A Chicken Is Not Pillage

Week 10 Picks

The season is now officially half over with all teams having played at least 8 games.  The punditry, great and small continue to proceed as if certain (myself included among the smallest) but the only thing certain this year is total uncertainty.  The high-powered Pittsburgh offensive machine is little better than middling, behind weak QB play from a man who is a certain lock for the HOF.  We may never see Andrew Luck on the field again.  The Aaron Rodgers injury has sent Green Bay into a tailspin, but not as fast plummeting as the Houston Texans without Watson.  We may not see Ezekiel Elliot again  until Christmas Eve, or New Years Eve if he is allowed to play this Sunday.  New Orleans is winning on ... defense?  New England is squeaking to victories and is still considered a Super Bowl contender.  The final Blow to sanity is this:  Three of the top Quarterbacks in the league are Josh McCown, Jared Goff, and Kirk Cousins, who Washington didn't trust enough to offer a contract for the second year in a row.  This has been a wild ride here, and I frankly can't say that it's been a whole lot of fun.

The worst thing of all this week is that the millionaire owner of a crappy pizza chain is now blaming the NFL because people don't want to buy his shit product.  All because the NFL "leadership" won't enforce fascist level nationalism on it's product, athletes who play a game.  A game.  If this doesn't rank among the stupidest shit I've ever heard, I don't know what would.  If none all y'all have seen the 1975 film "Rollerball", I strongly suggest you watch it to see how low our society has sunk, when a Pizza mogul thinks us stupid enough to value his profits over the rights of American humans who play a game for our enjoyment.

Finally, to A.J. Green and others who thought fighting was a good idea last Sunday:  Heed the words of Scott Hanson from NFL Redzone.  When you start throwing punches consider that in the battle between fist and helmet, helmet wins 100% of the time.  I agree completely with Tom Coughlin.  Jalen Ramsey did not punch back and deserved no ejection.  Green (and others ... cough ... Miami) deserve far worse suspensions than Zeke Elliot, because they do far more to damage the game.

Now that I've bummed myself out completely, here are my picks:

Thursday:

Seattle (5-3) at Arizona (4-4) - Seahawks (22-16, Seahawks)

This is dicey because the 'Hawks still can't protect the best QB currently playing in Russell Wilson.  But I don't like the Cards in prime time.

Sunday:

Green Bay (4-4) at Chicago (3-5) - Bears (23-16, Packers)

Sorry Packer fans, but with Hundley under center you have to respect that Chicago defense in Soldier Field.

Cleveland (0-8) at Detroit (4-4) - Lions (24-38, Lions)

I do think the Browns will get a win this year.  It just won't be in Detroit.

Pittsburgh (6-2) at Indianapolis (3-6) - Steelers (20-17, Steelers)

Good matchup for the Steelers.

Los Angeles Chargers (3-5) at Jacksonville (5-3) - Jaguars (17-20, Jaguars)

Despite Bortles, who's actually playing well, the Jags are winning on the D side.

New Orleans (6-2) at Buffalo (5-3) - Saints (47-10, Saints)

I will not argue with momentum.

New York Jets (4-5) at Tampa Bay (2-6) - Jets (10-15, Buccaneers)

I will not argue with momentum.

Minnesota (6-2) at Washington (4-4) - Taterskins (38-30, Vikings)

Risky pick of the week, but I have to go with Cousins.

Cincinnati (3-5) at Tennessee (5-3) - Titans (20-24, Titans)

If you want to see good fundamental football, watch Tennessee.

Houston (3-5) at Los Angeles Rams (6-2) - Rams (7-33, Rams)

Houston is lost.

Dallas (5-3) at Atlanta (4-4) - Falcons (7-27, Falcons)

I'm gonna take a leap and suspect that Elliot is suspended.

New York Giants (1-7) at San Francisco (0-9) - 'Niners (21-31, 'Niners)

The futility bowl.  But San Fran gets off the schnied as Chris Burman would say.

Sunday Night:

New England (6-2) at Denver (3-5) - Hatriots (41-16, Hatriots)

The Broncos simply have no offense at all.

