Broncos-Chargers and Week 17 Picks

The Broncos are 7-8 and have less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs, and they head to LA to take on the Chargers. Denver got hit hard with Covid this week, and they will be without Tim Patrick, Bobby Massie, Calvin Anderson, Bryce Callahan, and Caden Sterns. Not having both Right Tackles is not going to be ideal facing a Chargers team that is getting a boatload of their players back from the Covid list this week. The bottom line is that the Chargers need to win this game to keep their legitimate playoff hopes alive, and the Broncos are basically just playing out the string. This one will be tough to watch...

Prediction: CHARGERS (-5) over DENVER

Final Score: Chargers-30 Broncos-13

Now, onto the picks for Week 17.....

Last Week's Record: 10-6-0

Overall Record: : 122-107-9

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

BUFFALO (-13) over Atlanta: Buffalo is 9-6 and can win the AFC East if it takes care of business in the last two games. They won't mess around with the 7-8 Falcons and they will win rather easily.

CHICAGO (-5) over Giants: The 5-10 Bears host the 4-11 Giants in a game in which two proud NFL franchises are having a rough year. Look for the Bears to outlast the Giants at home.

Kansas City (-5) over CINCINNATI: This is a huge game in the AFC and it will be interesting to see how the Bengals will be able to matchup with the Chiefs. KC has the #1 seed in the AFC in their sights, and I think they will find a way to take out the Bengals.

TENNESSEE (-2) over Miami: Miami is 8-7 after a 1-7 start, but they have had a very soft and favorable schedule to get to that point. Now, they head to Tennessee to take on the 10-5 Titans. I think this will be a close game, but I think the Titans will put the game away late.

Las Vegas (+6.5) over INDIANAPOLIS: The 9-6 Colts might be without Carson Wentz due to Covid protocols. The Raiders are 8-7 and are still in the playoff hunt. This is a very huge game in the AFC playoff picture. Las Vegas is a very tricky team to pick each week, and I'm not sure that they will win the game outright, but I think taking the points with them is a solid pick.

NEW ENGLAND (-14) over Jacksonville: The Pats are 9-6 after losing two in a row. Now, they host the hapless Jaguars, and they will do what they have to do to win this game and get to 10 wins.

Tampa Bay (-12) over JETS: The Bucs are 11-4 and still fighting for the #1 seed in the NFC. I think they will easily roll past the 4-11 Jets in the Meadowlands this week.

WASHINGTON (+4) over Philadelphia: The Eagles are 8-7 and on track to get the #7 seed in the NFC. They can still make the playoffs if they lose this week, and I think this will be a tough game. Washington is 6-9 and most likely not going to make the playoffs, but they will play hard at home against their division rival.

Rams (-3) over BALTIMORE: It is unclear if Lamar Jackson will play, but Tyler Huntley will give them a good chance to win if he starts at QB. The Rams are 11-4 and can possibly win the NFC West. This is a tough game to pick, but I'm going with the Rams on the road.

Houston (+14) over SAN FRANCISCO: Jimmy G might be out with a thumb injury, so Trey Lance might get the start. The Texans are a 4-11 but they have been feisty the last few weeks. I think the 49ers will find a way to win, but I think the Texans will cover. 

DALLAS (-5) over Arizona: The Cardinals are 10-5 and free-falling in the NFC West at this point, They clinched a playoff spot, but they are in danger of losing the division. The Cowboys are 11-4, winners of the NFC East, and looking for a high seed. I like what I see out of the Cowboys, and I don't like what I see from the Cards. I think Dallas will win by a touchdown.

Carolina (+7) over NEW ORLEANS: The Panthers are 5-10 and playing out the string. The Saints are 7-8 and still have a chance at the playoffs. I think they will take care of business at home this week. 

SEATTLE (-7) over Detroit: Seattle is 5-10 and out of the playoffs. The Lions are 2-12-1, but they are still playing hard. I would think that Seattle will beat up on the Lions at home in this spot. 

