I know the NFL has a computer and a whole staff that bangs out the schedule every year based on various home team scheduling and television requirements, etc. But do we really need to put six teams on the bye after only two teams were on the bye since Week 4? I appreciate that the teams playing in London get a bye, but could two of the other four teams not taken a bye over the previous three weeks? It’s bad enough that the byes start in Week 4 when teams aren’t even in need of the rest and the teams playing on Thursday nights aren’t the ones coming off the bye. There has to be a better way!
Survivor Pick of the Week:
CINCINNATI OVER JACKSONVILLE
Yikes. Many survivor pools crashed down last week when the Cowboys unexpectedly lost at home to Washington. I know it was a divisional game, but the line of 10 points confirmed people’s suspicions that it should be an easy Cowboys’ victory. Colt McCoy was even involved. I guess pigs really do fly…
For those still in it, there are many good choices this week. The Bengals won’t be in a better spot for the rest of the season. They haven’t played great, but thankfully the Jaguars are the second worst team in the league. Cincinnati should cruise to victory even if Giovanni Bernard and A.J. Green miss the game due to injury.
There are other choices if you don’t trust the Bengals. Kansas City takes on Michael Vick and the Jets, whose offense has imploded with turnovers in recent weeks. The Chiefs are generally really good at home, so that is icing on the cake. Seattle returns to their friendly confines and should get their mojo back with an easy victory over Oakland. You just may have already used the Seahawks. San Francisco comes off the bye to take on a Rams team that just lost their top receiver and whose defense has been destroyed in recent weeks. It should be a walk in the park.
Teams already used: Philadelphia, Green Bay, New England, San Diego, New Orleans, Seattle, Baltimore, and Dallas
Thursday Night Pick:
CAROLINA +3 over New Orleans
People will be jumping all over the Saints after their huge Sunday night win against the Packers, but remember the Saints are 3-0 at home and 0-4 on the road. Brees has thrown for less touchdowns and less yards per game on the road and obviously the offense goes as he goes. The rebirth of Mark Ingram should help their cause since the Panthers are allowing the fifth-most rushing yards per game, so maybe New Orleans should go with a more conservative approach and pound the rock.
The Panthers have been disappointing in the last two weeks after tying Cincinnati, but the Saints’ defense should allow opportunities for points. The Saints are giving up an average of 31.25 points a game when they travel, which will be music to Carolina’s ears. The return of DeAngelo Williams isn’t that meaningful, but he is better than Carolina’s alternatives to Jonathan Stewart and is solid in pass protection and catching passes out of the backfield. The defense is somewhat of a lost cause, so Carolina will just have to do their best to outscore New Orleans in this one.
As bad as New Orleans has been on the road, especially defensively, gives me concern in picking them here. The home team should be able to score and is getting points, so they’re my pick in this one.
Kyle’s Pick: New Orleans (63-57-1)
Last Week: 7-8
Season: 64-56-1
Survivor: 6-2
Locks: 11-14-1