Just six games separate the group as a whole, but most of us are bunched up right smack in the middle. Last week Adam took four of seven to move back into a tie through two weeks, I grabbed three of four from Joe, and Adam took four of five from him as Joe now sits in last place.
First place in the group belongs to my Then There Were Two cohost, Geoffrey Clark, on the back of a perfect three-for-three hero week (thank the Titans, Seahawks, and Panthers). You can track how we've all picked in relation to each other here.
As we look ahead to our next slate of 16, Adam and I disagree on eight games, Joe and I on four, and Adam and Joe on six. Let's get to it!
Thursday Night
New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers (-10.5)
Lucas: Giants. I'm trying to decide what it says about multiple teams given that it's seeming like the 2022 Giants were frauds. While I think the Niners win, and probably decisively, I'll give Danny Derps a backdoor cover.
Adam: 49ers. This line makes this a tough choice. San Francisco is the much better team, but the G-Men are coming off a W after coming back against Arizona. The Niners also have some minor injuries, and I am not high on Purdy yet. So, I’ll still give the points, but wouldn’t be shocked with a backdoor cover.
Joe: 49ers.
Sunday, Early Afternoon
Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns (-3.5)
Lucas: Titans. Boy, Deshaun Watson just can't keep his hands to himself, can he.
Adam: Browns. They are coming off a tough Monday Night game against a determined Pittsburgh team who only won on the back of a fumble-6. Tennessee did prevail against the Chargers, but it seems like the Chargers may have had the wheels come off. At home, easy pick here for me.
Joe: Titans.
Atlanta Falcons @ Detroit Lions (-3.5)
Lucas: Lions. I'm trying to decide if last week was the universe righting itself or what, but I think the Lions bounce back.
Adam: Lions. This line seems like an overreaction to the Falcons being 2-0 and the Lions being 1-1. Detroit is the much better team here. Atlanta has only beat a weak Carolina team and a middling Green Bay team that beat up on my horrendous Bears.
Joe: Lions.
New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers (-2.5)
Lucas: Packers. I shouldn't care as much as I do about Falconing against the Falcons, but man. Hoping Love's home debut is another solid performance, hopefully with reinforcements. Side note, fire the training staff.
Adam: Saints. This line is about right for what I expect with this game. I think this comes down to which QB plays better; I like the vet Carr over the first year starter Love. Simple as that.
Joe: Packers.
Denver Broncos @ Miami Dolphins (-6.5)
Lucas: Dolphins. A little late for a Hail Mary with all naughts on the clock to be for naught, Russ. Yes, I'm still bitter.
Adam: Dolphins. Heck of a Hail Mary toss to end the game, just could not convert on the 2 point conversion. It was PI in my opinion, but shocking that a Sean Payton team doesn’t get an obvious PI call (shots fired). But Miami is much better with the Tua/Hill/Waddle trio.
Lucas note: Let's be honest: the NFL doesn't know what the [expletive] pass interference is.
Joe: Dolphins.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Minnesota Vikings (-0.5)
Lucas: Vikings. Okay, we're three weeks in and I haven't touched on the Chargers' schedule release video that brought me a tremendous amount of joy back in May. Anyway, the Chargers' content team chose violence against the Bird Killer 9000 and its tenants... which is probably the only W they're getting this weekend because Chargers.
Joe: Vikings.
New England Patriots @ New York Jets (+2.5)
Lucas: Patriots. Only because the NFL is no fun.
WOW THE PITCH!
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📺: #MIAvsNE on NBC
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Adam: Jets. When I went through and made my quick picks on Tuesday night, I picked New England, but mistakenly thought they were getting 2.5 not giving. MILF Hunter 4000 finds a softer spot here than last week at Dallas and... Cooks? Bakes? Whatever a MILF Hunter does.
Lucas note: Different four letter verb, Adam. Come on.
Joe: Patriots.
Buffalo Bills @ Washington Commanders (+6.5)
Lucas: Commanders. While the Bills had a nice bounceback last week, the Commanders have been sneaky through two weeks, and I see them at least making a game of this this week.
Adam: Bills. Washington has been playing well, but the Bills are easily a touchdown better here in this spot. Giving the points as a road favorite and hoping they make it.
Joe: Bills.
Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-9.5)
Lucas: Jaguars. Not playing against a Chris Jones-led Chiefs defense should help, if nothing else.
Adam: Texans. Despite being 0-2 Houston has played respectably and the Jags not quite for me yet. So a virtual 10 point line is too much to pay for me on this line. I’ll take Houston and hope the Jags don’t wake up this week.
Joe: Jaguars.
Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)
Lucas: Ravens. Anthony Richardson looked so good early... only to get concussed. The football gods are jerks.
Adam: Colts. Who is ready for some more Minshew Magic? Break out those cut of jorts and handlebar mustaches. I’m here for it.
Joe: Ravens.
Sunday, Late Afternoon
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks (-6.5)
Lucas: Seahawks. I'm not sure a half point cover against the Saints is worth a good followup. I'll lay the points.
Adam: Seahawks. Let’s all line up wherever we want. Seems like Young needs to go back to school to understand the center is the one with the ball.
Chicago Bears @ Kansas City Chiefs (-13.5)
Lucas: Chiefs. I expected this line to be higher. Like, crappy Jaguars against the Peyton Manning Broncos high. Maybe Justin Fields will throw another screen on third and eternity from his own end zone again.
Adam: Bears. Yeah, the Bears need to wake up and play. This game will be either a four point or less game or a 30 point blow out. Given both teams starts, I see the bears with a touch more drive and keep it “close.”
Lucas note: Interesting take from the guy who sent this in the group chat on Wednesday.
Dallas Cowboys @ Arizona Cardinals (+12.5)
Lucas: Cowboys. Why is the late slate full of what's going to be slaughters? Come on, schedulemakers.
Adam: Cowboys. This Dallas D is solid. And Micah Parsons is insane.
Joe: Cowboys.
Sunday Night
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Las Vegas Raiders (-1.5)
Lucas: Steelers. I watched the last quarter-plus of the Steelers-Browns tilt with UrinatingTree's YouTube stream up as a companion piece. I am no Yinzer... but there's something magical about watching them when the High End Talent takes over and steals a game you have no business winning. Stillersgahntasuperbowl. (I'd put a NSFW warning here, but apparently YouTube has this blocked on third party sites, so you'll have to click through below with that warning in mind.)
Joe: Steelers.
Monday Night
Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5.5)
Lucas: Eagles. I'm fearing this may turn into a Pyrrhic victory for the Iggles only because it's Monday night. The recap is below and given that I have Jalen Hurts on my fantasy team... I'm in danger.
Adam: Eagles. A line that looks a touch light for what it should be, but that is more a testament to Baker and Tampa beating Minnesota and Chicago to start 2-0. But their luck should run out here.
Joe: Eagles.
Los Angeles Rams @ Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)
Lucas: Rams. Giving the victor of the Super Bowl in the rematch the narrow edge.
Adam: Rams. Taking the hot team right now. Cincy may be without Burrow and besides, he hasn’t done much this year yet anyway. My money fantasy team is hurting due to Cincy’s poor start. Hoping that doesn’t continue much longer.
Joe: Bengals.
Records So Far
Lucas: 16-16 (7-9 last week)
Adam: 16-16 (8-8 last week)
Joe: 13-19 (5-11 last week)
Geoffrey: 19-13 (12-4 last week)
Jim: 16-16 (10-6 last week)
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