Week seven was another dumpster fire, marking back-to-back weeks for me. I finished with a 1-4-1 record, with my only win coming from the Vikings. Miami earned me my first push of the season coming back from down 14 points in the 4th quarter, while Cincinnati, San Francisco, Denver and Washington earned me my four losses. With another terrible week under my belt my record now sits at 18-23-1. With the middle of the season coming this weekend I’ll need to turn things around fast to post a winning season for the sixth time in seven years. Lets take a look at the games I’ll be playing this weekend.
SILVER PREDICTIONS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-9.5) VS CLEVELAND BROWNS
This game is a layup, for Minnesota that is. The Vikings have the NFC North title in their sights and can thank their defense for that. They rank top five in almost every single important defensive statistic. Entering week eight they are 5th in points allowed per game, (17) 3rd in yards per rush allowed, (3.2 per attempt) 7th in yards per pass, (5.9) and 1st in touchdowns allowed per game (1.4). With all this depth, I don’t see how Cleveland keeps this game close. Cleveland has been struggling all season long and despite the fact they almost earned their first victory of they year last weekend, they have scored less than 20-points in each of their last three games. The Vikings are banged up on offense but their defense should carry them to a swift victory. This is the fourth game in London this season and each of the last three ended in blowouts, including two complete shut-outs. This weekend should be no different.
FINAL SCORE – VIKINGS 23 – BROWNS 9
CHICAGO BEARS VS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-9)
I was on the fence with this game, then I looked into it a little more. Both of these teams on riding extended winning streaks but then I looked at the Saints defense. They have forced 10 turnovers this season, and held three of their last four opponents under 17 points. Facing rookie Mitchell Trubisky should be a walk in the park. Trubisky earned the victory last weekend versus Carolina but it was the Bears defense that carried them to victory with two defensive touchdowns. The Bears offense accounted for only 175 total yards of offense, that simply won’t cut it against the Saints. We all know New Orleans can run up the scoreboard and for the first time in years have a very solid run game to rely upon. Chicago will need another lights out defensive performance and Trubisky to finish this game mistake free to cover the 9-point spread, two things I just don’t see happening together.
FINAL SCORE – BEARS 13 – SAINTS 29
GOLD PREDICTIONS
CAROLINA PANTHERS VS TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-1.5)
This should be a great divisional matchup. Carolina has lost back-to-back games, while Tampa bay has dropped three straight. This is a huge matchup for both teams to find their mojo and stay within playoff contention. With that being said, I’m expecting Tampa Bay earns a victory this weekend. Cam Newton has been struggling the last couple weeks and is getting zero help from their run game. They need to establish a run game to give Newton time in the pocket and prevent blitz packages every other play. Tampa Bay hasn’t been much better in the last couple weeks, but I’m expecting we see their first solid defensive performance in weeks. On the road this season they are giving up over 30 points per game, but at home they have held all but one opponent under 20 points. Jameis Winston and Mike Evans clearly have formed a connection and the Panthers secondary has struggled against elite receivers this year, pointing towards DeShaun Jackson also having a nice game this weekend. I think this turns into a coming out party for the Buccaneers offense and we see them put up numbers for the first time all year. Carolina is on their heels and Cam Newton continues to make distractions in the press.
FINAL SCORE – PANTHERS 17 – BUCCANEERS 31
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (+7.5) VS NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
I just about fell out of my chair when I saw how big the spread was for this game. Surely people love betting on the Patriots at home, but for this line to be set at seven and a half points it is too juicy to pass on the Chargers. Los Angeles has quietly won three straight after starting the year 0-4 and find themselves right in the thick of the AFC West. The reason they earned those victories are the same reason why I believe they could defeat New England this weekend, they have a great secondary and are one of the best in the league at rushing the quarterback. In the last three games LA is 3rd in the league allowing an average of 7.9 yards per passing completion, while 23 team sacks this year is 4th most in the league. The Chargers have a defense that can get after Tom Brady and we are all aware that protection has been an issue for the Patriots this season. Expect this game to end much closer than a touchdown. You heard it here first, Chargers in outright.
FINAL SCORE – CHARGERS 31 – PATRIOTS 29
PLATINUM PREDICTIONS
DENVER BRONCOS (+7) VS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
How I’m still riding the Broncos I do not know. They have burned me in back-to-back weeks, but I think this is the week they turn things around. Their defense is far to talented to slump for a third straight week and a touchdown is too many points for these divisional rivals. The Chiefs storyline this season has been hand-off the ball to Kareem Hunt or throw downfield to either Tyreek Hill or Travis Kelce. Alex Smith has been a top five quarterback with his play but things won’t be so easy this weekend. Denver is 1st in yards allowed per game, (285.5) 1st in third down conversion percentage (26.25) and 2nd in yards per rush (3 per attempt). These are all areas that Kansas City has excelled this year and if Denver can slow them down then it means Kansas City will be reliant on their Swiss cheese of a secondary to shut down the Broncos offense. The Chiefs are 2nd in the league giving up an average of 29.6 points per game and dead last in both yards allowed per rush and passing completions. This whole game rides on the Chiefs ability to move the ball and after two very poor performances by the Broncos defense I expect we see a great one on Monday night.
FINAL SCORE – BRONCOS 23 – CHIEFS 20
HOUSTON TEXANS (+5.5) VS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Yet another road dog that I’m not only confident to cover this spread but win the game outright. Since taking over starting quarterback duties DeShaun Watson has been nothing short of incredible. He leads the league with a total average quarterback rating of 80.3 through five starts. On top of this, his 15 passing touchdowns put him behind only only Carson Wentz (17) and tied with Tom Brady and Alex Smith this season while playing one fewer game. This kid is having an incredible rookie season and has great weapons all around him. Seattle still has a great defense but has struggled in the past to contain mobile quarterbacks. Houston faces a similar problem with Russell Wilson, but the main difference is the Seahawks offensive line. They are in shambles due to injuries and have been terrible at protecting Wilson all year. Entering week eight they have allowed the 4th most quarterback hits at 50 and have not found a running game to take some pressure off with play action. Houston is banged up defensively, but I’m looking for Jadeveon Clowney to have a huge presence in this game and keep it close until the clock his double zeros.