Depression sets in
Jazz: The good news is that I won’t have to embarrass myself by picking the Jets this week. The bad news is that they gave the Browns their first victory since Obama was in office on Thursday night. The mediocre news is that I managed to barely do better than.500 last week, going 4-3 thanks to yet another tie in the NFL in the Vikings game, bringing my season total to a still respectable 10-4. I’ve also begun developing a nervous tick about picking the Steelers, who don’t seem to be performing to their pre-season billing. Nevertheless, onward and upwards, fans!
Ed: The bad news is that the bad news continues for me. I thought last week’s 3-4 start was bad, but this week Da Bears were all that kept me from a complete skunk in Week 2. That makes me 4-10, the mirror image of Jazz’s hot start after two weeks. These days I’d be satisfied with a tie with Jazz… which means I have something in common with the Steelers, Browns, Vikings, and Packers. BTW, who’s the best bet this week for a tie finish? Maybe the Bengals-Panthers game. Can we get a third week in a row with a lame overtime result? Yes we can!
Jazz: We only have two featured games to pick this week, thanks to the aforementioned Jets debacle. Today, the Vikings are hosting the Bills (1:00 pm, CBS) in what should, by all accounts be a laughable matchup. The Vegas line has Minnesota as a 16.5 point favorite. Kirk Cousins threw for more than 220 yards last week against the Packers and, well… the Bills ain’t no Green Bay team. Let’s just take the Vikings 31-12 and call it a day. On Monday Night Football, the Steelers travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers (8:15 pm, ESPN). Pittsburgh is a slim favorite, but the Bucs offense is leading the league on offense with an average of 482.5 yards per game. The Steelers’ pass defense hasn’t been anything to brag about and they’ve already burned me twice this season. I’m going to take a flyer and pick Tampa Bay in a minor upset, 24-21.
Ed: The Steelers hit the road to get their first win of the season, and they’re running into a buzzsaw named Ryan Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh’s defense is pretty suspect these days, ranking 23rd overall — but 15th against the pass, oddly enough given last week’s shredding by Patrick Mahomes. However, Tampa Bay’s D is ranked 29th. Looks like we’re in for a shootout, and I’ll pick the Steelers to survive 35-31. In Minnesota, the Vikings are averaging 26.5 points per game, while Buffalo has 23 points … in two games. Put together. The Vikes’ D is ranked 13th on yards allowed while Buffalo’s 17th, but the Bills are ranked tied for last in points allowed. That’s because their offense stinks, and they leave their opponents with great field position. That’s a recipe for a Minnesota blowout, 37-14.
Jazz: We’ll dredge up five more matchups to get us to seven for the week.
Ed:
