So, more problems with my web host.
I did a draft of my picks list last night and saved it. Came back to it today. No problem.
Spent a few hours writing a long intro piece about the players returning from suspensions this week. Saved the draft. Came back to it later, and the entire intro piece was gone. For some reason, it didn't save.
So now that's gone into the ether.
It's been a frustrating couple of weeks, folks.
Oh well, at least I still have my picks.
Here's a warning in advance, though; I'm bucking some trends again this week. I like doing that. Keeps things interesting.
Winners in Bold:
Sunday
Tennessee at Buffalo
Tennessee seems to be gelling under Mike Vrabel. Marcus Mariota is healthy again. Buffalo is still Buffalo.
Atlanta at Pittsburgh
Atlanta isn't supposed to win this. Their defence is in tatters due to injuries, and their offence isn't supposed to be any good on grass. Pittsburgh's defence hasn't been any good on any surface this year. I think Atlanta is due to win one of these shootouts, after losing the past two.
Denver at NYJ
Even though they're far away from Mile High, I think Denver is just better on both sides of the ball than Gang Green.
Jacksonville at Kansas City
Possibly the game of the week. KC is the popular pick. I'm skeptical, though. Patrick Mahomes has had it pretty easy in terms of the defences he's faced thus far, and this past Monday, Denver was able to get pressure on him, causing him to struggle at times. Jacksonville's defence can get pressure on the QB without dedicating extra personnel to do so, and the rest of their defence is fast and talented. The real key to this game, though, is Jacksonville's offence. When Jacksonville has the ball, they need to sustain long drives, to keep KC's offence off the field, and they need to score points. This is where Leonard Fournette being injured is actually an advantage. Fournette is a special talent, but his backup, TJ Yeldon, is actually a bit more versatile as a pass-catcher, and the offence as a whole is more diversified when Blake Bortles doesn't try to rely too much on just the running game.
Green Bay at Detroit
This is a tricky one, because Aaron Rodgers will be playing without the services of Randall Cobb, and with Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison limited due to injuries. Green Bay had an easy time with Buffalo last week, while Detroit lost a close one in Dallas. I think Detroit gives Green Bay just a little more than they can handle.
Baltimore at Cleveland
Baltimore's defence, already pretty good, gets CB Jimmy Smith (suspended for some sort of domestic abuse) back this week. Smith probably doesn't start, but he gives them depth. This should be Baker Mayfield's toughest test yet.
NYG at Carolina
As New York continues to find its identity on defence, and as they continue to find more creative ways to use Saquon Barkley (like lining him up as a receiver, which they've done with more frequency over the past two contests), they will have more success. Unfortunately, they are visiting a rested Carolina team that hasn't played in ten days, with a defence that can get serious pressure on Eli Manning.
Miami at Cincinnati
Out goes Gio Bernard, back comes the girl-puncher. Also returning is Vontaze Burfict, who was suspended not for being an unrepentant cheap-shot artist (as he has in the past), but for being a drug cheat. Cincy's offence is humming. Miami got exposed by New England last week.
Oakland at LAC
As per usual, the Bolts will feel like visitors in their "home" stadium, but it shouldn't matter all that much.
Arizona at San Francisco
Every week has to have one "toilet bowl" game, and with Jimmy Garoppolo on the shelf for the rest of the season, San Fran is just another also-ran, like Arizona. I wouldn't watch this game if you paid me.
Minnesota at Philadelphia
So, who had the defending champs a.500, and Minnesota below .500 for this NFC Championship rematch? Not me, that's for sure. Minnesota's defence has looked uncharacteristically awful. Philly has looked good for stretches, but has been maddeningly inconsistent. Against conventional wisdom, I'm betting on Minnesota's defence getting its act together this week.
LAR at Seattle
LA's defence struggled a bit last week, as I thought it might with its top two CBs hurting. Everything should be back to normal this week, so it'll take more than a little crowd noise to stop the most complete team in the league.
Sunday Night
Dallas at Houston
Ezekiel Elliot is playing well, but the rest of Dallas's offence has been abysmal. Houston's pass rush, featuring a rejuvenated JJ Watt, should make Dak Prescott's night a long one.
Monday Night
Washington at New Orleans
New Orleans gets drug cheat Mark Ingram back to an offence that is already playing pretty well. Once their defence starts playing well again, they're going to be tough for anyone to beat.
