LAST WEEK’S RECORD WEEK 9 (9-6) KER-PLUNK!!!

THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES RECORD: (5-4)

FRIDAY GAMES RECORD:(0-1)

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES RECORD:(8-3)

SEASON RECORD:(86-52)

NFL WEEK 10 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

CINCINNATI BENGALS(4-5) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS(6-3)

Week ten starts off with a bang with Bengals visiting Ravens. Expect a shoot out on prime time Thursday night football. Both teams lack a defense so expect big fantasy numbers from both offenses This game features two of the best quarterbacks in the league. Joe Burrow versus Lamar Jackson. The Bengals and Ravens are obviously division rivals and in the first meeting weeks ago, the game went to overtime and both teams lit up the score board. The Ravens won that one on the road 41-38. Can the Bengals get to the 500 mark? Can the Ravens keep up with the Steelers who are at the top of the division? Jackson has done well against the Bengals his entire career with a 9-2 mark going into this game. Burrow will keep this game close. The Bengals defense stinks as the Ravens defense is nothing special either, but they could at least make one more stop than Cincinnati. Derrick Henry is just in beast mode right now. The Bengals season is riding down a dark road at high speed with no brakes or head lights.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

NEW YORK GIANTS(2-7) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS(2-7)

The Giants and Panthers will be meeting up in another NFL overseas game, this time in Germany. Germany is on my bucket list with big breasted women giving you big beers. GOOD TIMES!!! This game should have been scheduled during Oktoberfest so the fans could quickly forget what happens on the field. The Panthers had a surprise win last week against the Saints who been decimated by injuries. I think the last time the Giants won a game was when Donald Trump ran against Joe Biden 4 years ago. The Giants are the better team here. Daniel Jones should have better numbers than Bryce Young . The G-Men can play some defense as well. This one may not be worth getting up for, but it is football so a few Bloody Mary’s could make this one interesting.

OUR PICK: GIANTS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(2-7) AT CHICAGO BEARS(4-4)

In Chicago the sky is falling on the Chicago Bears season as they lost two straight on the road. Meanwhile the Patriots fans are watching their rookie QB develop as the season goes on. They should be happy with what they have seen so far in Drake Maye. The Bears have the top rookie QB in the draft as they selected Caleb Williams and they thought they had the best option. The Bears fans saw Jayden Daniels, the number two pick overall in the draft, beat Williams and Chicago on a Hail Mary pass 2 weeks ago. Could Drake rub salt in the wounds of Bears fans being picked third overall and leave Chicago with a victory? The Bears have shown me they are not the team we thought they were. This Bears roster has holes like their offensive line and I really think they need a new head coach. Matt Eberflus is terrible. The Bears will beat the Patriots as they are better at home and the better team. Once the Bears start to play the teams inside their own division, the sky will literally be falling in the Windy City.

OUR PICK: BEARS

BUFFALO BILLS(7-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(4-5)

The Bills have won 4 straight as they beat Miami for the second time this season with a Tyler Bass boot of a field goal that was 61 yards in Buffalo. The Joe Flacco move last week did not pan out for the Colts as now they lost two straight games. The Colts will start Flacco in this one Sunday noon-er as Buffalo should see a heavy dose of Jonathan Taylor trying to run it down the Bills throats. The Colts defense has not been good even with some injuries to the Bills wide receiving core, Josh Allen and company will score points with a well-balanced attack. The Bills defense signed a pair of run stuffers this week.

Jordan Phillips along with Quinton Jefferson are X-Bills who are now back in Buffalo. They were cut by their teams which should help the defense clog up the middle of the field. I think the Bills defense will bounce back and get a few turnovers in this road victory.

OUR PICK: BILLS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS(6-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(2-7)

The Vikings stopped the bleeding last week as they ended a two game skid with a win versus the Colts. The Jaguars made a comeback last week versus the Eagles and made that game look close as the Jags have lost two straight. Trevor Lawrence may not play in this one as he’s dealing with a left shoulder injury. The Viking defense should be able to feast on the X-Patriot Mac Jones, the Jags back up. The Jaguars defense is one the worst units in the league versus the pass. The Vikings Justin Jefferson should have a big day in Florida as Minnesota keeps pace with the Packers and Lions.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

DENVER BRONCOS(5-4) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(8-0)

I can’t wait to pop the champagne when the Chiefs finally lose a game. I don’t think the Broncos on the road will be the team to do that. Baker Mayfield gave the Chiefs a scare, but once again the two sided coin gave the ball to Kansas City in over time as you know what happened next. The Broncos defense has been solid until the Ravens last week put their unit through a buzz saw.

The Ravens scored 41 points on the Broncos last week. Bo Nix has improved at quarterback, but this game on the road in Arrowhead will not be his coming out party. The Broncos will play better but don’t have enough horses to beat the Chiefs on the road. Patrick Mahomes record versus teams in the AFC West is ridiculous!!!

