Last week:
Me: 6-7 (39-34 overall)
Lattanzi: 44-20
AK: 35-12
JP: 9-7
So last week was not so good for your pious prognosticator. Unfortunately, my colleagues in the blogosphere refused to go on the record in week 5, which I totally understand because like I said, when the Redskins are on a bye, the rest of the football watching universe necessarily comes to a screeching halt. Alright, maybe not, and with weddings and all kinds of other events going on (not to mention that work this week was long), it is totally understandable that going on the record might have been a challenge this week. In any event, Caputo's Corner will forge ahead and attempt to bring back the magic that was my 11-4 week in week 4. As I have said previously, I still will not pick the Redskins game, but in a previous post, I have already stated how I feel about that one, so let's get on to the rest of the league.
Carolina @ Atlanta-Cam Newton continues to amaze and if the season were to end today would win the rookie of the year in landslide. It is so remarkable to witness what he has done this year, including but not limited to revitalizing the career of Steve Smith, who for the last couple of years has become lost in the quarterback carousel. We're still waiting for the Falcons to show that offensive explosion that defined their 2010 run to the NFC's #1 seed, only scoring 14 points in their rematch with Green Bay. We thought that Atlanta got better with the addition of Julio Jones, but perhaps that move broke up the cohesion in the locker room. I still think Atlanta gets it done, but you know the fightin' Cams will be in it until the final gun. Atlanta 28 Carolina 26
Indianapolis @ Cincinnati-Indy had a golden chance to get off the schneid last week, squandering a 17 point lead in the 2nd half to Kansas City. This just goes to show you that in today's NFL, truly, no lead is safe until you are kneeling over the ball in the final minute. The Painter to Garcon connection is gaining some fantasy traction, and Cincinnati's secondary isn't exactly the Woodsons flanked by Ronnie Lott. They can be had. Andy Dalton is a good quarterback, but if Indy can get a lead, expect him to see a lot of Freeney and Mathis in his face. Indy is going to win sooner or later. Why not this week? Indianapolis 21 Cincinnati 14
San Francisco @ Detroit-San Francisco comes back to the Eastern Time Zone after conducting a 45-point demolition of Tampa Bay last week. Unlike their last trip to the East when they stayed and practiced in Ohio, they will be like any other West Coast team coming east. They are much better than people thought, with their one loss coming in overtime to Dallas. Frank Gore looks to be healthy again, and Detroit is shaky. They beat the Bears last week and are 5-0, but they have not done it with anything close to the ease that Green Bay is beating people, and you have to think that that is playing in their minds right now. Detroit has to hold serve at home against a West Coast foe, and I think they will, but it will be interesting to watch, maybe another last second field goal. Detroit 31 San Francisco 28
St. Louis @ Green Bay-Speaking of the undefeated Packers, they host the winless Rams coming off a bye. You could argue that this could be a trap game, but Green Bay is just way too good to let that happen. Rodgers will polish off the belt, 5 different guys will do Lambeau Leaps, and Clay Matthews will STILL need a haircut. Green Bay 38 St. Louis 3
Buffalo @ New York Giants-The G-men are fresh off of a collapse to the Seahawks last week, and many are now doubting their position in the NFC East race. Buffalo took care of business against a turnover-plagued Eagles team that doesn't seem to have any identity right now. I am willing to see that loss to the Seahawks as a fluke, and call me crazy, but I'm still not convinced that they are as good as people think they are right now. Remember, their one loss was to the Bungles. The Giants know their division is wide open, so they can't take any more weeks off like last week. New York Giants 23 Buffalo 19
Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh-Just when you think Pittsburgh is dead in the water, they humble an up and coming Tennessee team (albeit without Kenny Britt). Jacksonville may have beaten Tennessee in week 1, but don't let that fool you. Pittsburgh is angry right now and to call them underachievers is an understatement. They take care of business against the Jags. Pittsburgh 27 Jacksonville 13
Cleveland @ Oakland-Cleveland is coming off the bye and going to the Black Hole, home to one of the best rushing attacks in football right now with Darren McFadden (the guy Zach didn't want in MIISFFL...and Zach is leading the league in scoring right now). Cleveland is not that good right now. Neither really is Oakland, but this is as much a season for optimism as any right now for them. Oakland 24 Cleveland 17
Houston @ Baltimore-Houston without Mario Williams or Andre Johnson is ripe for the picking in Baltimore. No deep threat means more opportunities for that Baltimore defense to gamble when rushing Matt Schaub. No premier pass rusher means Joe Flacco will have more time to pick that secondary apart and give Ray Rice room to run the ball on the side that Mario would have been on. Baltimore 28 Houston 24
Dallas @ New England-So the Cowboys are going to bring the "kitchen sink" to New England when they face the Patriots, eh? That's cute. New England 41 Dallas 21
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay-So who are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Are the they team that started out 3-1 with a strong running game, above average passing attack, and defense that reminisces about the glory year of 2002? Or, are they the squad that was humiliated 48-3 in San Francicso last week? Playing the Saints, one would assume the latter would come out to play. The Bucs have a little more pride than that, though. I don't think they'll get blown out, but I don't think they'll win either. New Orleans 27 Tampa Bay 21
Minnesota @ Chicago-Of course, as predicted, the one time I pick against the Vikings this year, they actually win. I knew it was going to happen, but they had pushed me to the brink. I just could not bring myself to pick them. These two squads are now officially the also-rans of the NFC North, with both Detroit and Green Bay undefeated, the best these guys can hope for is a 6-seed in the NFC playoffs right now because the division is a pipe dream and you just know that one of those two will take the first wild card. Chicago has a better shot at that, but now the Vikings have rediscovered Adrian Peterson, look for him to carry the rock 30 times again. It worked the last time. Minnesota 24 Chicago 20
Miami @ New York Jets-The last time these two guys played on Monday Night Football in the Meadowlands, Jumbo Elliot scored a TD to cap off one of the most amazing comebacks in the history of football. An apropos reference considering that this is the year of the comeback. Miami is coming off a bye, but with no Chad Henne, an already inept offensive attack gets even weaker. The Jets D will be licking its chops. New York Jets 30 Miami 7
Alright, let's see if my blogosphere brethern will get back on the record this week......
