HOW BOUT THEM TITANS!?!?! *Skip Bayless Voice*
Tennessee has put the league on notice that they are not an easy out. We had to endure a lot of ridicule losing to the winless Jets a couple of weeks ago but this win was enormous. Now I am not as shocked as others are but it feels good to receive the respect Tennessee deserves.
It doesn’t get any easier as the Titans have Kansas City coming to town next. Patrick Mahomes is still a Top 3 QB in the league and must be respected as such. That is why this is the perfect time to do a recap of how we got this point.
We now have 18 weeks of NFL action so we are a third of the way through the season. So far my Pick ‘Em record is a very respectable 63-31. After starting 9-7 the first two weeks, I have been consistently getting double digits wins. 12 wins Weeks 3 and 5, 11 wins Week 6, and 10 wins Week 4.
Bye weeks are now in full effect and in Fantasy Land they are calling it Byemageddon. The Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers are all resting and healing as the 49ers, Falcons, Saints, and Jets return to action ready to go.
That obviously means this week’s article will be shorter than most but it also is the best chance to get that perfect week. My biggest hindrance has been my lack of faith in the Raiders. Even before the Jon Gruden fiasco, I have not correctly picked a single Las Vegas week yet. *heavy sigh*
Other disappointments include the Dolphins with their downward spiral and trying to guesstimate which New York team will shock the world in which week. However it may go, I’ve resigned myself to following my instinct and I know my resolve will lead me to my desired destination! So with the wrap of the recap, let’s begin.
Denver Broncos take down banged up Browns in defensive showdown!
Why?
Cleveland will be without their starting QB and top 2 star RBs with Odell banged up. Jarvis Landry still ailing from the IR but has a chance to play. Now I adore Case Keenum. There’s something about those former Minnesota Vikings QBs that has a direct line to my heart so it won’t be a shellacking but this Denver defense is still quite formidable. Both tackles Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin as well as C J.C Tretter are banged up and it’s got Von Miller chomping at the bits…publicly.
Now Teddy isn’t at his best but coming off 3 straight losses, this is an ideal bounce back game against an opponent that will absolutely be in the hunt come December regardless of who’s at QB. I like Denver to pull off a close one and get back on schedule.
On to Sunday where matchups get sticky.
Falcons down Dolphins.
Why?
The Dolphins have lost all of my confidence. Tua played admirably last week but it still wasn’t enough to vanquish the winless Jags across the pond. Despite the fact that the Jaguars are the unofficial team of London, this Dolphins defense has looked like its been on the road all season. Unable to stop anyone, a unit that was once the strength of the organization is now its biggest liability.
Matt Ryan and Company is fresh off a win from their European debut and a week of rest to boot. I see him having no issues carving up this Dolphins defense and getting the Falcons back on track in the NFC South.
Over in the AFC South, a team from Nashville looks to take overwhelming control.
Titans continue the world shocking spree by outscoring Patrick Mahomes!
Why?
For new readers, I NEVER pick against the Titans strictly off principle. Above all else, I care about the success of my favorite team and I pray for their healing each and everyday. Julio is still banged up and Chipotle gave my guy A.J Brown the bubble guts smh.
All I can say is it was probably that brisket and to stick with the steak instead of paying extra for a trip to the bathroom. I am an expert on this matter given my previous employment with the restaurant but hopefully they should be good to go come Sunday afternoon.
Derrick Henry is legitimately THAT GUY and this KC defense is looking pretty advantageous. I love the grit from our own defensive unit last week in the trenches with Landry, Dupree, Simmons, and Autry getting pressure up front to cover for our injury riddled secondary.
I’m looking for Tennessee to make a move for perhaps Xavien Howard as Caleb Farley is out for the year and Kristian Fulton has yet to return but until that time, Tennessee possesses the talent and heart to compete until the end and make that extra special play to get the W.
They’ve proven that.
Packers stifle Washington.
Why
Aaron is activated. He is now in that place where no defense will be able to stop him and Washington caught the bad end of the draw catching him like this. I really don’t have much to say as Rodger’s gave us a glimpse of where he’s at when he told Bear’s fans he owns them. Truer words have never been spoken and unless Taylor Heinicke plays the best game of his career, this may be a blow out.
Panthers struggle but take down Giants.
Why?
Sadly, Sam Darnold looks like who I thought he was. He was able to make the game interesting last week against Minnesota but he was still for 17-41 which is the most Sam Darnold stat line ever. Christian McCaffrey is supremely missed and it is affecting the entire team now. The defense should receive a huge boost with Stephon Gilmore practicing and looking like he’s ready to ball out with the Giants offense still in the dumps, injury-wise.
Once again, you never know what New York team will enter the field on Sunday so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a battle until the end, but my faith in the Carolina defense is unshakeable.
Now for the tough part…
Ravens survive Bengals.
Why?
