Week 14 is in the books, Week 15 is upon us, and Adam is on his way to Dallas to take on his transfer at work. I will miss him dearly, but thankfully this feature will live on. I enjoy this picking games against the spread thing too much to let it go, and I think Adam has fun with it too. And it's not like he won't be back up here at some point.
But this past week I gave him the going away gift of a good, old-fashioned butt whooping as I took seven of our eight disputed games to move ahead of him into third place. The standings on ESPN are now out of whack, and I'm surprised it took until Week 14 for there to be a goof up. Adam picked the Cardinals over the Dolphins on our Week 14 post, but took the Dolphins on ESPN by accident. I double checked precedent, and by rule, the standings on Confessions of a Sportscaster overrule those on ESPN, so in actuality I have a two game lead on him. He has one more point on ESPN than he should, but it doesn't impact the order of the standings this week.
Logan remains in first place thanks to his early success in "minority" picks, where he and only one other person correctly picked a game, but he had a down week in that department. He made up for it elsewhere though to remain in first place. If you want a full breakdown of our picks by who has made them in relation to everyone else, you can view that breakdown here. My thanks go to Adam for coming up with this idea last year.
I also want to do a shameless plug before I get into the picks for the week. This weekend is also the opening round of the Death to the BCS Playoffs, which should be exciting. It's not too late to get your predictions in and see how you think the simulator will end up working.
This week, Adam went into full panic mode. Given the flip in the standings, he wanted another shakeup and so his daughter Addison helped. This week Addy (and Adam by proxy) and I disagree on eight games out of the 16. Let's see if the lead here changes hands again or if I can maintain the control that I have just gained.
Thursday Night
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks (-14.5)
Lucas: Rams. Given the recent history of this "rivalry" where the Rams have given Seattle tough games, combined with Seattle coming off a butt kicking, two touchdowns is a lot, especially since you would think the Rams players would be motivated. But let's be honest, it's kind of funny that Fisher got fired a week after getting a two year extension. Almost as funny as this screengrab from Fox 2 in St. Louis.
Lucas note: Also, Richard Sherman is a thug who deserves a hefty fine.And with this, @FOX2now's graphics department wins the 2016 Local TV News Emmy Award. #Rams #30For30 pic.twitter.com/0PfGmzVDNR— Tim McKernan (@tmckernan) December 13, 2016
Adam: Rams. How about this: let's offer Fisher a deal before the beginning of the season and leave it open for him to sign whenever, he signs it, star player calls team no better than middle school... then Fisher gets fired.So cheap. https://t.co/RNsKNWpEj0— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) December 14, 2016
Saturday Night
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (+2.5)
Lucas: Dolphins. Get well soon, Tannehill.
Adam: Dolphins. Not sure, Addy picked because of the logo.
Lucas note: To be fair, who doesn't love dolphins?
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills (-9.5)
Lucas: Browns. I'm sorry, a sub-.500 team with a mediocre head coach should not be favored by double digits, even against Cleveland.
Adam: Bills. McCoy for the win... Wow, I personally would not have given the 9.5 points, but hey, Addy knows what she is doing.
Lucas note: If she's anything like her brother, this might work out okay.
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears (+6.5)
Lucas: Packers. I know he's on IR, but since this is likely Jay Cutler's final game as a member of the Bears against Green Bay, we need to throw him a farewell party... that will promptly be intercepted.
Adam: Bears. She is her father's daughter... she did not even think, she just picked.
Lucas note: She has much to learn about the Bears-Packers rivalry...
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5)
Lucas: Steelers. So wait. Given that the Giants confirmed that some of the Steelers' footballs were deflated in their game in Pittsburgh two weeks ago, when are we going to see Ben Roethlisberger suspended for four games, the Steelers forfeit a first and fourth round draft pick, and get fined a million dollars?
Lucas note: ...so you mean footballs can naturally deflate in cold weather? Like I've been saying for a year and a half: this was a witch hunt, Brady should sue for defamation, and Goodell needs to be fired.NFL statement on @JayGlazer report about Giants flagging Steelers footballs last week: pic.twitter.com/YvyJQsCZhQ— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 11, 2016
Adam: Steelers. Given Big Ben's road troubles, I think we are in for another big game from Bell.
Detroit Lions @ New York Giants (-4.5)
Lucas: Lions. That face you make when you're up two games in the NFC North but you're an underdog against a decent team.
Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5)
Lucas: Titans. The Chiefs are definitely better, but I think Tennessee can give them a game. Unless of course Eren Yeager gets signed to the Chiefs' roster.
Indianapolis Colts @ Minnesota Vikings (-4.5)
Lucas: Colts. ...are you beginning to sense a pattern here?
Adam: Colts. Should see Luck and Hilton blow up... at least my pocket book would like to see that.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Baltimore Ravens (-6.5)
Lucas: Ravens. C-C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER! I did think about taking the points here too, but I think I was too high on Philly for too long. Considering the Ravens gave the Patriots a decent game in the second half, I think they can hold the line against the Eagles.
Adam: Ravens. I watched the Ravens on Monday and I still cannot seem to get a handle on them. Going with the "Philly is on the down slide" angle.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans (-6.5)
Lucas: Jaguars. And we're back. I'm sorry, Brock Osweiler shouldn't be favored by a touchdown against anyone. Well, except maybe Cleveland, but even then it's iffy.
Adam: Jaguars. Pretty sure it was the logo on this one too that Addy liked. I am ok with that.
Sunday, Late Afternoon
San Francisco 49ers @ Atlanta Falcons (-13.5)
Lucas: Falcons. Two touchdowns is a lot, but if the Niners can blow an early lead to the freaking Jets, what do you think is going to happen against a much better offense?
Adam: Falcons. Easy pick. Coleman going to enter Beast Mode... yes, I said it.
New Orleans Saints @ Arizona Cardinals (-2.5)
Lucas: Saints. I'm still not sold on the Cardinals. Taking the points on the road and the probable upset.
Adam: Cardinals. This is going to be a high scoring game... I predict 8 passing touchdowns.
New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos (+3.5)
Lucas: Patriots. I got away with it on Monday. Please forgive me, Touchdown Tom. I won't count you out this week... not after the way you played without Gronk.
Adam: Broncos. Oh, this is going to be a fun game...I take Denver's D over New England's offense. Counting out Touchdown Tom this week...
Lucas note:
never count out touchdown tom. BREAKING MADDEN RETURNS: http://t.co/NInLh0KOYZ— Jon Bois (@jon_bois) January 9, 2014
Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers (+2.5)
Lucas: Raiders. I'm still scared that we live in a world where Oakland is actually good. I know they've been to a Super Bowl in my lifetime, but after all the years they've been garbage it's a weird adjustment.
Adam: Chargers. Not sure where she was going with this pick...
Sunday Night
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys (-7.5)
Lucas: Buccaneers. Taking the points. What the hell is Jerrah thinking, not committing to his rookie quarterback that by and large has been pretty good all season?He's going to struggle some, he's a rookie! Do you really think going back to Tony Romo If He Stays Healthy is the answer?
Adam: Buccaneers. I am disowning my daughter... she is a traitor.
Monday Night
Carolina Panthers @ Washington Redskins (-4.5)
Lucas: Panthers. Nine. Nine road underdogs. Ah ah ah... *thunder*
Lucas note: ...you know what? This would be better acted out by Liam Neeson.
Records So Far
Lucas: 105-103 (12-4 last week)
Adam: 103-105 (6-10 last week)
Scott: 102-106 (9-7 last week)
Grant: 106-102 (10-6 last week)
Logan: 111-97 (10-6 last week)
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