Make Football Great Again; Week 10 Picks
The NFL needs to take our President-Elect's campaign slogan and make it their own.
Make Football Great Again.
I've wrote about it a bit over the last nine weeks on how something is missing from the NFL this season and I continue to feel this way as the season goes on.
Most of the games aren't competitive, especially the Thursday night games. TV ratings are spiraling downhill like they never have before and a lot of fans, heck even the players, are saying the game isn't fun anymore.
Whether it's too many rules to protect players, mainly the quarterback, or less practice time because of the new collective bargaining agreement, or whatever the reason is, the NFL isn't as fun to watch as it once was.
I also feel like there are fewer exciting players to watch, especially at the quarterback position. Peyton Manning and Brett Favre were fun to watch. They threw the ball down field and they took risks. Favre threw it into double and triple coverage all the time. He had a gunslinger mentality and it was exciting to see.
Today, so many guys just check it down to the running back or the slot receiver running a three yard crossing route. They make the safe throws and that's boring. Besides Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, not many quarterbacks take risks and are the main reason why you may tune in to watch a game. You watched Colts and Packers games because Manning and Favre were fun to watch, no matter if you were a fan of them or their team.
Nothing against Alex Smith, Brock Osweiler or Trevor Siemian, but they aren't exactly guys you get excited about watching. And I would put part of the blame on the coaches too.
So many coaches are afraid to take risks, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis comes to mind. Head coaches and offensive coordinators need to be more aggressive and take more risks. That'll add more excitement to the game. If it's 4th and 2 on your own 48-yard in the second quarter, take a chance and go for it. There is nothing less exciting then a punt from the 48-yard line that lands 5-yards deep in the end zone.
What am I saying? To make the NFL great again, quarterbacks and coaches need to get more aggressive and take risks. Go for it on fourth down, go for two in the first half, surprise us all with an onside kick to start the game, do something different than you're doing right now, because the game isn't fun anymore.
Here's my advice, NFL, to spice up the game. First, abolish the punt. Make every team go for it on fourth down. Or least make the penalty for kicking the ball into the end zone on a punt a bit stiffer. If a punt is kicked in the end zone, let the receiving team start their drive on the 35-yard line. That might make teams think twice about punting on fourth down.
Second, have every kickoff be an onside kick. The majority of kickoffs today are kick out of the back of the end zone anyways. The kickoff has become the most boring play in the game and the only way to turn up the excitement is with an onside kick. One of the most exciting plays in the history of the NFL was when the Saints did an onside kick to start the second half of Super Bowl XLIV. They recovered the onside kick, went down and scored a touchdown and eventually won the Super Bowl. Why not have that excitement on every single kickoff.
Something to think about this offseason, NFL. I'm available if you want to talk more about my ideas. Whatever it is, something needs to be done before the NFL gets boring. Maybe Trump will know what to do.
Now, on to my picks for Week 10's slate of NFL action.
Week 10 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
BALTIMORE over Cleveland (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFLN): The Ravens found a way to end their four-game losing streak last week against the rival Steelers and Baltimore now sits in first place in the AFC North. With the Ravens and Steelers atop the division at 4-4, the AFC North has taken a nosedive from being one of the best divisions in football the past few seasons to being one of the worst. Heck, for as bad as the Bengals have played, they're right in the thick of the division race at 3-4-1. If the Ravens are to have any chance to hold off the Steelers and Bengals they can't afford a let down on Thursday night against the 0-9 Browns. Cleveland may make it competitive, but I like Baltimore to win on Thursday night. Also, I predicting terrible ratings again for the NFL this Thursday night.
Houston over JACKSONVILLE (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I have to give myself a "C'mon Man" for picking the Jaguars to make the playoffs this season. My bold predictions earlier this year were that both the Jaguars and Raiders would make the playoffs, but I was more confident in Jacksonville than I was Oakland. Boy, was I wrong. QB Blake Bortles has been terrible and anything but a franchise quarterback and all that is left to watch is whether or not head coach Gus Bradley will get fired. I'm predicting he won't, at least I would give him another year, but I am predicting another Jaguars loss on Sunday to the Texans.
