Thursday, October 8, 2020

Broncos-Patriots Preview and Week 5 Picks

I usually write my weekend Broncos preview and picks on Thursday night while watching the TNF game. It is a tradition to start off my football weekend each week. 2020 has taught us to pivot and take things as they come. Traditions get broken and schedules get thrown out. The NFL is having to deal with that as we enter Week 5 with Covid-19 causing another disturbance in our lives and sports calendar. As of Thursday night, the Broncos-Patriots game is moved from Sunday at 4:25pm EST to Monday at 5:05pm EST to give the Patriots more time to prepare amid positive tests to CB Stephon Gilmore and QB Cam Newton. This is another schedule change and there will be more this year as the NFL tries to just plow forward and get through these games. How does this affect the Broncos? Well, it gives them one more day to get Drew Lock healthy to play. Perhaps he returns from his shoulder injury. It also puts them in a bind because next week they host the Dolphins in Denver, so this is a shorter week for them. It also gives the Pats an extra day to get Cam Newton back from Covid. If Cam plays, then the Broncos are in big trouble. I don't really know how the Broncos will react and play in this game, but they have been so disappointing the last few years, that I am not getting my hopes up.

NEW ENGLAND (-10) over Denver

Final Score: Patriots-27 Broncos-10

Now, onto the picks for Week 5....

 Last Week's Record: 6-8-1

Overall Record (30-30-3)

ATLANTA (-4) over Carolina: The Falcons are 0-4 and they have to win at some point....right? The Panthers are 2-2 and playing better, but I think the Falcons are due to get their first win.

KANSAS CITY (-11) over Las Vegas: The Chiefs are rolling and off to a 4-0 start once again. They won't stumble at home with the Raiders coming to town.

LA Rams (-8) over WASHINGTON: The Redskins are going away from Dwayne Haskins and turning to Kyle Allen at QB. I think the Rams will roll and get to 4-1.

Jacksonville (+5) over HOUSTON: The Texans fired Bill O'Brien this week after starting the year at 0-4. I think they will find a way to get their first win over the 1-3 Jaguars, but I am worried about them covering the spread this week. Romeo Crennel takes over as interim head coach, and that could be a disaster for Houston.

Arizona (-5) over NY JETS: The Jets are 0-4 and are the worst team in the league right now. Sam Darnold will likely miss this game and that means that Joe Flacco will get the start. Gotta like the Cardinals to get to 3-2 after this one.

Philly (+7) over PITTSBURGH: One of the few interesting games on the slate on Sunday. I think the 1-2-1 Eagles, who are in first place in the NFC East, will keep it close with the Steelers. I know the Steelers defense will be able to get after the Eagles, but I just have a feeling that Philly will keep it a one score game.

Cincy (+13) over BALTIMORE: The Ravens will win the game but this will be a little bit closer than people expect. Look for Joe Burrow to get the backdoor cover here.

Miami (+9) over SAN FRANCISCO: I think Miami keeps it close in the empty stadium in San Francisco.

NY Giants (+10) over DALLAS: The 0-4 Giants travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in the late window on Sunday afternoon. I'll take the G-Men to keep it close but the Cowboys will win.

Indy (-1) over CLEVELAND: Sneaky good game in the late window on CBS. The 3-1 Browns host the 3-1 Colts. I think this could be a fun game. I really like what I see out of the Indy defense and I think they get to 4-1 with a win on the road.

Minnesota (+7) over SEATTLE: The Vikings saved their season with a win over Houston and are now 1-3 as they head to Seattle to take on the 4-0 Seahawks. Russell Wilson is the MVP of the league after four weeks, and he is having one of those dream seasons. I think Seattle and Wilson will probably win the game, but I can see the Vikes keeping it close-especially since there are no fans in attendance. 

LA Chargers (+8) over NEW ORLEANS: You have to like what you have seen out of Justin Herbert early on in his career for the Chargers. Now, he takes the 1-3 but feisty Chargers to the Superdome to take on the 2-2 Saints. I think the Saints win but look for the Chargers to keep it close.

Buffalo (NO LINE) over TENNESSEE: This game was moved from Sunday to Tuesday night at 7:00pm EST due to an outbreak of positive tests on the Titans. Hopefully, they will be able to get this game in, and if they do, then I will have to take the Bills. I have no idea how this game plays out though.

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