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

ATLANTA FALCONS(6-3) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-7)

Can the interim head coach of the Saints, Darren Rizzi, give New Orleans a spark after the front office canned Dennis Allen? The Falcons have won two straight and are perfect on the road this season at 3-0. I can see the Saints playing better than last week, especially Derek Carr who knocked off the rust coming back from an injury. The Falcons offense with Kirk Cousins will be hard for Carr to match scores with. The Saints are riddled with injuries and that defense looked horrific. The Saints traded away one of their healthy defenders, Marshon Lattimore, to the Commanders. Cousins should have no problem carving up the Saints like a turkey dinner.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(4-4) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(4-5)

Just what the doctor ordered if you are a 49ers fan. The return of Christian McCaffrey will make his first appearance of the 2024 season.

When healthy, McCaffrey is one of the best running backs in the NFL. The Buccaneers are still balling as Baker Mayfield is still without his two top playmakers on offense. The 49ers are well rested coming off their bye week while the Buccaneers played on Monday night and have a short rest period to gear up. The Buccaneers defense has been terrible, so look for the 49ers to exploit that lighting up the score board. Mayfield will keep them in the game but San Francisco prevails and gets back on track with the additional energy that McCaffrey will provide.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS(6-2) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(7-2)

The Commanders and Steelers have won three straight games. Something will have to give in this contest. This will be Russell Wilson’s first start on the road in a Steelers uniform as he is 2-0 as the starter since making his debut 2 weeks ago. The Commanders are playing well and look like the cream of the crop in the NFC right now. The Commanders added a defensive piece in Marshon Lattimore from the Saints to improve Washington’s back end of that defense. The Steelers added former Jets and Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams who has not done much this season except irritate Aaron Rodgers. I like Jayden Daniels out playing Wilson in this one. I believe Wilson is in for his first clunker of the season. This game will be close, but Washington stands taller at the end.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

TENNESSEE TITANS(2-6) AT LA CHARGERS(5-3)

Are the Chargers for real this season as they have won two straight? The Titans struggled last week versus the Patriots but won the game in overtime. It was like a person about to puke but somehow kept the food down for a type of win for Tennessee. The Chargers are benefiting with an easy schedule but Jim Harbaugh has done a nice job turning this team around. I like Justin Herbert in this one. He has been playing solidly all year over whatever the Titans have behind center in Mason Rudolf or if Will Levis is back in the mix. The Chargers defense should stifle the Titans offense.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

NEW YORK JETS(3-6) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS(5-4)

Am I going to jump on the Jets band wagon as they finally won a game? The Cardinals are another team I can’t figure out as they have won three straight. Betting against the Jets this season I have a winning record. Is the Cayenne Pepper spice in the water reincarnated Mr. Darkness Retreat? Aaron Rodgers will throw 5 touchdown passes and lead the Jets all the way to the promised land.

I don’t care what Rodgers drinks. The Cardinals have won three straight games and are on top of the NFC West coming into this week. Kyler Murray has been very good. The running of James Connor in the Cardinals back field is not being talked about. The Jets weakness is against the run. The Cardinals defense has stepped up, especially last week versus the Bears. The Jets to me are still a stupid football team that makes too many mistakes. I back the Cardinals to pop this Rodgers bubble being on cloud 9 and bring the Jets back to the airport.

OUR PICK: CARDINALS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(6-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS(3-5)

I’m done thinking the Cowboys are due to have that break out game. The Eagles come into Dallas as one of the hottest teams in the league winning their last 4 games. The Cowboys will give the keys to back up QB Cooper Rush as Dak Prescott is hurt. Can Rush give this Cowboys team a spark? Rush is 5-1 in his career as a starter filling in for Dak. I think Rush will raise some eye brows in this one and give Dallas a chance to win this game at home and break a three game losing streak. In the end the terrible defense Dallas has, the Eagles Jalen Hurts will definitely exploit and leave Jerry Jones place with a win.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

DETROIT LIONS(7-1) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(6-3)

The Lions look like they are going all the way to the Superbowl as they have won six straight games and have only one loss. The Texans started out of the gates strong and are everyone’s sleeper pick in the AFC. The Lions offense – how do you stop it or even contain it? The Texans 2nd year quarterback CJ Stroud has lost two of his best wide receivers in Stefon Diggs who’s out for the year and Nico Collins, who is close to returning, was out several weeks. The Texans were beaten by Aaron Rodgers and the Jets on Thursday night of week 9.

The Lions defense has played well after losing their heart and soul of their defense in Aidan Hutchinson who is out for the year, several weeks ago. The Lions added Za’Darius Smith to their defensive line from the Browns this week which will help this unit even get better. Jared Goff has played better than Stroud. I like the Lions defense able to contain the Texans running back Joe Mixon which is right now the key to stopping Houston right now with their receivers out. I think the Lions will be able to generate points with their well-balanced attack on a suspect Houston defense.

