Still September football so maybe a little bit cleaner product but probably lots of "wait, they actually won?" moments this week. Can't wait until October arrives and "the new training camp" period ends. In the meantime, here's what I think will happen:
- N.Y. Jets at Cleveland: Tie. Just kidding! We stil don't really know what either of these teams will be but I'm guessing it's a low scoring affair because QB play isn't where it needs to be yet and strong defenses show up for both teams. Edge to home team. Browns win
- Buffalo at Minnesota: September aside, we know enough to say that there's no way Buffalo beats Minnesota at home. Vikings win
- Cincinnati at Carolina: I have to go with Carolina in this one. Panthers win
- Denver at Baltimore: Tough call here. I'll take the home team. Ravens win
- Green Bay at Washington: Green bay should have won last week but questionable (at best) call against Clay Matthews allowed vikes chance to tie it. In the meantime Washington was terrible in front of empty stadium. That continues. Packers win
- Indianapolis at Philadelphia: Wentz is back! All is well! Sure, there are no receivers well enough to play for Philly and their top RB is out. But Wentz is back! And Indy's not good so there's that too. Iggles win!
- New Orleans at Atlanta: New Orleans struggling this year but they always do in September. Atlanta hot and cold, last week hot. I think they keep it up and take a key early divisional match at home. Falcons win
- N.Y. Giants at Houston: Lemme get this straight. With the second overall pick in the draft and with a 58 year old QB on the squad the Giants take a monster running back. Then on fourth and less than a yard from the 50 yard line .... they punt?! This is why I can't pick the Giants. Just can't after that. Texans win
- Oakland at Miami: Oh boy, stinkfest brewing. I'll give edge to Oakland because they have arguably better and younger players than Miami. Gruden's the wildcard but I'll stick with my gut. Raiders Win
- San Francisco at Kansas City: Under Andy Reid Kansas city traditionally plays like champs in September and chumps in December. That continues. Chiefs win
- Tennessee at Jacksonville: Jags take emotional win over the Patriots. Let down this week? Could be. Wouldn't be surprised if they lose but I'll pick them anyway. Jaguars win
- L.A. Chargers at L.A. Rams: Rams on a roll. Chargers hard to figure out, getting beaten up by the Chiefs then beating up the Bills. I truly don't know who they are after that combo. I'm going with the easy choice. Rams win
- Chicago at Arizona: Chicago offense is questionable but their D is for real. Arizona has a median player age of 64 and their QB, who we in Philly dubbed Sammie Sleeves (due to his extra long sleeves) or occasionally Sleevie Wonder, hasn't been good. Chicago wins
- Dallas at Seattle: Does the 12th man show up when the hawks are a bad football team? Can the Cowboys win on the road while Dak Prescott only throws the ball 5 yards at a time? This game will answer those mystery questions of the universe. I guess because of Zeke Elliott the Cowboys win
- New England at Detroit: Clearly the lions have the edge here so... hah hah! made you look! Patriots win
- Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay: Is Tampa for Real? Is the Fitzmagic sustainable? History says "nope". But maybe 9th time's the charm with him. On the other hand Pittsburgh has been inconsistent at best. A tie and a loss to start the season? Leveon Bell has truly cursed them! This one's tough but I'll say Buccaneers win
Gotta go with the Jets over Cleveland and their one win back in 2016.
Cincinnati over Carolina.
Denver over Baltimore.
Green Bay is doing permanent damage to Rodgers and he maneuvers like he is in assisted living.
Houston is in the middle of a dumpster fire and even the Giants can take them. O’Brien won’t last the season.
Gotta agree on Chicago though, Super Bowl shuffle is back. Bears...Ditka...
Raiders will lose to Miami, Gruden is getting a rude awakening that he’s been out for too long and is missing being the know-it-all in the booth.
Fitzmagic is in that back up cycle he always gets in. When someone steps up and makes him the starter then he’ll suck.