GREEN BAY (-6) over Minnesota: The Packers are 12-3 and in line for the #1 seed in the NFC. The Vikings are 7-8 and hanging on to slim playoff hopes. I could see them playing GB tough in Lambeau, but I think the Packers will smell the blood in the water with the bye in the NFC and take down the Vikings on Sunday Night Football.

PITTSBURGH (+4) over Cleveland: Huge game in the AFC on Monday Night Football. It leaked out that Big Ben is going to retire after this season, and I think he will win in what might be his final game at Heinz Field. 

Broncos Lose to Raiders, Fall to 7-8

 The Broncos traveled to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders in a battle of 7-7 teams still hanging on to a playoff spot in the AFC. The Raiders outlasted the Broncos 17-13, and the Broncos are now 7-8 with a less than 1% chance to making the playoffs-which means it's pretty much over for the 2021 Denver Broncos. For the second straight week, the Broncos were in the game late, but their offense wasn't good enough to get them over the hump. It was another disappointing loss and it effectively ended the Broncos season. Here are my thoughts on the game....

1) The Broncos offense could not do anything against the Raiders defense. They could not run the ball at all, they couldn't protect Drew Lock, they were not good on third downs, and they made too many mistakes (penalties, dropped balls, poor execution). The play calling by Pat Shurmur wasn't good again, and I think they were afraid of Drew Lock making a mistake to be really aggressive. Their only TD was on a 1 yard run by Javonte Williams after a Bradley Chubb interception and return to the Raiders 1 yard line.

2) The Broncos defense did hold the Raiders to 17 points, but they got run all over by the Raiders rushing attack. The Raiders started the second half by running the ball down the Broncos throats, and gave them a 14-13 lead. Then, with the game on the line and the Raiders facing a 3rd down right before the two-minute warning, Denver's defense gave up a first down on a pass and that ended the game. The Broncos defense played well at times and forced three turnovers, but couldn't get the stop when they needed it.

3) The Broncos forced three turnovers, committed none, and still lost. Just incredible

4) Denver got swept by the Raiders this season, and both losses were to interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, who took over for Jon Gruden after he was fired for emails in October. That just makes this even worse. They have lost four in a row to the Raiders.

5) Drew Lock was not great, but he wasn't the reason why the Broncos lost this game either. He didn't turn the ball over, and he didn't get any help from his receivers or offensive line. Lock is a backup at this point, and clearly not the guy in Denver going forward.

6) The Broncos are 7-8 and head to LA to take on the Chargers next week. It will take a miracle for the Broncos to make the playoffs-even if they win this week and in Week 18. 

Broncos-Raiders and Week 16 Quick Picks

The Broncos are 7-7 and head to Las Vegas to take on the 7-7 Raiders. Denver needs a win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Teddy Bridgewater will most likely be out due to the scary concussion he had last week against Cincy. That means that Drew Lock starts at QB with the Broncos season on the line. Lock had some really nice throws last week, but he also had some misses and a very costly fumble near the goal line that cost Denver the game. It is hard to think that Lock will come in and win this game on the road against the Raiders. The confidence is just not there at this point. I feel like he will make a mistake or two, and I expect Derek Carr and the Raiders to cruise to an easy victory at home.

Prediction: LAS VEGAS (-1) over Denver

Final Score: Raiders-30 Broncos-16

Now, onto the picks for Week 16.....

Last Week's Record: 9-7-0

Overall Record: : 112-101-9

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS) 

GREEN BAY (-7) over Cleveland:

ARIZONA (-1) over Indianapolis:

Tampa Bay (-10) over CAROLINA:

Giants (+10) over PHILADELPHIA:

HOUSTON (+10) over Chargers:

ATLANTA (-3) over Detroit:

Baltimore (+3) over CINCINNATI:

MINNESOTA (+3) over Rams:

JETS (-2) over Jacksonville:

Buffalo (+3) over NEW ENGLAND:

SEATTLE (-7) over Chicago:

Kansas City (-8) over Pittsburgh:

DALLAS (-10) over Washington:

Miami (-3) over NEW ORLEANS: 

TNF Week 16 Pick

 TENNESSEE (+4) over San Francisco

Broncos Fall to Bengals-Playoff Hopes All But Dashed

 The Broncos had their biggest game in years at home on Sunday to the Bengals and they came out on the wrong end in a disappointing 15-10 loss. The Broncos are now 7-7, and only have a 5% chance at making the playoffs this year with three games to go. It was a very disappointing and frustrating game-especially from an offensive standpoint, and it will be a game that the Broncos will be thinking about all offseason because it was a game that they could have won. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way. Here are my thoughts on the game.....

