Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire
After starting the season 26-43, it is time to right the ship. The NFL has been tough to predict to this point so I thought I would try and bring in a fellow QB List writer, Dean Abramson, to bounce my thoughts off of. Rather than giving five mortal locks each week, the two of us will each do three (Dean’s picks in blue, Joe’s in red). Let’s roll.
Note: All lines are provided by Westgate Sportsbook as of 12 a.m. Sunday.
Sunday, Oct. 14
The Pick-6:
Seattle (-2.5) @ Oakland (in London) – (48.5)
The Raiders are getting worse while the Seahawks are improving. The Seahawks’ run game has been steadily improving and will give Oakland trouble across the pond. Jon Gruden said he is more concerned about his ability to make the flight than his goal line offense. Look for that to carry to his team that is still looking for a pass rusher. Seattle should lock the game up early.
Indianapolis (+2.5) @ New York (A) – (45)
The Jets were impressive against Denver last week – there’s no denying that. However, I think Andrew Luck has been getting better each week and therefore, warrants some confidence.
Chicago (-4) @ Miami – (41.5)
I absolutely LOVED this line when it was Bears -3 earlier in the week. Not as enticing as this line, however I think Chicago covers with ease. After blowing a 17 point lead at halftime, Miami has looked sluggish the past two weeks and they are down two, potentially three members of their starting offensive line. Khalil Mack and the rest of the Bears defense should feast.
Carolina (-1) @ Washington – (44.5)
Washington is better than what they showed against New Orleans last week, but I am taking Cam Netwon and Co. coming off a bye.
Los Angeles (N) (-7) @ Denver – (52.5)
Last week the Denver defense allowed 323 yards of rushing to a team averaging just 88 ypg on the ground. This week, they match up with a Rams team averaging 131.2 ypg rushing. Todd Gurley should be an animal and the Rams should have their way with a struggling Denver defense. Note: Love the over.
Jacksonville (-3) @ Dallas – (40.5)
Give me good Blake Bortles and a defensive score. Dallas is awful and even worse to watch. They’ll lose by 6.
The Rest:
1:00 p.m. ET
Buffalo (+10) @ Houston – (41)
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati (-1.5) – (53)
Arizona @ Minnesota (-10.5) – (43)
Tampa Bay (+3) @ Atlanta – (57.5)
Los Angeles (A) (+1.5) @ Cleveland – (47)
4:25 p.m. ET
Baltimore (-2.5) @ Tennesee – (41)
8:20 p.m. ET
Kansas City @ New England (-3.5) – (59.5)
Monday, October 15th @ 8:15 p.m. ET
San Francisco @ Green Bay (-9.5) – (46.5)
Washington +1
Browns U47
Denver +7
Bengals -1
**New England -3.5 play of the day
I don’t think Washington can hang with Carolina is they’re clicking on offense plus Thomas Davis is back on D.
I’m terrified of this Browns game and although I picked the Chargers I wouldn’t touch it with a 10 foot pole. The under worries me because I think this game is either a last second FG victory, as all of the Browns games to this point have been, or a Chargers blowout.
I could see the Broncos hanging with the Rams because of the potential of a snow game, but I think the Rams are significantly better offensively and defensively. Plus, the Broncos just gave everyone tape on how to destroy them.
We agree on Cincy. Also love the under in this game. These two teams destroy each other and when looking at matchups between these two, this over at 53 would have hit 3 times (I’m pretty sure) since around 2006.
As a Pats fan, and someone who has watched every game closely, I’m terrified of tonight. They’re only favored cause it’s Brady and Belichick in Foxborough. Chiefs’ offense is too fast and too talented for a slow Pats’ D, but you’ll notice, we picked the Pats too.