closer game than most think. Deshaun Watson is the real deal and a worthy test for this Chiefs defense. There could be an upset for the undefeated Chiefs, but I'm not going to pick it here.
Minnesota Vikings 17, Chicago Bears 20
Monday 8:25pm, Spread: Chicago +2.5
Remember the hype surrounding Floyd Mayweather vs. Connor McGregor? Well that was nothing compared to this week's Monday Nighter. Case Keenum comes to Soldier Field to take on rookie quarterback Mitchell "Don't Call Me, Mitch" Trubisky. (Who? Exactly.) The Bears signed Mike Glennon to an undeserving contract way above him and then decided to trade up one spot in the 2017 draft to get ol' Mitchell. Well the Glennon experiment has failed and now the Bears brass is kicking the tires of their shiny, new hatchback...I mean quarterback. It doesn't matter who John Fox has as his quarterback. He'll always mess it up. I'm curious about this game, but not expecting much. With Bradford most likely out I'll pick my poison with Chicago. These bears could choose to hibernate over winning and I wouldn't be surprised.
Until next week, keep fit and have fun.
These picks and predictions unfortunately did not get posted before the start of games this week.
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