OUR PICK: LIONS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

MIAMI DOLPHINS(2-6) AT LA RAMS(4-4)

The Dolphins are a desperate football team who need a win badly or their season is over. The Rams season has turned around as all the pieces are in place as they have won three straight and have their record back to the 500 mark. The Dolphins have lost three straight and were beat by a field goal in Buffalo last week. The Dolphins got a boost with Tua Tagovailoa back in the mix as he returns from his injury he suffered in week two. However the Dolphins have lost both games since Tua’s return. Both games were very close. It’s the Dolphins defense that is the problem. I like the Rams chances with Matthew Stafford having all his weapons just picking that Dolphin secondary apart with a strong running game behind him. The Rams defense has stepped up and played well including a big performance on the road in Seattle last week in a win over the Seahawks. Got to go Rams as the Dolphins need to show me something before I pick them to win.

OUR PICK: RAMS

LAST WEEK’S RECORD FOR WEEK 6: (11-3)

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD:(4-2)

FRIDAY NIGHT GAMES(0-1)

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:(5-2)

NFL WEEK 7 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

DENVER BRONCOS(3-3) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-4)

The Saints and the Broncos have screwed me all year with their shenanigans. The Saints injury list reads out like a Santa Clause list. Including without their starting QB Derek Carr. The Saints have lost 4 straight games. The Broncos are going through growing pains with their rookie QB, Bo Nix. I like the Broncos defense who are one of the top units in the league. The Saints defense has gone to complete shambles giving up 51 points to Tampa Bay last week.

My X-factor is the return of Sean Payton to New Orleans. Plus factor in that Broncos have won 3 out their last 4 games.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(1-5) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(1-5)

This is a pair of 1-5 teams battling on a neutral site. The Jaguars played in London last week and have stayed there while New England flew over the pond. The Patriots unleashed their rookie quarterback, Drake Maye, who played well in his first start for the Patriots. These are two bad teams, but I expect Maye to play well in his second start. I like Trevor Lawrence better in this match up as he has been getting better each week. The victories are not there yet for the Jaguars. Maye and the Patriots will score points off a leaky Jacksonville defense. I suspect this game to be an offensive shoot out with the Jaguars saying Cheerio to the Patriots at the end.

OUR PICK: JAGS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(3-3) AT ATLANTA FALCONS(4-2)

The Seahawks and the Falcons are heading in opposite directions. Seattle has lost three straight games. The Falcons have won 3 straight games. Another long flight across the country for Seattle. The Falcons offense is rolling like a well-oiled machine and the Seahawks defense is easier than a whorehouse in a bad neighborhood. Captain Kirk Cousins is playing well. I like the Falcons at home and they have the better defense to make this decision rather easy.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

TENNESSEE TITANS(1-4) AT BUFFALO BILLS(4-2)

The good news for the Titans is Mason Rudolf, former Steelers QB, gets the start. The Bills are finally at home after three straight road games where they won only one game. Rudolf filled in for Will Levis once this season and the outcome turned into the Titans’ only victory. I expect a better offensive performance for the Titans. I expect a better offensive performance from the Bills who will be on high after escaping New York with a victory on Monday night.

Even though the Jets technically play in Jersey. The Bills defense is getting healthier with guys returning. Then Buffalo made a trade landing the Browns’ top receiver, Amari Cooper, could be a nice jump start to that Bills offense we saw in the first three weeks of the season. Cooper will draw attention and Josh Allen will find someone open for the winning score.

OUR PICK: BILLS

CINCINNATI BENGALS(2-4) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS(1-5)

The battle of Ohio with two bad teams. The Bengals are trying to dig themselves out of an early season gigantic hole they dug themselves. The Browns’ season has been horrific. The Yankees just wiped out the Guardians in the baseball world. You know every Cleveland sports fan has awaken seeing this in a drunk stupor.

The thoughts of it seemed like a good idea at the time. Now these Cleveland fans are left with Deshaun Watson. Back to the drunk stupor because life was better. The Bengals have a solid offense. Watson is bad, Joe Burrow is better. The Browns are already waving the white flag dealing Amari Cooper to Buffalo. I like the Bengals in this state rivalry.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

HOUSTON TEXANS(5-1) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS(4-2)

Jordan Love versus CJ Stroud may be a great game here. The Texans, that sexy pick from experts, being a AFC heavy weight is panning off. Meanwhile the Packers in that loaded NFC North division is something you can’t sneeze at. On paper this looks like a shoot out. Both teams have a pretty good defensive unit. This will be a close game. Going with the home team on this pick as Love will just do a tad more than Stroud for a victory dance at Lambeau field. As Packers keep pace with the Lions, Vikings, and Bears… Oh my!!!

OUR PICK: PACKERS

MIAMI DOLPHINS(2-3) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(3-3)

If the Dolphins can hover around the 500 mark as they await the return of Tua Tagovailoa to save their season, you never know. The Colts are the better team with Joe Flacco behind center. It’s that simple. The Dolphins have former Ravens QB Tyler Huntley starting behind center. I like Flacco better. The Colts have won without their number one running back, Jonathan Taylor. Both teams will score points because their defenses are terrible. Flacco gets the last laugh.

OUR PICK: COLTS

DETROIT LIONS(4-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS(5-0)

I believe any NFC North match up this season may be must see television. The Lions visiting Viking-land will be epic. The Lions have won three straight. The Vikings have not lost yet. Jarred Goff and Sam Darnold have had solid seasons so far. The Lions in that blow out win over the Cowboys lost their best defensive player in Aidan Hutchinson.

