Remember Josh Gordon? The Browns receiver broke out in a huge way back in 2013 to the tune of 1,646 yards and 9 touchdowns. Then he got suspension after suspension after suspension and hasn’t played since early 2014. He’s only 24 and unlike Justin Blackmon, he actually showed that he was going to be a productive NFL receiver. It turns out he’s been using his time off to focus on art. Maybe that’s a gateway to attend some pretty awesome parties in Miami at Art Basel, but Gordon actually seems committed to moving forward and getting back on an NFL field. Sometimes success comes a little too quick for some people and that seemed to happen to Gordon. He’ll get one more shot to keep on the straight and narrow. We’ll see if he’s able to get it done. That sound you hear? That’s everyone rushing to the waiver wire in their keeper league once they realized Josh Gordon has a chance of being a top 10 wide receiver in 2016. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Locks of the Week:
Chicago +7 over MINNESOTA
The Bears did not fare well when they started to gain recognition as being a feisty, competitive team. They started getting a little too much street cred and couldn’t handle being home favorites. Now they’re back to a more comfortable road dog and they’re in one hell of a spot. Minnesota is coming off a crushing loss last weekend to Arizona. Teddy B bungled the final play and cost Minnesota a chance to tie. Divisional contests are always a little harder fought and seven points is a lot for a team with a league average offense.
J.Camm’s Pick: Minnesota
Atlanta +3 over JACKSONVILLE
The Falcons have been really bad recently, but have the Jaguars been good enough to deserve the points? They beat up on a 40-year old quarterback last week and before that lost three of five games with their only wins being against Tennessee and Baltimore. Those aren’t exactly respectable wins. The Falcons have lost six in a row, so they’re not exactly in much better shape. I just have a weird feeling that the Jaguars 27th ranked passing defense (according to Football Outsiders) is exactly what Atlanta needs to see. (I know I said that when they played Tampa Bay a couple days ago, but it’s bound to happen soon with Julio Jones exploding for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Ryan isn’t great, but he doesn’t completely suck!)
J.Camm’s Pick: Atlanta
Denver +7 over PITTSBURGH
Everyone’s overreacting to Brock Osweiler’s performance last week, but let’s consider why the Broncos actually lost this game to the Raiders. Their defense played great, so nothing is on them. It’s on Emmanuel Sanders for muffing a punt and putting Oakland in great position to score a touchdown. It’s on Demaryius Thomas for dropping multiple balls including one that would’ve secured a key first down late in the game. It’s also on Vernon Davis for dropping a wide open 25-yard pass on Denver’s final offensive possession. If those things go in a positive way, Denver wins by something like a 20-9 score and no one’s talking about Osweiler. Sure he held the ball too long and took some sacks, but Khalil Mack is Pro Football Focus’ second highest rated defensive player right now. Maybe the coaching staff should’ve set up better blocking against the second best defensive player in the league! Pittsburgh’s offense is great, but so is Denver’s defense and I don’t see them letting Pittsburgh run away with this one.
J.Camm’s Pick:Pittsburgh
NEW ORLEANS -3 over Detroit
The Lions clearly didn’t rebound well from losing on a Hail Mary to the Packers. It’s possible that started them on a downward spiral towards the end of the season. If they’re done with the season, I’m done with them. New Orleans actually showed some signs of life last week and generally plays better at home. This game could turn into a shootout, so I’m taking the better offense in their home atmosphere.
J.Camm’s Pick: New Orleans
Trap Games of the Week:
N.Y. GIANTS +5 over Carolina
We all know the story of this game, but here it is just in case you’ve been sleeping. The Panthers are undefeated and the Giants have twice beaten teams in this spot. The 1998 Broncos came into Giants Stadium 13-0 and left 13-1. We all know the 2007 Patriots came into came into Giants Stadium and barely escaped by three points before losing in the Super Bowl to the same Giants. There’s also the whole eight teams have been 13-0 and only four of them made it to 14-0. The best part is not much of this has anything to do with this game because we’re talking about the 2015 Giants vs. the 2015 Panthers. The game will come down to whether or not the Giants a) do something to move Odell Beckahm Jr. away from Josh Norman (hint: move him to the slot because Norman doesn’t follow receivers there) because they need their best offensive weapon to produce and b) the Giants offensive role players need to have strong efforts. (The Norman vs. Beckham Jr. show will be must-see television.) Maybe there’s too much talk about the Giants pulling this off. Maybe Cam’s karma is super positive after helping out some local kids. We’ll find out on Sunday.
