After taking my annual midseason hiatus to bowl and recharge, the weekly picks column has returned. I’d like to say I matched Russell Wilson’s 19 hours of rehab per day to get back here, but the truth is my recovery process was closer to that of Aaron Rodgers.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know Lauren, Scott and I continued to make our weekly picks. Here’s how we fared in Weeks 7-9.
Lauren
- Week 7: 3-2
- Week 8: 3-2
- Week 9: 2-3
Scott
- Week 7: 3-2
- Week 8: 3-2
- Week 9: 1-4
Nolan
- Week 7: 2-2-1
- Week 8: 2-2-1
- Week 9: 2-3
Overall
- Lauren: 23-21-1
- Scott: 23-20-2
- Nolan: 20-22-3
We’re getting close to the point where I’ll need to start picking against the grain in an attempt to make up ground. My gross picks will become even grosser. Future Nolan, I bid you well.
Onto Week 10, as always using the Vegas Insider consensus lines! (This was not planned, but Lauren and Scott picked the same five games, differing on two of them — including their own team!)
Lauren’s Picks
Tennessee -3 vs. New Orleans
L.A. Chargers -3 vs. Minnesota
Denver -1 vs. Philadelphia
Green Bay -3 vs. Seattle
L.A. Rams -3.5 at San Francisco
Scott’s Picks
New Orleans +3 at Tennessee
Minnesota +3 at L.A. Chargers
Denver -1.5 vs. Philadelphia
Green Bay -3 vs. Seattle
L.A. Rams -3.5 at San Francisco
Nolan’s Picks
Buffalo -13 at N.Y. Jets
I don’t know what happened last week with Jacksonville, but I can’t see it happening again.
Indianapolis -10 vs. Jacksonville
I don’t know what happened last week with Jacksonville, but I can’t see it happening again.
Tampa Bay -9.5 at Washington
The Football Team is not much of a football team. The defending champs get it done by double digits.
Carolina +10 at Arizona
The Cardinals will likely be without Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins again this week. I don’t see the Colt McCoy gameplay sneaking up on the Panthers like it did against SF last week.
Oh, and the Panthers activated Cam Newton. That sounds like fun to root for.
L.A. Rams -3.5 at San Francisco
The Niners just lost by a hundred to a Cardinals team without Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. I’d take the Rams even if they hadn’t added OBJ and Von Miller.
Five Things to Watch
1. New Stars In Hollywood
The NFL is truly burying the lede by scheduling the Rams on Monday night. Two weeks ago, Los Angeles traded for Super Bowl 50 MVP, Von Miller, but he has yet to suit up as a Ram. This week, they added Odell Beckham Jr. The move surprised many, as Beckham Jr. was expected to join a team with a less solidified target tree, but in the wake of Robert Woods’ torn ACL, the Rams superfluous addition suddenly looks serendipitous.
The film grinders, and Odell Beckham Sr., will tell you OBJ still has plenty of juice; his stat sheets from Cleveland indicate the former megastar has regressed. I find myself siding with the former, and believe Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford will unlock the OBJ’s premier talents in the way Baker Mayfield did/could not.
2. The Return of Super Cam
To replace the replacement for Cam Newton’s replacement, the Carolina Panthers signed… Cam Newton, or something like that. Whatever the backwards ass, short-sighted, owner-driven process to get here, I’m glad we’re here.
Newton ruffles feathers like few others in professional sports. And when he’s healthy, he is capable of feats on a football field like few others, especially with perhaps the best cast of receiving talent of his entire career. Newton’s given us multiple years of evidence that the toll his body has taken has likely reached a point of no return, but here’s to hoping the 32-year-old has a few signatures highlights left in him.
3. Cleveland at New England
Browns-Patriots is the most consequential game of the week in terms of playoff seeding. ESPN’s Brian Burke tabulates about 30% of playoff probability is at stake for each team.
Kevin Stefanski was able to scheme up enough offense in Cleveland’s first game without Beckham Jr., but will he be able to devise a game plan capable of upending a Bill Belichick defense?
I think Nick Chubb missing this game is more of a spiritual loss than a practical one, especially considering D’Ernest Johnson excellent start a few weeks ago, but the Browns offense has bled talent in recent weeks. Despite Kevin Stefanski’s ability to scheme up offense last week, the loss of talent has to add up at some point, potentially this week against a Bill Belichick defense.
4. HoF QBs Return in the Snow
Though we came quite close to witnessing a battle between Jordan Love and Geno Smith, it will be Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson who will suit up at snowy Lambeau Field. The Seahawks are in danger of falling out of the NFC playoff picture with a couple more losses, while Rodgers, on the other hand, will be facing shots from all over the place, from the Seahawks defense to the woke mob — pretty much from everywhere except a vaccine distributor.
5. The Weaponless Offenses
New Orleans is starting a third or fourth stringers at wide receiver, running back and quarterback, depending on your definition of Taysom Hill. Though Julio Jones joined Derrick Henry on IR this week, the Titans still have Ryan Tannehill and AJ Brown. However, the Saints boast one of the few defenses that matter.
Something tells me this game be one we are talking about on Monday. The Titans are the lone AFC contender who has not fallen flat on their face over the past few weeks. They could be due for a letdown, or perhaps they are about to cement their status as the AFC’s top dog.