Category: Picks for each NFL game

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NFL Week 6 picks: Quick takes on each game this Sunday

Posted on by chrisbacker52

By Chris Schisler

NFL Picks are here. It’s been an interesting week and this post is usually up on Thursday. My bad guys. I’m not leaving you hanging though so here is your Sunday morning quick takes on each matchup today. For the record, I tweeted out that the Buccaneers would win over the Eagles so I’m 1-0. Fun fact, I haven’t gotten a Thursday Night Football game wrong all year. Winners will be highlighted in purple:

NFL Week 6:

Dolphins @ Jaguars

I’m just going, to be honest, I probably won’t pick the Jacksonville Jaguars once this season. First of all, they’re not good enough. Secondly, Urban Meyer is a bad NFL coach and I love to see the man get knocked down a peg after years of getting away with being a jerk. If the Jags are going to win a game this might be it. With Tua Taglovailoa back I’ll go with the Dolphins.

Vikings @ Panthers

The Vikings are a hard team to get pegged down. They really are. They got a last-second win against Detroit, almost Baltimore Ravens style.  The Vikings were close against the Browns and took the Bengals to overtime. I think they’re a scrappy team and when their offense gets going they work as a team. Give me the Vikings.

Chargers @ Ravens 

I’ve already made my official pick for this game. I got the Ravens 31-28 so sue me. Look, this is a team that just finds a way. If we’ve learned one thing about the Ravens this season it’s that. I think Herbert comes down to earth a little bit and Lamar Jackson walks away even more obviously the MVP of the NFL. This will be tough but give me Baltimore.

Rams @ Giants

The Giants are awful. I’m sorry, they’re not good. They beat the Saints and have lost against Washington, Denver, and Atlanta. I’ll give them a pass against the Cowboys because that is some real competition. They got smoked. The point is they lose to bad teams and the Rams aren’t a bad team.

Texans @ Colts 

The Colts are 1-4 after the shocking comeback for the ages that happened last week. Frank Reich is a great coach so his team is going to come out angry and not wounded. Give me the Colts big. Davis Mills is coming back down to earth today.

Chiefs @ Washington

The Chiefs have already played this game. What happened against the Eagles is just going to happen again. An NFC East team is going to make it interesting because the Chiefs’ defense is bad enough to keep up for a while. Then Kansas City turns on the turbo and it’s over. Chiefs win. Play the over.

Packers @ Bears

The Packers haven’t lost since week 1. Aaron Rodgers is feeling it but the Packers defense has started doing its thing as well. The Packers held the Bengals to 22 points. They held the Steelers and the Lions under 20. Rodgers will be the headline. The defense will be the underrated story.

Bengals @ Lions

I want the Lions to win this game so bad. Dan Campbell almost got me choked up last week and I could care less about the Lions. Guys, it’s not happening. The Lions have a good work ethic and a lack of talent in key areas.

Cardinals @ Browns

The Cardinals are the best team in the NFL. That sentence seems wrong. I think it may be true though, so I’ll go with it. Kyler Murray has been spoiled with weapons. The defense of Arizona is much better this season. Cleveland is good. I just don’t trust Baker Mayfield in a shootout.

Cowboys @ Patriots

Dak Prescott is on fire. Trevon Diggs has the defensive player of the year award in the bag… right? Cowboys roll. I could see this being a blowout.

Raiders @ Broncos 

Jon Gruden is out. The Raiders may be good enough to win this game but let’s not pretend this is a weird week for them. Give me the Broncos… not confidently.

Seahawks @ Steelers 

The Steelers are lucky. With Russell Wilson, the Seahawks would win. Without him, let the least ugly offense prevail. The Steelers defense at home in a primetime game against Geno Stone isn’t fair. The Steelers are not getting much better but their record will improve anyway.

Bills @ Titans

The Titans have to play a perfect game to win this. Their defense can’t stop the Bills. One slip and it’s over before it gets going. The Bills firepower will win this game. Hopefully, for my friend Zach (a Titan’s fan) that perfect game exists. The NFL would love to see a thriller here, I’m just not sure it’s possible.