The Vikings are well rested and at home sounds like a recipe for winning. I like the Lions head coach, Dan Campbell, pushing all the right buttons with his team by losing Hutchinson and overcoming the Vikings. Sometimes when you’re playing well and too well like the Vikings, a bye week can hurt you more than help. I like Lions overcoming this hurdle, taking over first, and giving the Vikings their first lost of the year.

OUR PICK: LIONS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(3-2) AT NEW YORK GIANTS(2-4)

The Giants and Eagles have played bad football, but combined they are 5-6 so they are finding ways to win games. Eagles barely won against a bad visiting Browns team at home. The Giants offense was a no-show versus the Bengals on Sunday night. Looks like the G-Men will get one of their play makers back in wide receiver Malik Nabors. This is one game I would not want to watch on the docket. Is Jalen Hurts due for a big game for the Eagles? Do you trust a pretty good Giants defense? I don’t trust Daniel Jones for the Giants behind center.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-4) AT LA RAMS(1-4)

This game is a clunker. The Raiders traded away Davante Adams, first of all. What kind of message are you sending to this Raiders team? The Rams have played in some close games but have only one win to show for it. The Rams were a playoff team last year. The Raiders defense was solid last year. My pick will be based off the QB. The Raiders are probably riding with Aidan O’Connell over Gardner Minshew, which is not a huge upgrade. The Rams are at home and still have Matthew Stafford who should be able to get it done.

OUR PICK: RAMS

CAROLINA PANTHERS(1-5) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(4-2)

The Commanders got a true measuring stick of this Jayden Daniels-led team versus the Ravens last week. Even with a loss the Commanders hung with one of the top AFC teams for 4 quarters. Meanwhile the Panthers. Bad defense. Andy Dalton and that Panthers offense will score some points. Not enough to compete with the Commanders. I like Washington getting the easy rebound and reestablishing themselves with a W.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(5-0) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(3-3)

The rematch of the Superbowl!!! The Chiefs have not lost a pep in their step as they are 5-0 out of the gates this season. The 49ers are a different story. They have piled up a ton of injuries. They have ridden the struggle bus to a 500 record. The Chiefs are coming off a bye week. Andy Reid’s teams historically have dominated coming off the bye week. The Chiefs defense is plying well. The 49ers defense is not playing well. Everything seems to favor the Chiefs. This should be an easy go with Kansas City. This is the NFL, nothing right now is set in stone. We know the script will have the Chiefs winning it all at the end. The script needs dramatic scenes. The 49ers win a big game for that dramatic flare and gives the Chiefs their first loss of the year. They can’t win them all.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW YORK JETS(2-4) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS(4-2)

The Steelers are making a move at their quarterback position benching Justin Fields for a healthy Russell Wilson. Confused? I certainly am. Then the Jets are getting the band back together as they are forming the Packers east coast team. The Jets land one of Aaron Rodgers’ old weapons from Green Bay by getting Davante Adams from the Raiders. Rodgers had his best game in a Jets uniform in a loss on Monday night to the Bills. How will Wilson do in his debut in the black and gold? Will the Steelers get Wilson from the Seahawks days or the Broncos days? Will the Steelers fans will be up in arms? Both teams have good defenses. The Steelers are better coached than the Jets team who shoot themselves in the foot regularly. Is the Jets owner relying too heavy on Rodgers with the firing of their head coach before the Bills game and now getting Adams? This Jets team seems like a house of cards ready to be blown down by the Steelers defense. I just don’t trust Rodgers. I don’t trust Wilson either. Mike Tomlin has gotten a 4-2 record with Fields as the starter. Watch Wilson play better than that Denver Wilson, but not his old Seattle self as the Steelers pull off a close one.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

TWO MONDAY NIGHT GAMES

BALTIMORE RAVENS(4-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(4-2)

This will be an interesting game between the Ravens and Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield lit up the Saints as the Buccaneers put 51 points on the scoreboard. The Ravens dealt with the rookie sensation Jayden Daniels and the Commanders for a victory. The Ravens have won 4 straight after losing the first two games out of the gates. Who has the better defense? The Buccaneers did give up a ton of points to back up quarterback last week. The Ravens are not that stout unit they were last season. You have to give the Ravens defense the nod. This should be a great game. At the end I stand by Lamar Jackson who has a career record of 22-1 against NFC teams. I go Ravens.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

LA CHARGERS(3-2) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS(2-4)

Every time you look at the scoreboard, it seems the Chargers get a win somehow. The Chargers are very quietly a 3-2 team. The Cardinals’ 2 wins have come against teams in their own division. I like Justin Herbert having a successful game over the Cardinals’ bad defense. Kyler Murray is too up and down for my taste. I like Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers defense that can keep Murray in check. This is not a very exciting game, but I like another quiet Chargers victory to end week 7.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

LAST WEEK’S RECORD WEEK 5:(9-5)

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD: (3-2)

FRIDAY NIGHT RECORD:(0-1)