Monday Night:

Miami (4-4) at Carolina (6-3) - Panthers (21-45, Panthers)

It is possible that Cam won't play.  But to me, this is a 'who cares' kind of game.

Byes:  Baltimore, Kansas City, Oakland Philadelphia

Last Week's Score:   8 - 5,  62%   Overall:  83 - 49,  63%

 

Week 9 Picks

Just found out before writing this that Deshaun Watson's season is over with a torn ACL.  I have no words to express what a blow this is to the NFL.  This kid is gonna be great, and was on his way to a Rookie of the Year season.  Twice now he has lead his team to almost victory only to be beaten by the Texans' defense (without J.J. Watt) failure to stop two of the best Quarterbacks currently playing, Tom Brady and Russell Wilson.  To me, those losses are more telling about the quarterback Watson then the victories.  He never stopped.  He never surrendered against men who almost legendary.  This is what I mean when I write that this season feels grim.

More to say about trades and such, but frankly I haven't the heart from here in snowy Montana.  Except that I'm glad the London games are over.  On with the picks.

Thursday:

Buffalo (5-2) at New York Jets (3-5) - Bills (21-34, Jets)

Sunday:

Indianapolis (2-6) at Houston (3-4) - Texans (20-14, Colts)

With Savage under center, this may be a crap shoot.

Cincinnati (3-4) at Jacksonville (4-3) - Bengals (7-23, Jaguars)

The Jacksonville Defense is over-rated and the Bengals are just dag-nasty.

Tampa Bay (2-5) at New Orleans (5-2) - Saints (10-30, Saints)

With 6000 completions, Brees just joined a very elite club, including only himself, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre. Notice the lack of Tom Brady.

Los Angeles Rams (5-2) at New York Giants (1-6) - Rams (51-17, Rams)

One of the only 2 games I have to include both team names fully in the title this year because LA and New York are the only cities with two teams.  Fun with trivia.

Atlanta (4-3) at Carolina (5-3) - Falcons (17-20, Panthers)

I just don't trust that Cam can hold up.

Denver (3-4) at Philadelphia (7-1) - Eagles (23-51, Eagles)

The Broncos bench Simian, but it likely won't matter until they get an offensive line.  And in case you haven't heard, this is the first time Denver has had a losing record since 2012, week 5, when the Patriots sent them to 2-3.  Then the Broncos pulled off 11 straight wins with Peyton Manning.   They don't have Peyton Manning.

Baltimore (4-4) at Tennessee (4-3) - Titans (20-23, Titans)

Tennessee ain't Miami.

Arizona (3-4) at San Francisco (0-8) - Cardinals (20-10, Cardinals)

The niners won't have their new wonder QB.

Washington (3-4) at Seattle (5-2) - Seahawks (17-14, Taterskins)

Nothing to say.

Kansas City (6-2) at Dallas (4-3) - Cowboys (17-28, Cowboys)

I reserve the right to change this pick if Elliot's suspension is not put under injunction.  If he plays, Dallas wins.

Sunday Night:

Oakland (3-5) at Miami (4-3) - Raiders (27-24, Raiders)

The Dolphins are woeful.

Monday Night:

Detroit (3-4) at Green Bay (4-3) - Lions (30-17, Lions)

No Rodgers, no Hail Mary, no prime time win.

Byes:  New England, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles Changers, Chicago, Minnesota

Last Week's Score:   12-1, 92%   Overall:  75 - 44, 63%

Week 8 Picks - Full

Okay, the Thursday night 'game' wasn't.  It was a slaughter.  At least a third of that Miami defense should be facing serious fines or suspension.

No time for exposition so just the picks.

