In a week dominated by the headlines of players kneeling or staying in the locker room, a lot of us found ourselves struggling. Adam nonetheless took three of our five disputed games to increase his lead, but we both had pretty bad weeks. Not as bad as my dad, but pretty bad. Meanwhile, Geoff went 3-3 on hero picks this week to move into a first place tie with Adam. You can view the breakdown of how we've picked in relation to each other here, which is important because on our ESPN standings page, Adam has two fewer correct picks than he should because picks listed on Confessions of a Sportscaster take priority over what gets input on ESPN.
As we move onto Week 4 with hopefully fewer hissy fits being thrown by people about players exercising their First Amendment rights in trying to bring attention to a major social issue, Adam and I disagree on just five games out of the 16 being played once again. Without further grandstanding on my part, let's get to the picks!
Thursday Night
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers (-7.5)
Lucas: Packers. I'm not going to lie, this line scares me a little bit. Green Bay is banged up and on a short week. But then I remembered two things: the Packers have Aaron Rodgers, and the Bears have Leon Lett 2.0, who should have been immediately benched after this.
Adam: Packers. Really, in Lambeau? The Bears (no longer an expletive for now) have been playing much better than anticipated, but they won a game I thought they had no shot at and were killed in the one game of the first three I thought they could win. Go figure.
Lucas note: I said it last week when the only team Aaron Rodgers hadn't beaten yet was the Bengals: football is weird.
Sunday Morning
New Orleans Saints vs. Miami Dolphins (+2.5)
Lucas: Saints. Adam used this graphic somewhere along the line, and after he did squat against the freaking Jets, I feel it's appropriate to break out again.
Lucas note: The Internet never fails.
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Buffalo Bills @ Atlanta Falcons (-8.5)
Lucas: Bills. This is purely a line pick. Eight and a half is lot to ask, even though I know the Falcons could do it, but I'm not sold on the fact that they could.
Adam: Bills. Just don’t like the line and Julio may be playing thought yet another injury... that guy is injured just walking out onto the field. Not Romo level, but pretty bad.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns (+2.5)
Lucas: Bengals. Now that they've got the touchdown monkey off their backs, I can take the Bungles in good conscience. Also this pick may or may not be out of spite that the freaking Browns blew their golden opportunity as a road favorite.
Adam: Browns. Who would have seen this: two 0-3 teams in this game. Sure, sure we all expected the Browns to have that record but not Cincy. I just think the Bengals are not really sure who they are as a team right now.
Los Angeles Rams @ Dallas Cowboys (-8.5)
Lucas: Rams. I just can't quit these guys. I know they're not a great team, but again, eight and a half is a lot to ask. I'm taking the points on this one too, pure and simple.
Adam: Rams. 8.5 points even in Jerry World? Not with the way the Rams are playing. Also, regardless of your opinion of Jerry Jones, the Cowboys or the whole protest thing, Jerry coming out and taking the knee with his organization BEFORE the national anthem was a very smart play. I salute you Jerry.
Lucas note: That combined with his trying to hold up the lying tyrant's extension... I never thought I'd come to like Jerrah, but he's done two things in like two weeks that have made me respect him.
Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)
Lucas: Vikings. Now I wish Megatron hadn't retired, because I'd be interested to see how he'd do against Xavier Rhodes. Also, I checked; my work's software can't close a road due to Xavier Rhodes.
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2017Adam: Lions. My dark horse team that truly lost last week, but damn you Golden... you almost had it. For the record, if Tate scored, I beat you Lucas... remember that the football gods gave you one. I will get mine soon...
Lucas note: I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the sound of Larry Fitzgerald getting hooked up to the rejuvenation machine that gave me enough cushion to hang on. Also, f*** Golden Tate. Guy got what he deserved.
Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans (+1.5)
Lucas: Titans. Obviously, Deshaun Watson can play at the NFL level. But the Titans are better than the Texans at this point in time.