J.Camm’s Pick: Giants
Rest of the Picks:
N.Y. Jets -3.5 over DALLAS
The Cowboys have been playing pretty decent defense recently, but their offense is in shambles and will continue to struggle against the Jets this weekend. The Jets defense neutralizes all of the Cowboys offensive potential and the Jets won’t need too much to win this game by a low scoring 20-10 effort.
J.Camm’s Pick: Dallas
Houston PK over INDIANAPOLIS
I know you’re excited for the potential of a T.J. Yates vs. Matt Hasselbeck contest. I really don’t have much to say about this game other than I’m taking the team who can play defense can neither can play offense.
J.Camm’s Pick: Indy
WASHINGTON +1.5 over Buffalo
The Bills have one win in their last four games. While their opponents have been tough and the Redskins aren’t that great, why should we give Buffalo respect? The Chiefs and Eagles were beatable road opponents and the Bills didn’t get it done. Rex Ryan is supposed to be a defensive coach and his defense is ranked 24th according to Football Outsiders. Washington has been alternating wins and losses for their last six games, but I’m saying they double down in this one.
J.Camm’s Pick: Buffalo
NEW ENGLAND -14 over Tennessee
I’m probably going against Tennessee because of their disappointing performance against the Jets last week, but New England offers all the same things the Jets do. They have a really good passing game and a strong defense to hold down Tennessee, who lacks quality skill position players. Tennessee’s schedule has been really easy this year. They’ve only played one other team besides the Jets that is slated to make the playoffs and that was Carolina, who beat the Titans by 17.
J.Camm’s Pick: New England
Kansas City -7 over BALTIMORE
I’m not getting anywhere near Jimmy Claussen against this Chiefs pass rush. Kansas City’s offense couldn’t get moving last week, but I’ll blame that on the weather. I actually think the Spencer Ware injury helps them because Charcandrick West can get into a better groove and the offense will function better.
J.Camm’s Pick: Kansas City
SEATTLE -15 over Cleveland
We all know what Seattle’s done offensively in recent weeks, but their decent has allowed 13 or less points in three of the last four games. Those games weren’t exactly against great offenses, but Cleveland’s 26th ranked offense according to Football Outsiders isn’t a juggernaut either. At least they get Josh Gordon back next year.
J.Camm’s Pick: Seattle
Green Bay -3 over OAKLAND
Mike McCarthy took over the play-calling for Green Bay last week and the Packers put up 28 points. They looked more like the Packers of old and now they get to face another league average defense. We’ve already mentioned how Oakland’s win last week was a fluke. There’s no reason to think that happens again. It was such a fluke that a Raiders fan got dumped on his head by a Broncos fan. When would a Raiders fan ever get beaten up like that? Something was just weird last week.
J.Camm’s Pick: Green Bay
SAN FRANCISCO +6 over Cincinnati
I certainly don’t feel good about this pick, but I’m going to let A.J. McCarron show me what he has in his first road start. The 49ers play better defense at home, allowing 15.83 points in games at Levi’s Stadium. Take the under.
J.Camm’s Pick: San Francisco
Miami +2 over SAN DIEGO
We all know San Diego doesn’t deserve any kind of home field advantage. Both these teams sucks, so I’m taking the team that comes into the game with healthier players.
J.Camm’s Pick: San Diego
Arizona -3.5 over PHILADELPHIA
The Eagles defense is back to play respectable ball after their two-game vacation. The offense also seems to back to reasonably levels, but it’s surely not blowing anyone away. Arizona has the edge for me because of a few extra days to prepare for Chip Kelly’s offense and feeling a little hunger after barely winning last week.
J.Camm’s Pick: Arizona
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 7-9
Season: 103-100-6 (Crap, I lost the lead to JCamm. Gotta bring it now!)
Locks: 26-17
JCamm: 104-99-6