Well, we found out who’s the real GOAT during Week 10. Not Aaron Rodgers nor Tom Brady. Yes, Nick Mullens. While I’m only half joking, Mullens looked legit for a guy that wasn’t even on the active roster until Jimmy G tore his ACL. It may be that the Raiders are TERRIBLE but we’ll see this week if he can replicate the same success. If Mullens finishes the second-half of the year on a tear, could we see another Brady-Bledsoe situation? Too soon? Ok, I thought so. Maybe they’ll trade him to Dallas for an actual good QB... Anyway, bring on Week 10!
Week 9 Prediction Record: 10-3
Total Prediction Record: 86-46-2
Week 9 Awards:
Most Entertaining Game: Rams vs Saints
Upset of the Week: Titans over Cowboys
Player of the Week: Michael Thomas, WR, NO (12 REC for 211 yards, 1 TD)
Team of the Week: San Francisco 49ers
Rookie of the Week: Roquan Smith, LB, Bears (13 tackles, 1 FF)
OC Norv Turner has constructed an electric offense that is a perfect fit for Cam Newton in his most efficient season yet (19 total TDs, 4 INTs). Curtis Samuel, Greg Olsen, DJ Moore, Devin Funchess, and Christian McCaffrey all contributed in a dominating first-half against Tampa Bay. Since the fourth quarter against Philly, the Panthers have been unstoppable. Can they keep it up in primetime against Big Ben’s Steelers. The key matchup will be Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster matched against James Bradberry and rookie Donte Jackson. Mike Evans had just one catch vs Bradberry but Brown is simply another animal. Both teams have momentum and this is truly a toss up game for me. Some players you can’t pick against and when Cam plays great, the Panthers can’t be beat.
Carolina Panthers 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 23
The Redskins need this game BADLY. Yeah, I know they have the lead in the East but the Eagles are gaining ground. The good news for the Skins is that they control their own destiny. Two matchups against Philly will almost certainly decide the division. The bad news is that they’ll be without three offensive starters for the remainder of the year: Brandon Sheriff, Shawn Lauvao, and Paul Richardson are all gone. This needs to be a revelation game for the man known as “All Day.” I’m sure Josh Norman and Ryan Kerrigan would love to have a bounce back game. Will we see Fitzmagic or FitzTragic? The answer will likely determine the outcome of this game. Despite the Skins being the better team, I can’t see Washington’s offense keeping up for a full sixty minutes. Bucs stay alive in the Wild Card hunt.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, Washington Redskins 23
The Cardinals are a mess. The Chiefs have scored at least 27 points in every game this year. Hmmm..I wonder what will happen? While David Johnson continues to struggle in Arizona, Kansas City’s Kareem Hunt is dominating the headlines with an AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. Since coming into the league, he has been a revelation. Arizona has a bottom five run defense and a top five passing defense so if I’m the Chiefs, I’m running this offense through Kareem Hunt and Spencer Ware. There is almost no way the Cardinals win this one.
Kansas City Chiefs 38, Arizona Cardinals 15
Both of these teams are not very good. Sam Darnold has regressed after a solid start to the season. He has been “playing stupid” (his words, not mine) as he has a 2:7 touchdown to interception ratio in the last three games. However, Nathan Peterman is on the other sideline. With that said, put a “W” in the Jets win column.
New York Jets 16, Buffalo Bills 10
I’m giving Jacksonville one last chance to show me that they can turn it around. The Colts are a trendy pick to turn things around. After all, running back Marlon Mack has been playing fantastic and tight end Jack Doyle is finally healthy and gives Indy a one-two punch with Eric Ebron. It seems like the sixth seed in the AFC is probably the only spot up for grabs as the Texans have taken a stronghold on the division, maintaining a two game cushion. My gut says the Colts win but I have a feeling that the Jaguars have one last surge left to make a run.
Jacksonville Jaguars 23, Indianapolis Colts 21
This game should be another shootout in the dome. AJ Green isn’t playing for Cinci due to a toe injury so Tyler Boyd and John Ross will need to carry the load. The Bengals have played well against NFC South foes, sporting a 2-1 record and scoring at least 37 points in two of three contests so far. The Saints may be the best team in the league. Now, they get another potential stud in Dez Bryant, the former Cowboy. New Orleans already looked scary but if Dez can get back to his old form...watch out. This will be a back and forth game but the Saints are darn near unstoppable in the Dome so Brees and Co should take this one.
New Orleans Saints 34, Cincinnati Bengals 30
Huge, huge game. This is when the divisional games “count for two” as the old adage goes. I really like the Bears D at home against a struggling Lions offense. Jordan Howard has been on a tear lately and should look to dominate again. Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook has his best game of the season as he mixed in a 70 yard run. Howard and Cohen should have no issues in exposing the run D of Detroit. This is a game Chicago needs if they want to be considered as top NFC threats.
