Month: October 2019

NFL Week 6: Sunday Morning London Game Pick & Prediction

Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – London, 9:30 AM (Buccs +1, O/U: 47.5)

Kyle Allen has been keeping the Panthers season alive in the absence of Cam. He’s completed 67% of his passes and has been very careful with the ball, throwing 5 TD’s and 0 picks. The team has put a lot of work on Christian McCaffrey as well as he leads the league in yards from scrimmage (866) while leading the league in rushing yards (587) and tied for second in rushing TD’s (6). The defense is the 4th best against the pass, allowing just 985 yards. The Buccs have been keeping things interesting in the NFC South with wins against the Panthers and Rams. Jameis has been up and down but has looked better than seasons past under Arians (61.4 % completions, 1,371 yards and 11 TD’s with 5 picks). The big difference in this offense is that their efficient in passing downfield, averaging 13.4 yards per completion. The line needs more work as they’ve allowed 18 sacks (tied for 4th in the league). The emergence of Ronald Jones has been much needed for the run game. The team is middle of the league in rushing but Ronnie has shown flashes of what he can do when the line blocks well as he’s averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Their defense has been suspect however as they’ve allowed the 5th most points and yards in the league (148 and 1,967 yards) but caused 10 turnovers which ironically is also the 5th best in the league.

Take the Panthers to cover in the over, Panthers 27-24.

NFL Week 6: Thursday Night Football Pick & Prediction

New York Giants @ New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, 8:20 PM, FOX/NFLN (Patriots -17, O/U: 41.5)

The Giants have been hanging in this season despite their absolutely horrendous defense. Their defense ranks 34rd to last in yards allowed with 2,047 yards however their offense are tops in the league with the highest percentage of drives that end in a turnover (20.4%).  That puts tired defenses back on the field to get torched.  Their defense still has output (5 picks, 6 fumbles recovered and 13 sacks) but when you’re on the field all the time, you’re bound to make plays but give up a ton of yards.  The Giants are also down to their 3rd string running back (Jon Hillman) with Saquon Barkley being out with a severe ankle sprain and Wayne Gallman has a concussion and is ruled out.  Daniel Jones is completing 64% of his passes but only averaging 248 yards in his 3 starts.  Barkley surely has made defenses solely focus on Jones as his yards have steadily declined with each game he’s started, 336 yards against the Buccs with Barkley, 225 against the Redskins & 182 yards against the Vikings, both games without Barkley.  Expect more of the same as he’s thrown his 3 picks in games without Barkley.

The Patriots absolutely destroy teams with bad defenses and they don’t ever let up against division rivals or teams that they have a grudge against. If you think the Pats forgot about the 2 super bowls that Eli stole from them, you’re sadly mistaken.  Eli has always played them tough and this will be the first meeting since before 2007 where the Giants will face the Patriots without Eli.  The Pats against Eli were 2-3 with the average game being decided by a mere 3 points!  The Patriots are the leagues top defense, which is rare for them at this point of the season and have only allowed 34 points in 5 weeks which is nearly half of the 49ers who are 2nd.  They’ve allowed the 2nd least amount of yards but tops in average yards allowed per play and are tied with the Steelers for the most turnovers created with 11 picks, 1 fumble recovered and an amazing 24 sacks (leading the NFL).  Brady hasn’t needed to be relied upon as much as the Pats usually do early in the season.  He still has top 10 stats in most categories and protecting the ball as he does with 10 TD’s against 2 picks.  Now, granted, they’ve probably had the softest schedule of any NFL team, outside of playing the Steelers and Bills, they’ve played 3 of the leagues worst and you might as well add the Giants to that since they are bottom half of the league in most categories.  Lastly, Brady passed Brett Favre on the all-time yards list last week, it’s Favre’s 50th birthday today and tonight Brady only needs 18 more yards to pass Peyton Manning for 2nd all-time (how ironic).

Take the Patriots to cover in the under, Patriots 31-10.

