Week Six Picks: It's Starting To Become My Thing

Found my old football-picking pen, a gift from one of my bestest friends. It still works.

Spent most of my day off running errands and doing housework (it’s a glamourous life, I know), so I’ll skip the preliminaries, save to mention that I went 11-4 in the first week of my head-to-head challenge against “Mr. Silver,” while he managed a respectable 9-6. I like his style; like me, he’s not afraid to take risks and has a fondness for Latin. Unlike me, he still thinks players wear leather helmets.

 

Thursday Night

Colts at Texans

I like Houston’s defence against Indy’s offence in this matchup. Both of the Colts’ starting Guards are out this week, and the Texans have this guy named Watt who’s pretty good at getting after the QB. Houston at home should be able to eke out a close victory. Now, here comes the swerve: it’s Thursday night. Playing a Thursday game after having played the previous Sunday is difficult, as the short rest does not allow much time for recuperation. Fatigue tends to be more of an issue on defence, and Andrew Luck is enough of a challenge on a full week’s rest. As for the Colts’ defence, they can key on stopping Arian Foster, and dare Ryan Fitzpatrick to beat them. Fitzpatrick is just as likely to beat his own team. Winner: Colts

Sunday

Jaguars at Titans

I kind of want to pick Blake Bortles and the Jags to get their first win this week, but I think the Titans squeak one out at home. Winner: Titans

Ravens at Buccaneers

The Ravens’ offence should bounce back nicely this week after being stuffed by a spirited defensive effort in Indianapolis last week. Winner: Ravens

Broncos at Jets

As much as things are going well for the Broncs so far this season, they are going so very, very wrong for the Jets. Winner: Broncos

Lions at Vikings

By all accounts, Teddy Bridgewater is a go at QB this Sunday. The Vikes have a strong running game and talent at the receiving positions (especially Cordarrelle Patterson, who when used creatively is a tremendous weapon). The Lions have a lot of injuries, especially to Calvin Johnson aka Megatron/Matthew Stafford’s security blanket. Winner: Vikings

Patriots at Bills

Did you feel a sudden breeze this past Sunday night? After the Pats starched the visiting Bengals, an entire fan base that had been previously holding its collective breath simultaneously exhaled (here in Nova Scotia, it smelled like Sam Adams and fluffernutters). The Buffalo pass rush could prove problematic, but the Pats seem to have hit upon an offensive line combination and scheme that works. Plus, New England’s defence is a significant step up for Kyle Orton after facing Detroit in his debut last week. Winner: Patriots

Panthers at Bengals

No doubt about it; Cincy got smoked by the Pats. But exposed? Not a chance. Even if AJ Green can’t go this Sunday because of his toe injury, the Bengals won’t need to muster much offence, because their defence will absolutely stifle Cam Newton. Winner: Bengals

Steelers at Browns

Is it Brian Hoyer’s team yet? I mean, what does the guy have to do? Actually, I think he’s done it. Though the media is obsessed with a guy who’s done absolutely nothing in the NFL, the people who really matter, namely his Browns teammates, believe in Hoyer. This Sunday, they’ll come together and finish the job they didn’t in Week 1. Winner: Browns

Packers at Dolphins

I’m still not sold on Green Bay’s defence, but I’m not sold on much of anything the Dolphins do, except rush the passer. Aaron Rodgers does some of his best work while he’s being chased. Winner: Packers

Chargers at Raiders

San Diego’s defence has been fantastic so far. Also, despite having lost seven Centers and 23 RBs (all numbers approximate) to injury so far this season, Philip Rivers looks like the best QB in the league, and the Chargers’ offence keeps putting up points. The Raiders’ young talent has finally been freed from the tyranny of Dennis Allen’s terrible coaching. That won’t help them this week, but things can only get better, right? Winner: Chargers

Bears at Falcons

After a typically disastrous road swing, Atlanta is back home in the Georgia Dome, where their offence flourishes and opposing defences get whiplash watching the ball fly over their heads. Enter the Bears, with their less-than-stellar defence, and you have a recipe for disaster. Now, here comes the swerve: I’m picking Chicago. The Bears had Carolina on the ropes last week, only to have Jay Cutler and Matt Forte give the game away with turnovers. Don’t forget that Atlanta’s defence isn’t exactly brimming with all stars either. This is going to be a shootout, and I’m going with Cutler. It’s starting to become like a sickness with me, I think. Winner: Bears

Cowboys at Seahawks

I wasn’t terribly impressed by Seattle’s offence against Washington the other night. Only a superior effort by Russell Wilson bailed them out. I’m just about ready to go all-in with Dallas this week. One thing troubles me, though. Tony Romo is known to be pretty fearless when it comes to trying to make plays. That kind of attitude can come back to bite you in the ass pretty quickly against Seattle’s defence. If DeMarco Murray can get off to a strong start and not fumble, it will force Seattle to commit more Safety help to stop the run. Not that it’s my thing, but I guess I’m making this my upset special of the week. Winner: Cowboys

Washington at Cardinals

Tempted to go with Washington here, as Arizona deals with yet another injury on defence (Calais Campbell), but I think the Cards’ secondary steps up here and Kirk Cousins turns it over a few times. Call it a hunch. Winner: Cardinals

Giants at Eagles

My, how things have changed; the Giants’ offence is hitting its stride, while the Eagles’ have been relying in recent weeks on their defence and special teams to score. Nick Foles looks ill at ease playing behind a line that can’t protect him and can’t seem to open holes for the running game. Looking at this game on the schedule before the season started, I would have picked Philly in a walk. How things have changed indeed. Winner: Giants

Monday Night

49ers at Rams

Well, imagine my surprise when Austin Davis started at QB for the Rams last week. I had just assumed that Jeff Fisher would go back to Shaun Hill. Fisher surprised me, and Davis shot the lights out against the Eagles, throwing for 375 yards and 3 TDs (with no picks). San Fran has been incredibly lucky in winning its last two games. I’m going with the kid, Davis, under the bright lights of MNF. A star is born. Winner: Rams

Mr. Silver’s Picks

Texans

Titans

Buccaneers

Jets

Lions

Bills

Bengals

Steelers

Packers

Chargers

Bears

Seahawks

Washington

Eagles

Rams