Thursday:

Miami at Baltimore previously picked - Ravens (0-40, Ravens)

Sunday:

Minnesota (5-2) at Cleveland (0-7) - Vikings  (33-16, Vikings)

Atlanta (3-3) at New York Jets (3-4) - Falcons (25-20, Falcons)

Carolina (4-3) at Tampa Bay (2-4) - Buccaneers (17-3, Panthers)

San Francisco (0-7) at Philadelphia (6-1) - Eagles (10-33, Eagles)

Chicago (3-4) at New Orleans (4-2) - Saints (12-20, Saints)

Los Angeles Chargers (3-4) at New England (5-2) - Hatriots (13-21, Hatriots)

Oakland (3-4) at Buffalo (4-2) - Bills (14-34, Bills)

Indianapolis (2-5) at Cincinnati (2-4) - Bengals (23-24, Bengals)

Houston (3-3) at Seattle (4-2) - Seahawks (38-41, Seahawks)

Dallas (3-3) at Washington (3-3) - Cowboys (33-19, Cowboys)

Sunday Night:

Pittsburgh (5-2) at Detroit (3-3) - Steelers (20-15, Steelers)

Monday Night:

Denver (3-3) at Kansas City (5-2) - Chiefs (19-29, Chiefs)

Byes:  Tennessee, Jacksonville, New York Giants, Green Bay, Los Angeles Rams, Arizona

Last Week's Score:  10 - 5,  67%   Overall:  63 - 43,  59%

Week 8 Picks - Abrupt

I really hate the Thursday night games for two primary reasons.

1)  Thursday is perhaps the WORST week night for a football game.  You're charging as fast as you can to reach the weekend.  You're tired as the week as dragged on, and the last thing you feel like doing is to stay up late watching a game.  Historically, that's been okay, but this season, the Thursday night games have been epic.  I've missed almost all of these contests.

2)  There feels like there is no time t pick my games for the week. 

So, I'm picking this night's game and waiting to post the rest.

Thursday:

Miami (4-2) at Baltimore (3-4) - Ravens

No one has a clue how Miami has won 4 games, or how the Ravens are as lackluster as they appear.  Thuis is a night game and I go with the chill Baltimore air.

Week 7 Picks - Update

Late to the game and no time to post so here is Thursday's pick.  I will update later with all the rest.

Okay, so the power came back on just as the rain/snow started.  This is not good, save that it gives me time to post the rest of my week's picks.  After all, the first went so well with the Raiders winning at the last second.

I wrote last week that the Broncos should just forfeit the rest of the season should they lose to the Giants.  I stand by that, since they lost to the fucking Giants.  Nothing is more humiliating to team and fans then losing to an 0-5 team.

This season is nothing short of grim.  I'm not amused by the spectacle.  Top players at every position are facing suspension, season ending injuries, or the end of career.

QB - Aaron Rodgers is done for the year.  Sam Bradford may be done for all time.

WR - OBJ is out on IR.  Brandon Marshall is out on IR.  Julian Edelmann is done for the year.

RB - David Johnson is gone.  Maybe for the season.  Ezekial Elliot is facing a 6 game suspension.

TE - Tyler Eifert is done for the year.  Gronkowski is game to game.

DL - Mercilus is out for the season.  J.J. Watt is out for the season, again.  Cliff Avril may be retiring.

LB - Luke Kuechly has suffered his third concussion in as many weeks.  This could be season or career ending.

The litany of high profile injuries goss on and this is not a nice scenario.  I'm not liking this season at all.

Still the picks:

Thursday:

Kansas City (5-1) at Oakland (2-4) - Chiefs (30-31, Raiders)

They will respond well to a loss.

Sunday:

Tampa Bay (2-3) at Buffalo (3-2) - Bills (27-30, Bills)

Baltimore (3-3) at Minnesota (4-2) - Vikings (16-24, Vikings)

New York Jets (3-3) at Miami (2-3) - Jets (28-31, Dolphins)

Miami has found a groove but New York is inspired.

Arizona (3-3) at Los Angels Rams (4-2) - Rams (0-33, Rams)

Defense.

Jacksonville (3-3) at Indianapolis (2-4) - Colts (27-0, Jaguars)

Probably a dumb pick.

New Orleans (3-2) at Green Bay (4-2) - Saints (26-17, Saints)

They have ... a defense?  And Green Bay doesn't have Aaron Rodgers.

Carolina (4-2) at Chicago (2-4) - Panthers (3-17, Bears?)

