Week six was good to most of our contributors here at Pick ‘em Wisely. Everyone except myself picked four of five games right, while I only predicted two games correctly. Not what I had envisioned coming into a week where I felt very comfortable with my selections. I’ll give credit where credit is due, though, and say congrats to Tony, Pat and Duds.
This week we’re going to change the format ups some and keep it through the rest of the season. The amount of bad teams is somewhat alarming seen as how we’re just a month and a half into the season, making for some pretty poor match ups league-wide each week. We’ll be giving analysis on the three best games now instead of four or five, and each writer will pick a LOCK and an UPSET of the week. We’ve also welcomed Bronco’s writer Nick Gustafson to our weekly article. good luck Nick, you’ll need it against everyone but me. Enough blah blah blah, on to the picks…
Minnesota @ Pittsburgh
Pat McGuire- NFL Game of the Week! The Vikings are destined to lose at some point and the last two games were won by missed opportunities from the other team. The Steelers, this season have started to take the stereotype of not being able to finish games, but with this game being played in Pittsburgh and as biased as I can be, I like Pittsburgh in this one. The drunken Jeff Reed will re-pay the Rooney’s with a bomb of a field goal for the W and the public intox fine.
Nick Gustafson- I like the Steelers to finally hand the Vikings their first loss. They are a physical team that matches up well with the Vikings. They haven’t played their best football this year, but I think they will be up for this game.
Dudley French- This will be the week that Farve’s luck is finally going to run out. Look for at least 3 int’s turned into 17 points, minimum. Take Pittsburgh at home for the win.
Tony Bosma- The Vikings defense gave up huge yardage to the Ravens last week. With the Steelers trending more towards a passing attack than their usual smash-mouth running game, I like the Steelers to win by 10.
Wes French- Favre will make his first appearance in the elements when the Viking visit the Steelers, and I like the elements over Favre. He’s going to single handedly sink the Vikes at some point and I think this week will be one of those games.
Atlanta @ Dallas
PM- The Cowboys cannot get out of the negative spotlight in the media. I believe this hurts the team and creates a different type of atmosphere in the locker room. However, the Cowboys have some serious athletes on that roster and will find a way to win. It is hard to predict who will show up and dominate for the ‘boys, but I am sure someone will as they cruise off there bye week to a 14 point win.
NG- Atlanta should rebound this week with a win over the Cowboys. Matt Ryan is a better quarterback than Romo and that Roy Williams trade reminds me of the move Al Davis made for Javon Walker. I’m wondering if in the future we’ll be talking about Jerry Jones and Al Davis in the same sentence.
DF- This will be close, but I think Dallas is on the hot seat and will have to play their best game of the year. I think they will. Take Dallas at home.
TB- It’s hard to decide what each team really is. Dallas has been inconsistent and I’m still not positive exactly how good the Falcons are yet. I’ll take Dallas by 3.
WF- The Falcons are 4-1 but I’m not convinced they’re as good as their record. I expect Dallas to show up at home in a big way, offensively and defensively, coming off the bye. If the ‘Boys get embarrassed again at home Wade Phillips can start getting his resume in order.
Chicago @ Cincinnati
PM- Palmer vs. Cutler. Palmer = 120 – 203, 1375yds, 8 tds. Cutler = 110 – 172, 1201yds, 10 tds. Cincinnati has surprised many across the league so far this season, but I believe their run is over after the embarrassing loss to the Texans last week. It doesn’t take much for a team to lose the “mojo” especially when they are vulnerable to the rut they are so often in. The Bears win this one big.
NG- With both teams struggling with major defensive injuries it comes down to who has more offensive weapons. I have to give the edge to the Bengals. Lovie Smith seems to be betting next years draft on this years success, maybe that second round pick would have been better spent on legitimate target for Cutler to throw to.
DF- I still don’t believe in either of these teams, but unlike last week I think the Bears will at least not beat themselves. I’m thinking this ends in a very close game, but take the bears.
TB- I haven’t totally bought into either team yet. With a reunion of sorts for ex-Chicago players Tank Johnson and Cedric Benson, the motivation factor should be favoring the Bengals. But, I think Jay Cutler has his best game of the season.
WF- Big loss at DE for the Bengals+Ced Benson focusing more on history with Chicago than blitz packages+Ochocinco calling out Tillman and claiming he’ll Samba= plenty of fuel for the Bears. If Lovie can’t jack these guys up and get them playing at a high level this week the “hot seat” rumors will start.
LOCKS
PM- Colts over Rams
TB- Cardinals over Giants
NG/DF/WF- Eagles over Redskins
UPSETS
PM/TB- Dolphins over Saints
NG- Cardinals over Giants
DF- 49ers over Texans
WF- Chiefs over Chargers
