NFL Week 5: Cream is Rising
One quarter of the season is complete. Each game counts more now. Injuries may tell the story as much as talent does.
NFL Quick Hitters:
Stupidest pick of the week - I picked the Packers over Vikings. I’m all in on the Vikings. I was last week but for some reason I talked myself into picking the Packers. They were at home and Lambeau is a difficult place to play. They can run the ball. Their defense is good. They have a good coaching staff and are prepared for every game. But the Vikings are just a better team. Won’t make that mistake a gain.
Raiders vs. Davante Adams - Please, let’s try and not manage our personnel decisions on social media. Adams is gone. He’s talented. But he’s not a Raiders at heart. He’s asked for a trade and looks like he will get one. Raiders may be the second worse managed team in the league. The quicker they trade Adams and move on the better for all.
Chiefs - Win. Again. And again. They aren’t playing great but they are winning. They’re the opposite of the Jets. The opposite of the Jaguars. The opposite of the Cowboys. They have talent. Play as a team. And have a high football IQ as a team. They won’t beat themselves
Ravens got their mojo back again - Ravens have a 2 -2 record. But they can make good teams look terrible. Powerful running. Dominate defense. Lamar Jackson doing whatever he chose to do. They don’t have the best record but they are playing the best. And they may have the best talent. They just have to win the big games at teh end of the year. Probably the game in Kansas City. If they win they’ll crush whoever they meet in the Super Bowl.
Worse loss of the week - Jets. Bad conditions. Tight game. 13 penalties. This is the kind of game that Aaron Rodgers is suppose to make a difference. Guess at 40 a little magic is gone. Or maybe he’s just getting a little Jet-itis.
NFL Games: Week 5
Last week’s totals: 11 - 5: That’s better.
Season’s totals: 38 - 26
Survivor pick/Lock of the week: (current streak 1) Vikings
(Oh, and if you use these picks - or the fantasy lineup at the bottom - to gamble do so at your own risks. I’m a ‘gut feel’ type of picker. I don’t do a computer analysis.)
Thursday Night Game
Buccaneers vs. Falcons - Buccaneers are a mess. One week they look like world beaters and the next they look unprepared, uninterested, and like they’ll never win a game again. Lat week they were world beaters. This week they lose. Falcons win.
Sunday Games
Jets vs. Vikings - The Vikings are a better team. They have a better coaching staff. They will be more prepared. Vikings win.
Panthers vs. Bears - Caleb Williams looks like he is slowly starting to get it. The Bears defense is tough and the Panthers are ineffective on offense even with Dalton at QB. Bears win.
Ravens vs. Bengals - This is tougher than you might think. It’s a conference game. This means both teams know each other and neither is intimidated. Bengals will score some points but their defense is top notch. Ravens run the ball at will. Ravens win.
Bills vs. Texans - This is a good game. It’ll be competitive. Bills need it more though after being smacked around by the Ravens. Josh Allen puts on the cape. Bills win.
Colts vs. Jaguars - Jaguars are in desperate need of a win. Trevor Lawrence is in desperate need of a good game. He needs to get his mojo back. Lawrence plays well. Jaguars win.
Dolphins vs. Patriots - Still no QB for the Dolphins. Why they didn’t have a decent backup with Tua’s history of injury was a huge gamble and stupid decision. Patriots win in an ugly game.
Browns vs. Commanders - Commanders (Sorry Vikings) are the surprise team of the early season. Great young QB. Great team chemistry. Good leaders on all levels including the coaching staff. Commanders win.
Raiders vs. Broncos - This game is going to be another ugly one. Raiders a usual have a weird team chemistry right now. They have some talent on defense. Broncos are grinders. They play tough defense and as long as they don’t make offensive mistakes they will be in most games. They hang around and win it at the end. Broncos win.
Cardinals vs. 49ers - Cardinals can be explosive. They have talent but no discipline. 49ers are beat up but get the victory. 49ers win.
Packers vs. Rams - I still have faith in Matthew Stafford. I still think the Rams are young, talented, and well coached. They are short-handed though. Packers win.
Giants vs. Seahawks - Seahawks are a tough team. They show up and play and compete each week. Seahawks win.
Cowboys vs. Steelers - Steelers defense is too good. Watts goes crazy in this one. Cowboys are missing some key pieces. Steelers win.
Monday Night Game
Saints vs. Chiefs - Saints play hard. Chiefs play smart. Mahomes plays smart and well. Chiefs win another close one.
My FanDuel lineup: (Last week score 130.3, +$25) Purdy, Henry, Harris, Aiyuk, McLaurin, Kirk, Gesicki, Walker III, Patriots
If you want to check out some great reading list and see which books have influenced, surprised, educated, and entertained me, check out my book shop here. The lists grow monthly and I don’t recommend any books I haven’t personally read. Or use my book recommendation engine and specific author chatbots. Check it out. It’s fun.