-Originally published 11/7/21-
Fresh Squeezed
1:00 – Browns (4-4) @ Bengals (5-3)
Cincy collapsed against the Jets last week falling 34-31 to Mike White after being outscored 17-7 in the 4th. The ground game disappeared and will have a tough time against the Cleveland front but Burrow will let it fly against this secondary. Cleveland has its back against the wall sitting at .500 and losing to divisional opponent Pittsburg 15-10 last week. Jack Conklin is out, Denzel Ward is questionable, Kareem Hunt is still out, Odell Beckham has been cut. This is still a good team despite but the need to get healthy and could be in trouble here. They’ll need to get pressure on the Burrow and have success on the ground in what could be a shootout.
Pick: Bengals
1:00 – Patriots (4-4) @ Panthers (4-4)
Sam Darnold and Christian McCaffrey are questionable and that leaves everything up in the air. Darnold isn’t playing great but an offense with him vs PJ Walker is a step up and McCaffrey returning healthy would be huge. Mac Jones and the Pats knocked off the Chargers 27-24 last week and have a chance to do the same regardless to move back above .500.
Pick: Patriots
1:00 – Vikings (3-4) @ Ravens (5-2)
Minnesota fell to a limited Cowboys team 20-16 piloted by Cooper Rush. That’s not a good look. Dalvin Cook isn’t performing like a top-10 back. He’s still good, but not great with only 2 Tds on the season. Kirk Cousins hasn’t been awesome either and that’s how we get to 3-4. That being said, Zimmer is fighting for his job and this team has the ability to score with Cousins completing 69% of his passes. Baltimore’s defense is happy to give up points and over 380ypg, bottom-10 in the league. The Ravens are coming off a bye and should be able to move the ball as well. This should be a high scoring affair.
Pick: Ravens
SNF – Titans (6-2) @ Rams (7-1)
With Derrick Henry out for the season the offense could look a lot different for the Titans. It’s possible they plug in Adrian Peterson and try to run the same scheme and see what they can muster, but the pass game will probably be the focus leaning on Tannehill. New addition Von Miller is questionable for the Rams but he probably won’t be needed.
Pick: Rams
Lower Grove
TNF – Jets (2-5) @ Colts (3-5)
Is this a decent game? The Jets fell into a win as the Bungles reared their ugly head but no one should be excited for this. The Colts had a chance to make a statement win against the Titans but pushed into OT and lost. Pittman has stepped up as a real weapon in the passing game and Carson Wentz is tied for 5th in the league with 17 Td passes. Colts should win here.
Pick: Colts
1:00 – Broncos (4-4) @ Cowboys (6-1)
Dak Prescott is limited and Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb are questionable. Cooper Rush and the run game was enough last week to pull out a victory against the Vikings. The Broncos can’t be taken lightly but the offense is awful.
Pick: Cowboys
1:00 – Falcons (3-4) @ Saints (5-2)
Jameis Winston is out and Taysom Hill will be an option recovering from a concussion. Trevor Siemian will be the starter pencil in after stepping in last week. The Saints are lucky to be 5-2 at this point and haven’t been very impressive. Atlanta is limited offensively and the defense is awful. It wouldn’t be surprising if they lose on the road to a backup.
Pick: Saints
1:00 – Raiders (5-2) @ Giants (2-6)
Carr is clearly going to be distracted with the terrible Ruggs incident. The Giants have a laundry list of injuries including Sterling Shepard out and Golladay questionable again so the skill position group remains banged up. The Raiders defense isn’t great but should still have enough to bet the Giants.
Pick: Raiders
4:05 – Chargers (4-3) @ Eagles (3-5)
The Eagles exploded against Detroit last week but still aren’t a good football team. LA can’t stop the run but should be squad. Jalen Hurts is the offense for Philly but that isn’t a great thing.
Pick: Eagles
4:25 – Packers (7-1) @ Chiefs (4-4)
Jordan Love will roll into KC hoping to pull an upset. The run game will be key with Dillion sure to get lots of touches alongside Jones. Adams is of the covid list and ready to go. I actually think the Packers can win here and keep it close but it won’t be a pretty game. KC can’t afford a gimmie here.
Pick: Chiefs
4:25 – Cardinals (7-1) @ 49ers (3-4)
SF won 33-22 over Chicago last week stopping a four game skid. Deebo and RB Elijah Michell are questionable but Kittle might be back. Arizonan has several issues. Kyler is questionable, Hopkins is questionable and JJ Wat is done for the season.
Pick: 49ers
MNF – Bears (3-5) @ Steelers (4-3)
Chicago has lost 3 straight and Pitt has won 3 in a row. The Bears have the worst offense in the league in yards produced and Fields has been sacked a league leading 26 times. The Steelers offense are bottom 10. This will be an offensive struggle.
Pick: Steelers
Rot
1:00 – Bills (5-2) @ Jaguars (1-6)
Buffalo has looked sluggish against Miami while Jacksonville took a step backwards losing 31-7 against a struggling Seattle team. This could be another sleepy game in Florida.
Pick: Bills
1:00 – Texans (1-7) @ Dolphins (1-7)
Both of these teams started 1-0 and have lost six straight. Tyrod Taylor is back for the Texans and might be the better team.
Pick: Texans