Tag: ESPN MNF

NFL Week 15: Monday Night Football Pick & Prediction

Indianapolis Colts @ New Orleans Saints, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Saints -8.5, O/U: 47.5)

After starting off 5-2 the Colts have posted a 1-5 record and their playoff hopes are diminishing with every week. Meanwhile, the Saints are trying to snag a bye week but are in a tussle with the Seahawks, Packers, Vikings and 49ers for the best records. You’ll want to take the better coaching staff and roster here which happens to be the home team.

Take the Saints to cover in the over, Saints 31-20.

NFL Week 14: Monday Night Football Pick & Prediction

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Eagles -9.5, O/U: 45.5)

The Giants will be welcoming back their 2 time Super Bowl winning quarterback (Eli Manning) who they wildly moved off of in favor of their shiney new toy Danny Dimes in week 2. Eli has been complicit and helpful through the last 12 week’s of Jones’s career but the kid is hurt and the team hasn’t been playing well. Does it create a spark?

The Eagles also haven’t been playing great but are still within reach of the NFC East, which is in large part due to the Cowboys constantly shooting themselves in the foot with racking up losses. Wentz hasn’t looked good, missing wide open receivers at times, throws being off target in general but also struggling with decision making in the pocket. Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard have added some punch to their weak running game but signing Ajayi hasn’t done much for them as they were looking to use Sanders more in the passing game to help a struggling receiving corps.

Take the Giants to relive the days of old, covering in a close loss, in the over, Eagles 28-27.

NFL Week 13: Monday Night Football Pick & Prediction

Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks, CenturyLink Field, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Seahawks -2.5, O/U: 48.5)

The Vikings are on a tear since Cousins retrained himself on how to throw the ball. They are 6-1 in their last 7 games and Cousins is averaging 289 yards/game and 2.5 TD’s/game. With just 3 picks on the year, he’s only thrown 1 in that 7 game stretch (18/1 during the last 7 games). Dalvin Cook broke 1,000 in their last game and is now averaging 92.5 yards per game rushing with another 455 yards receiving (41 yards/game) for roughly 133 yards from scrimmage per game. Cook is still on the heels of McCaffrey in terms of scrimmage yards (1,472 to McCaffrey’s 1,811). The Vikes defense is still holding in the top 5 in many categories however they are middle of the road in sacks and turnovers created.

The Seahawks are starting to climb the ranks in turnovers but are still having trouble getting to the quarterback, but have improved a bit since bringing Clowney on board a few weeks ago. Russell Wilson is still playing top notch ball behind center and still has an amazing 24/3 TD to pick ratio. Carson was slowed last week after their bye week when they played in Philly. Carson had just 26 yards after averaging 85+ yards per game before the bye. Wilson will more than likely crack the 3,000 yard mark tonight as well as Lockett and Carson have really good chances at cracking the 1,000 yard mark (receiving & rushing) as well.

Take the Seahawks to cover in prime time at home, in the over, Seahawks 28-24.

NFL Week 12: Monday Night Football Pick, Prediction & Colin Cowherd’s Blazin’ 5

Baltimore Ravens @ Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Rams +3.5, O/U: 47.5)

The Ravens are currently on a 6 game winning streak and while in those 6 hans, they’ve beaten the Bengals twice, they’ve also taken down giants like the Seahawks (in Seattle) and the Patriots (at home). The Ravens have a great balance of run and pass skill as Lamar Jackson has over 2,200 yards through the air and another nearly 800 on the ground. He and Mark Ingram have combined for over 1,400 yards alone. Mark Andrews and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown have lead the way in receiving to help make the team one of the top offenses in the league. The defense has come along as well, keeping opposing teams to at or less than 40% on 3rd down and 4th down conversions.

The Rams have lost the offensive identity they once had. Some of that is health issues on the offensive line, some if it is McVay not utilizing Gurley like he should and partly because Gurley’s production has dropped off when given carries. That’s not to say Gurley isn’t productive, he’s just not what he was when he got his most recent payday. Cooper Kupp remains Goff’s top target, leading the team in Targets (94), Receptions (61), Reception Yards (845) and Reception TD’s (5). The defense is still keeping them in games with Donald leading them in sacks with 8 and Matthews not far behind with 7. They’ve had a slow start to the second half if the season since they’re bye but hope to get going again at home tonight.

Take the Ravens to cover in the over, Ravens 31-21.

NFL Week 11: Monday Night Football Pick, Prediction & Colin Cowherd’s Blazin’ 5

Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers, Estadio Azteca – Mexico City, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Chargers +6.5, O/U: 52.5)

Patrick Mahomes showed up in his first game back from a dislocated knee cap, with a 400+ yard performance. Despite his big performance, the defense couldn’t hold up their end of the bargain and they gave up well over 200 yards of rushing, which has been a huge weak spot for the defense. Henry is good but Melvin Gordon is better. The Chiefs managed to survive those 2 weeks while Mahomes was missing and walked away with a 1-1 record, nearly beating the Packers but beating the Vikings, 2 quality opponents. The Chiefs will get back some key offensive lineman for the game so expect them to utilize the running game a bit even without McCoy being held from making the trip for some load management reason Andy Reid gave but most likely due to his fumbling issues.

