Once again there's a shakeup at the top of the standings as I've somehow made my way back to sole possession of first place. But it's a tenuous two game lead with Kristen looming within striking distance, and her cousin Jen just one game back of her. The lesson here, as always: you don't need to know anything about football to succeed at this contest.
That effort to pull into the lead included me taking four of five disputed games from Adam last week, but he's really rebounded since that two win week about a month ago. He's still in last place, but the gap between him and sixth place has gotten significantly smaller. You can view the full, accurate standings (there was an early picking error on ESPN) as well as how we've all picked in relation to each other here.
This week, Adam and I disagree on eight games out of 16. Let's get to it!
Thursday Night
Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5)
Lucas: Chiefs. I feel like the Chargers could make a game out of this one, cover, and potentially even win, but with the division title on the line at home I don't see the Chiefs dropping this one.
Adam: Chargers. I think we may see an upset. Gordon is questionable, but I think he plays. Kansas City already clinched a playoff spot and LA is vying for both a share of the AFC West top spot... oh, and maybe fans too?
Lucas note: I'm not changing my pick, but now I want the Chargers to win the West so they can play a home road game.
Saturday Afternoon
Houston Texans @ New York Jets (+6.5)
Lucas: Texans. While the loss to the Pats back in Week 1 kind of complicates this, the Texans have the schedule to finish 12-4 and could potentially get a first round bye. Granted, they'd need to pick up a game over the Patriots in the process, which I doubt will happen, but it would be amazing... at least until they get curbstomped in the divisional round, which will probably happen regardless.
Adam: Jets. Going to give a little here to the rookie QB at home on Saturday night.
Saturday Night
Cleveland Browns @ Denver Broncos (-3.5)
Lucas: Browns. Denver is still a halfway decent team, but I don't know that they should be favored by quite this much against the Factory of
Adam: Browns. In celebration for his former teammate's Heisman, Baker bakes and gets back to back wins for the Browns.
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Arizona Cardinals @ Atlanta Falcons (-8.5)
Lucas: Cardinals. I'm sorry, the Falcons have no business being this big a favorite against anyone. Taking the points.
Adam: Cardinals. Because the Falcons always let me down.
Detroit Lions @ Buffalo Bills (-2.5)
Lucas: Bills. At least one good thing has come out of this NFL season: Detroit has taken its rightful place back in the basement.
Adam: Bills. Does anyone care about this game? Nope. Next.
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears (-5.5)
Lucas: Packers. Yes, I'm betting against an elite defense that just completely shut down arguably the best offense in the league, with a fully ready and raring to go Khalil Mack. But I'm also getting a significant chunk of points against an inconsistent offense with a team that hasn't lost in Chicago since a game that the Bears needed a field goal at the buzzer plus 37 penalties for 2,362 yards (all numbers approximate) against the Packers to win. Run the freaking table.
Lucas note: You mean like this?
Oakland Raiders @ Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)
Lucas: Raiders. I know I shouldn't have this much faith in Jon Gruden, but you have a seriously hurt Bengal team against a Raiders team that just pulled off quite the upset. I'll take the couple points.
Adam:
Lucas note: And then there's the lawsuit...
Dallas Cowboys @ Indianapolis Colts (-2.5)
Lucas: Cowboys. The Cowboys are looking like they're peaking at the right time just to blow another playoff game, right?
Adam: Colts. The Cowgirls are just a product of a terrible division. Philly? Under 500. Washington? Under 500 and on quarterback number four. The G-Men? Under 500 with a quarterback who is a walking zombie. The Colts will show them the way.
Tennessee Titans @ New York Giants (-2.5)
Lucas: Giants. They're... kinda screwing up the tank job that they should be doing. I could see that continuing.
Adam: Titans. Though apparently the Giants are not yet eliminated from the playoffs. I looked at an article which suggested with about 50 things falling their way, the Giants can still make the playoffs. I think what eliminates them will be their loss to Tennessee.
Lucas note: I don't know if this was the article in question, but it was the top Google hit.
Miami Dolphins @ Minnesota Vikings (-6.5)
Lucas: Dolphins. I know I probably shouldn't bet on a Dolphins team that became just the second team since 2000 to score on a last-second play involving laterals, and the first to win. But I also don't know that the Vikings should be touchdown favorites against them either, even though they may come out pissed after getting screwed in Seattle. NOW YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE.
Lucas note: Sorry, I'm still bitter. Really, really bitter.
Adam: Dolphins. They have played much better than I think a lot of people thought. They have beaten the Bears and the Pats, but to be fair they have also lost to Detroit and Cincy. I still like the points in this spot.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)
Lucas: Buccaneers. I think the Ravens still win, but I'm betting on a back door cover here given the line.
Adam: Ravens. Don't like the line or the storyline. Lamar Jackson will start the rest of the year for Baltimore.
Washington Redskins @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-6.5)
Lucas: Redskins. Are... are the sharps drunk? HOW IS SACKSONVILLE ABBEY A TOUCHDOWN FAVORITE AGAINST ANYONE?! (Note: video contains NSFW language)
Lucas note: In another universe (my Madden franchise), Josh Johnson was my third string quarterback behind Vince Young and Tim Tebow for a few years and won three or four rings with the Packers before I let him go due to cap restraints. He was meh for the Panthers and Ravens for three years apiece (though I think he made at least a couple more conference title games) and is now the backup in Tampa after playing like crap in Detroit last season. His career numbers: 53.8% completion for just under 8800 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 82 picks. Not sure which universe he'd prefer, but probably this alternate one since he's making $2.52 million this season to hold a clipboard, plus all his pay from prior seasons and the rings from his time in Green Bay.
Sunday, Late Afternoon
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (+5.5)
Lucas: Seahawks. Should be another easy win for a red hot team. But for their ugly as sin neon jerseys and ever more shady s*** happening on a Monday night at home, the bill comes due.
New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers (+1.5)
Lucas: Patriots. THIS WEEK, ON DAYS OF OUR STEELERS... (Note: video contains NSFW language)
Sunday Night
Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams (-9.5)
Lucas: Eagles. Well, Chicago just put on a clinic for how to beat the Rams. I don't know that the Eagles will, but I think they'll get up for this one. Taking the bounty of points.
Adam: Rams. No mo' Ro Mo... wait, wrong team... wait, is he in the booth? Crap... still, Wentz is possibly out for the season. Means we get Napoleon back!
Monday Night
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers (+6.5)
Lucas: Saints. New Orleans still concerns me with how they've played of late, but they're playing a free-falling Panthers team this week. I'll lay the points.
Adam: Saints. Exhibit A: the Panthers just lost to the Browns... nuf' said.
Records So Far
Lucas: 108-100 (13-3 last week)
Adam: 81-127 (10-6 last week)
Geoffrey: 88-120 (3-13 last week)
Joe: 101-107 (8-8 last week)
Aiden: 95-113 (8-8 last week)
Kristen: 106-102 (10-6 last week)
Jen: 105-103 (11-5 last week)
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