We Know Nothing; Week 7 Picks
Six weeks into the season and we, we as in NFL fans, know absolutely nothing about how this season will transpire.
A ton of upsets last week lead to an appalling 5-9 record for my picks. Just when you think you've figured this league out, it come backs and knocks you right on your back.
Only in the NFL do the 0-5 Giants, who lost four wide receivers the previous week, go on the road on Sunday night and defeat the best defense in football in the Broncos.
Only in the NFL do the Bears beat the Ravens in which their quarterback went 8 of 16 for 113-yards.
Only in the NFL does Adrian Peterson, who rushed for a whopping 81-yards on 27 carries in his first four games of the season, get traded to the Cardinals and rush for 134-yards and 2 TD in his first game out in the desert.
Only in the NFL do the Detroit Lions run 76 plays, put up 347-yards of offense and 38 points, including a pick-six and still lose because they gave up 379-yards and 52 points to the New Orleans Saints.
And only in the NFL is a touchdown overturned and ruled a fumble and a touchback. That call in the Patriots-Jets game has to be one of the worst calls in the history of professional sports. The Jets probably still lose that game, but it would've been a whole lot more interesting had Austin Seferian-Jenkins touchdown been upheld.
What's my point? We know nothing and in terms of picking games and trying to figure out to who start in fantasy can be downright frustrating. However, the unpredictability makes each week exciting because you never know what might happen.
I'm sure we're in for some more crazy games this week and I'm sure I miss a lot of picks again, but I'll give it another shot.
Week 7 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Kansas City over OAKLAND (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, CBS, NFL Network, Amazon Prime): My pick to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LII is fading fast. QB Derek Carr missed just one game with a back injury, but the Raiders offense has struggled in their last four games scoring just 54 points. Oakland has a ton of talent on that roster and they're much better than their 2-4 record shows. Thursday's game against division leading Kansas City could be categorized as a must win and with the Chiefs coming off their first loss, I think the Raiders are in trouble. Chiefs rebound with a win and put the Raiders in a tremendous hole in the AFC West.
BUFFALO over Tampa Bay (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): With Bucs QB Jameis Winston questionable after suffering and AC joint sprain in Arizona last week and the Bills coming off a bye, I like Buffalo in this one.
Carolina over CHICAGO (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Chicago got lucky they won their game in Baltimore last week. They won't be so lucky this week at home against Carolina.
Tennessee over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Things just don't seem like they're ever going to get better in Cleveland. The Browns are 0-6 and they don't look like they've improved at all from last season. They still don't have a quarterback, Kevin Hogan got the start last week and struggled throwing 3 INT, and until they find one the Browns won't win many more football games. They won't find a QB by Sunday, so they'll lose to the Titans.
New Orleans over GREEN BAY (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): This had the chance to be a terrific football game until Anthony Barr ruined it. Barr's hit on Aaron Rodgers last week broke Rodgers' collarbone and he could be out the rest of the season. The Packers will turn to Brett Hundley as they try and make the playoffs without their best player. I would've loved to have seen Drew Brees and Rodgers air it out, but NFL fans will only see the Saints put up a lot of points as I think Hundley struggles.
Jacksonville over INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I can't seem to figure the Jaguars out. Whenever I pick them they lose. They should beat the Colts this week and they need a win to keep pace with Houston and Tennessee in the division as all three are tied at 3-3. RB Leonard Fournette has been terrific in his rookie season and look for him to have a big game and lead the Jaguars to another win.
L.A. RAMS over Arizona (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, from London, Fox): The Rams did not play great last week in Jacksonville, yet still found a way to win the game. QB Jared Goff threw for just 124-yards, but a 103-yard kickoff return to open the game and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown helped the Rams get their third win of the season. They'll face another tough test this week over in London in the division rival Cardinals who put up 38 points and 432-yards of offense in their first game with Adrian Peterson at running back. The veteran trio of Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and Adrian Peterson are still good players even though they're past their prime, so the Rams won't have it easy across the Pond. I do see them coming back to the U.S. with a victory though.
N.Y. Jets over MIAMI (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): The Jets got hosed last week. Plain and simple. Time to move on though and putting last week's call aside, New York is 3-3 and still very much alive in the playoff race. Can't believe I just typed that. The Jets beat the Dolphins 20-6 earlier this season and Miami didn't score until the final play of the game. I don't see any reason why we won't see a similar outcome on Sunday. The Miami offense is not good and doesn't seem to be improving.
MINNESOTA over Baltimore (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Like I stated earlier, it's beyond me how the Ravens lost to the Bears last week and I'd be even more surprised if they beat the Vikings in Minnesota this week. This game won't be pretty on the eyes either as they'll be a lot of purple on the field, which is never a good thing.