Denver over NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Really considered taking the Saints in this one with their ability to move the ball on offense and the Broncos inability to consistently move the ball and put up points on offense. The Denver defense will be tested against Drew Brees and the Saints top rank offense, but I just think overall the Broncos have more talent on their roster. A Saints upset wouldn't surprise me, the game is in New Orleans after all, but I think Denver will get the win. And they'll need to keep winning to keep pace in the ultra-competitive AFC West.
NY JETS over Los Angeles (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Great quarterback matchup in this one. The top two leaders in interceptions square off at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Rams QB Case Keenum continues to throw the ball to the other team, eight times in the last four games -- all Rams losses -- and one has to wonder if we'll ever see rookie QB Jared Goff. How is he not ready? It's November. Also, the Jets have had stellar quarterback play with Ryan Fitzpatrick leading the league with 13 interceptions and having a league worst 56.5 completion percentage. So, whichever QB plays throws the ball to the other team less, their team will in. With the Jets being at home, I'll pick them, but this game could go either way.
Atlanta over PHILADELPHIA (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense have been clicking on all cylinders this season and are number one in points/game with 33.9 and are second in both total offense and passing offense. The Eagles have a good defense, sixth best in the league, but they'll have their hands full on Sunday. Philadelphia plays well at home where they are 3-0, but I think the Falcons offense is just too good.
CAROLINA over Kansas City (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The Chiefs may be a bit boring to watch, but they have one of the best teams in the AFC. For some reason though, I feel like the Panthers are going to get hot and make a run at getting into the playoffs. They've won two in a row and both were against teams with good defenses, Arizona and Los Angeles. Kansas City has a good defense too and they'll be getting Justin Houston back this week. It'll be another tough game, but I have a hunch the Panthers are going to make it three wins in a row.
TAMPA BAY over Chicago (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Tampa Bay is 0-4 at home and Chicago is 0-4 on the road this season, so something has to give on Sunday. Please, please, don't let this one end in a tie. No more ties! I know the Bears upset the Vikings last week, but I still think they are one of the bottom five teams in the league. I'm going with the Buccaneers since they're at home, but Tampa Bay has a terrible defense, one that gives up almost 400-yards a game. So, it wouldn't surprise me if the Bears find a way to win. Fantasy note, start Bears RB Jordan Howard this week. Howard rushed for 133-yards and a touchdown last week against a very good Vikings defense, so imagine what he'll do this week against the Buccaneers.
WASHINGTON over Minnesota (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Taking the Redskins in this one because I have no faith in the Vikings offense right now. They've scored a combined 36 points the last three games and are averaging just 292.3 yards/game in those games, all losses. Minnesota has one of the best defenses in the league, but if the offense can only put up 10 points a game, it's going to make it pretty hard to win football games. A big key for Washington in this game will be QB Kirk Cousins throwing the football. Cousins is sixth in the league in passing yards and the Vikings have the number four pass defense in the league. If Cousins plays well, the Redskins will get the win.
Green Bay over TENNESSEE (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Will the Packers ever figure it out? My Super Bowl pick is not looking too good and at 4-4, Green Bay is now in third place in the NFC North. Green Bay needs to find a running game to help out Aaron Rodgers. It's never a good sign when you're primary running back is WR Ty Montgomery. Also, the Packers defense has to play better. They've given up 64 points the last two weeks and if they can just hold the Titans to less than 24 points this week, they should win. Tennessee won't make it easy though.
SAN DIEGO over Miami (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): San Diego will win this game if they can stop Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi. Ajayi has rushed for 529-yards and four touchdowns in the last three games, all Miami wins. The Chargers are fifth in the league at stopping the run, so it won't be easy for Ajayi and the Dolphins on Sunday. With the Dolphins making the long trip out to San Diego and the fact that Miami is 0-3 on the road this season, I like the Chargers. Also, the Chargers $1.8 billion plan for a new stadium was on the ballot for voters to approve and it failed on election night. That means that the Chargers could be looking more into moving to Los Angeles and sharing a stadium with the Rams.
