Last week the Colts went into Baltimore and almost pulled off
the upset, if not for superhuman, Lamar Jackson and his AFC player
of the week performance. This week, the Colts host a Houston team
and David Mills that almost pulled off the upset in New England
with his three touchdowns. If not for some missed extra points,
the rookie QB would’ve stunned the Patriots faithful. Based
on what the Texans have done offensively in the last two weeks,
Indianapolis better come to play for four quarters, or the chance
of getting back in the divisional battle will be over before midseason.
Yes, this is supposed to be the easiest game of the week (according
to oddsmakers). But these are divisional opponents and Houston
is getting better. This one scares me.
#3: Pittsburgh over Seattle: (4-1: buf, TB, AZ, GB, MN)
The Steelers host a Seahawks team that will be playing without
Russell Wilson (hand) for the first time since he was drafted.
Chris Carson (neck) is expected to play, but Alex Collins will
split time in the backfield with Geno Smith, the former Jet and
Giant, under center. This doesn’t make for a winning formula
for a Seahawks team that traditionally doesn’t perform well
on the east coast.
Pittsburgh meanwhile has an aging 37 year-old QB in Ben Roethlisberger
whose mobility is definitely suspect. However, Najee Harris has
run hard to relieve the stress on the passing game. Juju Smith-Schuster
has been lost for the season thanks to a shoulder injury that
is being surgically repaired this week.
This game will rely on the Steel curtain playing tough defense.
It is this writer’s third pick, and a shaky one at that.
But if you’ve used my first two picks already, this is the
best of the rest.
#2: LA Rams at New York Giants: (4-1: TB, GB, DEN, no,
NE)
Matthew Stafford and company come visiting the Big Apple this
weekend from La La Land with an offense that is 2nd in passing
yards and eighth in scoring. That doesn’t bode well for
a Giants defense that is in the bottom six in most categories
and has been sliced by quarterbacks this season. Daniel Jones is working his way through the NFL concussion protocol
and both Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepherd are expected back
this week after missing the last two weeks with hamstring injuries.
Rookie Kadarius Toney should play and make an impact, taking Kenny Golladay’s spot. with With Saquon Barkley rolling his ankle
and out for this game, it’s just too much to ask Davontae Booker and the receiving corps to keep up with Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Giants killer DeSean Jackson, formerly of the Philadelphia
Eagles. The Rams will stretch their opponents to the breaking
point, but it will be closer than the line says. Take the Rams
this week and relax.
Rams / Giants Comparison
LAR Off
Rk
Stat
Rk
NYG Def
408.2
9
TOT YDS
29
408.6
310.2
2
PASS YDS
22
270.2
98.0
23
RUSH YDS
27
138.4
28.2
8
PTS SCORED
26
27.8
5
12
T OVERS / T AWAYS
16
6
#1: Kansas City over Washington: (5-0: SF, CLE, CAR,
BUF, TB)
It’s been a long time since the Chiefs had a losing record.
But this team has played a killer schedule, scored an average
of 30 points per game, while allowing 32 points per game. Taylor Heinike is not Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson, or even
Justin Herbert but the Washington Football team can surprise you.
Unfortunately, it’s their defense that has surprised everyone.
This unit was expected to be a top five in the league but has
allowed the second most points per game this season. Combine that
with injuries to Ryan Fitzpatrick and Logan Thomas and it may
be difficult for Antonio Gibson to find any running room on early
downs.
Look for the AFC Champions to bounce back this week.