Dallas over SAN FRANCISCO (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): The 49ers last five losses have been by 3, 2, 3, 3, and 2 points. They couldn't get it done last week in Washington and I think they'll have a tough time again this week against a rested Cowboys team.
PITTSBURGH over Cincinnati (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Big AFC North game on Sunday afternoon. With the Bengals having won two straight, Cincinnati has climbed back into the division race. The Steelers haven't looked good at times this season, but they played well last week in Kansas City and knocked off the previously unbeaten Chiefs. Expect a low scoring game as the Bengals and Steelers have the number two and three ranked defenses in the league, respectively. Pittsburgh is 12-3 against the Bengals since 2010, including winning their last four meetings, and I think the Steelers make if five straight Sunday evening.
Seattle over N.Y. GIANTS (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Again, like I stated earlier, I don't know how the Giants won that football game Sunday night in Denver. Maybe they'll make it two in a row. I doubt it. Seattle is coming off a bye and the Giants still have no receivers, but the New York defense is good, so it's possible they pull off the upset.
Denver over L.A. CHARGERS (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Although the Broncos have the better team on paper, don't be surprised if Denver gets upset in L.A. QB Trevor Siemian has to play well if the Broncos are to win games this season. I know it seems like an obvious statement that the quarterback has to play well for you to win a football game, duh, but let me explain. In Denver's three wins this season Siemian has thrown 7 TD and 2 INT. In Denver's two losses, Siemian has thrown 1 TD and 4 INT. The Broncos have also only managed to score 42 points in the last three games after scoring 66 in their first two games. Denver may have the best defense in the league, but their offense, particularly Trevor Siemian, has to play better if they're to win games. I think they'll play better on Sunday and defeat the Chargers for a second time.
NEW ENGLAND over Atlanta (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): Monster game on Sunday night. For the second straight year, we have a Super Bowl rematch during the regular season. We all know what happened the last time these two teams took the field, the most historic comeback in NFL history. The Falcons choked on the biggest stage in sports and you know they've had this one circled on their calendars all season. These are two different teams from February though as neither the Patriots nor Falcons look as good as they did last year. Both defenses aren't as good and both offenses seem like they're missing something as well. No Julian Edelman in New England and the Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is now the head coach in San Francisco. I think both offenses miss these two guys and could explain why they're not as dominate as they were last season. With the Patriots being at home I think they win this game, I just don't see them having to climb back from a 28-3 hole this time. And the Falcons better cover James White Sunday night, just saying.
PHILADELPHIA over Washington (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): With Aaron Rodgers now out, I think the Eagles are the best team in the NFC. They're 5-1 with their one loss coming to the Chiefs on the road in Arrowhead. QB Carson Wentz has been great in his sophomore season and is second in the league with 13 TD passes. Philadelphia's next three games are at home with the Redskins coming in this week followed by the 49ers, and then the Broncos. Could they be 8-1 when the travel to Dallas in Week 11 after their bye week? We shall see, but I do see them beating division rival Washington on Sunday.
Bye: Detroit, Houston
Last Week: 5-9
Overall: 55-36 (.604)
A ton of upsets last week lead to an appalling 5-9 record for my picks. Just when you think you've figured this league out, it come backs and knocks you right on your back.
Only in the NFL do the 0-5 Giants, who lost four wide receivers the previous week, go on the road on Sunday night and defeat the best defense in football in the Broncos.
Only in the NFL do the Bears beat the Ravens in which their quarterback went 8 of 16 for 113-yards.
Only in the NFL does Adrian Peterson, who rushed for a whopping 81-yards on 27 carries in his first four games of the season, get traded to the Cardinals and rush for 134-yards and 2 TD in his first game out in the desert.
Only in the NFL do the Detroit Lions run 76 plays, put up 347-yards of offense and 38 points, including a pick-six and still lose because they gave up 379-yards and 52 points to the New Orleans Saints.
 |
| He does lose control, obviously, but how this play was eventually ruled a fumble and a touchback is beyond me. (Getty Images) |
What's my point? We know nothing and in terms of picking games and trying to figure out to who start in fantasy can be downright frustrating. However, the unpredictability makes each week exciting because you never know what might happen.
I'm sure we're in for some more crazy games this week and I'm sure I miss a lot of picks again, but I'll give it another shot.
Week 7 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Kansas City over OAKLAND (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, CBS, NFL Network, Amazon Prime): My pick to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LII is fading fast. QB Derek Carr missed just one game with a back injury, but the Raiders offense has struggled in their last four games scoring just 54 points. Oakland has a ton of talent on that roster and they're much better than their 2-4 record shows. Thursday's game against division leading Kansas City could be categorized as a must win and with the Chiefs coming off their first loss, I think the Raiders are in trouble. Chiefs rebound with a win and put the Raiders in a tremendous hole in the AFC West.
BUFFALO over Tampa Bay (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): With Bucs QB Jameis Winston questionable after suffering and AC joint sprain in Arizona last week and the Bills coming off a bye, I like Buffalo in this one.
Carolina over CHICAGO (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Chicago got lucky they won their game in Baltimore last week. They won't be so lucky this week at home against Carolina.
Tennessee over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Things just don't seem like they're ever going to get better in Cleveland. The Browns are 0-6 and they don't look like they've improved at all from last season. They still don't have a quarterback, Kevin Hogan got the start last week and struggled throwing 3 INT, and until they find one the Browns won't win many more football games. They won't find a QB by Sunday, so they'll lose to the Titans.
 |
| Because of this hit, we won't get to see Drew Brees vs. Aaron Rodgers on Sunday. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) |
Jacksonville over INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): I can't seem to figure the Jaguars out. Whenever I pick them they lose. They should beat the Colts this week and they need a win to keep pace with Houston and Tennessee in the division as all three are tied at 3-3. RB Leonard Fournette has been terrific in his rookie season and look for him to have a big game and lead the Jaguars to another win.
L.A. RAMS over Arizona (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, from London, Fox): The Rams did not play great last week in Jacksonville, yet still found a way to win the game. QB Jared Goff threw for just 124-yards, but a 103-yard kickoff return to open the game and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown helped the Rams get their third win of the season. They'll face another tough test this week over in London in the division rival Cardinals who put up 38 points and 432-yards of offense in their first game with Adrian Peterson at running back. The veteran trio of Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and Adrian Peterson are still good players even though they're past their prime, so the Rams won't have it easy across the Pond. I do see them coming back to the U.S. with a victory though.
N.Y. Jets over MIAMI (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): The Jets got hosed last week. Plain and simple. Time to move on though and putting last week's call aside, New York is 3-3 and still very much alive in the playoff race. Can't believe I just typed that. The Jets beat the Dolphins 20-6 earlier this season and Miami didn't score until the final play of the game. I don't see any reason why we won't see a similar outcome on Sunday. The Miami offense is not good and doesn't seem to be improving.
MINNESOTA over Baltimore (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Like I stated earlier, it's beyond me how the Ravens lost to the Bears last week and I'd be even more surprised if they beat the Vikings in Minnesota this week. This game won't be pretty on the eyes either as they'll be a lot of purple on the field, which is never a good thing.
Dallas over SAN FRANCISCO (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): The 49ers last five losses have been by 3, 2, 3, 3, and 2 points. They couldn't get it done last week in Washington and I think they'll have a tough time again this week against a rested Cowboys team.
PITTSBURGH over Cincinnati (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Big AFC North game on Sunday afternoon. With the Bengals having won two straight, Cincinnati has climbed back into the division race. The Steelers haven't looked good at times this season, but they played well last week in Kansas City and knocked off the previously unbeaten Chiefs. Expect a low scoring game as the Bengals and Steelers have the number two and three ranked defenses in the league, respectively. Pittsburgh is 12-3 against the Bengals since 2010, including winning their last four meetings, and I think the Steelers make if five straight Sunday evening.
Seattle over N.Y. GIANTS (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Again, like I stated earlier, I don't know how the Giants won that football game Sunday night in Denver. Maybe they'll make it two in a row. I doubt it. Seattle is coming off a bye and the Giants still have no receivers, but the New York defense is good, so it's possible they pull off the upset.
Denver over L.A. CHARGERS (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Although the Broncos have the better team on paper, don't be surprised if Denver gets upset in L.A. QB Trevor Siemian has to play well if the Broncos are to win games this season. I know it seems like an obvious statement that the quarterback has to play well for you to win a football game, duh, but let me explain. In Denver's three wins this season Siemian has thrown 7 TD and 2 INT. In Denver's two losses, Siemian has thrown 1 TD and 4 INT. The Broncos have also only managed to score 42 points in the last three games after scoring 66 in their first two games. Denver may have the best defense in the league, but their offense, particularly Trevor Siemian, has to play better if they're to win games. I think they'll play better on Sunday and defeat the Chargers for a second time.
 |
| James White had 14 receptions for 110-yards and six carries for 29-yards to go along with 3 total TD to help the Patriots win Super Bowl LI in overtime. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) |
PHILADELPHIA over Washington (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): With Aaron Rodgers now out, I think the Eagles are the best team in the NFC. They're 5-1 with their one loss coming to the Chiefs on the road in Arrowhead. QB Carson Wentz has been great in his sophomore season and is second in the league with 13 TD passes. Philadelphia's next three games are at home with the Redskins coming in this week followed by the 49ers, and then the Broncos. Could they be 8-1 when the travel to Dallas in Week 11 after their bye week? We shall see, but I do see them beating division rival Washington on Sunday.
Bye: Detroit, Houston
Last Week: 5-9
Overall: 55-36 (.604)
Comments
Post a Comment