1) The Broncos offense was not good at all this game. I thought the play-calling was suspect, Teddy Bridgewater didn't play well, the receivers weren't good enough, and the offensive line didn't hold up their end as well. The offense lost this game for the Broncos.

2) The Broncos defense played a great game except for one big play. The touchdown pass from Joe Burrow to Tyler Boyd was the big play that gave Cincy the lead at 15-10 after Denver took a 10-9 lead late in the third quarter. You can't fault the defense. If you give up 15 points at home, you should win the game.

3) The sequence of events at the end of the half was killer. The Broncos used up most of the clock and were looking for a field goal at the end of the half to take a 6-3 lead, and they were getting the ball to start the second half, so maybe they could have doubled up the points there. Instead, on third down, Bridgewater throws a bad incomplete pass to Javonte Williams and they settle for the long field goal, which Brandon McManus misses. Then, Cincy converts a pass play and gets a 58 yard field goal at the end of the half to take a 6-3 lead instead of Denver being up 6-3. 

4) The big moment came when after Teddy Bridgewater got knocked out of the game with a concussion and Drew Lock stepped in. He threw a TD pass to Tim Patrick on that drive to give Denver a 10-9 lead. After falling behind 15-10, Lock made some really nice throws and with the combination of Williams and Melvin Gordon, Denver drove down to the Cincy 10 for a first and goal. On 2nd and goal, Lock kept the ball on a zone read run play, and he got stripped by the Bengals defender and Cincy had the ball. It was a huge play and cost the Broncos the game.

5) Lock continues to turn the ball over-even in the limited action he has seen this year. That is the story of his career. He makes some great throws, then fumbles inside the 10 yard line, and then throws a little too high for Courtland Sutton on a key third down play late in the 4th quarter. That is Drew Lock in a nutshell. At this point, it looks like he is heading for a career as a backup and his future is probably not in Denver as well.

6) This game was a winnable game and the defense gave the offense every chance to win this game, but like the KC game was a few weeks ago, the offense was just too bad and the QB play killed us in the end. That has been the story for the Broncos for about six years. This team is not good enough to win the game on offense if they have any mistakes and they have no margin of error. Fans are going to complain about Fangio's clock management and decision making at the end of the half, but I don't think that was an issue. The issue was execution and making a freaking FG at the end. They didn't do it and it cost the Broncos. 

7) There will be a lot said about what the Broncos do for next year, but that is for when the season over. Right now, the Broncos are 7-7 and technically not out of the Wild Card race. I don't think they are making the playoffs, but since they are still somehow alive, their game Sunday at Las Vegas against the Raiders has meaning. Teddy Bridgewater will most likely be out with a concussion that he suffered in the game on Sunday, so that means that it will be Drew Lock with the season officially on the line against the 7-7 Raiders in Vegas on Sunday. 

Broncos-Bengals and Week 15 Picks

Sunday's game in Denver is the biggest game of the season for the Broncos, and the biggest game they have played since 2016. Win this game, and they certainly help themselves in the race to get a playoff spot in the AFC. Lose this game, and it will be very difficult for them the rest of the way. This is going to be a tough game. I know Denver's defense has played well the last month, but it will be a test to stop Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, and Jamar Chase. The Broncos are a little banged up in their front seven, and that worries me in this particular game. I also don't know if the Broncos offense can move the ball effectively enough on this Bengals defense. Teddy Bridgewater is going to have to play lights out in the passing game for the Broncos to have a chance. The home crowd and fans in Denver have to bring it on Sunday. They have to be loud and at a fever pitch to do anything they can to help the Broncos. They need to treat this like a playoff game. Bring back the Mile High Magic and homefield noise. It will be a tough game for the Broncos, and I just have a feeling that they will fall short.