SEASON RECORD:(45-33)

NFL WEEK 6 – STRAIGHT PICK’EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(2-3) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(3-2)

Both the Seahawks and the 49ers have played poorly the last few weeks. The 49ers lost to the Cardinals last Sunday. The Seahawks lost a home game to the visiting Giants. Both teams have taken on injuries in the first 5 weeks of the season. It’s a short week for both teams. The Seahawks defense worries me the most in this match up as injuries have taken a toll on this unit. I like Brock Purdy having a big game doing his thing with a 49ers well-balanced attack with the run and pass and tackling while taking this game rather easily.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

THE LONDON GAME

LONDON JAGUARS(1-4) AT CHICAGO BEARS(3-2)

The guards at the tower of London look like a marching band at a high school football game. I say London Jaguars because every year Jacksonville plays a game or more in England. The Bears will be the home team which is not really a home field advantage in this one. It seems Bears fans travel well so they might be in town. Caleb Williams had his best game last Sunday as a rookie quarterback in this league. Williams feasted on a bad Panthers team. The Jaguars had themselves a nice week notching their first win they needed to stay afloat. I like the experience of Trevor Lawrence as he has been here, done this game, and he right now is finding his groove. The Bears defense keeps this game close. I can see the Bears looking lethargic in the first half with the flight and getting used to the surroundings. The Jaguars will overcome any jet lag and take care of business in their home away from home.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(4-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS(3-2)

Lamar Jackson versus Jayden Daniels sounds like the Clash of the Titans movie. The Commanders have won 4 straight games. The Ravens have won 3 straight. The Ravens defense is not the same unit from last year as the Commanders will score points. The Ravens obviously will get their share of points as Jackson and Derrick Henry have created a dominating run game. Can Daniels be stopped? Can Daniels be contained? I think the Commanders will hit a speed bump in this one on the road. The Ravens will prevail late with a go ahead score and slow down the rookie just enough to put this game on ice.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

ARIZONA CARDINALS(2-3) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS(3-2)

Jordan Love earned his first victory back from his injury that took him out in the first game in Brazil on opening weekend versus the Eagles. The Cardinals found a way to upend the 49ers last Sunday in an upset. Love and the Packers offense should be able to feast on the Cardinals weak defensive line. The Cardinals have only beat the teams in their own division as their other win was against the Rams. Kyle Murray has had a decent season so far but I like the Packers being able to make stops on defense. I don’t see the Cardinals offense being able to score another 40 points on this Packers defense in Green Bay. I have the Packers prevailing in this one at home.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(2-3) AT TENNESSEE TITANS(1-3)

If either team wants to win this game, they should turn to their back up quarterbacks.

Joe Flacco has done very well over the second year quarterback Anthony Richardson who may be able to play this week coming back from an injury. The Titans had a bye week last week and are well-rested.

It was the play of Mason Rudolf that came into the game for Will Levis in week 4 to secure the Titans’ first victory of the season. If this game is Levis vs Richardson, you have to lean Titans. Even if Flacco gets the start the Titans have the better defense as the Colts can’t stop anyone. The Colts will not have Jonathan Taylor for this one. I like the Titans rested up and putting their divisional rival away in this match-up.

OUR PICK: TITANS

HOUSTON TEXANS(4-1) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(1-4)

The New England Patriots will hand the keys to their rookie quarterback Drake Maye after only winning one game in the first 5 weeks of the season. The Texans, everyone’s darlings to be the new power house in the AFC, should have no problem with this Patriots team. I’m sure Maye will have growing pains in his first ever start in the NFL. Everyone in New England wants this kid right away slinging the football like the great Tom Brady. With Caleb Williams finding his game after a few bad performances, the Patriots will have to have patience with a rookie. We know the Patriot fans will want Maye to come out like Jayden Daniels blazing. It “Maye” take some time. I like Houston winning this game on the road by double digits.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

TAMPA BAY(3-2) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-3)

Last time we saw the Buccaneers, they lost a game on Thursday night in an epic shoot out that went to overtime versus Kirk Cousins and the Falcons. The Saints opened up the season winning their first two games and putting over 40 points on the score board in each of them. The Saints have come back down to earth in a fatal crash as they lost three straight. Derek Carr is out.

Now the Saints will launch their secret weapon. Spencer Rattler is a rookie quarterback. Rattler was drafted out of South Carolina University and he is fearless. I like the Buccaneers chances better in this one with Bake Mayfield playing well. The Saints O-line is banged up. The Buccaneers are rested up.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS(3-2) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-3)

The Steelers have lost two straight games after winning their first three. The Raiders are having QB issues. Will the Raiders bench Gardner Minshew and go with Aidan O’Connell? He was the starter for the silver and black last season. Looks like Russell Wilson will be back from his injury but the Steelers will stick with Justin Fields. The Raiders are without their star wide receiver Davante Adams who wants to be traded. I think O’Connell will give the Raiders a spark but not enough to light up the Steelers talented defense. I like Fields being able to match up against this Raiders defense that is still banged up.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

CLEVELAND BROWNS(1-4) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(2-2)

These Browns are a natural disaster right now. How many more weeks will the Browns continue to trot out Deshaun Watson before pulling the plug on the 230 million dollar QB?