Chicago Bears 20, Detroit Lions 17
After starting 1-4, the Falcons still have potential to get into the playoffs. It won’t be easy as they will almost certainly fail to win the division. However, they get an interesting battle against Cleveland. Baker Mayfield has been solid all season long for Cleveland. Of course, he has made mistakes but what rookie doesn’t? The Browns will need a gargantuan effort from their defense to stave off Tevin Coleman, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and the offensive onslaught of the Atlanta Falcons. I could see a potential #UpsetSpecial as Atlanta will play back to back road games. I’m not pulling the trigger but keep an eye on this one.
Atlanta Falcons 31, Cleveland Browns 19
Oakland is the worst team in the league with the exception of maybe Buffalo. With identical records, the 49ers trashed the Raiders on TNF. The Chargers only two losses have come to the Chiefs and Rams. No shame in that. This game should be an absolute cakewalk for the visitors.
Los Angeles Chargers 35, Oakland Raiders 14
Cordarrelle Patterson continues to impress in New England. His five carries for 51 yards and a TD helped propel the Pats to yet another victory as they find new ways to win. Meanwhile, Josh Gordon dominated with 130 yards receiving and a key touchdown to seal the game. The Pats will need to watch out for Tennessee which has a strong defense led by Pro Bowler Kevin Byard (who’s T.O. imitation on the Dallas star was hilarious). The Titans are hot and cold but when Mariota plays efficient, this team is hard to beat. This is the best that Tennessee had played all season with the exception of the Eagles game at Nissan Stadium. Dion Lewis should be a big factor if Mike Vrabel’s team looks to stun New England. The Titans D will keep things in hand but ultimately, Tommy Boy gets it done once again.
New England Patriots 26, Tennessee Titans 15
So much for the undefeated season. Not only that but the Rams are in danger of losing the number one seed. The Saints look unstoppable and if they get home-field instead of LA, it’s a wrap. Seattle came dangerously close to sending the game to overtime vs the Chargers but came just a tad short. Make no mistake, the Rams are going to be fine. This was a predictable loss. It is concerning how bad their secondary has played and that could spell doom in the playoffs with potential quarterbacks in Drew Brees, Cam Newton, and Kirk Cousins that can throw the lights out. The Seahawks are in their “make or break” stretch right now. They still have games remaining vs the Vikings, Chiefs, Panthers, and Packers. They’ll need to win a few of those to stay alive in the Wild Card chase. At home, the Rams should be able to get on track.
Los Angeles Rams 34, Seattle Seahawks 26
Green Bay had a chance to make a statement on Sunday Night. Then Aaron Jones coughed up the ball as any possible momentum caved. The Packers may have to “run the table” again to make the playoffs. Although I wouldn’t bet against A-Rod, this will be a tough task. At 3-4-1, they are anything but done. However, after this they travel to Minnesota and Seattle in consecutive weeks which will be a challenge. Miami could be back in the postseason if things go right. They get winnable games with Indianapolis, Buffalo (2x), and Jacksonville by the time that Tannehill is scheduled to return. Win all of those and you are looking at a 9-7 or 10-6 record which should be enough in the AFC. An upset would go a long way for Miami but on the road...no sir.
Green Bay Packers 27, Miami Dolphins 16
Personally, I think Philly is about to turn it on. Dallas is not a good team. Their defense is fine but their offense is putrid. I don’t care what Jerry Jones or Jason Garrett say. Dak IS THE PROBLEM. Until they get a new quarterback or at least a new OC, the Cowboys will continue to struggle. Meanwhile, Philly’s offense just got a whole lot better with YAC monster Golden Tate, acquired via trade from Detroit. Him, Alshon Jeffery, and Zach Ertz looks pretty good with Carson Wentz under center. This should and will be a statement game for the Eagles. Domination is coming. Although the teams have split the season series five years in a row so who knows. The NFC East is like that. Total unpredictability.
Philadelphia Eagles 30, Dallas Cowboys 20
Two teams with high expectations. Two teams that didn’t live up to those expectations. The Niners have a little bit of an excuse due to the injuries to Jimmy G and Jerick McKinnon. The Giants...not so much. On paper, their offense should be nice. OBJ, Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard, and Saquon Barkley. Hmmm...what about the QB? It is obvious that Eli Manning is on a decline and he won’t be improving anytime soon. It is already tank season yet again for Big Blue. San Fran has some serious momentum, abit a little too late. However, I say that Nick Mullens continues his HISTORIC, HEROIC career with a WIN on Monday Night. P.S. start George Kittle in fantasy.
San Francisco 49ers 24, New York Giants 19
Game of the Week: Panthers at Steelers
Upset of the Week: None
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