FAVORITE TEAMS

BYE WEEK: BENGALS, COWBOYS, TITANS, JETS, PANTHERS, TEXANS

How’s it hanging everyone? I thought college football was the victim of Friday the 13th. NOPE! It carried over into the NFL and two teams were the victims: 49ers and Eagles. The Bills were a touchdown allowed away from being the third victim. Injuries have become more common this month, which gives the middle of the road teams a chance to win a couple of games to stay in this still too early playoff race. While the Niners and Eagles suffered their first loss, it doesn’t mean it’s all over. Just a bad game. In retrospect, the Jets were deemed Super Bowl contenders, and the Browns have a roster built to compete for one. So, maybe the loss wasn’t so bad after all. Let’s see what happens as good teams and rivals collide in what should be a toss-up weekend!

Why? Why did is this in the Top 5? I think I’m crazy. I made a few picks that blew back on me. I don’t know. Maybe there’s something about this matchup that could be deceiving to the eye. Make no mistake, the Buffalo Bills are good once again and should be a playoff team. However, I have an issue with their overall consistency, health, and the vibe. Outside of that, they stomped three opponents for wins while they were shaky in the other three games for no apparent reason. The Patriots may not be good this year, but they had opportunities to win at least three games. The overall roster is par at best, but having a guy like Mac Jones play at his highest level is the best opportunity to upset those elusive AFC East juggernaut Bills. Since Tom Brady left for greener pastures…errr I mean better seas and fresher skies, the Patriots lost six of the last seven meetings. Their one win was on a very windy Monday night where they didn’t need Mac to pass much. This matchup could be as similar with a mix of wind and rain. Call me crazy, but the Patriots have a chance to upset the Bills due to key losses on defense, and the over-reliance of Josh Allen could hurt the team against the elements and the Patriots still gritty defense. The Patriots need help from the run game to put this team into winning position for Bill Belichick’s 300th win.

MY PICK: PATRIOTS

The 49ers come off an ugly loss against Cleveland with a couple of key injuries in Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel. Brock Purdy finally looked human after being virtually unstoppable as a starter in his early career. The team looks to bounce back in an environment that’s pretty dang loud to block out. The Vikings come off an ugly, scrappy win against Chicago. It was difficult for Kirk Cousins to move the ball without Justin Jefferson, but he made it work along with some much-needed help from Brian Flores’s defense. They put Justin Fields on the sideline and escaped the city with a victory. The 49ers are expected to bounce back with a win, but it won’t be as easy if Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and/or Dre Greenlaw aren’t available. Their unavailability could work to Minnesota’s advantage for most of the game. Either way, San Francisco should find their way back with a much-needed victory.

MY PICK: 49ERS

Here we have a matchup between the first overall pick and the last overall pick of the first round. Jared Goff and the New Look Lions continue rolling teams with their high-flying offense in the air and on the ground while their defense is plugging up lanes and forcing the quarterbacks’ hand in uncomfortable situations. They’re gritty, they’re tough, and Dan Campbell loves that kind of football. The Ravens are good, yet odd. They won good games but lost in unusual fashion. Their roster’s built for a playoff run but injuries are slowly but surely hitting this roster again. In the end, the ball starts and ends with Lamar Jackson. He played well this season, and his passing numbers are reaching new heights in his sixth season thanks to new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Their defense is the second best and top 10 in most categories and will live and die alongside Lamar Jackson in game-time situations. This is a Top 3 marquee matchup of the weekend to watch. We love seeing the Lions and Lamar Jackson duel it out. What it comes down to is taking care of the ball in wet and windy weather. While the Lions are dominant in the trenches, they’re less than 100% in the running back position. Jared Goff could struggle in these conditions, which gives Baltimore’s defense leverage to defeat the team due to turnovers.

MY PICK: RAVENS

Former Alabama teammates finally square off in the city of Brotherly Love. Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts found their way to the spotlight after criticism and controversy in their early careers. Recent Alabama quarterbacks failed to stay in the NFL long-term, but these two might have finally broke decades of drought for the Tide. Tua shakes off his concussions and slings the ball to his athletic and high-speeding targets Tyreek Hill and other Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle. They’re also accompanied by speedster Raheem Mostert, who’s been such a difference maker with other contributors involved. The NFC Champion Eagles come off a tough loss against the Aaron Rodgerless Jets and looks to bounce back at home. For a team that has high expectations for an NFC Champinoship and possible Super Bowl return, they looked anything but great. While their defense still plays elite with new additions, the offense looks a little sporadic. They still dominate the ground with ease, including their infamous “Brotherly Shove”, but passing has been so-so. Hurts’ passing numbers haven’t been great and his touchdown/interception ratio is even, which is not good. Despite whatever issues Philly has, they’re expected to win in the trenches and put Miami in the ground eventually.

MY PICK: EAGLES

Grab a sub and sit down for one of the other matchups involving these elite quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert duel for the sixth time ever. The Chargers proved they can compete with anyone thus far, but they can’t finish games like they were supposed to. Their offense is proven behind Herbert and a now healthy Ekeler and company, and their defense can make impact plays no matter the situation. The Chiefs haven’t been great…on offense surprisingly as far as consistency goes. They can run the ball, but the passing is deceivingly inconsistent. Outside of Travis Kelce, who stands out as the second reliable pass-catcher? However, their defense played their best football this season. Heck, they haven’t been this good and this consistently in Patrick Mahomes tenure whether Chris Jones was available or not. The last five meetings between Mahomes and Herbert were decided by six points or less with a couple of games forced into overtime. We expect another classic matchup that will for sure involve plenty of defense this time. Again, I’m on the side of crazy because it makes no sense how I’m picking against the obvious. I’ll chance it on the Chargers, believe in Justin Herbert, believe in the defense, and hope to God coach Brandon Staley keeps his play calling aggressive, but smart and clean.

MY PICK: CHARGERS

OTHER GAMES

JAGUARS AT SAINTS [THURSDAY NIGHT]

RAIDERS AT BEARS

BROWNS AT COLTS

COMMANDERS AT GIANTS

FALCONS AT BUCCANEERS

STEELERS AT RAMS

CARDINALS AT SEAHAWKS

PACKERS AT BRONCOS

TOP 5 WEEK 6 RESULTS: 5-0

• WEEK 6 TOTAL – 20-10

OVERALL WEEK 6 RESULTS: 12-3

• TOTAL RESULTS – 76-27