Last week in the division, the loathsome and detestable first place tacks were thought by many to be vulnerable once Derrick Henry went down for possibly the rest of the year with the foot injury. However, with a defense playing much better than they played last year and an offense showing ability in the passing game, went on the road and thumped the Rams on national television and now find themselves atop the AFC standings. The second place Colts, trying to stay within shouting distance of the tacks, put up 45 on the Jets on national television. The last place Texans, trying to stay in the running for the top overall pick, lost to Miami. But the biggest surprise of the week happened in Jacksonville, where 15 point underdog Jacksonville Jaguars shocked the league and spanked the Bills 9-6, in a game that, frankly, could have been a bigger Jacksonville win. There were two missed TD passes-one a drop by Agnew, the other an overthrow by Trevor Lawrence due to pressure from a blitzing bills LB Edwards. There was an inexplicable fumble by RB Carlos Hyde right before halftime deep in Bills territory that took at least a FG off the board, and then there was a missed FG. But the secret the national media isn't talking about is the Jaguars' defense dominated at the LOS, shutting down the Bills running game and pressured and harassed the Bills QB all game long.
With all of the unexpected results, I had a tough week picking finishing 2-2...but given that my Jaguars beat the Bills, I'll gladly take it. There are only two games this week because the Texans have the bye this week.
On to the picks
Saints (5-3) at
tacks (7-2)-Flat out, the tacks are on a roll. The Saints, with a backup QB, on the road? As much as I'd love to see the Saints thump the tacks, it ain't gonna happen.
Titans win 28-13.
Jaguars (2-6) at
Colts (4-5)-fresh off the monumental upset of presumed Super Bowl contender Buffahole, the Jaguars, winners of 2 out of their last 3, travel to Indianoplace to take on the Colts. The Jaguars have fared well against the colts in recent years. The one win last year was against the Colts. The Jaguars seem better equipped defensively to face the Colts than they were last year. The Jaguars are stronger against the run than they were last year, when we finished 31st in run defense. However, I am not sure offensively we are in as good a shape. Lawrence returned to the game against the Bills after giving Jags nation a scare with an ankle injury. He will be limited in practice. Also, we have no ability to separate at WR. finally, I have to give the Colts some credit. They were banged up along the OL earlier in the year. But they have slowly gotten healthy as the season has progressed, and they are actually a pretty good offense, and have put up some points. The Jaguars followed up the Miami win with a stinker against Seattle. As impressive as the Jaguars win was against the Bills, and as much as I want to believe the Jaguars have turned the corner, until the Jaguars show they can handle winning, I have to pick the Colts here.
Colts win 24-20.
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 21-9
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