NEXT POST: Baltimore Ravens: Three Big Questions Versus the Chargers

It’s NFL Sunday. Let’s have some fun.

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NFL Week 5: Predictions for every game of the weekend

Posted on by chrisbacker52

By Chris Schisler

It’s Thursday afternoon and that means it’s time to make my picks for the NFL week. Last week I got 10 games right giving me a total record of 39-25. Going into the fifth week of the season I feel confident that I can at least maintain this rate of picking winners. Each game will get a nugget of analysis. The winners will be highlighted in purple:

NFL WEEK 5

Rams @ Seahawks

I haven’t gotten a game wrong on Thursday night all season. I’m bound to have that streak broken eventually and this game could go either way. Despite the Seahawks being at home, I have the Rams in this one. Russell Wilson will have to do too much in this one and Seattle’s offensive line will struggle against the Rams front. Look for a big game from Aaron Donald in this one.

Jets @ Falcons

The Jets beat the Titans last week. Are they a good team? Not really, but things are moving in the right direction. Corey Davis was a great free agent signing for New York and Zack Wilson has had just enough ups to go with his downs as a rookie quarterback for the Jets to have some hope. By the way, the Falcons have never met a lead they couldn’t lose.

Patriots @ Texans

The Patriots are a good football team. We learned that when they went toe to toe with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. The Patriots have a step or two to get back to being a contender, but they should wipe the floor with the Texans. Davis Mills is bad and we all saw this coming.

Lions @ Vikings 

The Lions gave the Ravens a fight, but it was in a game where the Ravens hurt themselves. The Lions have given me no reason to pick them in a game this season. Even in a close game, they’ll find a way to lose. The Vikings just gave the Browns a scare and went to overtime with the Bengals. Give me Kirk Cousins to go off against a very vulnerable secondary.

Eagles @ Panthers 

I want to pick the Eagles so badly here. They’re a fun team because I love me some Jalen Hurts and Devonta Smith is an exciting rookie. The Panthers have been playing good football overall. The Eagles still haven’t shown me who they are. Give me the Panthers’ defense to come up in this game, with enough from Sam Darnold to get the win.

Saints @ Washington Football Team

I don’t want to pick this game. The Washington defense has been awful. The Saints have been completely inconsistent. Don’t make me pick it. Fine, I’ll go with the home team. This is a game I would stay away from coming from a betting perspective. You never know if you’re getting the Saints team that beat the Packers and Patriots into the ground or the team that lost to the Giants and the Panthers.

Titans @ Jaguars

The Tennessee Titans have issues. They just lost to the Jets, in overtime… yeah things aren’t good. Still, the Jaguars are a mess. Urban Meyer is looking like he’s as much of a bad NFL coach as he is a first-class creep. Tennessee should put up too many points for Jacksonville to keep up with. Distracted or not, the Jaguars are a bad team. I have no problem publishing the fact that I have no respect for Urban Meyer.

Dolphins @ Buccaneers 

The battle of Florida goes to the defending Super Bowl champions. The Buccaneers defense should get this one for Tampa Bay. Tom Brady just needs to be a game manager to win this one. The Dolphins have only looked compelling for one game this season and are rightfully without a win.

Packers @ Bengals

This is going to be a good game. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are feeling it and the Bengals actually became a decent team. Joe Burrow may make this a barnburner. In the end, it’s hard to go against Rodgers.

Broncos @ Steelers

If Teddy Bridgewater returns to the starting quarterback position, the Broncos should put up enough points to win this game. The Steelers’ offense has been awful this season. Denver needs to put up 24. That should do it. It’s in Pittsburgh and the Broncos offensive line is going to have a tough day. This isn’t a stone-cold lock, but this Steelers team just isn’t it this year.