Prediction: Cincinnati (+1) over DENVER

Final Score: Benglas-27 Broncos-17

Now, onto the picks for Week 15....

Last Week's Record: 10-4-0

Overall Record: : 103-94-9

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS) 

Las Vegas (+6) over CLEVELAND: This game takes place on Saturday afternoon as part of a special Saturday doubleheader. The Browns have major Covid issues as they try to make the push for the playoffs. At 7-6, they can't afford a loss here. The Raiders are 6-7 and hanging on for dear life. I'll take the Raiders and the points with all the Covid concerns that the Browns are dealing with.

INDIANAPOLIS (-2) over New England: This is a great game on Saturday night. The 7-6 Colts are right in the mix for the playoffs in the AFC. The Pats come in winners of seven straight games and a 9-4 record. I think the Pats winning streak ends here in Indy.

PHILADELPHIA (-4) over Washington: At 6-7, both teams are in the NFC Wild Card mix, and this game might be an elimination game for the loser. I think the Eagles are a tad better at this point, so I'll take them at home.

Carolina (+11) over BUFFALO: The Bills are 7-6 and fighting for a spot as a Wild Card at this moment. Josh Allen is banged up, but he should play this week. I think the Bills win but look for Carolina to cover. 

Jets (+8) over MIAMI:  The Dolphins are 6-7 after starting 1-7, and now they host the 3-10 Jets. Look for Miami to continue their winning ways and get to 7-7, but I think this number is too high. I could see the Jets somehow keeping it close.

GIANTS (+9) over Dallas: The Cowboys are in control of the NFC East at 9-4, and they head to the Meadowlands to take on the 4-9 Giants. I can't see Dallas screwing this up-especially since the Giants will be without QB Daniel Jones once again, but I think the Giants get the backdoor cover.

PITTSBURGH (+2) over Tennessee: At 6-6-1, the Steelers desperately need this game to stay in the playoff race. Tennessee is in good shape in the AFC South at 9-4, so I will go with the more desperate team in Pittsburgh to win this game. 

JACKSONVILLE (-3) over Houston: Both teams are 2-11 and no one cares about this game. Urban Meyer got fired this week in Jacksonville and he didn't even finish the season in his first year as a head coach in the NFL. I feel like the Jags players will respond and play well with Meyer gone.

DETROIT (+14) over Arizona: The 1-11-1 Lions will play better than they did last week, and Arizona needs to get back on track in the NFC after losing last week at home to the Rams. I think Arizona wins, but I could see the Lions covering.

Atlanta (+9) over SAN FRANCISCO: The 49ers are 7-6 and are securing their spot in the NFC playoffs. The Falcons are 6-7 and not out of it yet. This is a big game for both teams. The Niners will win the game, but look for Atlanta to cover the spread. 

Green Bay (-4) over BALTIMORE: The Ravens are 8-5 and stumbling a little bit. Lamar Jackson got banged up in the loss to the Browns last week. He might not play in this game. Look for the Packers and Aaron Rodgers to go into Baltimore and rip apart the Ravens defense. 

Seattle (+6) over RAMS: The Seahawks are 5-8 and have slim playoff hopes, but they are still alive. The Rams looked great in their big win over the Cardinals last Monday night, but are dealing with major Covid issues all along their roster. I think the Rams will find a way to win the game, but it will be close. 

TAMPA BAY (-10) over New Orleans: The Saints are 6-7 and still have a chance of a playoff spot in the NFC. Tampa Bay is cruising to the division title and a possible #1 seed in the NFC. There's no way the Bucs will blow this game at home on Sunday Night Football.

Minnesota (-3) over CHICAGO:  At 6-7, the Vikings are still in the mix for the last seed in the NFC playoffs. The Bears are 4-9 and looking ahead to next year. I think Minnesota will win the game, but every week they play close games. Can they actually cover a three point spread as a favorite?

Week 15 TNF Pick

 Kansas City (-2) over CHARGERS