Another week down, another week finishing 3-3. My record now sits at 12-12 on the year. Last weekend the Patriots, Falcons and Cowboys handed me my three losses. There is no arguing the Patriots do not look great; first and foremost on the defensive side of the ball. While the Falcons and Cowboys both held leads in their home games but blew up down the stretch. The three bright spots of my weekend were Houston, Pittsburgh and the Giants. Each of these teams covered their spread. I’m just hoping something gives soon, it has been four straight weeks at 3-3, lets hope the magic comes alive this weekend, here is who I like in week five.
SILVER PREDICTIONS
NEW YORK JETS VS CLEVELAND BROWNS (-1)
Talk about ugly matchup. Both of these teams are dumpster fires. New York has most definitely surprised with two wins already this season, but you can’t exactly say Miami or Jacksonville are quality wins. They took advantage of a terrible Dolphins offense then prayed on a slow Jaguars team that went without a bye week following a game in Europe the week before. With that being said, Cleveland is the team with the goose egg for a win total, but I believe this weekend they snag that first victory. Myles Garrett is back and that is a huge boost for the Browns defense. Not to mention the Jets are 3-7 against the spread on the road since 2016. Browns fans shouldn’t have to put the paper bags on this weekend as they earn for first W of the season.
FINAL SCORE – JETS 13 – BROWNS 19
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (+2) VS LOS ANGELES RAMS
Seattle underdogs against the Rams? Sign me up! I think this is a prime letdown position for the Rams. They are returning home after a huge victory in Dallas last weekend and are averaging a ridiculous 35 points per game this season. Todd Gurley has been unstoppable this season; but with that being said I think the Legion of Boom steps up for this divisional matchup and reminds us they are still the best team in the NFC West. It is too early to throw all your eggs into the Jared Goff basket, and we can’t forget that Pete Carrol always makes great half-time adjustments. Combine that with the fact Russell Wilson and the Seahawks found their confidence offensively last weekend putting up 46-points against the Colts. This game has Seattle written all over it; after all they have won 18 of the last 24 matchups versus the Rams.
FINAL SCORE – SEAHAWKS 29 – RAMS 24
GOLD PREDICTIONS
BUFFALO BILLS (+3) VS CINCINNATI BENGALS.
Wait, the 3-1 Bills are 3-point underdogs against the 1-3 Bengals? This line just doesn’t add up for me. Cincinnati found their legs last week earning their first win, but it was against the Cleveland Browns. Buffalo has not been much better than the Browns in past seasons, but this year they seem for real. They walked right into Atlanta last weekend and held the Falcons below 20-points, that has been next to impossible the last two seasons. Entering week five their defense is giving up the fewest points per game at 13.5 per game and their offense is doing just enough to get the job done. Clearly the Bengals have the star power on offense but I’m all in on the Bills bandwagon. Just stop and think about it, Buffalo has two quality victories now knocking off the Broncos and Falcons this year. While their only loss against Carolina was nearly a last second victory. The Bills are a lot closer to being 4-0 than we think. Sign me up for another Bills victory this season.
FINAL SCORE – BILLS 21 – BENGALS 16
TENNESSEE TITANS VS MIAMI DOLPHINS (+3)
Marcus Mariota is a game time decision for Sunday. This game all rides on his ability to play in this weekend. After leaving the game last weekend Matt Cassel took over and went 4/10 for 21 yards and two interceptions including a pick-6. He simply doesn’t cut it and I’m expecting that Miami could eat him alive if he starts this weekend. Miami has been embarrassed the last two weeks putting up only 6 points. Jay Cutler has been embarrassingly bad and I think this is the weekend he turns it around. They have tons of talent surrounding him and Tennessee is in a back-to-back road game situation. Look for Jay Ajayi to have a huge game on the ground and for Miami to have their way passing the ball. Tennessee is allowing a league worst 3 passing touchdowns per game this year.
FINAL SCORE – TITANS 20 – DOLPHINS 33
PLATINUM PREDICTIONS
BALTIMORE RAVENS (+3) VS OAKLAND RAIDERS
Derek Carr is out for the foreseeable future. Remember what happened last year when the Raiders lost Carr to injury? They sucked.. this matchup has Baltimore written all over it. The Ravens offense has struggled for the last two weeks mustering only 16-points but Oakland is the perfect team to get their mojo back. The Raiders are giving up an average of 120 rushing yards per game and the Ravens offense flows through their run game. If they establish a running game early then winning this game outright is not out of question. have had stellar defensive play this season and have forced more turnovers than any other team in the league through four weeks. Consider this; Oakland had offensive concerns before Carr went down with injury. Amari Cooper has become invisible and Crabtree is dealing with injury. Combine that with the fact Marshawn Lynch has yet to have a breakout performance and Baltimore also does a great job in shutting down the run, their is cause for concern in Oakland. I’m high on the Ravens this weekend, look for them to bounce back.
FINAL SCORE – RAVENS 26 – RAIDERS 16
CAROLINA PANTHERS VS DETROIT LIONS (-3)
Carolina knocked off New England last weekend and looked great. But I’m not getting fooled by that performance. The Patriots secondary is possibly the worst in the league and Cam Newton will have a much more difficult task this weekend in Detroit. The Lions are giving up only 17.5 points per game, (4th) and an average of 2 touchdowns per game (8th). When you contrast those numbers with the Panthers 28th ranked red-zone offense, (38.46%) it looks like Detroit matches up perfectly to knock off the Panthers. Matthew Stafford has been incredibly impressive this season and they return home for only the third time this season. Carolina is coming off a huge win and this is the perfect time for them to show their true colours, while Detroit looks poised to make a playoff push with a very well rounded team. Lay the points and ride Detroit this weekend, you shan’t be disappointed.