Bears @ Raiders 

The Raiders woke up too late in the second half of their second Monday Night Football appearance. I want to see this game. Justin Fields has my attention as the Bears starting quarterback. I think the Raiders’ offense bounces back and the Bears won’t be able to protect their rookie quarterback enough to keep up on the scoreboard.

Browns @ Chargers

This is a good game. The Chargers are undefeated and at home, hosting a Browns team that has to go out to the west coast after a tough week 4 game. The Chargers’ offense is the talk of the NFL, but their defense is the reason they’re winning this game.

Giants @ Cowboys 

I never really feel comfortable saying this, but the Cowboys may be a good team. The defense is so much better than it was a year ago it’s not funny. The offense is capable of putting up points in a hurry. The Giants beat the Saints on the road. I’m not buying into Daniel Jones getting two straight road wins though, give me Dallas.

49ers @ Cardinals 

The Cardinals are awesome this year. Kyler Murray is playing at an MVP level, the defense is getting the job done and this team has talent on top of talent. The 49ers have proven to be a tough out but the Cardinals have more going for them here.

Bills @ Chiefs 

The Ravens flipped the script on the Chiefs and Kansas City has problems on defense. I could see this as a big win for the Bills, yet until I see the script flipped for Buffalo, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid own this matchup.

Your Baltimore Ravens close out NFL Week 5:

Colts @ Ravens

The Ravens don’t have their toughest opponent of the year here. The only way this game is interesting is if the Ravens make it harder than it has to be. This is a game where the Ravens have to move forward and show their most convincing and complete performance of the year. The Colts don’t have an answer for Lamar Jackson and the Colts offense won’t keep up in front of a primetime Baltimore crowd, with Don Martindale calling the shots.

NEXT POST: Baltimore Ravens tied the record, Denver Broncos need to get over it

There you have it. A pick from every game on the NFL slate this weekend.

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NFL Week 4: Predictions for every NFL game

Posted on by chrisbacker52

By Chris Schisler

Welcome to week 4 in the NFL! It’s Thursday and that means it’s time for my NFL picks for the week. So far my record is 30-19. I’m giving you a little over 60 percent winners. As I start to feel this season out even more I’m hoping to get that number up. So we’re not doing bad, let’s see how good we can get this. Winners will be highlighted in purple.

NFL PICKS WEEK 4

Jaguars @ Bengals

The Bengals just beat the Steelers and they’re feeling it. The Bengals have gotten to the point where they can be trusted to win against bad teams. Give me the Bengals here. I don’t think they’re quite a contender yet, but Joe Burrow and company don’t need to find that out just yet. The Bengals strike me as a middle-of-the-road team with the arrow pointing up. The Jaguars strike me as a run-of-the-mill bad team.

Titans @ Jets

I can’t trust the Jets here. The Titans have picked it up in the last two weeks after a clunker to start the season. Give me a whole lot of Derrick Henry, and Ryan Tannehill playing well enough to get past a struggling Zack Wilson and the Jets.

Lions @ Bears 

This is a tough game to predict. The Lions showed the Ravens that they were tougher than they were expected to be. The Lions also seem like a team that will find a way to lose no matter what. Give me Justin Fields having his first big day as an NFL quarterback. Give me the Bears but I don’t feel overly confident in either team.

Colts @ Dolphins

The Colts are not a good team. The Dolphins just took a very good Las Vegas Raiders team to the brink in an overtime game. I’m going with the Dolphins. I trust the Colts about as much as I trust the franchise owner of the Colts.

Browns @ Vikings

The Browns are a better team here. They just walloped the Bears. There is no reason to think the Browns won’t do the same thing to the Vikings. This looks like a big day for Nick Chubb and the Browns run game. The Vikings may put up some points but they aren’t going to win this duel.

Washington Football Team @ Falcons

It’s the Falcons. The Falcons made the Philadelphia Eagles look like world-beaters. The Buccaneers had no challenge with them. The Giants lost to the Falcons, but it’s not like the Giants are any good. Picking the Falcons seems like a bad idea. I have less confidence in Washington than I did at the start of the season yet I can’t pick the Falcons under almost any circumstances.