NFL Week 5: Monday Night Football Pick & Prediction

Cleveland Browns @ San Francisco 49ers, Levi’s Stadium, 8:15 PM, ESPN (49ers -4.5, O/U: 48.5)

The Browns are hit or miss.  There’s a lot of characters involved with that roster, the big ego’s on the offense (Baker & OBJ) are exhausting and smothering the news on this team.  Baker has his moments but still makes poor “gunslinger” throws that get picked because he’s no Favre.  He’s completed just 59% of his passes and has 4 TD’s to 6 picks.  He can make plays, he can be fluid in the pocket, albeit better to the right than left.  Decision making is his big fault.  He does thrive on hyped up games where his talent is called into question which is what I feel his performance last week was based on adrenaline due to the comparison to Lamar Jackson and the story being pushed, who was a better draft pick?  OBJ was kept silent while the other big threat, Landry went off for season high 8 catches and career best 167 yards before sustaining a concussion to which he was released from concussion protocol late last week so expect to see him on the field.  The Browns defense are middle of the road for points and yards allowed however they are doing very well for themselves on the turnover side of things with 4 picks, 3 forced fumbles, 4 recovered fumbles and then 14 sacks to top all of that.  

Jimmy Garappolo is having a good start to the season as he’s completed 69% but his yardage is light with just 739 yards in 3 games and 5 TD’s to 4 picks but you have to remember, he was out all last year basically so the rust is expected.  Kyle Shanahan will have him up to speed starting with this game as he’s going to need to be extra sharp with the Browns defense even minus Ward in their secondary.  The team is surprisingly near the top in points scored, 2nd in the league with 96 in just 3 weeks as well as being 4th in team yards.  The defense has also been surprisingly strong, near the tops in the league in most team defensive stats including 3 picks, 3 forced fumbles, 5 recovered fumbles and 9 sacks.  Breida and Mostert will need to continue their tag team style who have combined for 428 yards on 75 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.  Expect to see a strong outing for a fresh 49ers team at home.

Take the 49ers to cover in the over, 49ers 28-21.

NFL Week 5: Sunday Games Picks, Predictions & Colin Cowherd’s Blazin’ 5

Arizona Cardinals @ Cincinnati Bengals, Paul Brown Stadium, 1:00 PM (Bengals -3, O/U: 46.5)

The Cardinals have looked choppy at times through games, mostly in the first half but have seemingly come out in the second half and putting things together on offense. The Bengals are going to be without Green and Ross on the outside and thus basically have no weapons. Both teams have bad offensive lines but Murray has the ability to move out of the pocket and still has Kirk and Fitzgerald to throw to. Take the Cardinals to cover and win outright, in the under, Cardinals 24-17.

Atlanta Falcons @ Houston Texans, NRG Stadium, 1:00 PM (Texans -4, O/U: 49.5)

No one can explain why the Falcons aren’t performing well with the personnel they have. Quinn seems to be on the hotseat given the weak start by the club. Their redzone figures are horrendous and their running game is non-existent which is why Ryan has thrown for over 300 yards in all 4 games. The Falcons have also committed the most penalties in the league. The Texans are coming off a bad loss to a backup quarterback at home. The Texans couldn’t move the ball and Watson was sacked 6 times which brings the season total to 18 times sacked in 4 games. Watson has taken care of the ball while completing 65% of his passes with 6 TD’s and 1 pick. The defense has been pretty good, ranking 10th in least points allowed while also forcing 8 fumbles, recovering 8 fumbles and snagging 13 sacks. Take the Texans to cover in the win and in the over, 28-23.

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers, Heinz Field, 1:00 PM (Steelers +3, O/U: 43.5)

The Ravens are coming off of 2 losses where Jackson has looked more human. He’s thrown for 596 yards for 7 TD’s and zero picks against the Dolphins and Cardinals but in the last 2 games against the Chiefs and Browns (better defenses) he’s thrown for 517 yards, 3 TD’s and 2 picks. They are still scoring (top ranked offense) but are allowing big time yardage on defense (bottom 3rd in the league on defese). The Steelers have been bottom 3rd in the league on offense as it’s evident that missing Ben, Bell and Brown have significantly hurt. Conner woke up a bit against the Bengals however it didn’t blow anyone away. The defense has kept the Steelers in 2 of 3 of their losses even though they’ve even been middle of the road compared to the rest of the league. Take the Ravens to cover in the over, Ravens 28-17.

