Week 9 Review (1-1-1) Overall: 16-9-2
Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) @ New York Giants
Los Angeles Rams 51 New York Giants 17
What a romping. Once New York gave up a 52-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-33, this game was over. The Rams continue to run the ball with ease, and had their second game of the season in which they did not turn the ball over. Jared Goff threw for over 300 yards, his first time eclipsing 300 passing yards since week one. This was also Goff’s first career four-touchdown game. Los Angeles’ offensive line continues to dominate, as they did not allow a sack.
Not sure if this game was more about the Rams dominance or the Giants struggling. Ben McAdoo might lose his job, and Eli Manning will most likely be gone after next season. If the Giants continue their poor play, they will be in line for a top pick in next year’s draft, in which they could draft a future quarterback. No offense to Davis Webb, but I don’t see him as the future of this team.
Atlanta Falcons (-2) @ Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers 20 Atlanta Falcons 17
This is now two weeks in a row in which the Falcons have failed us. Atlanta is suffering from a serious Super Bowl hangover. A team that finished fifth in rushing yards a season ago, ran for a grand total of 53 yards against Carolina. The Falcons offense struggled on third down, and were unable to convert on all three of their fourth down conversion attempts.
Cam Newton had a beautiful rushing touchdown in which he pulled off his inner MJ and dunked the ball as he crossed the goal line. However, this win was more about Carolina’s defense. They completely shut down the run, and now have the number one ranked defense in terms of yards allowed. They are allowing the fourth fewest points, second fewest rushing yards and sixth fewest passing yards. In other words, Carolina’s defense is elite.
Tennessee Titans (-3) @ Baltimore Ravens
Tennessee Titans 20 Baltimore Ravens 17
Our second push of the season. It really looked like the Titans had the cover in the bag until they gave up a last-minute touchdown, which cut their lead down to three. Going into this game, the Ravens were allowing over 130 yards on the ground, and all of a sudden, they limited the Titans, a powerful run team, to only 71 yards. Just shows how hard it is to predict some of these teams.
Solid win for Tennessee, as they move to 5-3 and are tied for first place in the AFC South. If they want to make some noise, the Titans defense needs to defend the pass better, and Mariota needs to step up his play.
WEEK 10 PICKS
Time to get back on track!
Minnesota Vikings (-1) @ Washington Redskins
PICK: VIKINGS TO COVER
WHY THE VIKINGS WILL SUCCEED
- Coming off a bye, extra week to prepare
- Sixth in the league in third down conversions
- Defense is legit: third fewest points per game allowed, fourth fewest yards, second fewest yards per play, second in opposing third down conversion percentage.
- Allowing the fewest touchdowns per game, also rank third in opposing red zone scoring percentage on drives ending in a touchdown
- Defend the run well, third fewest rushing yards allowed per game
- Offense is efficient, seventh in completion percentage, fourth fewest turnovers.
- Kai Forbath: 21/22 on FGA
WHY THE REDSKINS WILL STRUGGLE
- 24th in opponent points per game
- 19th in opposing third down conversions
- Allow 4.2 yards per carry on the ground
- Allow 6.7 yards per pass (20th in the NFL)
New England Patriots (-7.5) @ Denver Broncos
PICK: PATRIOTS TO COVER
WHY THE PATRIOTS WILL SUCCEED
- Extra week to prepare because of bye
- 12-5 under Belichick in game after a bye (Outscoring opponents 436-285 in those games)
- seventh in points per game
- third in the league in third down conversions
- third in the league in yards per pass
- fifth in completion percentage
- Second fewest turnovers in the NFL
WHY THE BRONCOS WILL STRUGGLE
- They don’t have a QB
- Defense is 25th in points allowed per game
- 22nd in points per game, 27th in completion percentage
- 25th in yards
- Second most turnovers in the league
New York Jets @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2.5)
PICK: BUCCANEERS TO COVER
WHY THE BUCCANEERS WILL SUCCEED
- Ryan Fitzpatrick has higher completion percentage, and higher QBR than Jameis Winston.
- Tampa Bay ranks eighth in yards per play
- second in passing yards per game
- third fewest penalty yards per game
WHY THE JETS WILL STRUGGLE
- 22nd in opponent yards per play
- 24th in opponents yards per game
- 30th in opponent touchdowns per game
- 22nd in yards per game
- Second most penalty yards per game
Featured image by ESPN.com
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