Tennessee (3-3) at Cleveland ( 0-6) -Titans (12-9, Titans)

Dallas (2-3) at San Francisco (0-6) - Cowboys (40-10, Cowboys)

Denver (3-2) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-4) - Broncos (0-21, Chargers)

Cincinnati (2-3) at Pittsburgh (4-2) - Steelers (14-29, Steelers)

Seattle ( 3-2) at New York Giants (1-5) - Seahawks (24-7, Seahawks)

Sunday Night:

Atlanta (3-2) at New England (4-2) - Hatriots (7-23, Hatriots)

I hate them lucky ass rule bending fucknuts so much.

Monday Night:

Washington (3-2) at Philadelphia (5-1) - Eagles (24-34, Eagles)

Last Weeks Score:  5-9, 36%,  Overall:  53 - 38,  58%

 

Week 6 Picks

A couple of somber notes.

When I was a wee yo'un, probably about 8, I read the book Bart Starr.  It opened a new world up for me.  Before that I was a football fan in the sense that I loved the Broncos, liked the game and understood it only in so much as you had 4 tries to move the ball down the field before someone hit you.  Reading that book opened a whole new world for me, an understanding of the game and the people who play it.  Football was suddenly personal.  I collected football cards, which I may still have, though they aren't worth anything because I would deface them with updated stats and note players changing teams.  I read about 'the legends', coaches and players.  Lombardi, Turner, Van Brocklin, Jim Brown, Stram, Paul Brown, Stenerud (though I didn't know he played for Montana State College until much much later), Hornung, Kramer, Unitas, and of course, Y.A. Tittle.

Tittle died on Sunday, October 8th, 2017.  He will always be a legend to me, not just for his stats and accomplishments, but because of what he endured.  Three championship losses, and the idea that he was responsible.  Tittle was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1971, along with Jim Brown and Norm Van Brocklin.   He was the first NFL Quarterback to be inducted into the HOF without winning a championship, a source of great pain to him until he was joined by Fran Tarkenton in 1986, 15 years later.  Tittle held 6 records at the time of his retirement, but will always hold the record of "Legend", to a young man learning about the sport of football.

On September 27th,  Coach Red Miller died.  Until then, I never knew his name was Robert.  Coach Miller created and fostered the Orange Crush defense of the 77 Broncos.  He lead them to the Super Bowl, their first, after Tom Jackson's incredible interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers.  It is unbelievable, and inconceivable, that none of Miller's Orange Crush are in the HOF.  Gradishar, Alzedo, Tom Jackson, Louis Wright.  For a kid who grew up a Broncos fan, Miller's loss is felt deeply.

 

Back to the modern.  My picks sucked last week, as did much of the play in the NFL.  Patriots fans are weeping that their team is 3-2, knowing full well that they aren't 2-3 because Nick Folk couldn't hit the broadside of a barn.  Steelers fans should be panicking at 3-2 because Big Ben threw 5 interceptions and frankly doesn't seem to care.  Jets fans are rowdy and virile, because they're at 3-2 having been predicted to go no better than 2-14 on the season.  Well, let's pick.

Thursday Night:

Philadelphia (4-1) at  Carolina (4-1) - Eagles (28-23, Eagles)

All the experts are picking the Panthers.  They've looked good the last two weeks, but I think these Eagles have some surprises in store.

Sunday:

Chicago (1-4) at Baltimore (3-2) - Ravens (27-24, Bears)

They are surprising and they are at home.

Cleveland (0-5) at Houston (2-3) - Texans (17-33, Texans)

Green Bay (4-1) at Minnesota (3-2) - Packers (10-23, Vikings)

Rodgers is feeling his oats.

Detroit (3-2) at New Orleans (2-2) - Lions (38-52, Saints)

Bounce-back game, even against the best pure passer of the last decade.

Miami (2-2) at Atlanta (3-1) - Falcons (20-17, Dolphins)

Seriously?

New England (3-2) at New York Jets (3-2) - Hatriots (24-17, Hatriots, and Dog I hate those fuckers.  The jets had that touchdown.)

Good Dog, I hate them.