I did a draft of my picks list last night and saved it. Came back to it today. No problem.
Spent a few hours writing a long intro piece about the players returning from suspensions this week. Saved the draft. Came back to it later, and the entire intro piece was gone. For some reason, it didn't save.
So now that's gone into the ether.
It's been a frustrating couple of weeks, folks.
Oh well, at least I still have my picks.
Here's a warning in advance, though; I'm bucking some trends again this week. I like doing that. Keeps things interesting.
Winners in Bold:
Sunday
Tennessee at Buffalo
Tennessee seems to be gelling under Mike Vrabel. Marcus Mariota is healthy again. Buffalo is still Buffalo.
Atlanta at Pittsburgh
Atlanta isn't supposed to win this. Their defence is in tatters due to injuries, and their offence isn't supposed to be any good on grass. Pittsburgh's defence hasn't been any good on any surface this year. I think Atlanta is due to win one of these shootouts, after losing the past two.
Denver at NYJ
Even though they're far away from Mile High, I think Denver is just better on both sides of the ball than Gang Green.
Jacksonville at Kansas City
Possibly the game of the week. KC is the popular pick. I'm skeptical, though. Patrick Mahomes has had it pretty easy in terms of the defences he's faced thus far, and this past Monday, Denver was able to get pressure on him, causing him to struggle at times. Jacksonville's defence can get pressure on the QB without dedicating extra personnel to do so, and the rest of their defence is fast and talented. The real key to this game, though, is Jacksonville's offence. When Jacksonville has the ball, they need to sustain long drives, to keep KC's offence off the field, and they need to score points. This is where Leonard Fournette being injured is actually an advantage. Fournette is a special talent, but his backup, TJ Yeldon, is actually a bit more versatile as a pass-catcher, and the offence as a whole is more diversified when Blake Bortles doesn't try to rely too much on just the running game.
Green Bay at Detroit
This is a tricky one, because Aaron Rodgers will be playing without the services of Randall Cobb, and with Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison limited due to injuries. Green Bay had an easy time with Buffalo last week, while Detroit lost a close one in Dallas. I think Detroit gives Green Bay just a little more than they can handle.
Baltimore at Cleveland
Baltimore's defence, already pretty good, gets CB Jimmy Smith (suspended for some sort of domestic abuse) back this week. Smith probably doesn't start, but he gives them depth. This should be Baker Mayfield's toughest test yet.
NYG at Carolina
As New York continues to find its identity on defence, and as they continue to find more creative ways to use Saquon Barkley (like lining him up as a receiver, which they've done with more frequency over the past two contests), they will have more success. Unfortunately, they are visiting a rested Carolina team that hasn't played in ten days, with a defence that can get serious pressure on Eli Manning.
Miami at Cincinnati
Out goes Gio Bernard, back comes the girl-puncher. Also returning is Vontaze Burfict, who was suspended not for being an unrepentant cheap-shot artist (as he has in the past), but for being a drug cheat. Cincy's offence is humming. Miami got exposed by New England last week.
Oakland at LAC
As per usual, the Bolts will feel like visitors in their "home" stadium, but it shouldn't matter all that much.
Arizona at San Francisco
Every week has to have one "toilet bowl" game, and with Jimmy Garoppolo on the shelf for the rest of the season, San Fran is just another also-ran, like Arizona. I wouldn't watch this game if you paid me.
Minnesota at Philadelphia
So, who had the defending champs a.500, and Minnesota below .500 for this NFC Championship rematch? Not me, that's for sure. Minnesota's defence has looked uncharacteristically awful. Philly has looked good for stretches, but has been maddeningly inconsistent. Against conventional wisdom, I'm betting on Minnesota's defence getting its act together this week.
LAR at Seattle
LA's defence struggled a bit last week, as I thought it might with its top two CBs hurting. Everything should be back to normal this week, so it'll take more than a little crowd noise to stop the most complete team in the league.
Sunday Night
Dallas at Houston
Ezekiel Elliot is playing well, but the rest of Dallas's offence has been abysmal. Houston's pass rush, featuring a rejuvenated JJ Watt, should make Dak Prescott's night a long one.
Monday Night
Washington at New Orleans
New Orleans gets drug cheat Mark Ingram back to an offence that is already playing pretty well. Once their defence starts playing well again, they're going to be tough for anyone to beat.
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