I shot my shot last week... and I failed miserably, as Adam took eight of our ten disputed games, Joe swept his five with me, and Adam had the narrow edge, winning three of their five disputed games. Any last ditch hopes I had to making a miraculous comeback died on Sunday afternoon.
And so I play out the string. You can view how we've all picked in relation to each other here. Thanks to (finally!) a mediocre hero week for Adam, Geoffrey has taken a one game group lead in what is a two horse race for the top.
This week, Adam and I disagree on seven games, Joe and I on four, and the two of them on seven games out of 16. Let's get to it!
Thursday Night
New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Rams (-4.5)
Lucas: Rams. I mean, the fact that the Rams won a Super Bowl a couple years ago justified their "Eff them picks" front office strategy, but other than the hangover last year this is still a pretty good team. They'll take care of business here.
Adam: Rams. I could go either way here, but the Saints still have Sid the Kid under center so you never know what you may get from that. Plus the Rams are at home and on a strong uptick over the past several weeks. I’ll lay the 4.5.
Joe: Rams.
Saturday Afternoon
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5)
Lucas: Bengals. I'm out. Sorry, Yinzers.
Adam: Bengals. Even without Chase (another blow to my fantasy teams as I have heavy shares of him including naming two teams after him), I like the Bengals offense over the Pittsburgh offense.
Lucas note: It's wild to me that the Canada firing only gave them one good week. Granted, part of that is injury, but still.
Joe: Bengals.
Saturday Night
Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Chargers (+13.5)
Lucas: Bills. This line gives me pause... but it would give me more pause if Justin Herbert were healthy. Alas, he is not. At least Brandon Staley is gone.
Adam: Chargers. Going contrarian here. Everything is saying to take the Bills after the thumping they put on the Cowgirls and the Chargers are coming off their own thumping at the hand of the Raiders. But the coach is out, and the bill will find a way to mess this up. Not going to call full blown outright win by the Chargers, but a close game.
Joe: Bills.
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Indianapolis Colts @ Atlanta Falcons (+2.5)
Lucas: Colts. Well, I was wrong on my Falcons pick last week, but I was on the money with Arthur Smith being an idiot. Broken clock and all that.
Adam: Colts. Really Really Really hope that Taylor is back this week as my fantasy team could really use him. My fill in last week only got me three points and 1 inch away from a touchdown...
Lucas note: Pardon my salt.
Seattle Seahawks @ Tennessee Titans (+2.5)
Lucas: Seahawks. They're peaking at the right time, if nothing else.
Adam: Seahawks. Seems like the easy pick here.
Joe: Seahawks.
Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings (+3.5)
Lucas: Lions. Call it November doldrums, maybe? Regardless, the Lions seem to have righted the ship.
Adam: Vikings. Playing the line here. Divisional game that has playoff implications and at home, bleeds a pick for the home team getting points to me. Vikes may lose, but they cover.
Joe: Lions.
Washington Commanders vs New York Jets (-3.5)
Lucas: Jets. Though I don't understand why you'd activate Rodgers now that you have nothing to play for and he's likely not coming back anyway.
Adam: Jets. A A Ron is unlikely to be activated for the last couple of games; it would have been an impressive feat. But instead we get the third sting Trevor Siemian. Can you tell how excited I am?
Joe: Commanders.
Green Bay Packers @ Carolina Panthers (+4.5)
Lucas: Packers. Though I'm abjectly terrified of what Joe Barry will let Bryce Young do in the wake of...
Adam: Packers. Any bets on how cheap the tickets get for this game? Last week I saw $4... maybe this week it will be free plus a hot dog and beer and then maybe, just maybe, they can get a handful of fans in the seats.LFB 👨🍳‼️@bakermayfield becomes the first visiting quarterback EVER with a perfect passer rating (158.3) at Lambeau Field. pic.twitter.com/NdAYBye0JB
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 17, 2023
Lucas note: I heard from my traffic person in Charlotte that she left a couple Panthers tickets on her car, came back to find more. (Story isn't true, I'm just retelling the meme.)
Joe: Packers.
Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans (-2.5)
Lucas: Browns. Line seems about right given that these teams seem about even. I'll give the edge to the the legend Joe Flacco given that CJ Stroud is likely still out.
Adam: Texans. Just because I now despise the Browns for their last minute win against my Bears.
Lucas note: I'm not sorry.
Sunday, Late Afternoon
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+0.5)
Lucas: Jaguars. Again, Baker Mayfield is not going to post another perfect passer rating.
Adam: Buccaneers. Wow, I could go either way. The Jags have disappointed generally this season and the Bucs have surprised. I will continue that theme and go with the Bucs to win.
Joe: Buccaneers.
Arizona Cardinals @ Chicago Bears (-4.5)
Lucas: Bears. I heard on ESPN 1000 on Wednesday that a number of NFL GM's would trade Fields and have Chicago draft a new quarterback with the presumed top overall pick from Carolina, but I think Fields is a competent quarterback and has shown good signs this season. Get him a supporting cast with your bevy of picks and the 2024 Bears might be decent. Though it would be hilarious if this second half resurgence despite some chokes means Eberflus gets to keep his job because the city might riot.
Adam: Cardinals. This will be another case of the Bears snatching Defeat from the jaws of Victory. Only happened like three times this year where the Bears had large leads into the 4th and ended up losing due to poor coaching choices, failed 4th down conversions, or poor defense... or all three.
Joe: Bears.
Dallas Cowboys @ Miami Dolphins (-1.5)
Lucas: Dolphins. I'm gonna skip the meme for this week, given Tua's gonna be on there this next round.
Adam: Cowgirls Cowboys. Checking the Dallas cycles, we just rounded past Dak plays like s*** and are coming up on the “prove it” game. Plus Miami has come back to earth. Also hoping Tyreek does not perform as I am playing him in my big money fantasy this week for a berth into the championship game.
Lucas note: Oh, Tyreek performs, all right.
Joe: Dolphins.
Sunday Night
New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos (-6.5)
Lucas: Broncos. I can't believe the NFL didn't flex this game.
Adam: Broncos. This is a line play. I like Denver by 7, so I'm willing to lay 6.5.
Joe: Broncos.
Monday, Early Afternoon
Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5)
Lucas: Raiders. Honestly, I'm just taking the points. Also, is the voice that sang to me from No Man's Land Kadarius Toney's? Merry Christmas, y'all.
Joe: Chiefs.
Monday, Late Afternoon
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles (-10.5)
Lucas: Giants. Even without Tommy DeVito, the Eagles are looking vulnerable and I'm not comfortable laying double digits.
Adam: Eagles. It's weird to think this, but as a 10-4 team that has been on a hard slide, they really need this game. I foresee them showing up bigtime in this game and romping.
Joe: Eagles.
Monday Night
Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers (-5.5)
Lucas: Ravens. You know what, give me all the points for Christmas. This should be a phenomenal nightcap and I think this line might even be a point or two too high.
Adam: Ravens. Playing the line here. I like the Niners to win, but the Ravens keep it close.
Joe: Ravens.
Records So Far
Lucas: 93-131 (4-12 last week)
Adam: 123-101 (10-6 last week)
Joe: 110-114 (9-7 last week)
Geoffrey: 124-100 (11-5 last week)
Jim: 114-110 (8-8 last week)
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