I think I’m having an election hangover. For some reason, even though the polls are still open and all of the votes aren’t counted, I’m projecting winners of each division and the wild cards. I feel like John King standing in front of a touchscreen. Let’s take a look at the Red and Blue divisions.
AFC
AFC East: New England Patriots (7-2) – Pretty obvious pick here, and I’m not dissuaded by the home loss last week. They had an even more head-scratching loss last year to the Eagles and still made it to the conference championship game. I still expect the Patriots to be the top seed in the AFC.
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers (4-5) – I know they’ve lost a bunch of games, but they were also without pot head Le’Veon Bell for the first three and missed Ben Roethlisberger for a game and a half with a torn meniscus. For the first time in recent memory, Mike Tomlin is coming under fire. But they were a pre-season Super Bowl pick for a reason, and if they’re healthy they can beat anyone in the AFC.
AFC South: Tennessee Titans (5-5) – Almost falling into this one by default. The only other real challenger would be the Houston Texans, and I just don’t think I trust Brock Osweiler. I do like the Titans running game with former Eagles great DeMarco Murray, and their defense has been decent. This one’s almost too close to call, but I’m giving it to Tennessee.
AFC West: Oakland Raiders (7-2) – Total hunch on my part here in what may be the best division in the NFL top to bottom. I like the Raiders because of their offensive line, ground game, and the fact that they’re led by a competent quarterback who looks like he’s going to be a star for many years. They’re like Dallas West.
AFC Wild Card #1: Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) – When it comes to playoff teams, the Chiefs certainly check all of the boxes. Experienced coach and quarterback? Check. Good running game? Check. Solid on defense and special teams? Yeah, I’d be very surprised if the Chiefs weren’t in the dance.
AFC Wild Card #2: Denver Broncos (7-3) – Ah, the defending champs. Do they have issues? Of course they do. Trever Siemian started the season well enough, but now it looks like they’d be better if they could pry Peyton off the commercial circuit and threw him under center right now. The defense isn’t as dominant as it was a year ago, but they’re too good to miss the postseason altogether.
NFC
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys (8-1) – If you know me at all, you know how much it pains me to write that. At the very least, there was the possibility of the impending Tony Romo comeback and subsequent distraction. Then he had to go and be all classy this week and it seems nothing can derail this team. Excuse me while I go preheat my oven…
NFC North: Detroit Lions (5-4) – A few weeks back on the podcast, Jason told me not to be surprised of the Lions won the North. At the time, I thought he was crazy. Since then, the Vikings have continued their downward spiral, and the Packers look like an absolute dumpster fire. I make this pick cautiously though, as I asked my buddy Noah (a Lions fan) what I should expect for the balance of the season. He said that Detroit is due for a soul-crushing defeat (wish that would have happened in Week 5 against the Eagles).
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons (6-4) – I’m still in on the Falcons. I know they do this every year – start hot, look like a legit contender, then barf all over their shoes as they stumble to the finish line. Unlike previous yeas though, this year they hit he line first and snap the tape. I mean, they may get bounced in the wild card round, but they should at least be invited to the party.
NFC West: Seattle Seahawks (6-2-1) – The Seahawks are perhaps the most legitimate challenger to Dallas, solely because of their defense. In a one-game situation, they have the best chance to neutralize Ezekiel Elliot and comprise a scheme that can make Dak Prescott look like a rookie. And Russell Wilson is a playoff-proven commodity who can run and pass. Dangerous player, dangerous team.
NFC Wild Card #1: New York Giants (6-3) – Odell Beckham Jr. went way out on a limb after Monday night’s win over Cincinnati and declared that the Giants are a playoff team. Not exactly Jim Fassel anteing up and pushing all of his chips in circa 2000. Ultimately though, I think he’s right.
NFC Wild Card #2: Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) – This is a total homer pick and a complete 180 from what I’ve been saying on the podcast. But the menacing remaining schedule suddenly doesn’t seem so much so. Green Bay and Cincinnati are not good football teams, and the Eagles had chances to beat Washington, the Giants, and Cowboys on the road the first time around. Now we’ll get them at home, where we’re undefeated this season. 10 wins isn’t out of the question, and that’s got to get us in the playoffs.
