Cover photo taken from NJ.com
Another week us upon us as this season chugs along and somehow gets sloppier. I personally think that this has still been a fun first six weeks, but there’s no denying that the quality of football has fallen off. This could be the week that turns things around, but this isn’t the best slate, all things considered. I had my worst performance yet last week, going 6-8 to bring my season total to 48-45-1. I’d like to think this is the week that things get better, but knowing my luck this season, that feels unlikely.
Cardinals 26-21 Saints 
Thursday, 8:15 PM EST, Prime Video
This decision lies entirely with the WRs on either side of the field. The Cardinals lost Hollywood Brown last week, but are finally getting DeAndre Hopkins back from suspension. I think he will provide a massive boost to the passing game and the offense as a whole, which is lacking in RBs, to take the load of Kyler Murray has he gets his favorite weapon back. Meanwhile, the Saints are still very thin at receiver, and could once again be without their top 3 pass-catchers. They held their own last week against a solid Bengals defense, so I think they can still be competitive here, but I think the Cardinals offense will separate themselves and be able to come away with a win against a subpar Saints defense.
Bengals 26-23 Falcons 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
Fun fact: the Atlanta Falcons are the only undefeated team ATS this year at a perfect 6-0. Why not keep it going? Vegas likes the Bengals by a touchdown here, but I don’t. I think they win, but Atlanta has been far too competitive to get beat that badly by a Cincinnati team that has yet to put together a complete performance this year. The Falcons are coming off a great win against a 49ers team that’s better than the Bengals are. It wouldn’t shock me if they won this game outright, but I think Cincy can make enough plays defensively to let their offense win it late, perhaps on a walkoff FG. The Bengals are getting their mojo back and it’s hard to see them losing a game like this at home.
Cowboys 27-17 Lions 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
The Cowboys are finally getting Dak Prescott back this week, and it’s going to allow them to look like a bonafide contender. It helps that they’re going up against the Lions, who are coming off a bye but were playing like hot garbage going into it. Yes, they have offensive prowess, but they we haven’t seen them score since Week 5. They are going up against one of the best defenses in football, and will likely be very limited once again on that side of the ball. Meanwhile, their defense can’t stop a nosebleed, and Dak will have a very easy time throwing the ball in his first game back. This one really shouldn’t be close.
Titans 23-20 Colts 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
You wanna know something crazy? This is the only game this week between two teams with winning records. The first time these teams met up, the Titans won by a possession after getting off to a hot start. I honestly see this second matchup going the exact same way. Neither of these teams is anything special, but they’re both playing solid football. I think the Titans coming off a bye is very helpful as the Colts just had a tight, close game and win over the Jags last week. They’ll be well rested and ready to run over the Colts subpar run defense, just like they did a few weeks ago.
Packers 20-17 Commanders 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
This is just gross, isn’t it. The Packers are falling apart and the Commanders have been falling apart for over two decades. But, someone has to win. I’d never pick us to win a game, but I do think this one will be close. The Packers are straight up bad right now, and Aaron Rodgers is dealing with a hand injury. If Green Bay just turns around and hands the ball to Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon on every play, they’ll probably win by 20. But we know that’s not going to happen. I think that we can stick around for a while against a meddling Packers defense before Taylor Heinicke inevitably gives the game away. I won’t complain when it happens.
Buccaneers 21-10 Panthers 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
I really find it hard to believe that the Buccaneers lay a dud for the second consecutive week. I don’t like what they have going on offensively, but they’re going up against the worst team in the league that’s actively tanking. There’s no way they don’t win this one by double digits, right? Well, the Panthers could be feisty and make things interesting considering that Tampa just lost to the Steelers, but I just don’t see that happening again. They need a bounce back win, and this is their best opportunity for one.
Giants 22-16 Jaguars 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
The Giants need to take advantage of an awfully easy in the schedule in the coming weeks. It starts here with a trip to Jacksonville in a game where they are once again not getting their respect from Vegas. It’s ok, New York, I’ll give you my respect. I still don’t think they’re a contender or anything close to one, but they’re certainly better than the Jaguars. They can certainly go on the road and win this game the same way they’ve won all the others: let their defense do its thing and then run the ball to victory.
