NFL Week 6: It's All Serious Now
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:
Surprising win of the week - Giants beat the Seahawks in Seattle. That’s suppose to be hard to do. The Giants are well coached. They have just lacked talent over the last few years especially on the O-line. But they had a good draft. Defense plays strong. They compete. String together another couple of good drafts and they’ll be contenders again.
Vikings Special Teams - They did their best to lose this game. Critical penalty on a punt return pins the Vikings deep just before the half. it leads to a touchdown for the Jets. Suddenly, 17 - 0 is 17 - 7 and the Jets have life. Later a stupid roughing the kicker penalty - in the end zone - leads to another Jets touchdown. Key penalties kept thet Jets in a game that wasn’t really competitive. Vikings found a way to overcome their mistakes and win. Vikings are for real. Jets are average at best.
Joe Burrow - He played great until one mistake cost the game. And yes, it’s never just one person or one play but c’mon, if he doesn’t throw the pick, worse case scenario, they run off another minute and kick a field goal. Game over. He’s still one of my favorites to watch. Lamar Jackson made some late mistakes after a game of brilliance but this time he pulled it out with an assist from the Bengals kicker missing a field goal that would’ve won the game. Unless Jackson gets hurt the Ravens are the team to beat. Better luck next year for the Bengals.
Saleh fired - It’s another example of how the Jets are one of the worse run organizations in football. Has Robert Saleh been great? No. Doesn’t mean he should have been fired because the owner had a hissy fit. The Jets will not be a serious organization until they develop some continuity in their organization. 5 coaches in the last 11 years? You can’t win with that type of turnover. Jets remain losers.
Worse loss of the week - Jets. Again. Got their coach fired. Rodgers throws 3 interceptions. One that sealed the victory for the Vikings. They looked incompetent on offense. They play in a weak division, so they still have a chance but they are not a championship level team.
NFL Games: Week 6
Last week’s totals: 9 - 5: That’s better. Starting to figure these teams out.
Season’s totals: 47 - 31
Survivor pick/Lock of the week: (current streak 2) Texans
(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
49ers vs. Seahawks - This will be close. Purdy hasn’t lost to the Seahawks but they are still beat up. McCaffrey makes a difference and he’s not back yet. 49ers play well but Seahawks bounce back. Seahawks win.
Sunday Games
Jaguars vs. Bears - I’m going to give the Jaguars the benefit of the doubt here. Bears are improving but I think experience pulls it out for the Jags. Lawrence looked good last week. I expect two good performances in a row from him. Jags win.
Commanders vs. Ravens - Smart money is on the Ravens. They’re at home and NFC teams don’t do well against Lamar Jackson. But the Ravens are coming off of an emotional win. Probably a game they should’ve lost. I’m riding the Commanders band wagon and against all odds. Washington wins.
Cardinals vs. Packers - Close game. Love is finally getting the reps he needs this season and is feeling healthy. Packs win.
Texans vs. Patriots - Rumors are Patriots will start Drake Maye this week. Texans win big.
Buccaneers vs. Saints - Saints are at home but could be starting a young, inexperienced backup QB. Buccaneers win.
Browns vs. Eagles - Eagles get A.J. Brown bac. He makes a big difference. Browns are close to collapsing. Eagles win big.
Colts vs. Titans - This qualifies for the ‘Who cares’ game. Well, I care. It’s NFL football. Titans are at home. Colts are banged up. Titans win.
Chargers vs. Broncos - Good game. Tough to play in Denver. Broncos defense is excellent. Chargers aren’t healthy. Broncos win.
Steelers vs. Raiders - Raiders rival the Jets for the worse run franchise. They don’t have a QB. They don’t have any offensive talent. Adams is on the way out. T. J. Watt goes wild. Steelers win.
Falcons vs. Panthers - Panthers are right there with Raiders and the Jets for worse run teams. Falcons get on a roll and dominate. Another big game for Cousins. Falcons win.
Lions vs. Cowboys - Lions still feel their game with the Cowboys was stolen from them last year. Probably was. They’re physical. Physical teams have dominated the Cowboys lately. Lions pound the boys. Lions win.
Bengals vs. Giants - Bengals defense is so bad they are a long shot to win any game. Giants are improving. But I beleive Burrows has another big game and out scores the Giants. Bengals win.
Monday Night Game
Bills vs. Jets - This is a division game and division games are usually close. Bills desperately need a win. But so do the Jets. Often times teams get a one-week boost of energy after major changes. See the Panthers. But Josh Allen bounces back against the Jets and their tough defense. Bills win a tight one.
My FanDuel lineup: (Last week score (my worse score ever) 111.96, -$15) Burrow, Gibbs, Hubbard, Harrison, McLaurin, London, Freiermuth, Tolbert, Buccaneers
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.