Melvin Gordon paired with Austin Ekeler who has similar numbers as Gordon, will be the Chargers key offensively, to putting points on the board and keeping drives long which will in turn keep Mahomes on the sideline. The Chargers spent the week in the Rockies to get ready to play in the elevation of Mexico City, something the Belichick had done in the past to get ready for a game in Mexico’s high altitude. Rookie Justin Jackson adds a speed back change of pace as he is averaging over 7 yards per carry when he gets touches. Phillip Rivers has to overcome the 3 picks he threw last week (to move to 3rd in the league in interceptions) to get a gritty win over the Chiefs this week. Rivers however, is third in the league in passing yards and has nearly 2,300 yards spread between Allen, Williams, Ekeler and Henry (who missed 4 weeks due to injury). Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram must keep their eyes on Mahomes at all times as he’s squirrely and can run and since he’s stated that he feels like he felt in week 1, he’s not hampered by the sprained ankle or the knee.

Take the Chiefs to win but the Chargers to cover in the over, Chiefs 31-27.

Don’t forget, Colin Cowherd took the Chargers in his Blazin’ 5.

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NFL Week 9: Monday Night Football

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants, MetLife Stadium, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Giants +6.5, O/U: 48.5)

The Cowboys are coming off a huge win against divisional foes, the Eagles and are rejuvenated a bit with their bye week last week. Coming in fresh against a Giants team that is on a 4 game slide after some tough games against the Vikings, Patriots, Cardinals and Lions, the Giants look for momentum as they inch closer to their week 11 bye. Daniel Jones has looked rough in most of his starts with exception to week 3 and last week, in which last week he was 28/41 for 322 yards, 4 TD’s and zero picks. Barkley started the year hot, averaging over 10 yards until his high ankle sprain, has been average in the last 2 starts averaging less than 70 yards in both games. The Giants need to find him the ball more as he only has 3 scores (2 rushing, 1 receiving). Dak seems to be on a similar streak as he started off hot but as he’s played tougher teams (Saints, Packers and Eagles), he’s looked mediocre. In those 3 games, he has completed 67% of his passes for 925 yards but for only 3 TD’s and 5 picks. Those teams are a combined 19-7 while In his other 4 starts against teams with losing records (5-28), he’s completed 83% of his passes for 1,198 yards, 9 TD’s and 2 picks. Better teams means he’s just your run of the mill, middle of the pack starter but against weaker teams, he looks like an all-star. Take the Cowboys to win and cover handedly in the over, Cowboys 31-19.

NFL Week 8: Monday Night Football Pick & Prediction

Miami Dolphins @ Pittsburgh Steelers, Heinz Field, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Steelers -14, O/U: 43.5)

The Dolphins traded away another key piece of their team this morning as they traded away Kenyon Drake for a 6th round pick that can turn into a 5th round pick if conditions are met. Ballage and Walton will be the backs behind the lines tonight. Fitzpatrick has been fiery for the Fins and has kept them in games with the equally ugly Redskins and within 10 of the Bills. Some guys play hard for primetime games especially if they are unsure of their roster status for the next season.

The Steelers get impressive young QB, Mason Rudolph back from his concussion suffered a few weeks ago. He’ll be licking his chops as he doesn’t have to face Minkah Fitzpatrick as they had pulled him away from the Dolphins in a trade. The Dolphins give up an average of 35.2 points per game which could give a moral boost for a team who only scores 20.5 points on average per game. James Conner still has yet to pick up steam and JuJu Smith-Schuster has had a very slow start to his first year as the guy on the outside. The Steelers defense is starting to pick up the pace as they have come up with 15 takeaways, 8 of them picks. Look for them to turn up the pressure on a weak Dolphins offense.

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

NFL Week 7: Monday Night Football Pick & Prediction

New England Patriots @ New York Jets, MetLife Stadium, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Jets +10, O/U: 43.5)

The Patriots are flying high with an unblemished record, the leagues top scoring offense and the leagues best defense (although not far ahead of the 49ers). The Patriots defense has only been backed up against their own endzone 4 times and have allowed just 1 TD. That conversion percentage equals that of the 49ers for the best in the league (25%). Brady is 6th in yards and is completing 65% of his passes. Edelman leads the receiving corps with nearly 450 yards and Michel is leading the ground works with nearly 350 yards to balance out the offense. Their defense will be key as they lead the league as the only team in double digits in picks with 14, which will be a tough test against Darnold who looked as if he hadn’t been out for a month.

