After 6 weeks I am a staggering 51-41. And when I say "staggering" I don't "surprising." More like staggering drunk. But tonight I have a secret weapon: I am making my picks for the week while watching the Presidential Debate. So watch out, board leaders, I am coming after you this week!
Now before I get to my picks, let's look at the two teams on a bye week. If before the season started someone told you that in week 7 the Panthers and Cowboys would be on a bye, one at 5-1 and the other 1-5, most of us would have assumed the Panthers were 5-1 and the Cowboys 1-5. And yet...it's the other way around. And THAT is why I love the NFL!
One to my picks!
Bears @ Packers: Packers. This game is just one more reason to hate the color rush fiasco. These two teams have some of the most classic uniforms in the NFL, and the league is throwing that away with color rush. I hope they knock that
off next year.
Giants @ Rams: Giants. I've registered my objections to this game above. From a practical standpoint the Giants have a great advantage in the sense they are just 4 hours removed from their home time zone as opposed to 7 for the Rams. Seems flying from the East Coast to London is a lot easier than the West Coast. You know what would be better? Not flying to London at all!
Saints @ Chiefs: Chiefs. Can a team have some momentum behind them with only one win? The Chiefs right now have the feel of a team on the brink of a run. Their defense will have its work cut out for it against that Saints offense, but they have a lot working to their advantage. Playing at home on the heels of a big win over a rival is a nice place to start.
Colts @ Titans: Colts. The Titans really do look like they're on the brink of putting it together, but as is often the case with such team there are setbacks. The Colts are far better on offense than the Titans, but the Titans defense is a cut above the Colts. In a good matchup like this, I'm inclined to give the team with Andrew Luck on it the benefit of the doubt.
Vikings @ Eagles: Vikings. Both defenses are playing lights out ball, and the Vikings are looking decent on offense with a retread while the Eagles have a rookie QB that looked great to start, but has since stumbled. I trust a veteran like Bradford going against a stout defense over a rookie going against a stout defense.
Browns @ Bengals: Bengals. This is another opportunity for the Browns to avoid an 0-16 season. The Bengals are struggling and Marvin Lewis has admitted he misses Hue Jackson. I imagine after the Bengals win, Jackson will shake Lewis' hand and give the obligatory bro hug and whisper, "Good to see you again, Marvin. Tell the wife I said hello. I uh...may be available at the end of the season..."
Redskins @ Lions: Redskins. The Redskins have some serious momentum and are becoming a complete offense with the way they are suddenly running the ball. To top it off, their defense appears to have steadily improved in the past few weeks as well.
Raiders @ Jaguars: Raiders. Despite the 4-2 start, I question the Raiders ability to get it done on defense. The Chiefs have been inconsistent on offense and in horrid weather conditions rolled up a nice 26 points on that Raiders D. Their offense will keep them in front of a lot of the lesser teams, though, and the Jaguars are definitely a lesser team.
Bills @ Dolphins: Bills. The Bills are playing pretty solid defense, and they lead the league in rushing on offense. The Dolphins are 31st against the run. That's bad news for the home team.
Ravens @ Jets: Ravens. The Jets just made a switch at QB. Geno Smith. The Ravens defense has got to be licking their chops.
Buccaneers @ 49ers: 49ers. I don't know why. I just have a hunch.
Chargers @ Falcons: Falcons. The Falcons traded blow with the Seahawks in Seattle and fell just short. The Chargers had a potential game-saving season win over the Broncos but now have to square off with a pretty hot Falcons team. Don't let the Chargers record fool you though. And if you like scoring consider tuning in to this one.
Patriots @ Steelers: Patriots. This game lost a lot of luster with the news of Roethlisberger's surgery. The Patriots catch a bit of a break with this one, but they'd have been in it either way. And I won't count out the Steelers entirely, even with Landry Jones at QB. The Patriots take this one, and it has huge playoff implications later in the season.
Seahawks @ Cardinals: Seahawks. The Cardinals are rebounding after a slow start but now they have the Seahawks to contend with. The Seahawks had a slow start and are still 4-1, and now they are humming on all cylinders. Coming off a bye, they are going to be hard to stop.
Texans @ Broncos: Broncos. I don't think the Broncos defense has forgotton Osweiler's "best chance to win" comment shortly after he signed with the Texans. And it turns out the Broncos are just as well without Oz: Siemian and Lynch combined have better production than Osweiler through 6 games.
And those are my picks. I hope everyone has a great week 7!