Written by Sam DeCoste
The 2018 NFL season is slowly but surely becoming more predictable, and we are just starting to learn who is for real, and who is not. Not to mention only one undefeated team remains, in the Los Angeles Rams. The Packers, Raiders, Seahawks, and Steelers take the week off, as we prepare for what should be an entertaining slate of games.
The Patriots take on the Bears in Soldier Field, the Texans and Jaguars square off in a critical AFC South showdown, and the Bengals and Chiefs battle in Arrowhead Stadium, in what should be another entertaining shootout. So without any further delay, let's get right to it!
Here are my season records:
Lock of the Week record: 4-2
Last week's record: 11-4
DEN @ ARZ
Case Keenum has not lived up to his $36 million contract thus far, missing too many throws and not giving his playmakers a chance to make plays. It's been a struggle for them, while Arizona is still growing with their rookie, Josh Rosen. These are two of the worst teams in the whole league, but one of them has to win. I think Denver will because they are just too talented to lose to the Cardinals.
Prediction: DEN 23, ARZ 16
TEN @ LAC
What a downward spiral it has been for Tennessee. They reached the heights of victories against Houston, Jacksonville, and Philadelphia, and the lows of losing to Buffalo and getting shut out against Baltimore. But the Chargers, who we thought had a slow start, have only lost to the two final unbeaten teams in the league. They've found their rhythm again, and they should carry that momentum forward.
Prediction: TEN 13, LAC 27
NE @ CHI
The Bears defense got exposed last week. It was the first week Khalil Mack did not force a fumble, or did the Bears defense even get a single sack. It was Brock Osweiler's Dolphins. That's not okay. Meanwhile, the Patriots are still the Patriots. Edelman is back, Gronkowski is making plays again, and Tom Brady continues to carve defenses apart. Chicago is up next.
Prediction: NE 34, CHI 21
HOU @ JAX
Neither team has looked themselves in 2018. Deshaun Watson turned the ball over three times against the Bills last week, and the Jaguars defense surrendered 40 points to the fifth worst offense in the NFL. Maybe Deshaun Watson is not the same player since his ACL tear, and the Jags defense is overrated. But the Jags swept the Texans last year, and Jacksonville's defense suffocated Houston in both meetings. I don't see how a mediocre Deshaun Watson upsets a pissed off Jags squad.
Prediction: HOU 13, JAX 17
CAR @ PHI
It may be early, but games like these can be the crucial tiebreakers that keep teams on the couch come the postseason. Carolina has underwhelmed since returning from their Week 4 bye, while the Eagles took advantage of a dysfunctional Giants team to get back at .500. I think Carson Wentz has settled back in nicely after his ACL tear last season, and he will lead the Eagles to another victory.
Prediction: CAR 17, PHI 26
MIN @ NYJ
The Vikings should be the favorites to win the North, and they have a great chance to win their fourth game against the Jets. But the Jets have a great opportunity themselves to get back to a winning record, after a slow first quarter. The problem for the Jets is they have a rookie quarterback, facing the vaunted Vikings defense. Amazingly, this is the third rookie quarterback the Vikings will face, and they should get the job done again.
Prediction: MIN 23, NYJ 14
CLE @ TB
Prediction: CLE 20, TB 30
BUF @ IND
The Bills defense doesn't deserve to be on the same team as this offense. What a disgrace. Twelve points and 225 yards per game? That is terrible. And now Derek Anderson is starting at quarterback? Oof. The Colts, on the other hand, have scored 92 points in their last three games, and Andrew Luck has 10 touchdown passes. They've had a hard time lately winning games, but they should win again this week. The Bills defense will give them problems, but their offense will just send them backwards. GO GET THE COLTS DEFENSE IN FANTASY LEAGUES.
Prediction: BUF 6, IND 24
DET @ MIA
For the second straight week, Miami hosts a team coming off their bye. They took care of the first one, the Bears, and now they face the inconsistent Lions. I think the Dolphins will keep their winning streak going, considering they are undefeated at home so far, and I can't see Detroit containing the speed they have on offense, especially with Albert Wilson making plays every week.
Prediction: DET 20, MIA 24
NO @ BAL
It was way too easy for the Ravens last week. This week won't be so easy. The NFL's all time passing leader comes marching into Baltimore, looking for a fifth straight win, against the NFL's top ranked defense. While the Ravens defense has been great this season, only surrendering 270 (!!!) yards per game, they've been lucky enough to play the Bills, Browns, and Titans. The Saints are a different animal, with thunder and lightning in the backfield, and Michael Thomas' 46 catches on the outside. I don't know if the Ravens can contain this explosive offense.
Prediction: NO 31, BAL 26
DAL @ WSH
There may not be a game with bigger stakes than the one in the nation's capital this week. The Redskins top the NFC East at 3-2, while Dallas comes in looking to take top spot, and win their first road game of the year. The way I see it, Alex Smith has fit in nicely with the Redskins offense, Adrian Peterson is making plays every week, and the pass catchers are giving defenses problems. Not to mention Dallas is still winless away from Jerry's World. I give the edge to the home team.
Prediction: DAL 17, WSH 23
LAR @ SF
Good thing the NFL flexed this game out of Sunday Night Football. This should be boring. The Rams are still the best team around, and they should have no problems against CJ Beathard's Niners. This Rams offense is too unstoppable, with weapons everywhere you look.
Prediction: LAR 30, SF 19
CIN @ KC
What do thee teams both have in common? Great offenses, underperforming defenses, explosive playmakers, and terrible playoff records this century. Kansas City should bounce back, considering they still scored 40 points in the loss at New England last week, and they are still the league's highest scoring offense. Cincinnati will have a shot, considering KC's defense is ranked bottom, but Patrick Mahomes should outlast Andy Dalton. This is my Lock of the Week.
Prediction: CIN 31, KC 37
NYG @ ATL
The Giants are a different kind of terrible right now. Eli Manning continues to regress, the team can't stop turning the ball over, and the defense has surrendered 100 points in their last three games. Now they have to go into Atlanta, which will be the closest the Giants get to the Super Bowl this year, against the eighth ranked offense in the NFL. The Falcons can't stop scoring points, and the Giants are too dysfunctional to cause an upset.
Prediction: NYG 20, ATL 34
Wilson, Aaron. “Texans Defense Fails to Slow down Jaguars QB Blake Bortles.” Houston Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, 18 Dec. 2017, www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-defense-fails-to-slow-down-Jaguars-QB-12437575.php.
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