Another week, another glorious Titans victory over an opponent no one thought we could defeat. What made this win so beautiful was that the game was never close. Tennessee came out sharp, firing on all cylinders, and getting after Patty Mahomes from the jump.
Before you could sneeze, the score was 24-0 and by the end, the most beautiful statistic of the day was Derrick Henry having more Passing TDs than Mahomes! While I prefer going under the radar as a NFL fan, these last two games were ones Tennessee absolutely needed in this years’ stacked AFC. With teams like the Chargers, Raiders, and most astoundingly the Bengals on the surge, nothing is guaranteed.
Speaking of Cincinnati, that JaMarr Chase over Penei Sewell pick is looking like a franchise defining moment. He has the most yards by a rookie through 7 games with no sign of slowing down. They trounced the Baltimore Ravens to take the lead in the AFC North and while it was closer than the score suggests, stopping this Bengals offense might be a problem for the entire league.
So for Week 8, I want to try something different. I want to throw “logic” out the window and approach each game the same way I’ve done with the Titans all season. Since I love fantasy football, I have favorite players, coaches, and schemes I enjoy with each team and I will see if my bias has some merit to it. Now with this Sunday being Halloween, I will attempt to make it to church but the Saturday night shenanigans may have different plans.
I usually save it til the end, but man God been putting in the work for The Boys. Each week I get up and ask for prayer because obviously I’m a helpless bystander but my full heart is into this organization and the team they’ve constructed. My football priorities are..
#1 a Titans Super Bowl, #2 destroying my friends in our Dynasty league for their collusion to try and take me down, and #3 this perfect week I’m about to produce. Let’s begin!
Cardinals outlast frail Packers on Thursday Night Primetime.
Why?
Davante Adams. Allen Lazard. And the banged up O line Green Bay has been managing with. Aaron Rodgers caught a small break with the JJ Watt news but with Chandler Jones returning and unheralded assassination Markus Golden still on the prowl, it will take a relative stranger stepping up for Green Bay to keep pace with this Kyler Murray led air raid.
Now I know Rodgers is a dog so I expect it to be close somehow but missing that star power late is the end all be all here.
Bills massacre Dolphins
Why?
I am done with the Miami Dolphins in 2021. When all the news stories coming out are Tua Tagovailoa saying “he doesn’t feel not wanted”, then you know they’re hanging it up. Bills are coming off a loss and a bye week so the 35-0 smacking the Dolphins took earlier this year will seem like a dream when this one is over.
Panthers barely beat Falcons
Why?
This pick is solely based on the Panthers defense. I have no faith in Sam Darnold but this Carolina defense has proven they can win games by themselves. While Matt Ryan is finding his groove with Cordarrelle Patterson, Kyle Pitts, Russell Gage, and of course Calvin Ridley, the Panthers still have the personnel to contain each of them.
My heart tells me Sam Darnold can’t possibly continue to be as bad as he’s been, but my spirit tells me this is that one game that’ll screw me in the end. Either way, defense wins championships and I’ll feel a thousand times better if Stephon Gilmore makes his Carolina debut. Stay tuned to me on Twitter (@TheDenChillin) as I may change my mind but as of now, I’m holding strong ☹.
Browns beat Steelers.
Why?
These division matchups are truly the definition of toss-ups. That’s why I chose the method of picking that I did this week. I personally believe the Browns would be better off starting Case Keenum over Baker this week because this Steelers defense is rested and hungry. TJ Watt is back wreaking havoc and the Browns O Line isn’t at 100%. Case Keenum played well last week plus the Browns get back Nick Chubb to alleviate some of that pressure coming off the edge.
I’m picking Cleveland because their defense is still going strong and I have no faith in Big Ben either. It’s funny because I would actually take Sam Darnold over Big Ben at this point and that says A LOT! I wouldn’t be surprised at either game script that could occur here so all I will say is, whomever runs the football better will win the game and my money is on Cleveland.
Rams slaughter Texans
Why?
I won’t waste much space here. Texans just shipped Mark Ingram back to New Orleans which should signal to all onlookers they know this season is a wash. Some good news is that Tyrod Taylor is practicing and may play this weekend but he comes back to an Aaron Donald onslaught so that seems unfair. Short story made even shorter, Rams win by a lot.
Eagles and Lions go down to the wire, but Jalen Hurts pulls off victory!
Why?
This Detroit team battles each and every week. Even last week faced against a stacked Los Angeles Rams team, they took them all the way to the 4th with grit and ferocity. I know a win is coming for them at some point and on paper , this is a prime opportunity. The Eagles haven’t figured it out on offense yet but they have a QB that has the heart of a Lion himself.
Jalen Hurts has been sorely underrated all season bogged down by iffy coaching. I expect the Eagles to struggle in this game and it once again be up to Hurts to pull off something and get the Eagles this victory.
Hold on Philly fans, this one will be a nail-biter but trust me, you’ve got yourself a QB.
Titans continue winning streak to take command of AFC South and Beyond!
Why?
I want to be completely honest here, playing the Indianapolis Colts scares me. It’s a residual feeling from the decades of Peyton Manning/Andrew Luck beatdowns we took. They play tough and are difficult to put away but this Tennessee team knows that. They know this is a rare opportunity to finally take firm control of the division and make our run for that #1 send in the Conference.
It is no longer “let’s just make playoffs” or “let’s just win the division”. Now is the time to solidify this team as one of the best in the National Football League and this game is our final test. It’s a Halloween game changer at its finest and I can’t wait to see the outcome. But everyone knows I’m taking THE BOYS!!! #TitanUP!