The Jets had a pleasant surprise when Darnold came back and single handedly beat the Cowboys by throwing and throwing often. Darnold snapped back by completing 72% of his throws for 338 yards, 2 TD’s and a pick in a shocking win against the Cowboys last week. Robby Anderson was happy to see Sam back as he hauled in 5 of his 8 targets for 125 yards, one being a long 92 yard TD. The defense, which all season has been suspect, held Prescott to less than 300 yards, didn’t allow him to throw a TD which helped them try to focus on Elliott. The Jets have their hands full tonight however as they have to take a below average receiving corps up against the best performing secondary in the league. Adam Gase will have to try and out coach the best coach the game has ever seen. Yeah, good luck.

Take the Jets to cover but the Patriots to win in the over, Patriots 28-20.

NFL Week 6: Monday Night Football Pick & Prediction

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Packers -3.5, O/U: 46.5)

The Lions are coming off an early bye week in time to head to Green Bay with 2 weeks to prepare for the new look Packers offense. The Lions have been slow out of the gate as they’ve had some tough matchups early on and faired pretty well, especially in the Chiefs game. Even so, they’re middle of the road in most team statistical categories. The Lions defense however has stepped up to the plate this year ranking 10th in points allowed and in the top half of the league in turnovers caused and stingy in the redzone only allowing 8 TD’s in 16 trips (50%). Stafford has protected the ball well early and has looked fairly sharp (62.4% completions, 1,122 yards, 9TD’s and only 2 picks. Stafford’s line has done well protecting him as well, better than in years past as he’s only been sacked 7 times and has been able to conduct 2 4th quarter comebacks with 1 game winning drive in his 4 games. They need to get Kerryon Johnson going however as he’s only rushed for 264 yards, averaging 3.4 yards per carry and only 1 rushing TD.

The Packers are coming off another emotional win in Dallas as they move back home for a divisional rival game against an always tough Lions team who have had the better of the Pack in recent years. The Packers have quietly kept in the top half of the league on offense and only recently picked up the rushing game with the explosive performance given by Aaron Jones last week that culminated in 4 TD’s. The one aspect that the Packers have been killing teams is their redzone conversions. They rank 6th with 13 TD’s on 19 trips (68.4%). Rodgers is shockingly outside of the top 10 in passing due to a slow start and having an actual rushing game to utilize more. He’s protective as always with the ball with a 6TD to 1 pick ratio. Aaron Jones may only be averaging 60 yards a game but he’s making the most of his carries averaging 4 yards per carry and more than a 4th of them gaining key first downs but the shocking stat is his league leading 8 TD’s. Davante Adams is supposedly out a few weeks with a turf toe injury so that means more opportunities coming to the rest of the receiver depth like Valdes-Scantling, Allison, Graham, Lewis. The defense bounced back after a disappointing loss to the Eagles who took Green Bay’s rush defense to the woodshed in front of their own fans. It hasn’t negated the fact that they are still a top 10 defense. They are tied for 3rd in the league with 11 turnovers (7 off picks), and top 10 in sacks with 15.

Packers home field advantage is unlike 99% of the league where Vegas gives them a 4 point advantage instead of the traditional 3. Take the Packers to cover in the over, Packers 27-23.

NFL Week 4: Monday Night Football Pick & Prediction

Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers, Heinz Field, 8:15 PM, ESPN (Steelers -4, O/U: 45.5)

The Bengals are reeling after another tough road loss against the Bills last week. Only being blown out at home against the 49ers, the Bengals have lost their 2 road games by a combined 5 points. Andy Dalton is 4th in the league in passing with 979 yards, 5 TD’s and 3 picks while completing 63% of his passes. He’s been without AJ Green (who is expected to be out until at least week 7) but have had John Ross (13 catches for 292 yards, 3 TD’s) and Tyler Boyd (24 catches for 250 yards) step up to fill his shoes together. Their issues have been lack of Mixon’s rushing game (87 yards on 32 carries) and their rush defense which has given up 168.7 yards per game)

The Steelers are living a very similar story where they’ve had 2 close loses of 6 points combined yet were blown out by the Pats in week one. Shockingly, with Big Ben getting hurt in week 2, the Steelers have managed to stay in both games with their backup, Mason Rudolph. Mason has only completed 57% of his passes but has limited turnovers with 4 pass TD’s and 2 picks. Still, the offense has struggled mightily, averaging 204 yards through the air and 64 yards rushing with Conner only averaging 2.9 yards on 34 carries and 97 yards. The offense isn’t the only one struggling as the defense has given up 303 yards through the air and 139 yards on the ground per game. It has been an ugly start with seeing Big Ben go out with injury, Bell and Brown leaving the offense all in the same season. The Steelers are struggling in a way that could hamper them until the end.

This game will be absolutely nasty as both teams are looking up at the Pound Puppies leading the division…yes, you read that right, 4 weeks in, the Browns are leading the division. Take the Bengals to finally get a road win against a virtually hapless Steelers, Bengals cover in the under, Bengals 20-14.

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