Buffalo Bills @ Tennessee Titans, Nissan Stadium, 1:00 PM (Titans -3.5, O/U: 39.5)

The Bills Defense has really stepped up this season. They’re 5th in the league in least points allowed and 2nd in yards allowed. They’re passing has been middle of the road but the rushing duo of Gore and Singletary has been top 5 in most rushing categories. Allen has been shacky to start the season, with only having 3 TD’s against 6 picks. The Titans are an up and down team offensively, very inconsistent. The one consistent that has been very evident is that Mariota has thrown for 7 TD’s and zero picks. The offense has been pretty efficient, ranking 25 in yards but 13 in points scored. The defense is also ranked in the top half of the league. The one thing the Bills can do is make offenses make mistakes or stall their drives. Take the Bills to win outright and cover in the under, Bills 21-17.

Chicago Bears @ Oakland Raiders, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – London, 1:00 PM (Raiders +6, O/U: 40.5)

Take the Bears to win but the Raiders cover in the under, Bears 20-17.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Carolina Panthers, Bank of America Stadium, 1:00 PM (Panthers -3, O/U: 40.5)

Take the Jaguars to cover in the win in the over, Jags 24-21.

Minnesota Vikings @ New York Giants, MetLife Stadium, 1:00 PM (Giants +6, O/U: 43.5)

Take the Vikings to win but the Giants to cover in the over, Vikings 27-24.

New England Patriots @ Washington Redskins, FedEx Field, 1:00 PM (Redskins +16, O/U: 41.5)

Take the Patriots to cover in the over, Patriots 31-13.

New York Jets @ Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field, 1:00 PM (Eagles -14, O/U: 43.5)

Take the Eagles to cover in the under, Eagles 27-9.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 1:00 PM (Saints -3, O/U: 47.5)

Take the Saints to cover in the under, Saints 27-20.

Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers, StubHub Center, 4:05 PM (Chargers -5.5, O/U: 44.5)

Take the Chargers to cover in the over, Chargers 31-24.

Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium, 4:25 PM (Cowboys -3.5, O/U: 46.5)

Take the Packers to cover in the win, in the over, Packers 27-24.

Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium, 8:20 PM, NBC (Chiefs -10.5, O/U: 55.5)

Take the Chiefs to cover in the over, Chiefs 35-23.

Colin Cowherd’s Blazin’ 5:

  • Arizona at Cincinnati – Arizona (+3)
  • Tampa Bay at New Orleans – New Orleans (-3)
  • Minnesota at NY Giants – Minnesota (-4.5)
  • Chicago at Oakland – Chicago (-4.5)
  • Green Bay at Dallas – Green Bay (+3.5)

NFL Week 5: Thursday Night Football Pick & Prediction

Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks, CenturyLink Field, 8:20 PM, FOX/NFLN (Seahawks -1.5, O/U: 49.5)

The talk of the town has been how the Rams might have the super bowl hangover.  Goff is 6 TD’s to 6 picks and only just passed for 300+ yards just last week in a shootout with the Buccs of all teams.  Goff finished with 517 yards and threw 68 passes mainly because Todd Gurley has been in a massive decline.  Gurley has steadily declined in yards each of the first 4 games of the season and only carried the ball 5 times due to lack of effectiveness and because they were behind big early.  Goff has had trouble in his career against the Seahawks, averaging less than 200 yards and averaging 1 TD and 1 pick in 6 meetings.  but the defense has kept them in all of their games as they’ve recovered 3 fumbles, picked 4 passes and added 10 sacks.

What can I say about Russell Wilson?  Everyone wrote this team off before the season and after nearly losing to the Bengals in week one but Wilson has protected the ball and made this offense work with a bunch of no name guys and rookies.  Completing 73% of his passes with 8 TD’s and zero picks while still pushing the ball down the field averaging 9.8 yards per attempt/11.8 yards per completion. has lead the team to a 3-1 start.  Russell doesn’t usually throw for a ton of yards because they do like to use the power run game and he likes to scramble a bit so his averages in 14 games doesn’t really matter but the record does.  He’s 2-4 against Goff and 6-8 overall against the Rams.  The defense has also been a turnover machine with 2 picks (including Jadeveon Clowney’s pick 6) and 7, yes count them, 7 fumble recoveries.  They’ve been average everywhere else on pass and rush yards allowed.  Keep an eye on rookie standout D.K. Metcalf who has 10 catches for 223 yards and a TD.  He’s only averaging about 5 targets per game but only had 1 catch for 6 yards last week.  They may need to air it out more than usual and he’s a big time deep threat.

Expect the Seahawks to defend the 12th man better than their previous 2 home games.  Take the Seahawks to win in the over, Seahawks 27-24.