The Eagles needed a bye week and they are well rested after being off in week 5. The Eagles have been festering with their bad loss to the Buccaneers two weeks ago. I like Jalen Hurts out-dueling anything Watson has. I think the locker room will be an issue for Cleveland which may already be dividing. My gut feeling is the Eagles have their best game of the season in front of the home crowd against a team that is in total disarray right now.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

ATLANTA FALCONS(3-2) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS(1-4)

The Atlanta Falcons have to be licking their chops right now heading to Carolina to feast on Panthers meat. Kirk Cousins and that offense rolled over a pretty good Tampa Bay defense. The Panthers were shell-shocked playing the Bears on the road. Andy Dalton will keep this game close during the first half. The Falcons have a well balanced attack and the way Cousins has already adapted to his new team means look for Atlanta to light up the score board against a bad Panthers team. They can’t stop it but know it’s coming.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

DETROIT LIONS(3-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS(3-2)

Both the Lions and Cowboys have won two straight games. The Lions are well rested coming off their bye week. The Cowboys last two wins have come against the Raiders and the Giants which does not give a confidence boost that they can take down the visiting Lions. The Cowboys may be without their star defender Micah Parsons who missed last week with an injury. I like the Lions offensive line man handling the Cowboys defensive front giving Detroit big holes to run through. Dak Prescott should keep this game close most of the game, but Lions will prevail late in the 4th to escape Dallas with another road victory.

OUR PICK: LIONS

LA CHARGERS(2-2) AT DENVER BRONCOS(3-2)

The Broncos are surging as they have won three straight games as you ask yourselves how. The Chargers have lost two straight and they are coming off their bye week. It seems like both teams play better defense right now than putting points on the board. The Broncos defense has been playing lights out. Bo Nix versus Justin Herbert could be the beginning of these two quarterbacks playing against each other for years to come. Herbert has been bothered by a ankle issue. Nix, the rookie quarterback, has been quietly improving each week as the Broncos have been tip toeing around the NFL. This while quietly stringing together victories. Jim Harbaugh coached teams are always a thorn in the side for opposing teams. Sean Payton had the Broncos playing well last year when his team looked like the worst team ever in football history. I like the Broncos in this one to continue quietly to gallop to another victory.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

CINCINNATI BENGALS(1-4) AT NEW YORK GIANTS(2-3)

The Giants had an upset last week over Seattle on the road. The Bengals had it. They missed a field goal versus the Ravens and ended up losing their 4th game of the season. This may be the biggest hole the Bengals early on into a season dug themselves. Joe Burrow is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL right now as him and his receivers Lamar Chase and Tee Higgins are on the field together and on the same page. Daniel Jones has struggled this season. Jones and the Giants offense should be able to generate points off a bad Bengals defense. In the end Burrow should beat Jones. That Bengals offense will be a huge challenge against that Giants defense, which will break.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

BUFFALO BILLS(3-2) AT NEW YORK JETS(2-3)

This game has all the drama going on by both teams. The Jets fired their head coach this week, Robert Saleh. You may say Aaron Rodgers may have something to do with it. The Jets defensive coordinator will take over the head coach duties. Last Sunday it was the Bills head coach Sean McDermott who cost his team a W versus the Texans with bad clock management. The Bills have lost two games in a row. Josh Allen got banged up last week pretty good versus the Texans. Speaking of Rodgers, he has struggled in the last two weeks throwing lots of interceptions. The Jets also demoted their offensive coordinator. Nathan Hackett may be on coffee duty. This will be the Bills’ third straight road game. The Jets made the long trip back from England where they lost last week. Injuries for the Bills is a factor. Their offense averaged over 30 points per game in the first three games & now have averaged just 15 points per game in those two losses. Last year when the Jets opened up at home in Rodgers’ first game wearing the dark green, he was injured early on and was out for the season on a sack by Leonard Floyd. I like Allen having a big game here. I like the Bills defense finding a way to irk Rodgers as he makes a few critical mistakes to give the Bills a victory they need.

OUR PICK: BILLS

In week 5 we remember the great Greg Landry who played quarterback for the Lions for 11 seasons in the 1960’s & 70’s. Landry passed away at the age of 77 this week. Landry played 15 years in the NFL. After the Lions he played for the Colts and Bears. He also did two years in the USFL in the 1980’s with the Arizona Wranglers and Chicago Blitz. He was 44-51-3 as a starter in the NFL throwing 98 touchdowns and had 103 interceptions.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:(10-6)

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD:(3-1)

FRIDAY NIGHT RECORD:(0-1)

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:(4-2)

SEASON RECORD:(36-28)

NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM WEEK 5

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(3-1) AT ATLANTA FALCONS(2-2)

This match up is too close to call. A coin flip will do. I have bet against Baker Mayfield so far this season and it has cost me. The Falcons have been hard to figure out as well. Can Captain Kirk Cousins ditch those losing ways on prime time games? Which is a fair question. The Buccaneers and the Falcons coming off wins from last week. This is a division game which means these teams know each other. Even though Cousins is new to the division this will be a shoot out. I bet on Mayfield because he has shown me up every week. I like Cousins making it a close affair, but Buccaneers prevail at the end.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

THE LONDON, ENGLAND GAME

The NFL is always scoring points with the Queen of England. Is that the Commissioner Roger Goodell on top?

