With the Miami Dolphins not only losing to the New England Patriots but losing badly, it’s difficult to see the Pats’ undefeated streak coming to an end until their old enemy the New York Giants show up on the schedule in two weeks. Once again, it’s up to Eli Manning to save all of us from an undefeated Patriots team. I would trust no one else to do it.
The bad news for the Dolphins extends outside of the loss, with Cameron Wake tore his Achilles and is out for the rest of the season. This just two weeks after he’d finally shown up.
As always, I’ll mention my survivor pool picks as I go.
Byes: Bills, Eagles, Redskins and Jaguars
Early Games
Detroit at Kansas City (-3.5) in London at 9:30 a.m. EST
Man, you’ve got to hate it for these London football fans that they’re continually stuck with these ass games, but considering they’re usually watching soccer, anything is probably an exciting step up. Lions 17, Chiefs 14
Tampa Bay at Atlanta (-7)
The Bucs crumbled in the fourth quarter last week as you’d expect a young, inexperienced and poorly-coached team to do. The Falcons barely hung on to beat a scrappy team late, just as you’d expect a well-coached team to do. I guess you see where I’m going here. Falcons 24, Buccaneers 10 (survivor pool pick)
Arizona at Cleveland (+6)
Josh McCown gets the starting nod again for the Browns and that’s probably all you need to know about this game. Cardinals 44, Browns 9 (survivor pool pick)
San Francisco at St. Louis (-8)
That is the line you give a team that has proven themselves killers in the past. This Rams team has done no such thing. Yes, it’s the 49ers, but unless the Rams coaches have suddenly fixed their offensive line issues, that might be a little high. But then I see Colin Kaepernick and Jim Tomsula on the other sideline and I suddenly feel a lot more confident. Rams 24, 49ers 13 (survivor pool pick)
New York Giants at New Orleans (-3)
The old Sean Payton and Drew Brees-led Saints are a different monster at home, but this isn’t that team. Yes, they’ve played better and made themselves a factor in the early NFC race, but this is a home game for somebody else too, Odell Beckham Jr. OBJ is in for a monster night in front of his friends, family and every fourth and fifth cousin in the state. Giants 27, Saints 24
Minnesota at Chicago (+1)
The Vikings have cruised against some bad teams to get to their 4-2 record. The Bears have looked rough, but their coaching staff had an extra week to prepare for this game. That should count for something. Somebody buy Jay Cutler a fresh pack of Kool’s because he’ll need them. Bears 27, Vikings 23
San Diego at Baltimore (-3.5)
Man, oh man, didn’t this game look like a good one back in August. The Ravens are out of the AFC race, but they can still be trouble for any team that plays them. All their losses are by six, four, four, three, five and eight points. Baltimore is one play away per game from being undefeated. The Chargers actually show up on the road, so this is legitimately tough pick. Ravens 24, Chargers 23
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (-1)
The line seems to think Ben Roethlisberger’s return after sitting (or standing as it were) for the last five weeks will make a huge impact. I’m not sure he’ll be back in playing shape and certainly not in good enough shape to beat the Bengals. Bengals 30, Steelers 23
Tennessee at Houston (Even)
No Marcus Mariota again is all you need to know in this game. There seems to be a push in the media for the Texans to trade J.J. Watt and I keep reading all the scenarios where it would work. You know who it wouldn’t work for, no matter what they get for him? Houston. He’s the face of the franchise. Anybody mentioning a Watt trade is just talking out of their ass. Texans 17, Titans 6 (survivor pool pick)
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Late Games
New York Jets at Oakland (+3)
The Jets had every opportunity to beat the Patriots last week and literally let them all slip through their hands. This could be a good time to catch them in their hangover. Raiders 20, Jets 17
Seattle at Dallas (+5.5)
You can keep predicting that the Seahawks are out of it all you want, but as long as their schedule keeps serving up delicious desserts like this, they aren’t going anywhere. Seahawks 31, Cowboys 13 (survivor pool pick)
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Sunday Night
Green Bay at Denver (+2.5)
Our first match up of undefeated teams since Week One and it’s a great one. The Packers come in as a 2.5-point favorite and you can’t blame the books for that one. This will be the best defense Green Bay has faced since the Rams in Week Five so that will count for something. The problem for the Broncos is they haven’t faced a defense (or an offense) as good as the Packers’ all season. Packers 27, Broncos 19
Monday Night
Indianapolis at Carolina (-7)
The Colts get their second chance to knock an undefeated team off its pedestal and a second chance to blow it completely. Panthers 31, Colts 24
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 8-6
Against the spread: 7-7
Survivor pool picks: 3-1
Overall
Straight up: 63-42
Against the spread: 58-47
Survivor pool pick: 24-8