Ravens 28-19 Browns 
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS
The Browns are looking worse by the week, and while the Ravens have been a disaster in second halves this year, I’d like to think they can hold it down against a team struggling as much as Cleveland is. The Browns are especially falling apart defensively; if they let Bailey Zappe dime them up, just imagine what Lamar Jackson is about to do. Baltimore should not let this game slip away, and it really shouldn’t be close for a second. I know divisional games tend to be closer than not, but I just don’t see that being the case in Baltimore on Sunday.
Jets 16-10 Broncos 
Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS
I am done picking against the Jets, and I am done picking the Broncos just because they’re at home. They do not deserve the benefit of the doubt anymore in any regard. This might be the first time I have ever picked the Jets in over two years of doing this, but it’s well deserved. They have proven that they can go into tough road environments and win games based on their tough style of play. The Broncos meanwhile have proven nothing at all regardless of where or how they play. They are a worthless team that deserves none of my respect or time.
Raiders 27-20 Texans 
Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS
Both of these teams are coming off byes after playing their liveliest games of the year with the Texans getting their first win and the Raiders nearly pulling off an upset in Arrowhead. For that reason, I don’t think this game will be terrible. There will be a good amount of points put on the board, and in that case, I have to trust the better offense to get the job done. Vegas is finally getting great contributions from Josh Jacobs, and it has made their offense infinitely better and more viable. I think they can continue to use their balance to score on an actually solid Texans defense and pick up a solid win at home.
Seahawks 24-21 Chargers 
Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX
This pick was actually easier than I imagined it would be. The Chargers looked very unimpressive at home on Monday night, and it’s in large part thanks to their offense’s struggles in the midst of all of their injuries. The Seahawks defense has been playing solid ball as of late, and I think they will bring that momentum into this game and stifle LA enough to let Geno Smith and their offense win the game. Last week wasn’t their flashiest game, but I think they can get back to their usual flashy selves against a porous Chargers defense. It also helps that there will likely be more Seahawks fans than Chargers fans at SoFi. Maybe the 12th man can make an impact on the game as well.
49ers 23-20 Chiefs 
Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX
My pick for this game is entirely contingent on the health of San Francisco’s key defensive pieces. As of right now, we’re not sure if guys like Nick Bosa, Jimmie Ward, and Talanoa Hufanga will play for the 49ers. On the other side of the ball, Trent Williams might not be healthy enough to return either. Simply put, if the Niners are missing their best player on both sides of the ball, I can’t pick them to win, especially against a Chiefs team coming off a very tough loss. In any case, I think this Super Bowl LIV rematch will be a ton of fun, just like that Super Bowl was. The 49ers will offense will likely be able to return to form after an off game last week and be competitive in this one, but I have to pick the healthier and better team as of right now. However, if they get healthy before Sunday, then they will win.
AUDIBLE: I’m a man of my word. Switching my pick thanks to the 49ers getting healthy on defense as well as their blockbuster trade for Christian McCaffrey.
Dolphins 23-16 Steelers 
Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC
This game could be a complete disaster. The Steelers did win last week, but Kenny Pickett got hurt and they had to go back to Mitch Trubisky. Pickett should be returning this week, and he’ll be going up against a fellow returning QB in Tua Tagovailoa, who I honestly never thought I’d see play again after the concussion incident on TNF a few weeks ago. That should help the Dolphins offense get back on track after a couple of rough weeks under Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson. I think it’ll be enough for them to win the game, but I see this one being sloppy with potentially a lot of turnovers or just bad offensive play. Both of these defenses can shut things down on their best day, and this might be one of those days (or nights, I should say). Regardless, Miami has the superior talent on both sides of the ball, and that will be the difference.
Patriots 19-11 Bears 
Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN
With all due respect to these two teams, there is no conceivable way that this game will be good and/or worth watching. I know the Patriots are coming off back to back impressive wins, but something about this team is stopping me from thinking they’re anything but the Patriots we saw in the first few weeks of the year. Bears games are always low scoring and ugly. This one feels like it won’t be an exception. I do think the Patriots are the better team by far and will be able to win, and I actually think it’ll be out of reach for a while for Chicago. The only thing I know for certain is that it’ll be an eye sore.
All stats taken from ESPN.
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