Bengals ground Jets!
Why?
Cincinnati is the shock of this NFL season. I know no one outside myself who saw this coming. Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, JaMarr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd were the crew. Now they have a new supporting cast with Samaje Perine and CJ Uzomah (War Eagle Baby) to make the defenses life pure hell. Let’s not forget this defense that NFL analysts still continue to underestimate but that goes out and gets stops.
The Jets are in that figure it out year and have a defense of their own already so it won’t be a blowout, but unless new old friend Joe Flacco comes in and discovers that 2012 magic, they don’t stand a chance here.
Bears fall to 49ers.
Why?
This game is the most uninteresting one of the week. I don’t have much to say about either team except Khalil Mack may be out for the season so I’m taking San Francisco. Neither team is blocking right now, both are very run dependent, and the secondary’s of both teams are shot.
I wouldn’t be shocked if this was a 7-6 ballgame and I’m expecting something of that sort but the good thing here is, someone has to win lol.
Seahawks survive Jaguars.
Why?
This game almost broke me. It dawned on me that when picking with my bias, I am choosing the teams I want to lose more than the teams I believe will win so I’m just gonna go roll with it. I say the Seahawks get this win because they have more consistency at this point in the season. Even with Geno Smith at the helm, the defense is playing better, they’re still able to run the ball, and they still possess that two headed monster at wide receiver.
The Jags are an interesting case because you never know what to expect each and every week. They did have two weeks to prepare for this game so they should have a pretty solid game plan ready to deploy but I’d rather put my faith in consistency over whatever the Jaguars bring to the table.
Chargers bully Patriots…badly
Why?
It’s hilarious the week I call the Patriots booty, they go and put up 54 points. That just goes to show you that my hate is an untapped power I wish I could utilize for my benefit. Enter the rested Los Angeles Chargers and Justin Herbert. Last time we saw him, he was being completely muffled by Baltimore so I think he’s coming with a chip on his shoulder this game.
New England struggles in pass coverage so it’ll be fun to watch the great Bill Belichick try and contain this offense. For fantasy purposes, I hope he does figure it out but I won’t hold my breathe. I will say this is a huge opportunity for Mac Jones to prove himself so I’m intrigued. I’m betting on Chargers though.
Tampa Bay shuts down Jameis revenge game!
Why?
At this point, I am starting to feel like this will be my worst week yet. You would think this gets easier the deeper you get into the season, but that’s not the case. Jameis gets some help in the form of Mark Ingram returning to the Black and Gold but it looks like Michael Thomas won’t be back just yet. The Bucs are also looking to return Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown so the Saints have a mission ahead of them.
Now I say this could be my worst week because my emotions are not being attended to. My bias is about the personnel and most importantly the defenses. This Saints defense is good, but this Bucs defense is better. We all already know no one is running on them so it will come down to Jameis airing that thang out and that’s when all bets are off. Richard Sherman also looks like he will return this week and when given opportunities, he make plays. So this one will be something to behold.
Broncos find a way to vanquish Football Team
Why?
What a life! This game here is one where all my allegiances are put on the line. I love both Taylor Heinicke and Teddy Bridgewater. Choosing how I’m choosing games, I want these outcomes. Even when I hate the teams or players, all these outcomes are what I desire. I am both exhilarated and terrified when choosing this way but I am along for the ride at this point.
The Broncos should get Jerry Jeudy back this week and that’s a huge plus. I can’t name one CB for the Football Team but I do know about that D Line. That will be what concerns me as this game looks to turn into a shootout. I say the Broncos win because they are home and I want it more. I believe Teddy does too. All faith on this one.
To Taylor, play your heart out. You belong as QB1!
Now on to Sunday night where my friends are in a frenzy!
Vikings wrangle Cowboys!
Why?
My oh my how far I’ve come. There was a time when I would be clowning Minnesota and talking about how they were about to get molly-whopped by Dallas. Yet, here I am picking them against everyone else, even their own fans. My reasoning is I sense something different about this Minnesota team. They are calm, poised, and don’t listen to the outside noise. They just go play and that’s it.
I am not sure about Dak’s health and we all know Trevon Diggs is the truth but Minnesota has THREE WRs that can put that work in and Dalvin Cook still doing his thing. I can’t wait for this game as someone is gonna choke, it’s inevitable. I say it’ll be Dallas because they’re the favorite.
Now for Monday Night where the world will witness something miraculous!
Chiefs Win.
Why?
I have to pick Kansas City. It’s written in stone somewhere that there’s no way Kansas City can lose to the Daniel Jones led New York Giants. However, I say this sarcastically. This week of football, something will happen. I don’t know if it’ll be today, Halloween, or Dia De Los Muertos, but something will happen. If it happens to be this game on this day, I just want everyone to know I seen it coming. That’s all I got to say about that.
That concludes the spooky version of NFL Pick ‘Em. Every choice was completely bias…except that last one. That choice was me picking Patrick Mahomes over Daniel Jones. Now I will say I want the Chiefs to suffer but once again that’s Fantasy related. However, Andy Reid is still the coach in Kansas City Chiefs. I have the utmost respect for him and know that his team will compete no matter what.
Thank you all for coming along this journey with me and it’s only heating up. Another thanks to Jovan Cutler for all the great work he does, Tiger Communications for the platform, and of course God for looking out against all the people who collude to see my downfall. Amen!
