Thanks to week nine, I have found the light at the end of the tunnel. My predictions finally bounced back with a 5-1 record this past weekend. New Orleans, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Dallas and Carolina all covered. While San Francisco was my sole pitfall. My record is now perched at 25-28-1 this season. Still below .500, but there is still several weeks remaining to improve that total. Here are the games I’m circling in the books this weekend.
SILVER PREDICTIONS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS VS BUFFALO BILLS (+3)
This is the only game slated all weekend where both teams having winning records. Both have thrown together great stretches this season. New Orleans might be the hottest team in the league winning six straight, but I believe Buffalo has the defense and home atmosphere to slow them down this weekend. The Bills last played on Thursday Night Football in week nine and have had plenty of rest leading up to this game. You can bet their defense will be ready for Drew Brees and the Saints offense, while cold temperatures should also help. Brees is 4-7 with the Saints when playing in weather below 45 degrees – Sunday is expected to be 43. I’ll take the points and Buffalo this weekend.
FINAL SCORE – SAINTS 20 – BILLS 23
NEW YORK JETS (-2.5) VS TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
I never imagined I’d be backing the Jets this season, but here we are. New York much like Buffalo have had well over a week to prepare for this matchup, while Tampa Bay has been spiralling since week four. They are 0-5 in their last five contests and this weekend will be without Jameis Winston at quarterback due to injury and their best receiver in Mike Evans due to suspension. You can officially flush the Bucs season because there is no coming back from this. They don’t even have a bye week to try and shake it off because of hurricane Irma. On the other hand New York has been playing some fantastic defense this season and Josh McCowen has been making all the right choices. Who would have though that McCowen would have nearly double the amount of touchdowns as interceptions this season, and a rating of over 100 in each of his last three starts. Look for the Jets to keep rolling this weekend.
FINAL SCORE – JETS 28 – BUCCANEERS 21
GOLD PREDICTIONS
DALLAS COWBOYS VS ATLANTA FALCONS (-3)
Well after beating around the bush and changing headlines about six times it is official, Ezekiel Elliot will start serving a six game suspension this weekend. That is one of the biggest reasons why I love Atlanta in this situation this weekend. I’m been on the Falcons a couple times this season but seem to always end up on the wrong side of the fence, I think that changes this weekend. I keep asking myself when are we going to see the Falcons lights out offense? They have so much talent and depth and it seems they just can’t find the right way to utilize it. I think that changes this weekend. On the flip side no Zeke causes concern. The Cowboys have been lights out in the red-zone this season and you can’t argue that Elliot has nothing to do with that. Him standing in the backfield opens up the play-action playbook and greatly helps Dak with time and pressure. I don’t care who is standing back there this weekend, they won’t have the same effect which means less touchdowns and more field goals. Look for Atlanta to bounce back after a tough loss last weekend.
FINAL SCORE – COWBOYS 23 – FALCONS 29
PITTSBURGH STEELRS (-10) VS INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Pittsburgh off a bye laying only ten points against the worst defense in the league – sign me up! There is no need for me to list the weapons the Steelers have on offense, we all know we they are. The real question to ask is – Will TY Hilton have another huge performance or can the Pittsburgh Steelers contain him? Hilton is fresh off a 175 yard two touchdown game against division rivals Houston, and anything less than that again this weekend puts the Colts in the losing column. In each of Indianapolis’s three wins this season Hilton has at least 150 yards receiving while earning a touchdown in two of three. To say he is important to their offense would be a vast understatement. In every other game where Hilton is contained the Colts have lost by an average of 18 points this season. With the Steelers defense ranking 8th in completion percentage and 2nd in yards per completion, things don’t look good for the home team this weekend. Give me the Steelers by at least a touchdown and field goal.
FINAL SCORE – STEELERS 34 – COLTS 17
PLATINUM PREDICTIONS
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS VS JACKSONVILLE JAGAURS (-4.5)
Jacksonville has been lights out defensively all season and I expect nothing less this weekend. In their five victories this season they have held opponents to 9 points or fewer. They are the best defensive team in the league allowing an average of 14.6 points per game, and have the 5th best red-zone defense making opponents settle for field goals 43.75% of the time. San Diego has won three of their last four games but have yet to defeat a team above .500 all year. Expect a heavy load to be placed on Melvin Gordon this weekend, but for “Sacksonville” to take this game over. The Jaguars have six more sacks than any other team this year, while Leonard Fournette will lace them up for the first time in two games. Everything points towards yet another decisive victory by Jacksonville this weekend.
FINAL SCORE – CHARGERS 13 – JAGUARS 23
HOUSTON TEXANS VS LOS ANGELES RAMS (-10.5)
With the season half over, I’m finally comfortable saying this Los Angeles Rams team is for real. Sean Mcvay has done an incredible job turning this organization around in only 8 games. The biggest statistic that jumps out is the fact that the Rams have already scored more points than what they did all of last year. Entering this week they are the highest scoring team in the NFL averaging 32.9 points per game; and welcome the Houston Texans who rank 30th in the league allowing an average of 26 points per game. It is hard to imagine the Rams failing to cover this weekend. They are legit on both sides of the ball and Houston will once again be starting Tom Savage at quarterback. This game could get embarrassing for the Texans before we even reach half-time. Don’t be afraid to throw a little extra chedda’ on this game this weekend.