Tyler Duke—Staff Writer
Who’s ready for another weekend of football? I know I am. After a hectic week, I wasn’t able to get my picks on paper last week, but I did have my pick ‘em selected on ESPN. It was actually a pretty good week for me too. Hopefully you’ll take my word for it when I say I had my best week of the season with an 11-4 record. Let’s see if I can continue that success.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH
1:00 p.m. ET Falcons at Ravens
The Ravens offense went absolutely ballistic last week, and I was one of the unfortunate people that was going against Joe Flacco’s five first-half touchdowns in fantasy football. The Ravens should be able to continue to light it up against an extremely weak Falcons defense. Ravens 34, Falcons 24
1:00 p.m. ET Titans at Redskins
The Titans were finally able to get their second win last week to break their four-game losing streak. It was an ugly win though, and the offense has not been able to find consistent form without Jake Locker. I don’t like what I’ve seen from Kirk Cousins as of late, but I think the Redskins will pull one out at home. Redskins 20, Titans 14
1:00 p.m. ET Seahawks at Rams
The Seahawks made the interesting decision to trade Percy Harvin for a sixth-round draft pick this week due to alleged locker room problems. It shouldn’t change anything in Seattle, as Harvin was never able to make an impact after being traded from the Vikings. Austin Davis has done some nice things at QB for the Rams, but I don’t think they’ll be able to hang on Sunday. Seahawks 28, Rams 13
1:00 p.m. ET Browns at Jaguars
The Browns are suddenly 3-2 and have a very favorable schedule going forward starting with the Jags on Sunday. The running game has been strong no matter who has the ball, and Brian Hoyer is doing a great job of taking care of the ball and making the plays he needs to. Cleveland gets to 4-2 with no Johnny Football and Josh Gordon. Browns 27, Jaguars 20
1:00 p.m. ET Bengals at Colts
The Bengals defense seemed like one of the best in the NFL prior to the last two games where Tom Brady and Cam Newton shredded them. Another top tier QB will be opposing them this week when passing leader Andrew Luck takes the field. I’m expecting at least 60 points scored in this one with an Andrew Luck game-winning touchdown drive. Colts 38, Bengals 31
1:00 p.m. ET Vikings at Bills
This isn’t exactly the most appealing matchup this week. Teddy Bridgewater hasn’t looked great since the win against Atlanta, and the Vikings have struggled to get anything going on the ground. I’m taking the Bills in this one solely based on the fact they’re at home. Bills 17, Vikings 10
1:00 p.m. ET Dolphins at Bears
The Bears are still the best team in the NFC North in my opinion, and I’m going to keep sticking with that until the Packers can get the run game going. With his receivers healthy, Jay Cutler has some of the best weapons in the NFL, and the Bears have a tough offense to stop. Bears 34, Dolphins 21
1:00 p.m. ET Saints at Lions
The Lion’s defense has emerged as one of the best in the NFL, and they’ll be getting the Saints offense without Jimmy Graham in this one. Detroit hasn’t been able to get the offense going without Calvin Johnson, but they’ll get a chance against the struggling Saints defense. I think the Lions win in a close one. Lions 30, Saints 27
1:00 p.m. ET Panthers at Packers
If there’s a team that could help get the Packers run game going, it’s definitely the Panthers. One of the best defenses last year has been terrible against the run this year, and Eddie Lacy will likely expose it again on Sunday. Packers 35, Panthers 21
4:05 p.m. ET Chiefs at Charger
The San Diego offense has been special this year. Fill-in running back Brandon Oliver has been spectacular since taking over the starting duty, and Phillip Rivers has been spectacular all season long. The Chiefs don’t have the defense they did last year, and I expect the Bolts to move the ball with ease. Chargers 31, Chiefs, 20
4:25 p.m. ET Cardinals at Raiders
Another week, another loss for the winless Raiders. The Cardinals have a solid defense and have been boosted by the return of Carson Palmer. I can’t see Oakland finally getting their win in this one. Cardinals 24, Raiders 7
4:25 p.m. ET Giants at Cowboys
The ‘Boys are back! Dallas has shocked everyone in this season and truly looks like a contender after beating Seattle last week. Demarco Murray is the best RB in the NFL right now, and he runs it behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. That combination will be a tough task for the New York defense to stop. Cowboys 31, Giants 24
8:30 p.m. ET 49ers at Broncos
Peyton Manning will take the stage on Sunday night with a chance to break Brett Favre’s all-time touchdown record needing three to do it. In years past, I would expect it to be tough against the 49er’s defense, but without Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman, the defense isn’t all that tough. Peyton breaks the record and leads his team to victory in this one. Broncos 28, 49ers 24
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20TH
8:30 p.m. ET Texans at Steelers
What’s going on with the Steelers? Pittsburgh now has losses to the Buccaneers and the Browns in recent weeks, and things aren’t looking good on defense. They’ll get a chance Monday night to figure things out on primetime with a weak passing offense in Houston. The Steelers contain Arian Foster and get the win. Steelers 17, Texans 14
