2015 COAS Pigskin Pick 'Em: Week 14

I think I'm gonna wave the white flag now.

Adam has increased his lead overall in our group, going 4-1 on hero picks and taking seven of our ten disputed games last week to open up a 14 game lead with four weeks to go. I'm out of it at this point, I've accepted it. So congratulations to Adam for leading wire to wire this season and at least defeating me, with a good shot of winning the group outright.

I'm playing out the string here, but I enjoy picking these games still even though I've had an awful year. This week, Adam and I disagree on only four games out of the 16 to be played. He was busy with work this week so he had to do quick picks for this edition. Without further ado, here we go.


Thursday Night

Minnesota Vikings @ Arizona Cardinals (-7.5)
Lucas: Cardinals. I want to take the points, but that would require betting on Teddy Bridgewater on the road. I'm leery of that.

Adam: Cardinals. I like Palmer and his weapons better than Bridgewater and his.

Sunday, Early Afternoon

Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers (-7.5)
Lucas: Panthers. I don't see the Falcons having the firepower to keep up with Carolina. Sorry, Atlanta. I see through you.

Adam: Panthers. What the eff have the Falcons been smoking lately. Ryan cannot do anything and Freeman has cooled off considerably.

Lucas note: I don't think they're smoking anything. They just took advantage of a soft early schedule, but the signs were there early that they were a mirage. I didn't realize it right away though.
 
Buffalo Bills @ Philadelphia Eagles (-0.5)
Lucas: Bills. SHADY'S REVENGE WILL NOT INVOLVE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. ONLY YARDS. AND BLOOD. BUT MOSTLY YARDS.

Adam: Bills. I think the Eagles are getting a boost from the New England win, as they should, but I see that game as more of a fluke.


Washington Redskins @ Chicago Bears (-3.5)
Lucas: Redskins. Tough call. The Redskins are awful on the road, the Bears are awful at home. If this were -2.5, I'd probably take the Bears. That extra point allows me to take the points while hedging on a Gould redemption while Jay Cutler looks on.

Adam: Bears. Was tempted to go with the Skins, but have to hope they can show up this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5)
Lucas: Bengals. Close call again, but I don't want to bet against regular season Andy Dalton. Please don't hurt me, Antonio.

Adam: Steelers. Tough choice. But I like Big Ben to Brown better than Dalton to Green.

San Francisco 49ers @ Cleveland Browns (-1.5)
Lucas: 49ers. I get that on the field, Johnny Manziel gives you a better chance to win than Austin Davis does, but aren't you just enabling him to continue to be an idiot off the field by naming him the starter again after benching him? God really does hate Cleveland.

Adam: 49ers. Wow. Do I have to pick?

Lucas note: Well, you could leave it blank and lose a consensus pick that could cost you first place...
 
Detroit Lions @ St. Louis Rams (-0.5)
Lucas: Lions. Well, Jim Caldwell is still an idiot, but Jeff Fisher might be a bigger idiot and the Rams suck. Plus, the Lions have had some bad luck as well.

Adam: Lions. The Lions are playing well and the Rams are not.

Tennessee Titans @ New York Jets (-7.5)
Lucas: Titans. Taking the points again because holy crap Marcus Mariota.

Adam: Jets. I see Ivory going off for 150 and two touchdowns this week.

Lucas note: You've been calling this for weeks and it hasn't happened. If it were to happen, this week would be it, but color me skeptical.
 
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-1.5)
Lucas: Jaguars. Allen Hurns is clear, and Indy is not good. I'm in. 

Adam: Jaguars. The Jags are better than only a 1.5 point favorite. Hurns should be back, and I see big things for Jacksonville this week.

San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5)
Lucas: Chargers. Scary thought: We live in a world where the Chiefs could theoretically earn home field advantage in the AFC. I love the Playoff Machine.

Adam: Chargers. Points. Points. Points… I’ll take the points. A choice I fear I may regret.

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5)
Lucas: Saints. Taking the points and the potential for Drew Brees to go off.

Adam: Saints. I see a crazy shoot out here. Taking the vet over the youth.  Brees for 400 (holy s***) and 4 scores, all to different receivers and no single receiver breaks 70yds…

Lucas note: Meanwhile on the Bucs sideline...

Seattle Seahawks @ Baltimore Ravens (+8.5)
Lucas: Seahawks. This is a lot of points to get at home, but the Seahawks are firing on all cylinders. While the Ravens have to see the football gods smile on them at some point... I also want to continue to bet against the tin foil hat conspiracy theorists.

Adam: Seahawks. So tempted to take the points, but what will Matt Schaub do against the Seahawks?

Lucas note: Prompt Baltimore restaurants to take a page from that Houston joint that created a Schaub-inspired burger?

Lucas note: I also want to point out the funny coincidence: the week we're talking about Matt Schaub again, my post from Week 13 of the 2012 season is trending which means I get to laugh at my joke about Matt Schaub getting kicked in the balls again.

Sunday, Late Afternoon

Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos (-7.5)
Lucas: Broncos. Maybe a little high for my liking, but I'm not betting against Denver yet. Brock Osweiler looks legit.

Adam: Raiders. Osweiler will show us all the reason he is a back-up.

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers (-7.5)
Lucas: Packers. AARON RODGERS = GOAT.

Adam: Packers. Considering the way the Packers have been playing the last few weeks, I almost want the points. But I will give Aaron Effing Rodgers the benefit of the doubt. Please see exhibit A above in Lucas’ comments.

Sunday Night

New England Patriots @ Houston Texans (+3.5)
Lucas: Patriots. In the Tom Brady era, the Pats have never lost three in a row. Expecting Gronk back too... yeah, have fun, Houston.

Adam: Patriots. As opposed to the Eagles to get the benefit, New England is getting the unjustified doubt. Pats roll by 14.

Monday Night

New York Giants @ Miami Dolphins (+0.5)
Lucas: Giants. I'M NOT BACKING DOWN OFF OF YOU, TOM COUGHLIN. YOU CAN LOSE FIVE GAMES YOU HAD A LEAD IN IN THE FINAL TWO MINUTES... I'M NOT BACKING DOWN.

Adam: Giants. G-Men.

Records So Far
Lucas: 83-109 (7-9 last week)
Adam: 97-95 (11-5 last week)
Geoffrey: 87-105 (7-9 last week)
Scott: 88-104 (6-10 last week)