San Francisco (0-5) at Washington (2-2) - Taterskins (24-26, Taterskins)

Welcome to 0-6, Bay area.

Tampa Bay (2-2) at Arizona (2-3) - Buccaneers (33-38, Cardinals)

Arizona just looks weak.

Los Angeles Rams (3-2) at Jacksonville (3-2) - Jaguars (27-17, Rams)

Flying across country is not optimal.

Pittsburgh (3-2) at Kansas City (5-0) - Chiefs (19-13, Steelers)

This might be the Chiefs' year.  And Pittsburgh sucks.

Los Angeles Chargers (1-4) at Oakland (2-3) - Raiders (17-16, Chargers)

It depends on whether Carr plays and whether Amari Cooper can get his head out of his ass.

Sunday Night:

New York Giants (0-5) at Denver (3-1) - Broncos (23-10, G-Men)

Eli has nobody to throw to, and Denver has the best run defense in the league.

Monday Night:

Indianapolis (2-3) at Tennessee (2-3) - Titans (22-36, Titans)

Brisett is good.  Dick LeBeau is better.

Byes:  Buffalo, Cincinnati, Seattle, Dallas

Last Week's Score:   5 - 9,  36%   Overall:  48 - 29,  72%

 

Week 5 Picks

SoOnce again, my friends, I have seen things I never thought to see.  Not a Jackalope, not Bigfoot (yet).  Nope, over the first quarter of an NFL season, I have watched a Bill Belichick defense truly suck.  After 4 weeks, New England has the worst defense in Pro-football.  They are the worst at defending the pass and 26th against the rush.  If not for Brady's 2 minute heroics, New England would be 1-3.  The Panthers played an okay game last week, some might say good.  It certainly wasn't an all-pro performance and Carolina still defeated the Patriots in Foxborough.  I would be lying if I wrote that I don't love this turn of events.

Sticking on the defensive side, my beloved Broncos have the best defense in the league after a quarter.  That is not a shock.  Yet they only have the 11th ranked pass defense with the No Fly Zone.  Surprising, for certain.  But shocking is this, the Denver Broncos have the league's best run defense ... Period!  Nobody saw that coming.

Houston put 57 points on the Titan's backs.  Seriously?  Things learned from fantasy football last week:  Don't start Deshone Kizer and leave Lamar Miller on the bench.  (I didn't do that, a friend did.  No, I benched Derek Carr, a smart move, and left Amari Cooper in the lineup.  Duh!) 

So, the hated "Bye Weeks" begin, and we are off and running with the second quarter of the season.

Thursday:

New England (2-2) at Tampa Bay (2-1) - Hatriots (Hatriots, 19-14)

I loath myself for this pick.

Sunday:

New York Jets (2-2) at Cleveland (0-4) - Browns (Jets, 17-14)

I think the Brownbutts have the stuff.  This is the game that will tell us if the Jets are for real.

Carolina (3-1) at Detroit (3-1) - Lions (Panthers, 27-24)

They are for real.

San Francisco (0-4) at Indianapolis (1-3) - Colts (Colts, 23-26)

If you're not impressed by Jacoby Brissett, you're not paying attention.

Tennessee (2-2) at Miami (1-2) - Titans (Dolphins, 10-16)

Risky pick without Mariota.  But the Dolphins just look like crap.

Buffalo (3-1) at Cincinnati (1-3) - Bills (Bengals, 16-20)

The Bengals are on a roll ... against Cleveland.  Buffalo ain't Cleveland.

Los Angeles Chargers (0-4) at New York Giants (0-4) - GMen (Chargers, 27-22)

Somebody will get a win, maybe.  And the Giants are at home.

Jacksonville (2-2) at Pittsburgh (3-1) - Steelers (Jaguars, 30-9)

No team has been as disappointing as Pittsburgh.  But they don't tend to lose at home, and they get stronger as the season progresses.  And Brown will control his temper.  Maybe.

Arizona (2-2) at Philadelphia (3-1) - Eagles (Eagles, 7-34)

Who would you pick in  a fight between a Cardinal and an Eagle?

