Ollie, all dressed up for Halloween
Last Week: 9-5
Season: 70-35
This week, I hope to break out of my 9-5 rut. In a good way, that is. I'm off to a good start after nailing my Thursday pick. (Here it is, in case you missed it; the title pretty much says it all.)
Sunday
Lions at Chiefs (in London)
By playing in England, KC is giving up one of the best home-field advantages in the league. No matter, though; the Chiefs’ defence, having had some missing players return to action, has recently returned to something resembling competency. Another sloppy contest at Wembley. (Side Note: Did you know that the participants in this game will be the only ones in the NFL not to experience the immediate time change of the switch back to Standard Time? It’s true. In England, they set their clocks back one hour last week. How do I know this? Ricky Gervais’s cat Ollie told me.) Winner: Chiefs
Buccaneers at Falcons
Though their passing attack seems to have fizzled somewhat of late, Davante Freeman and dome-field advantage should be enough to secure a win here. Winner: Falcons
Cardinals at Browns
The Cards’ offence has looked slightly less than spectacular the past couple of contests, but there’s nothing like a trip to Cleveland to kick things back into high gear. Winner: Cardinals
49ers at Rams
The sudden ascendance of RB Todd Gurley takes a lot of pressure off QB Nick Foles in the St. Louis offence. Colin Kaepernick is in for a rough afternoon, courtesy of the Rams’ defensive front. Winner: Rams
Giants at Saints
New Orleans has looked good the past couple of weeks due to some tweaks in the offensive game plan. The well-coached Giants’ defence should counteract that, and Eli, Odell, and the gang will take care of the rest against the Saints’ horrible defence. Winner: Giants
Vikings at Bears
I struggled with this one, because I think the teams are pretty evenly matched offensively, but ultimately, I think the Vikes’ defensive superiority trumps the Bears’ home-field advantage. Winner: Vikings
Chargers at Ravens
I’m not repeating last week’s mistake of picking San Diego with Eric Weddle and Antonio Gates hurt. Baltimore guts out a close one at home. Winner: Ravens
Bengals at Steelers
I’ve been all-in on Cincy since before the season started, and I’m not about to pick against them now. I don’t care whether Roethlisberger plays or not; the Bengals are exorcising all of their demons this year. Winner: Bengals
Titans at Texans
Man this Houston team stinks. Terrible coaches. Listless players. Arian Foster done for the season. If I were the owner, I’d fire Bill O’Brien and Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel as soon as possible. The Titans aren’t great, but they’re nowhere near the disappointment the Texans have been. Winner: Titans
Jets at Raiders
I’m a bit worried about how Ryan Fitzpatrick will perform without C Nick Mangold, but I’m even more worried about how Derek Carr will fare against the Jets’ defence, no doubt still smarting from being bested by the Patriots. Winner: Jets
Seahawks at Cowboys
Russell Wilson scrambles around and makes just enough plays to outscore a Dallas offence that won’t be able to accomplish much against the Seattle defence. Winner: Seahawks
Packers at Broncos
This will no doubt be the best defence that Aaron Rodgers has faced yet this season. It won’t be easy, but Rodgers and the Packers’ offence will make some plays. The key to this game will be that The Green Bay defence is actually pretty good, particularly its pass rush, and Peyton Manning is a mere shadow of his former self. Winner: Packers
Monday Night
Colts at Panthers
Carolina is simply better than Indianapolis in all facets of the game right now, and are playing at home. Nothing more need be said. Winner: Panthers