NFL Week 5 TNF Pick

Rams (-1) over SEATTLE 

Broncos Fall To Ravens in First Loss of Season

 The Ravens came into Denver and defeated the Broncos on Sunday 23-7 to hand Denver their first loss of the season. The Broncos are not 3-1, and it was a disappointing outcome considering the Broncos had a lot of positive vibes coming into the game off a 3-0 start to the year. Here are my thoughts on the game....

1) The Broncos offense couldn't get anything going all day on the Ravens defense. Yes, injuries are starting to pile up, but outside of Teddy Bridgewater TD pass to Noah Fant that gave Denver a 7-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter, the Broncos did nothing on offense all day long.

2) The Ravens answered with 17 quick points in response to the Broncos touchdown and never looked back. They had the 17-7 lead at halftime and Denver just couldn't rally.

3) Teddy Bridgewater got knocked from the game with a concussion, and Drew Lock did not play well at all in relief. The Broncos need to get Bridgewater back as soon as possible. 

4) There were too many open receivers and wide open plays that the Ravens made on Denver's defense. The Broncos contained Lamar Jackson running the ball, but he gashed them pretty good in the passing game.

5) The Broncos need to regroup and travel to Pittsburgh and get a win on the road over a desperate Steelers team to avoid a two game losing streak. The Broncos need to get this one and get to 4-1. 

Broncos-Ravens and Week 4 Picks

The Broncos are 3-0 but face their first real big test of the season. The three teams they beat (Giants, Jags, Jets) are a combined 0-9. Into Denver comes the 2-1 Ravens. The Ravens are getting some starters on defense back from the Covid list so that should bolster their lineup. This is the first time the Broncos have ever faced Lamar Jackson. It will be a tough test to contain Jackson-especially as the game goes on. The Broncos are also very banged up. They are missing Jerry Jeudy (out another month), KJ Hamler (out for the season), and probably Graham Glasgow and Dalton Risner on offense this week. It seems like it will be too tall of an order for the Broncos to win this game-even at home. I think the Ravens will win this game and send Denver to 3-1

Prediction: Baltimore (+1) over DENVER

Final Score: Ravens-27 Broncos-17

Now, onto the picks for Week 4....

Last Week's Record: 7-8-1

Overall Record: 19-24-4

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

ATLANTA (+2) over Washington: At 1-2, the WFT is just not that good and their defense is overrated. The Falcons aren't good either but will get to 2-2 with a home win here.

Detroit (+4) over CHICAGO: The Bears have issues at QB and Justin Fields struggled mightily last week. The Lions have been close to winning this year-even though they are 0-3. I think they break through this week.

Tennessee (-7) over JETS: The Jets are bad and at 0-3 are off to a rough start. The Titans are 2-1 and will get to 3-1 rather easily this week.

Cleveland (-2) over MINNESOTA: The Vikings are 1-2 but could actually be 3-0. The Browns are 2-1 and I just think they are the better teams and will come away with the road win.

Indianapolis (+2) over MIAMI: The Dolphins are 1-2 after a crushing OT loss last week in Vegas. The Colts are 0-3, but I think they get over the hump and upset the Dolphins this week in Miami.

DALLAS (-4) over Carolina: The Panthers are 3-0 but have a big test coming up this week in Dallas. The Cowboys are 2-1 and the offense looks great. Look for a good game but I'll take Dallas to prevail at home.

NEW ORLEANS (-7) over Giants: The Giants are really bad. 0-3 again for another year. Now, they head to New Orleans to take on the Saints. I think the Saints will get to 3-1 with a huge home win over the GMen.

Kansas City (-6) over PHILADELPHIA: The Chiefs got beat at home last week to the Chargers and are now 1-2. They head to Philly to take on the 1-2 Eagles. I just can't see the Chiefs losing this game this week.

Houston (+17) over BUFFALO: The Bills will win but I think the Texans will cover the spread. Another ho-hum week for Buffalo. 

RAMS (-4) over Arizona: Two 3-0 teams battling it out in the NFC West. I like the Rams at home to take care of business and get to 4-0. I like what I have seen from the Cards the first three weeks, but I think they fall to 3-1 here. 

Seattle (+3) over SAN FRANCISCO: I think the Seahawks have their backs against the wall at 1-2, and I think they will find a way to get a key road win in SF this week. The Niners are 2-1 and coming off a tough loss at home to the Packers, but I think they will stumble here and Seattle will get the big win.

GREEN BAY (-6) over Pittsburgh: Big Ben looks shot and the Steelers offense hasn't been good to start the year. I think it is dangerous to underestimate them here though. I would expect the Steelers to play well in Lambeau and keep this game tight into the 4th quarter. I think Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will put up a late score to put the game away.

Tampa Bay (-6) over NEW ENGLAND: This is definitely a must watch on Sunday night. Tom Brady returns to Foxboro to take on the Patriots and Bill Belichick. This is a can't miss game. I think the Bucs will win the game, and I think Brady will play great. I can't see Brady and the Bucs playing poorly and losing-especially after last week's beatdown to the Rams. 

CHARGERS (-3) over Las Vegas: This is huge game in the AFC West. The Raiders are 3-0 and the Chargers are 2-1 and coming off a road win in Kansas City. I give the slight edge to the Chargers and Justin Herbert in this one, but I think it is a close game regardless. 