Seattle (2-2) at Los Angeles Rams (3-1) - Rams (Seahawks, 16-10)

I think this Rams team is legit.  And Goff seems to finally get it.

Baltimore (2-2) at Oakland (2-2) - Raiders (Ravens, 30-17)

Only because of home field.  Without Carr, the Raiders aren't quite the same.  But Baltimore just doesn't seem ... motivated?

Green Bay (3-1) at Dallas (2-2) - Cowboys (Packers, 35-31)

The Packers suffer from lack of defense.

Sunday Night:

Kansas City (4-0) at Houston (2-2) - Chiefs (Chiefs, 42-34)

Hardest pick of the week.  The Texans have all-star talent in abundance.  But KC looks solid against run and pass.

Monday Night:

Minnesota (3-1) at Chicago (1-3) - Vikings (Vikings, 20-17)

Vikings defense.  But hey, we might have a Trubisky sighting.

Byes:  Denver, Washington, Atlanta, New Orleans

Last Week's Score:  9 -7,  56%  Overall:  43 - 20,  68%

 

Week 4 Picks

In my many long years of watching football, I've never seen a weekend as wacky as this.  It isn't just the upsets.  It's that talented players, talented teams, looked  ... bored, disinterested, apathetic.  Of all, the Steelers were the worst.  They allowed a weaker Bears team to tie the game, and in overtime allowed TWO walk in touchdowns.  The first was called back on penalty.  How do you allow a second?

So, I was informed that there were a lot of 'protests' this weekend.  I've left no damned mystery that I hate politics intruding on football.  Still, I have a protest of my own.  I watched Mike Shanahan, as coach of the Broncos, get his field goal team on the field and snap the ball in 9 seconds to win a game.  The Lions 'scored a touchdown' according to the refs on the field.  They stopped the clock, reviewed, and decided it wasn't a touchdown.  But by rule of the refs, a ten second runoff occurred, handing the goddamned game to the Falcons.  If the refs had called down by contact at the one-foot line, the Lions may have been abl;e to get to the line, snap the ball and either QB sneak a victory or cause a defensive penalty.  But no, the rules stated that the Lions lost at the will of the Officials.  Games should not be decided by official's mistakes.  That's bullshit, and I protest.

So, lets get on with Week 4.

Thursday:

Chicago (1-2) at Green Bay (2-1) - Packers (14-35, Packers)

Sunday:

New Orleans (1-2) at Miami (1-1) - Saints (20-0, Saints)

Tennessee (2-1) at Houston (1-2) - Titans (14-57, Texans)

Jacksonville (2-1) at New York Jets (1-2) - Jaguars (20-23, Jets)

Carolina (2-1) at Hatriots (2-1) - Hatriots (33-30, Panthers)

Detroit (2-1) at Minnesota (2-1) - Lions (14-7, Lions)

Buffalo (2-1) at Atlanta (3-0) - Falcons (23-17, Bills)

Pittsburgh (2-1) at Baltimore (2-1) - Steelers (26-9, Steelers)

Cincinnati (0-3) at Cleveland (0-3) - Bengals (31-7, Bengals)

Los Angeles Rams (2-1) at Dallas (2-1) - Cowboys (35-30, Rams)

Philadelphia (2-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (0-3) - Chargers (26-24, Eagles)

New York Giants (0-3) at Tampa Bay (1-1) - Giants (23-25, Buccaneers)

San Francisco (0-3) at Arizona (1-2) - Cardinals (15-18, Cardinals)

Oakland (2-1) at Denver (2-1) - Broncos (10-16, Broncos)

Sunday Night:

Indianapolis (1-2) at Seattle (1-2) - Seahawks (18-46, Seahawks)

Monday Night:

Washington (2-1) at Kansas City (3-0) - Chiefs (20-29, Chiefs)

Byes:  None.

