Let's not mince words here. The only value my "analysis" and picks serve is, maybe, to let people know who is playing, and to let people know who NOT to pick. Any worse and the Dolphins will laugh at me. Have we established a mercy rule for inept prognostication in this thread?
The only solace I take in the winless weeks is that I picked against the Jaguars both weeks and they won. If I go winless every week in this thread means I am wrong when I am picking the Jaguars to lose, I will GLADLY take that EVERY week-or at least every week I pick the Jaguars to lose. You know what I mean!
That said...on to this week's picks...
Jaguars (2-2) at
Panthers (2-2)-Am I the only one who harbors lingering antipathy towards the Panthers? For those of you too young to know the history, Carolina and Jacksonville were rivals in the 1993 expansion race. The conventional wisdom was the NFL would expand to two cities-one established NFL city (Baltimore or St. Louis) and one new market (Charlotte, Jacksonville, Memphis, among others). Carolina got the first franchise, but the awarding of the 30th team-which was to be named at the same time-was delayed for 30 days-presumably to allow Baltimore or St. Louis improve their packages. However, at the end of the process, justice and righteousness prevailed and Jacksonville was awarded the 30th NFL franchise. That sequence seemed to be a harbinger of things to come. Carolina had the #1 overall pick in 1995 and got all of the love from the national media for two years. Then they made it to the Super Bowl before we did-TWICE. I DO take some solace in the fact they have yet to win the Super Bowl, so we can still beat them to that with any luck. As it stands now, it seems the teams are mirror images of the other. Young, inexperienced QBs who came from nowhere to replace injured starters, good running games, and good young defenses. Perhaps this is the homer in me, but I am going with the offensive rookie of the month in Gardner Minshew.
Jaguars 20 Carolina 17.
Falcons (1-3) at
Texans (2-2)-I have no idea what is wrong with the Falcons. My thought is they are more talented than this, but if you apply Bill Parcells' logic to this situation, they are a 1-3 team period. I have some idea what is wrong with Houston-they haven't managed to cobble together decent protection for Watson despite the trade for Tunsil. Also, Hopkins seems to be in something of a slump. But at this stage, I trust Hopkins to get out of his slump against the Falcons.
Texans win 27-20.
Bills (3-1) at
Titans (2-2)-Titans LT Taylor Lewan returns from a four game suspension for PED violations just in time to face a Bills defense that may be the best in the league. However, 2nd year QB Josh Allen isn't very good, and he is in the concussion protocol.
To be honest, I would thoroughly enjoy either team losing. I Think the Tacks offer more on offense than Buffahole, and will win a low scoring game 17-13.
Colts (2-2) at
Chiefs (4-0)-Even dealing with a lot of injuries, the Chiefs still managed to put up over 30 points in the win in Detroit. The Colts are missing one, (Hooker) and possibly two players from their secondary (Ya-Sin) and possibly two from their D-Line. In Arrowhead? A tough spot for Indy.
Chiefs win 34-16.
Last week: 0-4
Overall: 3-10
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
