2015 COAS Pigskin Pick 'Em: Week 10

The status quo amongst the coalition was maintained last week, and we're well into the second half of the season as our NFL picks against the spread continue.

Adam and I had our greatest groupthink week maybe ever last week, and we split the two games we disputed, but we overall had an awful week. With eight weeks to go, Adam maintains his ten game lead on me, but his lead over the other folks has narrowed. My dad opted to go all home teams this week in a desperate shake up move, and it worked, giving him the win for Week 9, but he's still trailing Adam by nine games.

This week, Adam and I disagree on seven games. Let's see if I can pull off a second half comeback.

Thursday Night

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets (-2.5)
Lucas: Jets. I can't decide whether I love or hate that Rex Ryan made IK Enemkpali a captain for this game. It doesn't make a ton of sense due to Ryan Fitzpatrick being the starter, but I'm sure it's just Rex being Rex.

Adam: Jets. The Bills just don’t excite me very much. McCoy has been in and out with injuries. The Jets on the other hand have a very solid looking offense. I think they could be going further if they had a better QB.

Sunday, Early Afternoon

Chicago Bears @ St. Louis Rams (-7.5)
Lucas: Bears. The potential of a Jay Cutler back door cover is astronomical here, especially with the way he's been playing this year. He actually looks like a competent NFL quarterback, even with all the injuries the Bears have had. I have to tip my cap. Also, Gregg Williams needs to be summarily executed for crimes against society launched into the sun banned from the NFL.
Adam: Rams. I know the Bears beat the Charges on Monday night, but they had to have the Chargers have a dozen-plus injuries to get there. I am still not sold on my Bears this season. And I think Gurley has another 100+ yd game.

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5)
Lucas: Steelers. The injury to Big Ben... again... causes problems, but the Browns are so bad I can't even take the points. Landry Jones leads the way to victory.
Adam: Browns. I am sticking with my team. I picked the Browns for the prior two weeks thinking I had a solid play and they disappointed me. I thought about going away from them, but I just cannot. s soon as I do they will cover... or surprise win...

Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5)
Lucas: Buccaneers. I continue to think Vegas is overrating the Cowboys. They are awful, Jerrah should butt out of making football decisions, but only after releasing Greg Hardy, and the media needs to stop with this "America's Team" garbage.
Adam: Cowboys. Really tempted to take the Bucs here but I cannot get past Bryant getting healthier as the weeks pass and on that basis alone I am pick the Cowboys.
Lucas note: Counterpoint: Matt Freaking Cassel.

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers (-11.5)
Lucas: Packers. Pissed off Aaron Rodgers returning home following a two game losing streak going up against an awful, awful team. Also, this is your annual reminder that the last time Detroit won in Wisconsin, I wasn't even two yet. I literally have no memory of a world where the Lions won a game in Wisconsin.
Adam: Packers. Another hard choice. I like the idea of taking the points, but the Lions have been bad, really bad... Maybe this is the game Lacy gets rolling...

Carolina Panthers @ Tennessee Titans (+4.5)
Lucas: Panthers. Marcus Mariota is going to go into a shell until Week 17, when he'll have another four touchdown game. Until then... he's not going to enjoy going up against this Carolina team that's definitely legit.
Adam: Titans. The defenses will be the story in this game. The Panthers will outlast the Titans in a low scoring 10-7 victory. I don’t think either team will get much of a passing game, and Cam will be the lone bright spot running around on the Titans.

Miami Dolphins @ Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5)
Lucas: Eagles. Now that Miami is coming back down to earth following the initial new coach high, I'll ride the Eagles who are flying under the radar right now. Admiral Kelly probably likes it that way.

Adam: Eagles. The Eagles may finally have things going. Bradford is still pretty bad, but Murray seems to be going finally. On home turf I am give the points against an up and down Fins team.

New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins (+0.5)
Lucas: Saints. I'm a little surprised the line is a pick 'em, though with the Saints' defense, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. I just don't think the Redskins have the firepower to keep up.
Adam: Saints. Shock and Awe... how how how is this spread only 0.5... how? I see nothing short of a complete blow out. Brees for another 6 through the air? Yes please.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens (-5.5)
Lucas: Jaguars. The sportsbooks know the Ravens are awful, right? I mean, the Jaguars aren't a lot better, but the Baltimore defense is a sieve, and I've enjoyed having Allen Hurns on my fantasy team. This could end up being a shootout, in which case I'd rather take the points.
Adam: Jaguars. The Ravens still are not impressive and the Jags are a slippery team. Hurns has something like 6 touchdowns in the past 6 weeks, so I can see a mild upset with the Jags winning, but I think more likely a Ravens win with the Jags covering.

Sunday, Late Afternoon

Minnesota Vikings @ Oakland Raiders (-2.5)
Lucas: Raiders. Not knowing what kind of shape Teddy Bridgewater is going to be in following that dirty hit this past week gives me pause. Minnesota has a good defense, but they could be susceptible to the Carr-to-Cooper combination.
Adam: Raiders. I really, really, really like Carr. With the veteran Crabtree teaching the rookie Cooper, it has come together very nicely. At home I am taking that combination all day.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos (-6.5)
Lucas: Broncos. I'll chalk last week up to the "Peyton return to Indy" factor and give them the benefit of the doubt. Also, Aqib Talib is a thug who deserves his one game suspension, which shouldn't impact things too badly this week.
Adam: Broncos. Dear Mr. Manning, please throw some TD's to Mr. Thomas this week. Did I mention KC has a really bad secondary?

New England Patriots @ New York Giants (+7.5)
Lucas: Patriots. Tom Brady Revenge Tour. Also, this isn't the Super Bowl, so unless Jason Pierre-Paul makes a one-handed interception with his fireworks hand... everything should be okay.

Adam: Giants. Throwing this out there: not only do I see a cover by the Giants, I see a outright victory. ODBJ and Manning get rolling for 175 yards, 2 scores and let’s throw in 8 rushing too...

Sunday Night

Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks (-3.5)
Lucas: Seahawks. Primetime game in the loudest stadium in the league with a Seahawks team that seems primed for its annual breakout? Count me in.
Adam: Cardinals. The big question to this game is how do you think the Seattle secondary will do against the air assault from Palmer? I think Palmer comes out on top: 350 passing yards anyone?

Monday Night

Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals (-10.5)
Lucas: Bengals. Yes, this means I've taken both double digit home favorites. Yes, this means I'm taking Andy Dalton at night, something that seems iffy historically. This doesn't seem like the normal Andy Dalton year though, and as I have no faith in the Texans... let's do this.
Adam: Texans. Only because of JJ Freaking Watt.

Records So Far
Lucas: 59-73 (4-9 last week)
Adam: 69-63 (4-9 last week)
Geoffrey: 64-68 (6-7 last week)
Scott: 60-72 (7-6 last week)