I am no longer betting against the Ravens. The last three weeks, I have lost two of my parlays gambling against Lamar Jackson and Baltimore. The insane part is they have decimated their opponents when I have money on the line so I’m taking that energy and applying it here.
I like the Bengals with Joe & Joe leading the way. They have exceeded my expectations and I am proud to say I am their staunchest supporter amongst my friends group. I have been struggling with starting Tyler Boyd in a bevy of fantasy leagues during Byemageddon and actually traded him in multiple leagues just to alleviate the burden.
I gotta go with the Ravens here because they are such an enigma to me that I can’t bring myself to build up a support base for their loss. As long as Lamar Jackson is playing QB, they will be in the game until the very last second, hands down.
Next up, the last afternoon game is a Week 2 rematch and my body hurts doing this.
Patriots beat Jets.
Why?
I don’t believe this and I’m only picking the Patriots because they are at home. This is strictly in pursuit of my perfect week and nothing more. Patriots booty.
The afternoon slate of games are fairly easy picks except for my arch nemesis…
The Las Vegas Raiders. I have not known how to gauge this team so I will apply the same logic I did with New England.
Raiders take down Eagles in Death Star.
Why?
Derek Carr has been a top 5 QB on the season. He has put this team on his back week in and week out and I nor anyone else should diminish that. I have come to realize my dismay for this team did stem a lot from Jon Gruden. Before I knew the type of person he was, I didn’t appreciate him shipping out both Khalil Mack AND Amari Cooper for kibbles and bits.
I felt it is was poetic justice Khalil Mack was the last guy Gruden saw in a 20-9 defeat versus Chicago. Now I can see what Mike Mayock and company put together without his interference. I have a deep respect for this Philly team and their resilience so I know this game will be interesting. I have more reason to believe in the Eagles than Raiders but I will go with Derek Carr out of admiration for the level of play he has exhibited up until this point.
Now on to Easy Street ☺
Rams stomp Lions.
Why?
My only hesitation is my complete love for Motor City Dan Campbell and maybe even a Jared Goff revenge game. But, Rams will win if Stafford finishes the game.
Cardinals petrify Texans.
Why?
It’s a JJ Watt and DeAndre Hopkins revenge game. Need anything else, they just added Zach Ertz. Game Over.
Bucs slay Bears.
Why?
There is a league-wide memo that you absolutely cannot run on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have had the best run defense the past two years and Vita Vea/Ndamukong Suh continue to shut down all incomers. So without David Montgomery and maybe even backup Damien Williams, It will be Justin Fields first true test as a QB.
The Tompa Bay led Buccaneers will score points, this is inevitable. I have yet to see if Fields can keep up in a shootout and this is not the team to test that theory against. I have enjoyed the Bears defense getting back to their mantle as one to be feared but this is too tall a task so soon into a young QB’s career.
On to Sunday night where I feel so much anxiety that it worries me. These two teams are undetectable. What that means is they will never be predicted correctly so I going with pure bias.
49ers subdue Jonathan Taylor led Colts!
Why?
They are fresh off a bye week and look like they are returning starter Jimmy Garoppolo to the lineup. I have confidence picking San Fran as they are getting healthier while the Colts are still pretty banged up. Indianapolis’ injury report is start studded with Parris Campbell hitting IR, TY Hilton hurt again, Darius Leonard ailing, Quentin Nelson still out, T Braden Smith not 100% and a litany of defensive starters on the mend.
I will state again, my years as a Titans fan has taught me to never underestimate these Colts and their competitive fervor. They play hard, are well-coached, and battle for 4 quarters. Just looking for San Francisco to help the Boys out and give us that dominant lead in the AFC South.
On to Monday night where we have a matchup that, well I’m not gonna lie, might be a doozy.
Saints wash Seahawks!
Why?
Jameis Winston versus Geno Smith is the oddest QB showdown I’ve seen in many years. Both these guys have the potential to bust the game wide open or downright throw it away. It’s boom or bust central in Seattle Monday night and that’s why I’m going with the defense I trust.
The Seahawks have shown they aren’t the defensive unit to be counted on, even with two all-pro talents in Bobby Wagner and Jamal Adams.
Obviously if Russell Wilson was present, this is an easy choice in the opposite direction but I believe New Orleans can cause some turnovers, shut down this Seattle run with Chris Carson out and Alex Collins not looking like he suits up, and get this win for Jameis. Michael Thomas’ return is just around the corner so a win here is the perfect setup for a late season run.
That concludes Week 7’s Pick ‘Em. I have a great feeling this is it. Stay tuned to The Bear Den on 99.9 Kate FM as their a massive changed heading your way and a boatload of content coming with the NFL hitting is stride and NBA starting up this week.
A special thanks to Jovan Cutler for making me great and Tiger Communications for giving me a voice. As always, God is the OG and All Hail King Henry!