Last Week's Score:  9 - 7,  56%    Overall:  34-13,  72%

Week 3 Picks

At the higher echelons, not much more can be gleaned from week 2 than week 1.  The Patriots could still win out, the Broncos could go 4-12 (they do play the Jets and Bills after all), and  the Cowboys could still win it all.  It's at the lower tiers that things are becoming clear.  The New York teams are in deep trouble.  The Jets are woefully lacking in NFL talent.  The Giants are one of two teams that are desperate for decent offensive line play. The other is the Seattle Seahawks.  Both have good to great defense, but it is fair to ask which terrific franchise QB will find himself crushed onto the IR first, Wilson or Eli Manning?  Jacksonville is one QB shy of looking decent.  The Panthers are 2-0, but only on the skill of Gano.  Cam Newton would be only only 50-50 to hit the Game of Thrones Wall from 30 yards.

With this all in mind, it is time to begin the Coaching Career Deathwatch.  CCD number ...

1)  Marvin Lewis.  A lot of folks, myself included, have wondered how Lewis has kept his job for so long without winning a playoff game.  This year is worse by far.  The Bengals just look awful.  They have an enormous amount of offensive talent, and are still dead last in scoring after 2 games.  The Jets have scored more points.  Dalton looks confused and ineffective.  Cincinnati has one of the best backups in the NFL, yet there is no indication that we will see A.J. McCarron.  Unless there is a significant turn around in Cincy, Lewis' days are numbered.

2)  John Fox.  Yes, Chicago almost came back against Atlanta in week 1.  That doesn't matter.  Few things chap the ass of the Chicago fan base worse than being behind Detroit.  In Fox's tenure, now in it's 3rd year, the Bears have been looking at Lion butt too long.  It was easy to blame Cutler before, but now it falls squarely on Coach Fox.   Cutler is looking good in Miami (and how I hate to write that.)  Chicago is not a contender and doesn't even look like it could be.

3)  Chuck Pagano.  The Colts are playing with a bit of spirit, but the fans are restless, and feeling lied to.  No one seems to know when the Wunderkind Luck will be back on the field.  Brissett looked okay, before handing the game away last week.  Chuck seems confused and concerned and not likely to be the Colts coach for much longer.

Others to watch:

Sean Payton, New Orleans

Todd Bowles, New York Jets

More to come.

 

On with the Picks:

Thursday:

Los Angeles Rams (1-1) at San Francisco (0-2) - Rams (41-39, Rams)

 The 'Niners defense is playing well.  LA's is playing more aggressive.  And frankly, Goff hasn't looked that bad.

Sunday:

Baltimore (2-0) at Jacksonville (1-1) - Ravens (7-44, Jaguars)

Bortles is Bortles, and T-Sizzle (Terrell Suggs) is making a play for the Hall of Fame.

Cleveland (0-2) at Indianapolis (0-2) - Browns (28-31, Colts)

Very risky pick given Kizer's migraine problem.  Brissett is good, but win good with Indy has yet to be determined.

New York Giants (0-2) at Philadelphia (1-1) - Eagles (24-27, Eagles)

The trenches, man, the trenches.

Miami (1-0) at New York Jets (0-2) - Dolphins (6-20, Jets)

Jets --- Bad.

Denver (2-0) at Buffalo (1-1) - Broncos (16-26, Bills)

Have I mentioned that defense is legit?  Flying across country is not ideal, but Trevor Simian seems far more capable than he is given credit for.

New Orleans (0-2) at Carolina (2-0) - Saints (34-13, Saints)

Probably my riskiest pick of the week.  But Cam is not the equal of Drew Brees.

Pittsburgh (2-0) at Chicago (0-2) - Steelers (17-23, Bears)

Not a doubt.

Atlanta (2-0) at Detroit (2-0) - Falcons (30-26, Falcons)

They looked just so last year, last week.

Tampa Bay (1-0) at Minnesota (1-1) - Buccaneers (17-34, Vikings)

This game is completely dependent on whether Bradford plays or not.

Houston (1-1) at New England (1-1) - Hatriots (33-36, Hatriots)

Whatever.

Seattle (1-1) at Tennessee (1-1) - Titans (27-33, Titans)

The Seahawks have no offensive line to speak of.

Cincinnati (0-2) at Green Bay (1-1) - Packers (24-27, Packers)

Do I really need to explain this?