Carolina @ Atlanta (-3.5): Undoubtedly getting out to a disappointing start, the Falcons need a win just in time to see the Panthers saunter into the Dirty Dirty. Atlanta had the defending champs dead-to-rights last week but couldn't pull the trigger and put them away. Carolina Cam is fiesty and not an easy out, so take the points and the Falcons to get back on the right side of the sporting ledger.
ReplyDeleteIndianapolis @ Cincinnati (-6.5): My Colts have been competitive in every game this year, even with the pathetic and paleolithic Kerry Collins and the inexperience Indianan Matt Painter under center. The neck of "Sweetness" isn't the only injury plaguing the Colts. Starting safety Melvin Bullitt and MLB Gary Brackett are on IR. RB Joseph Addai and rookie tackles Anthony Castonzo (offensive) and Drake Nevis (defensive) did not make the trip to Cincy. Still, this team has a lot of fight in them. Take the points and the road dog to win.
San Francisco @ Detroit (-4): The unexpected game of the day. Detroit could well be the best team in the NFL, and the Niners are quietly stating their case as the breakthrough team of the year. San Fran is getting it done with defense, allowing the second fewest points in the NFL. They're somehow also the sixth highest-scoring team in the league. As impressive as that is, through five games Detroit is only 11 points behind defensively and is 17 points ahead offensively. This all adds up to a close game - take the points, but the home team keeps on winning to move to 6-0.
St. Louis @ Green Bay (-14.5): The Rams are just about as decimated by injuries as the Colts are, with the only difference being they weren't expected to be contending for a Super Bowl - but perhaps their division at 9-7. Those dreams are gone, and now they're playing for Alshon Jeffrey or Justin Blackmon. The Packers roll, and I'm tempted to lay the 2+ TDs.
Buffalo @ New York Giants (-3): Another excellent matchup. The Giants, with the rest of the football universe, were stunned by Seattle's miraculous come-from-behind victory last week. Into the New Meadowlands comes the best team in the AFC East. Unfortunately for the Giants, this Bills team is scrappy, and as desperate to stay afloat as the G-Men are, I think Buffalo walks out 5-1. Take the points and the road dog to win straight up (again, though no homerism here).
Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh (-12.5): The Jags are horrible, and if that weren't enough they're starting a rookie quarterback. The Steelers got their mojo back against what we thought was a pretty good Titans team (albeit without their stud WR) last week, and I expect them to feast further on the AFC South's slim pickens. Take the Terrible Towel and lay the twelve and the hook.
Cleveland @ Oakland (-6.5): The Raiders are playing some good ball. While their defense isn't great, they're running the ball better than just about anybody and hitting on some deep bombs (as is their MO). Cleveland is a young team with a young (and in this guy's humble opinion, studly) QB that they're developing with some raw experience. The Black Hole is tough, and the Raiders have some momentum, so take them to win, but not by a TD. Take the points.
ReplyDeleteHouston @ Baltimore (-7): Houston gets their mojo back by taking it to the Joeverrated Flaccos. I'm not sure why this line is so big - Baltimore has already demonstrated their ability to be barely competitive against an AFC South team. I like Houston to win it, but even if Baltimore somehow pulls it out, it won't be by seven. Take the points and the road dog to win (a theme...)
Dallas @ New England (-6.5): Fuck these cheaters. The Romo Sapiens romp and the QSQB breaks his leg. I have decided this will be the pick until it comes to pass.
New Orleans (-6) @ Tampa Bay: Another good game with a pretty high number. Speaking of getting their mojo back, the Saints are feeling good after surviving a trip to Carolina, and their quietly on a four-game winning streak. The Bucs are reeling after being stunned and sodomized by those fairies from San Francisco. Unfortunately, I think the Saints will keep marching, so lay the points.
Minnesota @ Chicago (-2.5): Ugh, who cares? Take Chicago to win, lay the points.
Miami @ New York Jets (-7): Again, who cares? Matt Moore wasn't good enough for the Panthers, which makes him perfect for the Dolphins. The Jets win, but it's gonna be close, because they're not very good either. Take the points.
Philadelphia (-2.5) @ Washington: I think it's time for the 'Skins to tumble back to Earth. Their quarterback is, after all, Rex Grossman. This game could go one of two ways: either Washington does the unthinkable and all-but KOs the Iggles season, or Philly invades not-D.C. like they did a year ago and announces that they will not go quietly into the night, they will not vanish without a fight, that they're going to live on, they're going to survive. If only for the comic value, I think it's the latter. Lay the 2.5, because it's going to be a blood bath.