ARIZONA over San Francisco (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): The Cardinals defeated the 49ers rather easily five weeks ago, 33-21, and I expect a similar outcome on Sunday out in the desert. 49ers head coach Chip Kelly has been asked if he would consider going back to college and he has said that he wants to remain in the NFL. If I'm Kelly, I'd bolt back to college in a heartbeat. His offense created a spark in his first two seasons in Philadelphia where he went 20-12, but since then he's just 7-16. NFL defenses have figured him out and I think his unwillingness to change will never lead to future success at the NFL level. With current Oregon coach Marc Helfrich possibly on his way out in Eugene and rumors circulating that Nike CEO and Oregon alum Phil Knight wants to make a coaching change, I'd go back to Oregon given the opportunity if I'm Chip Kelly.
Dallas over PITTSBURGH (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Only way the Steelers can win this game is if they figure out a way to stop the run. Pittsburgh ranks 11th in the league at stopping the ran at 99.6 yards/game, but the Cowboys have the number one ground game in football at 165.2 yards/game. The Steelers offense looked awful last week against the Ravens and maybe with QB Ben Roethlisberger having another week to recover from knee surgery will help Pittsburgh put up some points on Sunday. I just don't see the Steelers stopping the Cowboys ground game though. Dallas gets the win.
NEW ENGLAND over Seattle (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): This rematch of Super Bowl XLIX should be a good one Sunday night. The Seahawks have one of the best teams in the NFC and the Patriots are, in my opinion, the best team in football. QB Tom Brady has been the MVP of the league since his return from a suspension and if the ageless Brady continues to play this well, the Patriots are going to be tough to beat. Brady plays well again as the Patriots defeat the Seahawks. Bold prediction, New England won't win via a Malcolm Butler interception at the goal line late in the fourth quarter this time.
Cincinnati over NY GIANTS (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): If you have A.J. Green or Odell Beckham Jr. on your fantasy team, you'd better start them this week. Neither the Bengals nor the Giants have anyone on their roster capable of matching up with Green and Beckham for an entire game. The Giants have been playing better, winning their last three games, but if they do figure out a way to cover A.J. Green who is going to cover TE Tyler Eifert? I'd put safety Landon Collins on Eifert, but he may be needed to cover the deep routes that Green will surely be running. The Giants won't be able to cover both Green and Eifert for the entire game, which means QB Andy Dalton will one of those guys open the majority of the time. Not good news for the Giants. The Bengals need a win in the worst way to stay alive in the AFC North and I believe they'll get one Monday night.
Byes: Buffalo, Detroit, Indianapolis, Oakland
Last Week: 10-3
Overall: 79-54 (.594)
Make Football Great Again.
I've wrote about it a bit over the last nine weeks on how something is missing from the NFL this season and I continue to feel this way as the season goes on.
Most of the games aren't competitive, especially the Thursday night games. TV ratings are spiraling downhill like they never have before and a lot of fans, heck even the players, are saying the game isn't fun anymore.
 |
| Fans miss the excitement that came with watching Peyton Manning and Brett Favre play quarterback in the NFL. (Photo Courtesy of CBSSports.com) |
I also feel like there are fewer exciting players to watch, especially at the quarterback position. Peyton Manning and Brett Favre were fun to watch. They threw the ball down field and they took risks. Favre threw it into double and triple coverage all the time. He had a gunslinger mentality and it was exciting to see.
Today, so many guys just check it down to the running back or the slot receiver running a three yard crossing route. They make the safe throws and that's boring. Besides Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, not many quarterbacks take risks and are the main reason why you may tune in to watch a game. You watched Colts and Packers games because Manning and Favre were fun to watch, no matter if you were a fan of them or their team.
Nothing against Alex Smith, Brock Osweiler or Trevor Siemian, but they aren't exactly guys you get excited about watching. And I would put part of the blame on the coaches too.
So many coaches are afraid to take risks, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis comes to mind. Head coaches and offensive coordinators need to be more aggressive and take more risks. That'll add more excitement to the game. If it's 4th and 2 on your own 48-yard in the second quarter, take a chance and go for it. There is nothing less exciting then a punt from the 48-yard line that lands 5-yards deep in the end zone.
