Back to the pick ’em game after missing last week due to a work trip. Also, work is getting busy and life with a 4-month-old takes up a lot of time so I’ll keep the writups short this week.
ATL @ CAR +3: The Panthers got dismantled last week by Joe Mixon and have their eyes on the first pick in the draft. Atlanta has been a pleasant surprise this year and is currently tied with the Buccaneers atop the division. Atlanta covers in a boring, sloppy Thursday Night Football game. Pick: Falcons
SEA @ TB -3 (Germany): Seattle to Germany is a long ass flight, so that hurts the Seahawks. Did the Bucs find something last week in the final few minutes against the Rams? This week should tell us a lot. If Brady and the offense look like they’ve turned a corner, the Bucs could be dangerous in the second half of the season, but if they get stomped by Pete, Geno, and the ‘hawks, it’s game over in Tampa Bay. I’ll ride with Brady and the Bucs, but I wouldn’t touch this game with real money. Pick: Bucs
DEN @ TEN -2.5: Denver sucks. The Titans have Derrick Henrey. Pick: Titans
CLE @ MIA -3.5: All Tua does is win (and get concussed). Until Deshaun Watson is taking snaps for the Browns I have no confidence in their offense. Pick: Dolphins
NO @ PIT +2: Both of these teams stink and I would never put actual money on this, but, I’ll take Andy Dalton (or Jameis Winston) over Kenny Pickett. Pick: Saints
DET @ CHI -3: The Beras looked to have actually turned a corner a few weeks ago in Foxborough despite losing their last two games. Add in the inevitable weak performance for Detriot after beating Green Bay last week, and you get an easy Bears victory. Pick: Bears
MIN @ BUF -3.5: The Josh Allen injury is a monumental variable here. If he’s playing (and mostly healthy) I’d take the Bills all day at -3.5, although the spread would be closer to 7 with a healthy Allen. The Vikings are 7-1 but don’t have any convincing wins on their resume. I’ll take the Bills to cover, but this will be a close game. Pick: Bills
HOU @ NYG -4.5: Houston stinks and the Giants are coming off the bye week, during which they had to dwell on a blowout loss to the Seahawks. Giants roll here in an absolute laugher. Pick: Giants
JAX @ KC -9.5: lol. Pick: Chiefs
IND @ LVR -6: The Raiders HAVE to have this, right? Jeff fucking Saturday is the Colts HC, and his quarterback is Sam Ehlinger. If LV loses this, McDaniels may be the offensive coordinator for the Patriots when they take on the Jets next week. Pick: Raiders
DAL @ GB +4.5: Aaron Rodgers is checked THE FUCK out, but I can see him getting in a time machine and bringing back old Aaron Rodgers just to stick it to his former coach. That said, Dallas is a good team while the Packers are not. Pick: Dallas
ARI @ LAR -1.5: Two bad teams. One bad head coach. Give me the team with a good head coach. Pick: Rams
WSH @ PHI -11: The Eagles bubble has to pop at some point. I think they’ll win this game but the Commanders will cover. Pick: Commanders