Sep 21 2019
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Neither Scott, nor myself got off to the blistering start we were hoping for. Mahomes’ sensational second quarter carried us both to a win, while the Vikings and Bengals made Scott and I, respectively, look like fools.

Last week: Scott 2-3; Nolan 3-2

Season: Scott 2-3; Nolan 3-2

Scott’s Picks

Buffalo Bills running back Josh Allen

Buffalo -6 vs. Cincinnati

I’m all aboard the Josh Allen train. He still has a ways to go as a passer, but I love his swagger and general demeanor. I worry that the Bills have played two dreadful teams, squeaking by the Jets before cruising past the lowly Giants. However, the Bengals looked like the worst team in football aside from the Dolphins last week, so I’m banking on the Bills to pull out the touchdown victory. But it wouldn’t surprise me if the Bengals come out guns ablaze because they are such an enigma.

LA Rams -3 at Cleveland

I think the jury is still out on the Browns. They are super talented, but something is definitely missing and Baker Mayfield has looked…disappointing. Also, I don’t think Freddie Kitchens is the guy to lead Cleveland out of its decades of misery. Meanwhile, the Rams are kind of flying under the radar for some reason. They remain one of the best teams in the NFC and the Browns won’t be able to keep up.

New England -21.5 vs. NY Jets

This pains me to say, but the Patriots might have the best defense they’ve ever had. I know, I know. They have played the Steelers, who evidently suck, and the Dolphins, who suck at previously unexplored levels. But this defense looks scary good with only three points allowed total. And the Jets are trotting out Luke Falk at QB, who couldn’t even make the Titans roster. This line is huge, but I don’t foresee the Pats having any issues with that, especially if their defense is going to keep scoring points.

Arizona -2 vs. Carolina

Kliff Kingsbury is not a good coach. For all his alleged genius as an offensive playcaller, Kingsbury coached a scared and conservative game against the Ravens, ultimately thwarting any chance of pulling off an upset. However, this Cardinals team is frisky in spite of their coach’s best efforts to undermine them. I think Arizona will hang around and make things interesting in the fourth quarter like they have so far this season. Also, Carolina is not good; Cam Newton is broken and it wouldn’t surprise me if they lost this game to fall to 0-3.

Kansas City -5.5 vs. Baltimore

I don’t feel great about this pick. However, this is the best game of the week by miles and I want some skin in the game. Mahomes vs. Jackson is appointment viewing and this should be a downright awesome game to watch. I give the edge to Mahomes, because he has turned throwing touchdown passes into an artform. I predict that the Chiefs win by a touchdown and everyone that watches this game wins for bearing witness.  

Nolan’s Picks

Seattle -4.5 vs. New Orleans

I’m just not a believer in Teddy Bridgewater. He looked bad last week and horrible in his one start last season. Can you guess when his last start before that was? January 3rd, 2016. He threw for 99 yards in that game. I’m not even going to go into New Orleans’ constant whining about the officiating.

This is the year the general public finally appreciates Russell Wilson’s greatness. Give me Seattle at home.

Oakland +9 at Minnesota

I’ll be honest: the Raiders have impressed me thus far. Granted, the bar is as low They handled the Broncos in Week 1 and held the Chiefs scoreless in three quarters last week. I think Minnesota’s Week 1 over Atlanta will only grow stranger as time passes. This game has backdoor cover written all over it and I could even see the Raiders possibly stealing a win.

Green Bay -7 vs. Denver

Green Bay is 2-0 and their offense hasn’t even fully gelled yet. The revamped defense is legit; Denver isn’t topping 13 points. Rodgers went 5-2 against the Bears during Fangio’s tenure, despite Rodgers playing like Andy Dalton and Eli Manning.

Indianapolis -1.5 vs. Atlanta

If the Adam Vinatieri hadn’t forgot how to kick, we’d be talking about an undefeated Colts team. And if the Julio Jones hadn’t taken a screen pass 53 yards for a touchdown, we’d be talking about a winless Falcons team. Nearly every single offensive player on the Eagles got hurt last week — not to mention Malik Jackson’s injury the week before — and the Falcons still barely won.

Yet the line indicates Vegas thinks the Falcons are the better team? Matty Ice is ice cold to start the year and is not worth my time to create a better pun. I’m feelin’ a pick-six by Rock Ya-Sin and a Colts win.

Houston +3 at LA Chargers

A team led by Deshaun Watson is getting points? Against a team that just lost to Matt Patricia? Yes, please.

Oh god, I just realized I bet on two AFC South teams and Jon Gruden. This could end poorly.

Posted inFootball NFL
Tagsarizona cardinals buffalo bills green bay packers houston texans indianapolis colts kansas city chiefs los angeles rams new england patriots oakland raiders seattle seahawks

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