What am I saying? To make the NFL great again, quarterbacks and coaches need to get more aggressive and take risks. Go for it on fourth down, go for two in the first half, surprise us all with an onside kick to start the game, do something different than you're doing right now, because the game isn't fun anymore.
Here's my advice, NFL, to spice up the game. First, abolish the punt. Make every team go for it on fourth down. Or least make the penalty for kicking the ball into the end zone on a punt a bit stiffer. If a punt is kicked in the end zone, let the receiving team start their drive on the 35-yard line. That might make teams think twice about punting on fourth down.
Second, have every kickoff be an onside kick. The majority of kickoffs today are kick out of the back of the end zone anyways. The kickoff has become the most boring play in the game and the only way to turn up the excitement is with an onside kick. One of the most exciting plays in the history of the NFL was when the Saints did an onside kick to start the second half of Super Bowl XLIV. They recovered the onside kick, went down and scored a touchdown and eventually won the Super Bowl. Why not have that excitement on every single kickoff.
Something to think about this offseason, NFL. I'm available if you want to talk more about my ideas. Whatever it is, something needs to be done before the NFL gets boring. Maybe Trump will know what to do.
Now, on to my picks for Week 10's slate of NFL action.
Week 10 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
BALTIMORE over Cleveland (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFLN): The Ravens found a way to end their four-game losing streak last week against the rival Steelers and Baltimore now sits in first place in the AFC North. With the Ravens and Steelers atop the division at 4-4, the AFC North has taken a nosedive from being one of the best divisions in football the past few seasons to being one of the worst. Heck, for as bad as the Bengals have played, they're right in the thick of the division race at 3-4-1. If the Ravens are to have any chance to hold off the Steelers and Bengals they can't afford a let down on Thursday night against the 0-9 Browns. Cleveland may make it competitive, but I like Baltimore to win on Thursday night. Also, I predicting terrible ratings again for the NFL this Thursday night.
Houston over JACKSONVILLE (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I have to give myself a "C'mon Man" for picking the Jaguars to make the playoffs this season. My bold predictions earlier this year were that both the Jaguars and Raiders would make the playoffs, but I was more confident in Jacksonville than I was Oakland. Boy, was I wrong. QB Blake Bortles has been terrible and anything but a franchise quarterback and all that is left to watch is whether or not head coach Gus Bradley will get fired. I'm predicting he won't, at least I would give him another year, but I am predicting another Jaguars loss on Sunday to the Texans.
Denver over NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Really considered taking the Saints in this one with their ability to move the ball on offense and the Broncos inability to consistently move the ball and put up points on offense. The Denver defense will be tested against Drew Brees and the Saints top rank offense, but I just think overall the Broncos have more talent on their roster. A Saints upset wouldn't surprise me, the game is in New Orleans after all, but I think Denver will get the win. And they'll need to keep winning to keep pace in the ultra-competitive AFC West.
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| Will we ever see rookie QB Jared Goff in a regular season game for the Rams this season? (Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports) |
Atlanta over PHILADELPHIA (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense have been clicking on all cylinders this season and are number one in points/game with 33.9 and are second in both total offense and passing offense. The Eagles have a good defense, sixth best in the league, but they'll have their hands full on Sunday. Philadelphia plays well at home where they are 3-0, but I think the Falcons offense is just too good.
CAROLINA over Kansas City (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The Chiefs may be a bit boring to watch, but they have one of the best teams in the AFC. For some reason though, I feel like the Panthers are going to get hot and make a run at getting into the playoffs. They've won two in a row and both were against teams with good defenses, Arizona and Los Angeles. Kansas City has a good defense too and they'll be getting Justin Houston back this week. It'll be another tough game, but I have a hunch the Panthers are going to make it three wins in a row.
TAMPA BAY over Chicago (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Tampa Bay is 0-4 at home and Chicago is 0-4 on the road this season, so something has to give on Sunday. Please, please, don't let this one end in a tie. No more ties! I know the Bears upset the Vikings last week, but I still think they are one of the bottom five teams in the league. I'm going with the Buccaneers since they're at home, but Tampa Bay has a terrible defense, one that gives up almost 400-yards a game. So, it wouldn't surprise me if the Bears find a way to win. Fantasy note, start Bears RB Jordan Howard this week. Howard rushed for 133-yards and a touchdown last week against a very good Vikings defense, so imagine what he'll do this week against the Buccaneers.
