2015 NFL Week 7 Picks

49ers +6.5 versus Seahawks

I should have known better than to stick with the home team getting points on a short week. Seattle always poses a bad matchup for them with their pass rush and specifically Cliff Avril on the right side.

Jaguars +4 versus Bills (in London)

It's tempting to go with the better team on the neutral field, but Buffalo just has too many injuries to deal with. Seeing studly wide receiver Allen Robinson do battle with impressive corners Ronald Darby and Stephon Gillmore should be fun to watch.

Rams -6.5 versus Browns

Todd Gurley against Cleveland's run defense just isn't fair. The line is a bit high, but I'll lay the points against Josh McCown on the road.

Gurley often looks like a man among boys out there.

2015 NFL Week 6 Picks

Falcons -3 at Saints

The Saints defense didn't exactly stop the Falcons so much that they stopped themselves. Atlanta's inability to adjust to the ageless Ben Watson continuously killing them was astounding, but I should have known better than to expect them to remain undefeated with the short week on the road.

Broncos -3.5 at Browns

It's officially time to worry about Peyton Manning after his struggles continued against Oakland's underwhelming secondary, but Cleveland's missing top corner Joe Haden for this game. I'm counting on Josh McCown coming back down to earth against the best defense in the league.

Bengals -3 at Bills

Coming off Cincinnati's dramatic comeback, this line almost feels like a trap against a backup quarterback that doesn't have a ton of game film to study, but Buffalo's offense is so banged up right now. I'll take my chances with the better team against E.J. Manuel.

Vikings -3.5 versus Chiefs

Kansas City was looking good last week until the horrible Jamaal Charles injury, and now they're on the road against a talented team coming off a bye week. Minnesota's strong secondary will make it tough for Alex Smith to try and carry the offense.

Charcandrick West might be a poor man's Charles, but they'll need more than that.

2015 NFL Week 5 Picks

Texans -5 versus Colts

Maybe I overreacted to Indy's injuries, but I thought Houston would take care of business at home. Nuk Hopkins continues to be a monster, but I was impressed by the Colts' ability to keep pressure away from Matt Hasselbeck.

Jaguars +3 at Buccaneers

I continue to be a believer in Jacksonville, especially against a defense that offers little resistance and can't seem to win at home. Coming off his first 100 yard game, this is a good spot for workhorse T.J. Yeldon to get his first score after having one called back in Week 2.

Bills -1 at Titans

I'm somewhat concerned about Buffalo's ability to consistently move the ball with their injuries, and Vegas agrees, with the line dropping from -3. However, I'm not sold on Ken Whisenhunt having his troops ready off the bye and feel better about Rex Ryan bouncing back from a disappointing loss.

It's close, but I"m betting on Marcell Dareus and the strength of this defense.

2015 NFL Week 4 Picks

Ravens -3 at Steelers

Hopefully you got Baltimore when they were still -2.5 since this ended up as a push.

Dolphins +1.5 versus Jets (in London)

Miami's offensive coordinator, Bill Lazor, came from the Eagles, and they got their offense going a bit despite a tough matchup on paper against these Jets last week. The Dolphins' defense has to live up to their potential eventually, don't they?

Jaguars +9 at Colts

Can't feel comfortable laying this many points with Andrew Luck's status up in the air, despite Jacksonville getting shellacked on the road last week.

Feed T.J. Yeldon; stay in the game.

2015 NFL Week 3 Picks

Giants -3.5 versus Redskins

Week 2 was a wacky one, but at least this weekend is already off to a better start. Although this was a weird one itself from what I saw after, it at least went as it should with New York continuing taking advantage of Washington's secondary to get on the board at home. I missed this Thursday Night Football matchup last year due to a dinner engagement and then had a rare Thursday class for this one, so maybe third time will be the charm next year.

Falcons -1 at Cowboys

Am I missing something there? Atlanta has pulled out back to back wins against NFC East opponents to start the season thanks to a surprisingly stingy defense under Dan Quinn and now gets a Dallas team missing both Dez Bryant and Tony Romo. Yes, the Cowboys' defense has looked better than expected thanks to a healthy Sean Lee, but they're short on pass-rushers while no one can cover Julio Jones. The Falcons might not move the ball consistently with stud rookie RB Tevin Coleman's rib injury, but they should still make enough plays to outscore Brandon Weeden and the 'Boys' RBBC.

Despite still getting used to LB/DEs  in the 40's, I'm counting on Vic Beasley making life tough for Weeden.

2015 NFL Week 2 Picks

Broncos +3 at Chiefs

I swear I had this tweet in my drafts at lunch time before getting stuck in traffic later and sending it after the game started. Here's ESPN's Pigskin Pick'em to prove it, although I couldn't have imagined it being that wild:

Texans +3 at Panthers

I don't feel great about this game with both teams having playoff level talent in some respects but glaring weaknesses, as well. Carolina has home field on their side, hence the 3 point edge, but I'm going with the more dominant defensive front against a still shaky offensive attack.

When in doubt, take the best player on the field involved.

2015 NFL Week 1 Picks

Football is back, and I'm excited for all aspects. My first pick of the season ended up as a push after the Steelers nabbed a ridiculous backdoor cover with an impressive garbage time touchdown from Antonio Brown with 2 seconds left, but this should be a fun opening week with a lot of interesting lines.

Packers -7 at Bears

The shootout potential of this one has diminished with the tragic non-contact ACL tear of Jordy Nelson and all three of the Bears' wide receivers nursing injuries, so I don't think this game approaches the over/under that was already lowered to 49. This pick isn't too difficult for me since Green Bay has one of the highest Vegas win totals at 11, and I think they are right up there with the defending champs as the best team in the league. Chicago's new coaching staff is good, but I think it'll take a year for the pieces to come together, especially in the transition to a 3-4 defense, making the under on their 6.5 win total a safe pick.

With the reigning MVP, a Super Bowl is still in sight.