Week 4 TNF Pick

 Jacksonville (+8) over CINICNNATI 

Broncos Shutout Jets, Get to 3-0

 The Broncos are 3-0 after a 26-0 shutout win over the New York Jets on Sunday in the home opener in Denver. This is the first time the Broncos have started 3-0 since 2016. It feels good to be 3-0 but the schedule will now get tricky. Here are my thoughts on the game...

1) The Broncos defense dominated Zach Wilson all game long. They got 2 INTS, 5 sacks, and only gave up 162 total yards in the game. 

2) The Broncos didn't have to do much offensively to win this game. Teddy Bridgewater was efficient enough and finished 19-25 for 235 yards and0 TD and 0 INT. The ground game did its' job, and Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon each had a touchdown run in the game.

3) It never felt like the Broncos were in trouble at all in this game. They led throughout, and it was smooth sailing once they got the lead. 

4) It was great to see the home crowd back in Denver again. To see the fans back in all that orange was awesome. They need to keep that energy up next week.

5) The Broncos are starting to get crushed with injuries. KJ Hamler, Dalton Risner, and Graham Glasgow all left with injuries yesterday. Couple that with the long term injuries to Bradley Chubb and Jerry Jeudy, and the Broncos are losing too many valuable players. Let's hope the three guys hurt yesterday can come back soon.

6) Denver is 3-0 but all three teams they beat are winless. Now, the true test comes next week at home against Lamar Jackson and the 2-1 Ravens. We will see where this Broncos team is at at home next Sunday.

Broncos-Jets and Week 3 Picks

The Broncos are big favorites for the first time in a long time. They host the 0-2 Jets with a rookie QB, who came off a game in which he threw 4 INTs. Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. No game is easy and there are no layups. A lot of people are going to pick the Broncos to win this game going away, but that is what makes me nervous. That scares the hell out of me. Until this team can consistently win and win big games, I'll stay away.

Prediction: Jets (+11) over DENVER

Final Score: Jets-23 Broncos-20

Now, onto the picks for Week 3......

Last Week's Record: 7-6-2

Overall Record: 12-16-3

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

JACKSONVILLE (+8) over Arizona: Arizona heads down to the heat and humidity of Jacksonville to take on the 0-2 Jags. At 2-0, the Cardinals have been a surprise team. I think the Cards get to 3-0 but I think the Jags keep it closer than expected.

TENNESSEE (-4) over Indianapolis: What a comeback by Tennessee last week in the win over Seattle on the road. At 1-1, they are home to take on the 0-2 Colts. The Colts are banged up and I think the Titans take care of business.

DETROIT (+10) over Baltimore: The Lions are 0-2 but were feisty at points in both games. Now, they host the Ravens, who are coming off a huge win over the Chiefs last Sunday night. The Ravens will win, but the Lions will put up a fight.

Washington (+9) over BUFFALO: The Bills are 1-1 after crushing Miami last week. Washington is 1-1 after a wild win over the Giants. I like the Bills to win the game, but look for WFT to cover.

NEW ENGLAND (-3) over New Orleans: The Pats are 1-1 after beating the Jets last week and the Saints got thumped by the Panthers and sit at 1-1. I Think the Saints will have a tough time in Foxboro and look for the Pats to win rather convincingly.

KANSAS CITY (-6) over Chargers: The Chiefs are 1-1 after that late loss to Ravens. The Chargers are 1-1 after a tough loss to the Cowboys. This will be a showcase game for Justin Herbert to see if he can out duel Pat Mahomes in Arrowhead. I like the Chiefs to pull away late.

CLEVELAND (-7) over Chicago: Justin Fields gets his first start of his career in place of injured Andy Dalton. Both teams come in at 1-1, but I think the Browns are just way better than the Bears at this point.

PITTSBURGH (-4) over Cincinnati: The Steelers got a rude awakening at the hands of the Raiders last week. Both teams are 1-1. Big Ben is a little banged up, but perhaps he can muster enough to take care of business at home against the Bengals.

Atlanta (+3) over GIANTS: This is a Loser Leaves Town Match as the 0-2 Falcons travel to the Meadowlands to take on the 0-2 Giants. I think the Falcons are the better team and will avoid the 0-3 start.

LAS VEGAS (-3) over Miami: Tua is out with broken ribs as they head to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders. The Raiders are 2-0, and they will roll past the Dolphins.

RAMS (+2) over Tampa Bay: This is a great late Sunday afternoon game. The Rams are home underdogs to the 2-0 Bucs. As great as the Bucs have looked, I like the Rams at home in this spot.

Seattle (-1) over MINNESOTA: The Vikings need a win to avoid an 0-3 start. The Seahawks are 1-1, but completely blew that game against the Titans last week. I like the Seahawks to get the huge road win.

SAN FRANCISCO (-3) over Green Bay: This is an interesting Sunday Night Football matchup. The Packers righted the ship with a blowout win over the Lions last week. SF took care of Philly on the road. The Niners come in at 2-0 and can really make a statement if they defeat the Packers in this spot. I'm taking the Niners.

DALLAS (-3) over Philadelphia: This is a good Monday Night Football game. Both teams are 1-1 but I think the Cowboys have been more impressive. I like them in this spot at home. 

Week 3 TNF Pick

 Carolina (-6) over HOUSTON