-Originally published 10/22/21-
Bye weeks: Bills, Cowboys, Vikings, Steelers, Chargers, Jaguars
A bad bad football week. The matchups aren’t very exciting in the NFL or College. This is a good weekend to do Halloween activities. Several of the top squads with the Bills, Chargers, and Cowboys are all off. Last week saw the Jags grab win #1 over the Dolphins and the Bills got upset by the Titans as highlights. 8 wins by double-digits killed the Sunday excitement. Cowboys/Patriots heading to OT and the prime time Thursday, Sunday, and Monday night games all being determined by one position were saviors. Let’s hope a horrific slate matchup-wise at least provides closer games this week? That’s said somewhat tongue in check with matchups like Lions/Rams, Texans/Cardinals and Bears/Bucs seeing three of the biggest spreads of the season.
Fresh Squeezed
1pm – Chiefs (3-3) @ Titans (4-2)
The Titans made a huge stand against the Bills to move to 4-2 and Derrick Henry should be in running for
MVP. The secondary is suffering from injury issues at the wrong time here. Julio Jones has been a usless addition. This should be a shootout of with the Chiefs passing attack vs the Titans ground game.
Pick: Chiefs
1pm – Bengals (4-2) @ Ravens (5-1)
Cincinnati has become a solid team and a dangerous offense. Jamar Chase is a big play threat and Burrow has the offense in striking distance of the top team sin the league with an ok defense. Baltimore is still rolling behind a run game filled with spare parts and the defense can be exploted. I exped the Ravens to win but Cincy could upset.
Pick: Ravens
Lower Grove
1pm – Washington (2-4) @ Packers (5-1)
Washington is one of the most disappointing teams in the league this season. The defense isn’t imposing and the offense doesn’t have teeth. At least the staff knows they’ll be looking for a new QB next season. With an unspectacular group of QB prospects coming in that’s looking like a tall order. Packers have won five in a row.
Pick: Packers
4:05pm – Eagles (2-4) @ Raiders (4-2)
LV’s offense looked more balance under interm Rich Bisaccia and the defense forced Teddy Bridgewater into three turnovers. Still, the Broncos are falling apart and the defense isn’t going to heal this season. The Eagles will throw all over the yard and are kind of exciting to keep things close but LV is holding it together.
Pick: Raiders
4:25pm – Bears (3-3) @ Buccaneers (5-1)
The Bucs aren’t in Super Bowl mode yet and barely scraped by the Eagles 28-22 last Thursday. Plenty of areas need improving and that’s scary for a 5-1 squad. Chicago has looked beyond pathetic at time but the defense will be problematic and one of these games….Fields will pop. He always looks like he has big play potential.
Pick: Buccaneers
SNF – Colts (2-4) @ 49ers (2-3)
Indy is finally coming around this season. Wentz is looking like a solid QB and decent reclamation pickup. Michael Pittman Jr is growing into a weapon and TY Hilton finally hit the field last week. On the flip side, safety Julian Blackmon tore his Achilles in practice and is out for the season. Further adding to an injury plagued season. SF will probably be starting Jimmy G again at QB with Trey Lance out. The 49ers know all about injuries derailing seasons and title hopes and this is arguably the 2nd season in a row post-super bowl they should have been in the conversation for a title. Should be a competitive game that could easily go either way.
Pick: 49ers
Rotten
TNF – Broncos (3-3) @ Browns (3-3)
Cleveland is banged up with Baker Mayfield, Kareem Hunt, Nick Chubb and a handful or others are
questionable. The weather is windy, rainy, and chilly. Case Keenum isn’t a huge step back at QB.
Denver has been awful once after an 3-0 start against winless teams and Bridgewater is questionable.
This game is going to be a dumpster fire.
Pick: Broncos
1pm – Jets (1-4) @ Patriots (2-4)
A offensive struggle between two teams that could still finish 2nd in the AFC East. These two and the Dolphins are all in a rut.
Pick: Patriots
1pm – Falcons (2-3) @ Dolphins (1-5)
Atlanta’s offense is finally maturing which helps out Matt Ryan and the passing game. So one thing is going right. This team should be even again.
Pick: Falcons
1pm – Panthers (3-3) @ Giants (1-5)
NY’s skill position players can’t stay healthy and the no unit is playing outstanding. What a disappointing year for a team trying to take a step forward. Panthers aren’t going to make a massive leap in year 2 with Matt Rhule as it appeared in the first few games. They’re around a .500 team, exactly where they are now, and the development of Darnold and the defense will continue.
Pick: Panthers
4:05pm – Lions (0-6) @ Rams (5-1)
The feisty Lions will have to travel cross-country for Stafford’s revenge game. Yikes.
Pick: Rams
4:25pm – Texans (1-5) @ Cardinals (6-0)
One of the best and one of the worst.
Pick: Cardinals
MNF – Saints (3-2) @ Seahawks (2-4)
NO is coming off a bye and gets an extra day for the travel to Washington. The on again/off again Saints should have enough to wipe out the tanking Geno Smiths. Another shameful prime-time game that looked good when it was scheduled.
Pick: Saints