The weirdness of the AFC South's 2019 season continues.
To refresh some memories, we being in the spring, where Jaguars' OLB Telvin Smith inexplicably decides to "take the year off" from football this year. He doesn't communicate with Marrone or the FO. Most of the speculation has been health related, but I recently saw something purported to be from his twitter feed indicating displeasure over not getting a new deal. If he was referring to himself, I have no idea what he was talking about because he was given a new contract. But whatever.
Then, tacks LT Taylor Lewan gets suspended four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing drugs.
Then, in the most surprising move in quite some time, right before the start of the season, Colts' QB Andrew Luck decides to retire from football after only seven years. Colts fans are enraged and hurt initially, and understandably so.
Next, buoyed by Luck's sudden retirement, it was the Texans' turn for weirdness. Right before the season began, they traded DE Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle for a 3rd round pick, a special teamer, and Berkevious Mingo. -a price for which they received some criticism for not getting enough. Immediately after that trade, the Texans spent TWO first round picks to Miami for LT Laremy Tunsil and WR Kenny Stills. Combined, these moves illustrate a win now approach.
"But Bullseye, you said 'the weirdness continues. Did something else happen since then?
"
You bet it did.
This week, exasperated by his persistent trade demands, the Jaguars traded CB Jalen Ramsey to the Rams, in exchange for two first round picks and a 4th round pick (a haul bigger than what the Khalil Mack trade commanded). As it stands now, no fewer than six major contributors to that 2017 defense that got the team to the AFC championship game are now gone from the team.
But that wasn't all
In a move that many saw coming at some point, the tacks have named QB Ryan Tannehill as the starter, benching Marcus Mariota, who has been the starter since 2015.
Texans? Colts? You guys are in the lead, but it's also your turn to make a weird or unexpected or even shocking move.
As for my picks, I had my first weekly winning record in seemingly forever, going 2-1 last week. Still not good enough to get me close to .500 yet, but I'll take what I can get at this point.
On to this weeks picks...
Jaguars (2-4) at
Bengals (0-6)-in a statement released today explaining in part the team's stance on the Ramsey trade, TC said he expects the team to continue to compete for the division title this year. Personally I think that is a pipe dream at this point. But if the team is to have a shot, it must win this game against a winless Bengals team missing key players in the secondary (CBs William Jackson and Dre Kirkpatrick, who are expected to miss the game). Their battered OL may be getting LT Cordy Glenn back from a concussion. It's unclear whether A.J. Green, who was injured in preseason, will be back in time to take advantage of the Ramsey trade. On top of that, the running game (offensively and defensively) have been a disaster for the Bengals. The Jaguars running game has performed better of late, but Minshew is coming off of his worst game as a Jaguar so far, but has had a very promising start to his career to date. I think even with the Ramsey trade, they should have enough to beat the bengals, though this has the earmarks of a trap game.
I say the Jaguars win 23-14 .
Texans (4-2) at
Colts (3-2)-An example of how my picks have gone this year: Just last week, I noted how the trade for Tunsil hadn't translated into the desired protection for DeShaun Watson. This week, the Texans have come off of two straight games without Watson being sacked. I think as long as Watson is getting that protection, the Texans are a threat to win now.
Texans 28 Colts 17
Chargers (2-4) at
tacks (2-4)-Chargers are battered with injuries and on top of that, Rivers hasn't played well. tacks looking for an offensive spark put in Tannehill. I think the Bolts have a tough trip, but still have enough to win here as long as rivers plays well.
Bolts 23 tacks 20.
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 6-14
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