Adam: Titans. Will be close, but not one point close. Mariota is way better than whoever Houston has. That will be the difference.
Carolina Panthers @ New England Patriots (-9.5)
Lucas: Patriots. I saw a stat last week that the Patriots are great straight up as double digit home favorites (because of course they are), but not so good against the spread. Based on that I'd normally take the points, but if Cam Newton couldn't take advantage of what the Saints call a secondary, why would I take the points against a better defense?
Adam: Patriots. Basically a 10 point game so logic says take the points... but not with TDT (Touch Down Tom for those score at home) playing at his level.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Jets (+3.5)
Lucas: Jaguars. You know what? Just move the Jags to London. Part of me doesn't care anymore, because Blake Bortles would go 8-0 and throw for like 3,000 yards over there alone. He'd make up for it by being himself stateside, but who cares.
Adam: Jaguars. No more explanation needed. Giving 3.5 to this team is a dream.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens (+2.5)
Lucas: Ravens. I feel like this line is a little bit of an overreaction to the curb stomping the Ravens just got. Granted, the NFL is being dumb and making them play stateside the week after London, something they didn't do in the past, and this could pose a problem, but if the Steelers can't beat the freaking Bears, I'm going to take the home underdog and run.
Adam: Steelers. After an embarrassing loss to my Bears in OT, I think that wakes up the Pittsburgh offense. We will see one of the best games out of the Steelers we have seen yet and may see all year.
Sunday, Late Afternoon
New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5)
Lucas: Buccaneers. I'd say it's disappointing that the Giants are absolutely awful... but who am I kidding? No it's not. Also, whatever happened with Odell and the kicking net? Did they live happily ever after?
Adam: Buccaneers. OBJ will be the key to this game. He has a good game, GMen cover; not a good game then they don’t cover.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Chargers (-0.5)
Lucas: Eagles. I mean, it's going to be a de facto home game for Philly and even though they barely squeaked by a bad Giants team, I'm sticking with them.
Adam: Eagles. So apparently the Chargers are considering, or maybe it’s the NFL that is considering, sending the team back to San Diego... what kind of town is LA that they cannot support even 1 football team? I guess I will find out in a few weeks when I am there.
Lucas note: Go find the billboard off of the 405 while you're there and see what the San Diego Sign Guy has to say. Send a picture. But do it outside of rush hour because the 405 sucks.
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals (-7.5)
Lucas: 49ers. I don't know what's up with all the massive home favorites. The Niners made me look like a chump last week, and Arizona isn't that good either. I'm taking the points and running.
Adam: 49ers. Please don’t ask, the NFL does this weird ‘switch’ at about 4-5 weeks when everything you thought you knew goes out the window. Playing that angle here.
Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos (-2.5)
Lucas: Broncos. Considering how the Raiders got absolutely exposed last week, you'd think they wouldn't get as exposed this week. But I don't see Von Miller committing a questionable penalty that effectively costs his team the game again, and their defense might even be better than Washington's.
Sunday Night
Indianapolis Colts @ Seattle Seahawks (-13.5)
Lucas: Colts. I know, I know. I'm betting on a terrible Colts team led by a backup quarterback, but Seattle has done nothing through three weeks that gives me any confidence that they should be two touchdown favorites, even at home.
Adam: Seahawks. Man, I really want those points. But if last week was a fluke Indy is just not a good team with Luck out. Until he gets back... wait, when is that Indy? Should have managed that better...
Monday Night
Washington Redskins @ Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5)
Lucas: Chiefs. Josh Norman can only take away so much. I'm going to ride this team until the postseason or Andy Reid turns back into Andy Reid, whichever comes first.
Adam: Redskins. KC with Hunt and Hill are lighting things up and Smith is having the start of his career. They will come crashing back to earth this week. Calling a Skins win outright.
Records So Far
Lucas: 19-28 (5-11 last week)
Adam: 25-22 (6-10 last week)
Scott: 19-28 (3-13 last week)
Geoffrey: 25-22 (8-8 last week)
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