Texans @ Bills

I’ll give the Texans credit. They have played better football than I thought they would. David Culley may have a chance as a head coach in this league. The Texans still aren’t good. Davis Mills isn’t outdoing Josh Allen. The Bills win big at home.

Giants @ Saints

If the Saints lose this game, I really can’t figure them out. The Saints have looked too good this season to lose this game. Give me a big day for Jameis Winston and Alvin Kamara. Give me a bad day for Daniel Jones and the Giants.

Chiefs @ Eagles

In the dictionary, under “Get-Right-Game” there is a picture of this matchup. The Chiefs aren’t going to fall three weeks in a row and lose to Andy Reid’s old team. The Eagles just let up 41 points to the Dallas Cowboys. Patrick Mahomes has at least 35 points for the Chiefs this week and the Eagles won’t keep up.

Panthers @ Cowboys 

Speaking of the Cowboys, they know exactly who they are. They’re rolling on offense and Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP level. Give me the Cowboys, especially considering Christian McCaffery is out for the Panthers.

Seahawks @ 49ers 

I keep rolling with the Seahawks and they keep proving to me that they’re not a complete team. The 49ers were impressive against the Packers they just left 30 seconds for Aaron Rodgers. Give me the 49ers. The 49ers’ offense can stay on the field and limit Russell Wilson’s chances. They just lost a duel with a Pro Bowl quarterback, but they’ll win this one.

Cardinals @ Rams

Don’t kill me if this one is wrong, because it could easily go either way. The Rams are probably the better overall team and this is a “Show Me’ game for Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford. It’s a shame that it’s not the Sunday Night Football game. This for the record is objectively better television than the Sunday Night Game.

Steelers @ Packers 

The Steelers can’t put up enough points to win this game. It’s just not a very high possibility. The Packers’ offense should put up too many points. Anything Joe Burrow can do, Rodgers can do better. Give me the Packers to get a delicious victory.

Ravens @ Broncos

Oddly, I’m feeling more confident about the Ravens than I was before the Lions game. The team is getting healthier. The Ravens are a scrappy team that finds a way, let’s be honest this feels like vintage Ravens football. The Ravens’ offense will have a bounce-back game, Marquise Brown included. I think it takes 24 points to win this game and the Ravens should get there first.

The NFL presents Sunday and Monday night football:

Buccaneers @ Patriots

I have a prediction for you, Cris Collinsworth will lay on the “Brady Returns” thing on so thick, you’ll forget that there is a football game. It’s going to be obnoxious, there’s no way it can’t be that way. The Buccaneers will win convincingly so they may not have much else to talk about in the fourth quarter.

Raiders @ Chargers

The Raiders are a more complete team than the Chargers. Do I expect this to be a great game? Absolutely. It’s worth ruining your Tuesday morning. I have the Raiders winning on the road in a game that will feel more like a home game for them.

NEXT POST: Lamar Jackson: Looking at his crazy start to the 2021 season

There you go. My NFL picks are now locked and official. As always take them for whatever you think they are worth and have fun!

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Posted in Picks for each NFL game

Picks for each NFL game on the week 1 slate

Posted on by chrisbacker52

By Chris Schisler

It’s time to look at the NFL week 1 slate and makes some picks. Winners will be highlighted in Purple text:

NFL Kickoff game: Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In the first game of the NFL slate, I have to go with Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champions. They’re going to be backed by a fanbase that is still celebrating their team’s win of the Lombardi Trophy. This is supposed to be Tampa Bay’s party. While I think Dak Prescott could give the Buccaneers a push, the Cowboys’ defense won’t get enough stops.

NFL Sunday games:

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans

I don’t have confidence in either team here. These teams could easily pick number one and number two overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Give me the Texans here. They’re at home. I expect some growing pains from Trevor Lawrence as a rookie quarterback. I also don’t think Urban Myer gets it at the NFL level. This is a game I won’t want to flip to on Sunday.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Washington Football Team

A lot of people would probably roll with Justin Herbert in this game. I’m going with the best defensive line in football to give the Chargers a tough game to deal with. Ryan Fitzpatrick gives the Washington offense just enough legitimacy to make Washington one of the dark horse contenders in the NFC.

