Broncos-Browns and Week 9 Picks

No Broncos fan really cares what happens on Sunday in Denver against the Browns. The Broncos are 2-6, headed for another losing season, playing out the string, and now they are starting backup QB Brandon Allen in the place of Joe Flacco, who is on IR for the rest of the season due to a neck injury. All that matters at this point is when Drew Lock can get on the field for the Broncos. After this week, they have a bye then back-to-back road games against the Vikings and Bills. I suspect they don't want to throw him out there to start on the road, and they would probably like to get him starting at home against the Chargers the following game, but I have a feeling that Allen will be so bad that they might be tempted to get him in there against the Vikings and start him against the Bills. That's my prediction on that one. Until Lock plays, no one cares how the Broncos will fare. I would expect the Browns to take them to the woodshed on Sunday in Mile High.

Prediction: Cleveland (-3) over DENVER
Final Score: Browns-27 Broncos-6

Now, onto the picks for Week 9......

Last Week's Record: 8-6-1
Overall Record: 53-61-6
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Jacksonville (+2) over Houston (London): I think the Jags will play well and get to (Gulp) 5-4 with a win over the 5-3 Texans over in London.

BUFFALO (-8) over Washington: Dwayne Haskins gets the start for the 1-7 Redskins in Buffalo. Maybe the Skins can take some positive karma from the Nationals World Series win and use it in this game on Sunday. Most likely that won't happen, and the Bills will get to 6-2 on the heels of another weak victory over a weak team.

CAROLINA (-3) over Tennessee: The Panthers got throttled last week in SF, but they are still 4-3 and in playoff contention. The Titans are 4-4 and look better on offense with Ryan Tannehill at QB. Look for a close game, but the Panthers will win and get to 5-3.

Chicago (+5) over PHILLY: This looks like an obvious win for the Eagles, but I would call this my hunch of the week. The Bears are desperate at 3-4 and need a win badly. They go on the road to take on a Philly team that is 4-4 after a huge win in Buffalo. It looks like a Philly lock on paper, and I think they will win, but I see this game being close to the end.

Minnesota (+2) over KANSAS CITY: It is hard to pick the Chiefs when it looks like Pat Mahomes will be out again this week. I know it is unlikely for them to lose four in a row at home, but without Mahomes, I could see them struggling with the Vikings defense.

NY Jets (-3) over MIAMI: Awful game in the AFC East. I'll take the Jets to get their second win.

PITTSBURGH (+2) over Indy: Indy has been in close games all season long, but they are 5-2 and they look like they are a playoff caliber team. The Steelers are 3-4 and not dead yet. A win here would get them to .500 and a chance to do something with their season. I think the Colts are due for a loss and this might be the spot.

OAKLAND (-2) over Detroit: This is an easy game to pick. The Raiders are 3-4 but they will get to 4-4 with a smooth, effortless win over the visiting Lions.

SEATTLE (-5) over Tampa Bay: The Seahawks are not losing to this Bucs team at home. Look for them to get to 7-2 with a win over the 2-5 Buccaneers. I've seen enough of Jameis Winston to realize he is not the guy in Tampa.

Green Bay (-3) over LA CHARGERS: The Packers will feel like it is a home game when to head to LA to take on the Chargers. It will look like Lambeau West in this game. Look for the Packers to get to 8-1 with a win over the 3-5 Chargers.

NEW ENGLAND (-3) over Baltimore: This is a really good Sunday Night Football game to end the day of football. I'm looking forward to it. I have to think that the Pats and Bill Belichick will have something up his sleeve for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Should be fun regardless.

Dallas (-6) over NY GIANTS: The Giants are headed to another shitty season and at 2-6, it is all about the development of Daniel Jones now. The Cowboys are 4-3, and they can sit alone atop the NFC East with a win at the halfway point of the season. I think they roll on Monday Night Football.