First, a note on last weeks picks. I totally whiffed on picking Jacksonville at Arizona so that counts as a loss. I would have picked the Jaguars anyway, so there is that.
I wrote last week that the Broncos starting Paxton Lynch over Osweiler or Simian smelled of desperation. That fear sweat odor was palpable after the first half when it looked like the Broncos were going to get blanked again, for the second time in a season. I understand the thinking of the Puppet Master Elway. Lynch is potentially the QB of the Broncos future, but they have to see him in game action to know. What was seen was ... not pretty. Of course there is potential, but like Jared Goff of last year, that potential is crushed by a poor offensive line and a weak performance from what should be a stellar defense leaving the Broncos in a hole most of the game. Bronco Nation is calling for Vance Joseph's head (and possibly Elway's as well), but desperation moves are what bury franchises for many years. Look at the Browns. I have little respect for any franchise which fires a coach after 1 year, unless his name is Tomsula. That guy was in way over his head.
Which leads me to a coach whose seat gets toastier by the minute. I do not understand the benching of Eli Manning for ... get this ... Geno Smith. This reeks of a coach, afraid to make eye contact with ownership or fans, meekly offering a potential Hall of Famer as a sacrifice to keep his paycheck after a miserably coached and injury derailed season. Yes, Manning is getting older and the Giants need to look to the future. That future is NOT geno Smith. Unlike Lynch who needs to be evaluated in game conditions, we all know Geno, a man so worthy as a leader that his jaw was broken by a teammate. The Giants' season is effectively over, along with the Browns and the 'Niners, save for spoiling and looking to next year. The Browns still have a boatload of draft picks, the 'Niners have a growing core of young players. The Giants have, what now? Oh yeah, great receivers on IR to be back next year, a quarterback who beat the unbeatable, and a defense capable of achieving much more than they've shown this season. So the record shows not a flaw with players but with coaching and luck. True, Eli can't hurl the ball down field like he used to, except when he throws 50 yard bombs to OBJ (currently on IR.) Manning doesn't scramble like he used to, almost like he doesn't get any protection and has to waffle for his life. I know that Eli is getting older, and this may be his swan song year. But benching him for the hollow promise of a well derided second stringer just seems ... personal and mean. It isn't Eli Manning that needs to go, it's Ben McAdoo.
The rumors are flying that the Puppet Master will swoop in and bring Eli to the Rocky Mountains. I don't think it will happen. Elway values size and physical gifts that Peyton had and Eli does not completely share. They are both cerebral quarterbacks with an astounding will to win, but Eli's fade will be quicker than his brother's without particular offensive help, like a good O line. Ultimately, the price tag will be too high for the Broncos. Ultimately, though it might be just me, I feel that Eli Manning should remain and retire as a New York Football Giant.
Several years ago, Richard Sherman very publicly and vocally called Michael Crabtree a "punk". People got on Sherman for that, but he was right. Crabtree is a little punk. Note for Micheal Crabtree. Hey punk, in a fight between fist and helmet, helmet always wins. Next time I hope you connect with that haymaker, punk.
Thursday:
Washington (5-7) at Dallas (6-6) - Cowboys (14-38, Cowboys)
I called that on the fly, and looky there.
Sunday:
Minnesota (9-2) at Atlanta (7-4) - Vikings (14-9, Vikings)
I hope they leave the roof open.
Houston (4-7) at Tennessee (7-4) - Titans (13-24, Titans)
Titans are fighting for playoffs. The Texans are bit too banged up.
Kansas City (6-5) at New York Jets (4-7) - Jets (31-38, Jets)
I don't know what's happened to KC but it ain't good.
Denver (3-8) at Miami (4-7) - Broncos (9-35, Dolphins)
Simian was red-hot after getting benched.
Indianapolis (3-8) at Jacksonville (7-4) - Jaguars (10-30, Jaguars)
I am so impressed with Jacoby Brissett. But Jacksonville had an off week in the desert and that defense is still legit.
Tampa Bay (4-7) at Green Bay (5-6) - Packers (20-26, Packers)
Battle of the bays ... in the North country.
Detroit (6-5) at Baltimore (6-5) - Ravens (20-44, Ravens)
Defense
New England (9-2) at Buffalo (6-5) - Hatriots (23-3, Hatriots)
Belichick always finds defense late in the season.
San Francisco (1-10) at Chicago (3-8) - Bears (15-14, 'Niners)
The 'Niners are p[laying with heart but they go to the midwest
Cleveland (0-11) at Los Angeles Chargers (5-6) - Chargers (10-19, Chargers)
Rivers is gunning for late season MVP.
New York Giants (2-9) at Oakland (5-6) - Raiders (17-24, Raiders)
Hand the Silver and Black an easy win over Geno.
Carolina (8-3) at New Orleans (8-3)- Saints (21-31, Saints)
Home field if nothing else.
Los Angeles Rams (8-3) at Arizona (5-6) - Rams (32-16, Rams)
LA could be the Philly spoiler in the playoffs.
Sunday Night:
Philadelphia (10-1) at Seattle (7-4) - Eagles (10-24, Seahawks)
If Seattle had an offensive line ... You simply will not beat the Eagles when your quarterback is responsible for 85% of your scoring.
Monday Night:
Pittsburgh (9-2) at Cincinnati (5-6) - Steelers (23-20, Steelers)
3/2 odds Berfict gets ejected.
Last Week's Score: 12 - 4, 75% Overall: 114 - 62, 70%
Comments