Seattle Seahawks @ Indianapolis Colts

If Carson Wentz is good to go for this game, it could be one of the best games of the week. I don’t have a ton of confidence in the Seahawks’ defense. Unfortunately for Indianapolis, I don’t have much confidence in Wentz either. I think Russell Wilson is the biggest difference-maker in this game, so I’m going with Seattle.

New York Jets @ Carolina Panthers

This is another game I don’t feel great about. Both teams have major question marks heading into the season. While I think Christian Mccaffery is the best player in the game, I have no confidence in the Panthers. Zach Wilson has a good game to start with as the Panthers were bad on defense last year. The Panthers’ defense is young and still coming together. Give me the Jets.

Minnesota Vikings @ Cincinnati Bengals

This may count as a surprise win for the Bengals. I think Joe Burrow has an impressive outing to start the season. I bought into the Vikings last year. I’m not trying to make the same mistake again and the Bengals have a lot of talent on offense. I don’t trust the Bengals’ offensive line much. I do however like the skill position players of the Bengals vs. the defensive backs of the Vikings.

Arizona Cardinals @ Tennessee Titans

This is a game I expect to be a shootout. The Titans and the Cardinals have two defenses that aren’t very hyped going into the season. This game is all about the offense. I think Ryan Tannehill has the firepower designed for this kind of game. The difference however will be that the Cardinals won’t be able to slow down Derrick Henry.

San Francisco 49ers @ Detroit Lions

The Lions aren’t good. They’re going to be a bad team. The 49ers have a chance to get back to their winning ways. Whether or not Trey Lance starts for the 49ers, San Francisco has new hope. Jared Goff is a downgrade for the Lions’ offense and the Lions will struggle to slow down the 49ers’ running game.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills

It’s not a secret that I want to pick the Bills here. You know me. It helps that the Bills got even better on defense and should dominate the offensive line of the Steelers. The Bills are going to be a dominant team in 2021. Their trajectory is pointed upward and they’re just the better team.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Atlanta Falcons

Look for Matt Ryan to get off to a good start in this game. Kyle Pitts is going to make an immediate impact for the Falcons offensively. The Falcons are good for blowing just about any lead, keep that in mind, but I have them winning this one.

Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Browns are going to give the Chiefs a run for their money. In the end, I think Patrick Mahomes makes too many big plays for Cleveland to hold on to this one. The Browns should give the Ravens excellent tape to watch on their next opponent. I have Mahomes overpowering the Browns and Baker Mayfield not being able to keep up.

Green Bay Packers @ New Orleans Saints

The Packers man. They had an offseason, didn’t they? Aaron Rodgers is back and it’s a good bet that he’ll be just as good as he was last year when he won the MVP. Without Drew Brees, I don’t know what to think of the Saints. I’m going with the team that has the best quarterback. I also think the pass rush of the Packers will force Jameis Winston into some mistakes.

Denver Broncos @ New York Giants

I think the Broncos take a step forward this season. The Giants probably are who we thought they were. Daniel Jones is okay. Saquan Barkley is good. At the end of the day, I don’t trust the Giants’ offensive line and the Broncos’ pass rush could take this game over.

Chicago Bears @ Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are loaded with star power and now they have Matthew Stafford? They’re going to be good. It’s hard to say that about the Bears right now. I don’t think the Bears have the firepower to keep up with the Rams and this one could get out of hand.

NEXT POST: Baltimore Ravens: 3 keys for the defense vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Baltimore Ravens @ Las Vegas Raiders

I’ve already gone on record of saying that this will be a convincing win for the Ravens. I’m not backing down from that one. Lamar Jackson is going to show off almost as much as the Ravens defense will. We already have a lot of content to get you ready for this one, and there’s plenty more on the way!