NEW YORK JETS(2-2) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS(4-0)

Aaron Rodgers will face a familiar team from his past in the Vikings. While Sam Darnold might want to settle the score with the team that drafted him in the New York J-E-T-S. Vikings are surprisingly 4-0 as Darnold suddenly is showing something to explain why he was drafted in the first round in the first place. This game is on neutral ground over the pond in England in where anything can happen. The Jets had a bad week at home losing to the Broncos in bad weather. Rodgers all-time is 17-12 against the Vikings which was done in a Green Bay uniform. Rodgers struggled last week and was mouthing off as he always does when he shows he’s incapable of producing every game like the old days. The Vikings are well-balanced on offense and that defense has been mostly lights out even though they let Green Bay back into that game last Sunday. The Jets line has not played that well for Rodgers. The Jets wins have come from the Titans and Patriots while the Vikings have beaten the Packers and the 49ers who New York lost too. The Vikings are sailing hot right now and I’m riding them over the Jets who have mostly been grounded this season for malfunctions behind center mostly.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

CAROLINA PANTHERS(1-3) AT CHICAGO BEARS(2-2)

Andy Dalton failed to beat the team that drafted him last Sunday. Can Dalton rebound and beat one his other X-teams? The Bears rookie quarterback I thought played his best game of the season last Sunday with a win over the Rams. The Panthers are a better team with Dalton behind center, but they still overall are a bad team. I like the Bears being at home. I like D’Andre Swift having his best game last week as a Bear.

The Bears should be able to score points anytime versus the Panther defense. The Bears defense has done well all year and should be able to hold Dalton and this Panthers offense in check.

OUR PICK: DA BEARS

MIAMI DOLPHINS(1-3) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(1-3)

The poor Dolphins and the Patriots have lost three straight games after they opened up with a victory on the opening week. The Cheetah Tyreek Hill is getting restless as they have no quarterback behind center right now to get him the ball. When is the question. Will the Patriots give their rookie quarterback Drake Maye the keys to the car?

Both teams have had troubles on the offensive side of the ball. You can say the Patriots have played better at home. I think Miami runs the ball down the Patriots throat in this one and escapes New England with a victory. This as they find a few plays to get their caged animal Hill involved which will pay off.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

BALTIMORE RAVENS(2-2) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS(1-3)

The Bengals finally won their first game of the season last week. Whoopee!!! They played the Panthers. The Ravens gave Buffalo their first loss of the year as they rode the Derrick Henry steamroller to victory.

The Bengals and Ravens will always be worth watching. This Bengals team is 2-8 all-time versus Lamar Jackson. Joe Burrow beat the Bengals easily when Jackson was hurt and is 3-4 all-time versus the Ravens. The Ravens will score points off a bad Bengal defense that has suffered some injuries. They are not the same unit when the Bengals were in the playoffs two seasons ago. The Ravens defense seems to finally be finding their 2023 groove in last week’s performance. Bengals usually dig themselves out of the hole they dug early in the season. This match up is not what this Bengals team needs right now. These teams don’t like each other as it will be close but Ravens prevail.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

BUFFALO BILLS(3-1) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(3-1)

The revenge of Stefon Diggs part 2!! The former Bill will face him & get his chance to stick it to Josh Allen and the front office. The Bills come off an embarrassing loss to the Ravens on Sunday night just getting steamrolled by Derrick Henry. The Texans rebounded from a loss to the Vikings in Diggs’ first revenge game of the season. The Texans pulled off a W over the Jaguars. The Texans are this team that experts like in the AFC to go deep into the playoffs because of CJ Stroud and all the weapons he has. The Bills defense is ailing right now as this could be a shoot out. Allen without Diggs has been successful dishing the ball out to all his guys as you can’t zone in on one guy facing the Bills. The Texans will be without their starting running back, Joe Mixon. I like the Bills running back James Cook having a big game here to spoil the Diggs plot. The Bills defense will bend plenty, but they will capitalize on a mistake made by the Texans to get the Bills back on track.

