(11-01-2018, 10:10 PM)Bullseye Wrote: Again, my apologies for not getting this post up last week (and being late to a certain extent this week).  Fortunately, D6 took up the slack and came through in fine style!

For being late, I paid the price, as I did not get my pick in for last Thursday's game, and I failed to get the win in what would have been a 3-0 week.  So let that be a lesson to you kids!  Be on time!

Even though this is a bye week for the Jaguars, this has been far from an uneventful week in the division, as Houston and Jacksonville made trades.  The Texans made a deal for the present, as they acquired WR Demariyus Thomas from Denver to offset the loss of speedy WR Will Fuller, who tore his ACL.  If Thomas is anywhere close to what he was a few years back, the Texans got themselves a heckuva player, especially opposite DeAndre Hopkins.  Meanwhile, the Jaguars made a trade for the future, sending DE Dante Fowler to the Rams for the Rams 3rd and 5th round picks next year.  I think Fowler can thrive big time in Wade Phillips' scheme.  Phillips has always featured a dominant pass rushing OLB in his defenses.  While Fowler never reached "dominant" status here for myriad reasons, there is a sense that in a 3-4, Fowler could reach his potential.  When you consider the insane amount of surrounding talent he will have with the Rams, he could have a big impact for them once he gets that defense down.  For the Jaguars, this means several things.  First, his departure erodes the quality of depth along the defensive line.  Second, it gets rid of a guy deemed to be a locker room problem, as evidenced by his arrest last off season and training camp fight this summer, which resulted in another suspension for him, and a preseason suspension for Ramsey.   Furthermore, it means disappointing (at least to Jaguars fans) guys like Dawaune Smoot and Taven Bryan should get more snaps in the rotation. Additionally, the trade seems to be the first in an anticipated series of salary cap related (directly or indirectly) departures of expensive defensive stalwarts.  Finally, might this be the first step of several in an effort for the team to accumulate draft picks to possibly move up to get a QB in next April's draft?  (Yes it's gotten to that point already)  Stay tuned.

On to the picks

Tinhorns (5-3) at Broncos (3-5)-Denver has a lot of names on defense-guys like Miller, Chubb, Marshall-without the production.  Why are they only 22nd in total defense?  Houston has names, too-guys like Watt, Clowney, and Honey Badger.  Only they are stopping people (9th in defense).  However, Houston has a hot QB going for them.  Denver can be a tough place to play.  Von Miller can rush the passer among the best, and Houston's OL doesn't exactly inspire confidence, but Houston takes this one 27-17.

tacks (3-4) at Cowboys (3-4)  Despite Dallas' trade for Cooper and despite Dallas' throttling Jacksonville, I still see the tacks as the better overall team.  I hope I'm wrong.  tacks 21, Cowboys 16.

Last week:  2-0
Overall:  12-14