As for this week’s picks…
CAROLINA (-3.5) over New Orleans – Hard to figure the Panthers out. Last week, Cam looked like Cam again – running, dabbing, smiling. And right when you think they’ve turned a corner, they blow a 17-point lead at home and lose a game they presumably had in the bag. If not now, when? Panthers 28, Saints 24
Tennessee (+3) over INDIANAPOLIS – Too much respect for the Colts, not enough for the Titans. I’ll go ahead and take the point, thank you very much. Titans 30, Colts 20
DETROIT (-6.5) over Jacksonville – Is this the aforementioned inexplicable defeat for the Lions? At home against Jacksonville would qualify. Lions 23, Jaguars 13
KANSAS CITY (-7.5) over Tampa Bay – Chiefs just keep on chugging along... Chiefs 28, Buccaneers 19
NEW YORK GIANTS (-7.5) over Chicago – …as do the Giants. Giants 31, Bears 15
MINNESOTA (-2) over Arizona – Remember when the Vikings were 5-0? That was fun. Since then, they’re 0-4, lost their offensive coordinator, and just waived their kicker (who by the way I scouted in college – inside joke). Vikings 23, Cardinals 20
CINCINNATI (-2.5) over Buffalo – If the Bills are going to keep their post-season hopes alive, they’ll need to win in
Cincinnati this week. In true Buffalo fashion, however, they won’t. Bengals 27, Bills 23
Baltimore (+7) over DALLAS – Prototypical doughnut game for the Cowboys. They get up for a big inter-conference match in Pittsburgh last week, and have division and historical rival Washington looming on Thanksgiving. That means the Ravens can sneak in there this week and steal one. Ravens 22, Cowboys 21
Pittsburgh (-8) over CLEVELAND – This is like a ninth home game for the Steelers, as there is likely to be more black and gold in the stands than there will be orange and brown. Steelers 34, Browns 14
LOS ANGELES (+1.5) over Miami – I have no real reason to take Jared Goff in his first NFL start, but I’m doing it anyway. Rams 20, Dolphins 19
New England (-13) over SAN FRANCISCO – I read this week that California native Tom Brady, who grew up idolizing Joe Montana, hasn’t played a game in San Francisco in his illustrious career. After what he’s about to do to the home team, they may not invite him back. Patriots 45, 49ers 15
Philadelphia (+6.5) over SEATTLE – My hope here is that the Seahawks wasted everything they had in New England last week. Eagles 19, Seahawks 17
WASHINGTON (-2.5) over Green Bay – Maybe the Redskins didn’t overachieve last year like I thought. The Packers certainly are underachieving this year. Redskins 28, Packers 25
OAKLAND (-6) over Houston – A “home” game for the Raiders that doesn’t take place in a baseball stadium will be good practice for when they move to Vegas in two years. Raiders 28, Texans 20
Bye: Atlanta, Denver, New York Jets, San Diego
Week 10: 8-6 Straight up; 7-7 Against the spread
2016 Season: 88-57-2; 72-75
AFC
AFC East: New England Patriots (7-2) – Pretty obvious pick here, and I’m not dissuaded by the home loss last week. They had an even more head-scratching loss last year to the Eagles and still made it to the conference championship game. I still expect the Patriots to be the top seed in the AFC.
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers (4-5) – I know they’ve lost a bunch of games, but they were also without pot head Le’Veon Bell for the first three and missed Ben Roethlisberger for a game and a half with a torn meniscus. For the first time in recent memory, Mike Tomlin is coming under fire. But they were a pre-season Super Bowl pick for a reason, and if they’re healthy they can beat anyone in the AFC.
AFC South: Tennessee Titans (5-5) – Almost falling into this one by default. The only other real challenger would be the Houston Texans, and I just don’t think I trust Brock Osweiler. I do like the Titans running game with former Eagles great DeMarco Murray, and their defense has been decent. This one’s almost too close to call, but I’m giving it to Tennessee.
AFC West: Oakland Raiders (7-2) – Total hunch on my part here in what may be the best division in the NFL top to bottom. I like the Raiders because of their offensive line, ground game, and the fact that they’re led by a competent quarterback who looks like he’s going to be a star for many years. They’re like Dallas West.
AFC Wild Card #1: Kansas City Chiefs (7-2) – When it comes to playoff teams, the Chiefs certainly check all of the boxes. Experienced coach and quarterback? Check. Good running game? Check. Solid on defense and special teams? Yeah, I’d be very surprised if the Chiefs weren’t in the dance.
AFC Wild Card #2: Denver Broncos (7-3) – Ah, the defending champs. Do they have issues? Of course they do. Trever Siemian started the season well enough, but now it looks like they’d be better if they could pry Peyton off the commercial circuit and threw him under center right now. The defense isn’t as dominant as it was a year ago, but they’re too good to miss the postseason altogether.
NFC
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys (8-1) – If you know me at all, you know how much it pains me to write that. At the very least, there was the possibility of the impending Tony Romo comeback and subsequent distraction. Then he had to go and be all classy this week and it seems nothing can derail this team. Excuse me while I go preheat my oven…
NFC North: Detroit Lions (5-4) – A few weeks back on the podcast, Jason told me not to be surprised of the Lions won the North. At the time, I thought he was crazy. Since then, the Vikings have continued their downward spiral, and the Packers look like an absolute dumpster fire. I make this pick cautiously though, as I asked my buddy Noah (a Lions fan) what I should expect for the balance of the season. He said that Detroit is due for a soul-crushing defeat (wish that would have happened in Week 5 against the Eagles).