OUR PICK: BILLS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(2-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(0-4)

Last week we had a Joe Flacco sighting in Indianapolis. The recipe for winning in Indianapolis. Make sure that Anthony Richardson plays and gets hurt, then replace him with an established veteran. The Colts did this last year with Gradner Minshew. They did it last week versus the Steelers bringing in Flacco. Colts win. Do you think the Browns fans are happy seeing the guy they had last year take them to the playoffs, win a game? The Jaguars may have played their best game of the year last week in a loss versus Houston. Is this the week the Jags get that first W in the win column? The Colts have not won in Jacksonville since 2014. The Colts will be without their star running back, Jonathan Taylor, who has an ankle injury. The Colts coaching staff is still trying to figure out who they should start. It will be either Flacco, the guy that will win games, or Richardson who’s looking like a bust every week. While they kick around ideas, Jaguars find a way at home to get a win against a team they know and own at home.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

CLEVELAND BROWNS(1-3) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(3-1)

The big question in Cleveland is: When to pull the plug on Deshaun Watson? The Commanders have won three straight with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels taking the league by storm. Watson gives another lackluster performance as the Brownies have lost two straight. The Commanders offense looks legit and may be one of the better scoring machines in the league. Watson’s offensive line is in shambles and he is too busy yelling at his own players on the sideline. I would let the defense have at it if I was a Browns offensive lineman. My QB is a douche bag. It’s getting uglier by the week in Cleveland as this team is about to blow up. Not in a good way. I like the Commanders and they protect Daniels. They have a strong running game behind him. He’s a duel threat. His passing is pin pointed. The Commanders defense should be able to rattle Watson’s cage enough for Daniels to put the Commanders up by double digits.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-2) AT DENVER BRONCOS(2-2)

The Raiders put up their second W of the season in handling the dysfunctional Cleveland Browns squad. Everyone just assumed the Broncos were going to be one of the worst teams in the league with a rookie quarterback. As Denver has quietly won two straight games. Bo Nix is still developing as the Broncos have shown they have a defense out in Colorado. The Raiders are fighting through injuries and trade talk as their star wide receiver Devante Adams wants out of Vegas.

For the game I think Bo Nix will be able to generate points off the Raiders defense. Gardner Minshew has mostly struggled this season for the Raiders and I thought him coming to Vegas was great move. The Broncos are at home and when I pick against them they screw me. I’m jumping on the Broncos horse for this week at least.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

ARIZONA CARDINALS(1-3) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(2-2)

The Cardinals are pretenders. They blew up the Rams for their only victory of the year. They had a solid game versus Buffalo in week one. Last week they were blown up by the Commanders. They have lost two straight. Really not a good team to face a week later a road game in San Francisco when you are on a losing streak. The 49ers handled their business with a lay up over the visiting Patriots. The Cardinals defense will not be able to stop this 49ers offense. Even with the injuries, the 49ers replacements have kept this well-oiled machine able to still score points. The Cardinals will give the 49ers a better battle than the Patriots, but the score should still be one sided in favor of San Francisco.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

GREEN BAY PACKERS(2-2) AT LA RAMS(1-3)

Jordan Love returned last week and had a tale of two halves versus the Vikings. The Rams are kicking more field goals than scoring touchdowns. Caleb Williams, the Bears rookie quarterback, had his best game of his short NFL career so far against that Rams defense. I like Love having a big game since he knocked the rust off in his return last Sunday. Matthew Stafford will keep things close for most of the game. I like the Packers pulling away late in this one as Stafford makes a mistake that cements this one for Green Bay.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

NEW YORK GIANTS(1-3) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(3-1)

The Giants best receiver ruled out rookie Malik Nabors who was sidelined with a concussion last week. The Seahawks lost their first game on the season being on the road playing the Lions. Seattle gave the Lions a run for their money putting up a ton of points. The Giants have been improving since the horrific start they had out of the gates of the season. Seattle’s defense has some injuries so the Giants should generate some points and keep this a close affair. In the long run, I like Seattle winning this at home as their offense is rolling right now.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

SUNDAY NIGHT

DALLAS COWBOYS(2-2) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS(3-1)

The Steelers came back down to earth as the Colts gave Pittsburgh their first loss of the year. The Cowboys will be without their sack master, Micah Parsons. The Cowboys still found the win column over the G-Men last Thursday. Justin Fields’ career has been rejuvenated this season with the Steelers after years losing with the Bears. The Cowboys offense will face a solid defense versus the Steelers but I like Dak Prescott’s chances of having a big game despite the challenge. The Cowboys have had success putting up points on the scoreboard against AFC North teams. The Browns in week one. Then they came back in the second half versus the Ravens but fell short in that one. Fields will cave in this prime time affair is my gut feeling.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-2) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(4-0)

Everyone will think this Monday match up is a lock for the Chiefs. The Saints came out like gang busters out of the gates scoring over 40 points in the first two contests winning both games. Now Derek Carr looks like Derek Carr. The Chiefs have walked a fine line getting the lucky breaks through basically all their games. The Chargers defense held Patrick Mahomes to 17 points. The Chiefs have been racking up the injuries as Mahomes’ play makers are now being serviced in the MASH unit. The Saints defense has played solidly all year. Can that Saints offense wake up? That is the biggest question. After losing two straight now seeing the Falcons and the Buccaneers ahead of you in the standings, this game could be a turning point of the season. A win & the Saints are back baby. A loss means the Saints may march into a losing season. I like the Saints defense doing to Mahomes what the Chargers did collapsing the pocket and giving Houdini no escape routes. The Saints offense uses Alvin Kamara’s legs to pull off the upset as Mahomes’ luck finally runs out for at least one week.

OUR PICK: SAINTS