WASHINGTON over Minnesota (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Taking the Redskins in this one because I have no faith in the Vikings offense right now. They've scored a combined 36 points the last three games and are averaging just 292.3 yards/game in those games, all losses. Minnesota has one of the best defenses in the league, but if the offense can only put up 10 points a game, it's going to make it pretty hard to win football games. A big key for Washington in this game will be QB Kirk Cousins throwing the football. Cousins is sixth in the league in passing yards and the Vikings have the number four pass defense in the league. If Cousins plays well, the Redskins will get the win.
Green Bay over TENNESSEE (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Will the Packers ever figure it out? My Super Bowl pick is not looking too good and at 4-4, Green Bay is now in third place in the NFC North. Green Bay needs to find a running game to help out Aaron Rodgers. It's never a good sign when you're primary running back is WR Ty Montgomery. Also, the Packers defense has to play better. They've given up 64 points the last two weeks and if they can just hold the Titans to less than 24 points this week, they should win. Tennessee won't make it easy though.
SAN DIEGO over Miami (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): San Diego will win this game if they can stop Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi. Ajayi has rushed for 529-yards and four touchdowns in the last three games, all Miami wins. The Chargers are fifth in the league at stopping the run, so it won't be easy for Ajayi and the Dolphins on Sunday. With the Dolphins making the long trip out to San Diego and the fact that Miami is 0-3 on the road this season, I like the Chargers. Also, the Chargers $1.8 billion plan for a new stadium was on the ballot for voters to approve and it failed on election night. That means that the Chargers could be looking more into moving to Los Angeles and sharing a stadium with the Rams.
ARIZONA over San Francisco (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): The Cardinals defeated the 49ers rather easily five weeks ago, 33-21, and I expect a similar outcome on Sunday out in the desert. 49ers head coach Chip Kelly has been asked if he would consider going back to college and he has said that he wants to remain in the NFL. If I'm Kelly, I'd bolt back to college in a heartbeat. His offense created a spark in his first two seasons in Philadelphia where he went 20-12, but since then he's just 7-16. NFL defenses have figured him out and I think his unwillingness to change will never lead to future success at the NFL level. With current Oregon coach Marc Helfrich possibly on his way out in Eugene and rumors circulating that Nike CEO and Oregon alum Phil Knight wants to make a coaching change, I'd go back to Oregon given the opportunity if I'm Chip Kelly.
Dallas over PITTSBURGH (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Only way the Steelers can win this game is if they figure out a way to stop the run. Pittsburgh ranks 11th in the league at stopping the ran at 99.6 yards/game, but the Cowboys have the number one ground game in football at 165.2 yards/game. The Steelers offense looked awful last week against the Ravens and maybe with QB Ben Roethlisberger having another week to recover from knee surgery will help Pittsburgh put up some points on Sunday. I just don't see the Steelers stopping the Cowboys ground game though. Dallas gets the win.
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| CB Malcolm Butler was the hero when the Patriots and Seahawks last met in Super Bowl XLIX. (Larry W. Smith/EPA) |
Cincinnati over NY GIANTS (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): If you have A.J. Green or Odell Beckham Jr. on your fantasy team, you'd better start them this week. Neither the Bengals nor the Giants have anyone on their roster capable of matching up with Green and Beckham for an entire game. The Giants have been playing better, winning their last three games, but if they do figure out a way to cover A.J. Green who is going to cover TE Tyler Eifert? I'd put safety Landon Collins on Eifert, but he may be needed to cover the deep routes that Green will surely be running. The Giants won't be able to cover both Green and Eifert for the entire game, which means QB Andy Dalton will one of those guys open the majority of the time. Not good news for the Giants. The Bengals need a win in the worst way to stay alive in the AFC North and I believe they'll get one Monday night.
Byes: Buffalo, Detroit, Indianapolis, Oakland
Last Week: 10-3
Overall: 79-54 (.594)
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