NFC South: Atlanta Falcons (6-4) – I’m still in on the Falcons. I know they do this every year – start hot, look like a legit contender, then barf all over their shoes as they stumble to the finish line. Unlike previous yeas though, this year they hit he line first and snap the tape. I mean, they may get bounced in the wild card round, but they should at least be invited to the party.
NFC West: Seattle Seahawks (6-2-1) – The Seahawks are perhaps the most legitimate challenger to Dallas, solely because of their defense. In a one-game situation, they have the best chance to neutralize Ezekiel Elliot and comprise a scheme that can make Dak Prescott look like a rookie. And Russell Wilson is a playoff-proven commodity who can run and pass. Dangerous player, dangerous team.
NFC Wild Card #1: New York Giants (6-3) – Odell Beckham Jr. went way out on a limb after Monday night’s win over Cincinnati and declared that the Giants are a playoff team. Not exactly Jim Fassel anteing up and pushing all of his chips in circa 2000. Ultimately though, I think he’s right.
NFC Wild Card #2: Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) – This is a total homer pick and a complete 180 from what I’ve been saying on the podcast. But the menacing remaining schedule suddenly doesn’t seem so much so. Green Bay and Cincinnati are not good football teams, and the Eagles had chances to beat Washington, the Giants, and Cowboys on the road the first time around. Now we’ll get them at home, where we’re undefeated this season. 10 wins isn’t out of the question, and that’s got to get us in the playoffs.
As for this week’s picks…
CAROLINA (-3.5) over New Orleans – Hard to figure the Panthers out. Last week, Cam looked like Cam again – running, dabbing, smiling. And right when you think they’ve turned a corner, they blow a 17-point lead at home and lose a game they presumably had in the bag. If not now, when? Panthers 28, Saints 24
Tennessee (+3) over INDIANAPOLIS – Too much respect for the Colts, not enough for the Titans. I’ll go ahead and take the point, thank you very much. Titans 30, Colts 20
DETROIT (-6.5) over Jacksonville – Is this the aforementioned inexplicable defeat for the Lions? At home against Jacksonville would qualify. Lions 23, Jaguars 13
KANSAS CITY (-7.5) over Tampa Bay – Chiefs just keep on chugging along... Chiefs 28, Buccaneers 19
NEW YORK GIANTS (-7.5) over Chicago – …as do the Giants. Giants 31, Bears 15
MINNESOTA (-2) over Arizona – Remember when the Vikings were 5-0? That was fun. Since then, they’re 0-4, lost their offensive coordinator, and just waived their kicker (who by the way I scouted in college – inside joke). Vikings 23, Cardinals 20
CINCINNATI (-2.5) over Buffalo – If the Bills are going to keep their post-season hopes alive, they’ll need to win in
Cincinnati this week. In true Buffalo fashion, however, they won’t. Bengals 27, Bills 23
Baltimore (+7) over DALLAS – Prototypical doughnut game for the Cowboys. They get up for a big inter-conference match in Pittsburgh last week, and have division and historical rival Washington looming on Thanksgiving. That means the Ravens can sneak in there this week and steal one. Ravens 22, Cowboys 21
Pittsburgh (-8) over CLEVELAND – This is like a ninth home game for the Steelers, as there is likely to be more black and gold in the stands than there will be orange and brown. Steelers 34, Browns 14
LOS ANGELES (+1.5) over Miami – I have no real reason to take Jared Goff in his first NFL start, but I’m doing it anyway. Rams 20, Dolphins 19
New England (-13) over SAN FRANCISCO – I read this week that California native Tom Brady, who grew up idolizing Joe Montana, hasn’t played a game in San Francisco in his illustrious career. After what he’s about to do to the home team, they may not invite him back. Patriots 45, 49ers 15
Philadelphia (+6.5) over SEATTLE – My hope here is that the Seahawks wasted everything they had in New England last week. Eagles 19, Seahawks 17
WASHINGTON (-2.5) over Green Bay – Maybe the Redskins didn’t overachieve last year like I thought. The Packers certainly are underachieving this year. Redskins 28, Packers 25
OAKLAND (-6) over Houston – A “home” game for the Raiders that doesn’t take place in a baseball stadium will be good practice for when they move to Vegas in two years. Raiders 28, Texans 20
Bye: Atlanta, Denver, New York Jets, San Diego
Week 10: 8-6 Straight up; 7-7 Against the spread
2016 Season: 88-57-2; 72-75