Broncos-Raiders and Week 6 Picks

The Broncos have lost two straight games and this is a huge game on Sunday in Denver against the 3-2 Raiders. I really think this is a must-win for the Broncos. They have to avoid losing three straight games and with Cleveland looming on Thursday night, they need to get this win this week. The Raiders are dealing with all sorts of drama as head coach Jon Gruden resigned this week over controversial emails were uncovered. Even with all that going on, I still think the Raiders are dangerous and this game will be tough. I still can't trust the Broncos until they prove me wrong. Until then, I won't get my hopes up or buy in.

Prediction: Las Vegas (+3) over DENVER

Final Score: Raiders-24 Broncos-22

Now, onto the picks for Week 6....

Last Week's Record: 10-5-1

Overall Record: 38-36-5

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Jacksonville (+4) over Miami (In London): London gets another crappy game this week as the 0-5 Jags take on the 1-4 Dolphins. I think the Jags somehow get their first win of the season.

INDIANAPOLIS (-7) over Houston: The Colts blew a big lead on MNF last week in the loss to the Ravens, but they will take care of business at home and get to 2-4 with a win over Houston.

CHICAGO (+5) over Green Bay: I think the Packers will win this game but at 5-1, they are due for a rough week. I think this might be the game in which that occurs. 

Kansas City (-6) over WASHINGTON: At 2-3, the Chiefs need to buckle down and play a complete game. I think they will this week in DC with a blowout win.

CAROLINA (+2) over Minnesota: I'll take the home underdog here. The Panthers are 3-2 but have lost two straight. I think they right the ship at home over an unpredictable Vikings team. 

Chargers (+3) over BALTIMORE: I think the Chargers are one of the legitimate in contenders in the AFC and this will be a test for them as they travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. This actually should be the SNF game this week but it wasn't flexed. I like the Chargers to pull it out on the road.

DETROIT (+4) over Cincinnati: The Lions are due for a win after losing a few heartbreakers to start the year. I think they get it this week over the Bengals. 

Rams (-9) over GIANTS: The Giants are all banged up and here come the Rams into the Meadowlands. I think the Rams take care of business and bury the G-Men.

CLEVELAND (-3) over Arizona: The Browns host the 5-0 Cardinals, and I think this will be a back and forth game. I like the number at three and I think the Browns will win the game and cover.

Dallas (-4) over NEW ENGLAND: I'm tempted to take the Pats here but I really like how the Cowboys are rolling on offense. This should be a good game, but I'll take the Cowboys to pull it out.

Seattle (+5) over PITTSBURGH: Russell Wilson is out for at least a month with a finger injury, and that means that Geno Smith is now the starter. I think the Seahawks will rally around each other and play well. I don't know if they will win, but I think they will keep it close.

Buffalo (-4) over TENNESSEE: I think this will be a fun game on Monday Night Football. I think it will be close for a while, but look for Josh Allen and the Bills to pull away late. 

TNF Week 6 Pick

 Tampa Bay (-6) over PHILADELPHIA 

Broncos Late Rally Falls Short at Pittsburgh, Fall to 3-2

 The Broncos dug themselves a hug hole on Sunday in Pittsburgh, and they almost got out of it, but a late rally by Denver was not enough as the Broncos lost to the Steelers 27-19. The loss drops Denver to 3-2 on the season. Here are my thoughts on the game....

1) The Broncos played one of the worst three quarters of football in the Vic Fangio era. They were down 24-6 heading into the 4th quarter. They were out-coached and out-played for the first three quarters. It was a very embarrassing effort at times. Just ugly for a while.

2) Al Johnson dropped two surefire interceptions and each time that drives then resulted in a Steelers touchdown. They were killer.

3) The Broncos defense did not play well at all. This is supposed to be the strength of this team and they got cut up by Ben Roethlisberger, who had looked washed up so far this season. The Steelers offense was struggling this year, and the Broncos couldn't stop them. It was a bad performance all around by this defense on Sunday. At one point, they had Von Miller covering Chase Claypool in the slot. That is just bad football right there.

4) One of the key moments of the game was when the Broncos forced a field goal down 17-6 late in the 3rd quarter. Pittsburgh made the field goal to make it 20-6 and seemingly a two score game. Dre'Mont Jones was called for a penalty for using a Steeler lineman as leverage in attempt to block the kick. That gave Pitt a first down and of course they scored on that drive to make it 24-6. That was such a huge play i the game.

5) Give Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos credit for making a comeback late in the 4th quarter. Bridgewater's 4th and goal pass was intercepted in the end zone with seconds left and that sealed the Steelers win. It shouldn't have taken that long for Denver's offense to get going in this game.

6) The Broncos now fall to 3-2 and are on a two-game losing streak. They have shown to be a team that does not look for real. They have to win this game on Sunday at home against the Raiders. This is a huge game and a must win-even though it is only Week 6. 

Broncos-Steelers and Week 5 Quick Picks

Last Week's Record: 9-7-0

Overall Record: 28-31-4

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

PITTSBURGH (+2) over Denver

Atlanta (-2) over Jets (In London)

Green Bay (-2) over CINCINNATI 

Detroit (+10) over MINNESOTA

TAMPA BAY (-9) over Miami

WASHINGTON (+3) over New Orleans

CAROLINA (-3) over Philadelphia

Tennessee (-4) over JACKSONVILLE

HOUSTON (+8) over New England

LAS VEGAS (-5) over Chicago

CHARGERS (-2) over Cleveland

DALLAS (-7) over Giants

San Francisco (+6) over ARIZONA

KANSAS CITY (-2) over Buffalo

BALTIMORE (-6) over Indianapolis 

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.