Kansas City (2-0) at Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) - Chiefs (24-10, Chiefs)

The Chiefs are, right now, ranked as the best team in football.  The Chargers are ... not.

Sunday Night:

Oakland (2-0) at Washington (1-1) - Raiders (10-27, Taterskins)

Amari Cooper has been deemed questionable for this game.  It doesn't matter

Monday Night:

Dallas (1-1) at Arizona (1-1) - Cowboys (28-17, Cowboys)

Ezekial Elliot bounces back since he doesn't face the Broncos.

Byes:  None

Last Week's Score:  13 - 3,  81%   Overall:  25 - 6, 81%

 

 

Week 2 Picks

Week 1 was, predictably sloppy at times (the officiating comes to mind) and brilliant at others.  Some rookies are coming into the spotlight, like Galladay, while trusted veterans are shitting the bed (BRADY!).  Buffalo is atop the AFC East and the Los Angeles Rams rule the NFC West ... for a week.  That really is the point of the first week, to set your team's tone for the year and just shake off the rust.  There isn't a ton of analysis that will mean anything come November just yet.

Thursday:

Houston (0-1) at Cincinnati (0-1) - Texans 13-9, Texans)

The impotent against the futile.  The experts are picking Bengals but I'll go with the Houston D no matter how awful that offense looks.

Sunday:

Cleveland (0-1) at Baltimore (1-) - Ravens (10-24, Ravens)

The Browns are going to surprise some people this year, and this might actually be the week they do it.  But the Ravens are at home.

Chicago (0-1) at Tampa Bay (0-0) - Buccaneers (7-29, Buccaneers)

I predict we see Trubiski by the 3rd quarter.

Minnesota (1-0) at Pittsburgh (1-0) - Steelers (9-26, Steelers)

Last year, the Steelers were unstoppable at home.  I expect more of the same.

New England (0-1) at New Orleans (0-1) - Hatriots (36-20, Hatriots)

Whatever.

Philadelphia (1-0) at Kansas City (1-0) - Chiefs (20-27, Chiefs)

The two best looking teams of week 1 go head to head.  This is the game of the week.

Tennessee (0-1) at Jacksonville (1-0) - Titans (37-16, Titans)

We see the real Bortles against Dick Lebeau's defense.

Arizona (0-1) at Indianapolis (0-1) - Cardinals (16-13, Cardinals)

The Arizona defense outscores Indy.  For the record, until Luck plays, I think Indy contends with the New York Jets as 'worst in the league'.

Buffalo (1-0) at Carolina (1-0) - Panthers (3-9, Panthers)

Though both won last week, neither looked very impressive.  Edge - Mccaffrey.

New York Jets (0-1) at Oakland (1-0) - Raiders (20-45, Raiders)

No explanation needed.

Miami (0-0) at Los Angeles Chargers (0-1) - Chargers (19-17, Dolphins)

The 'Bolts came close to coming back on Denver.

San Francisco (0-1) at Seattle (0-1) - Seahawks (9-12, Seahawks)

The 'Niners don't have the horses to exploit the 'Hawks tissue thin O-line.

Washington (0-1) at Los Angeles Rams (1-0) - Rams (27-20, Taterskins)

Goff played ... well?  And the Rams defense is legit.

Dallas (1-0) at Denver (1-0) - Broncos (17-42, Broncos)

Home field?  Elliot could and likely will cause problems for Denver.  The Dallas defense is playing without talent but with real purpose.  I should probably pick the Cowboys, but not this early in the season.

Sunday Night:

Green Bay (1-0) at Atlanta (1-0) - Packers (23-34, Falcons)

Rodgers shines under the lights.  And Atlanta was practicing their best 'choke' against the Bears last week.

Monday Night:

Detroit (1-0) at New York Giants (0-1) - Lions (24-10, Lions)

Much was made from Detroit coming back in the 4th quarter, again.  It shouldn't have been.  They simply kept the pressure on all game until Arizona folded completely.  The G-Men never even started against Dallas.

Byes:  None.

Last Week's Score:  12 - 3,  80%   Overall:  12 - 3,  80%