NFL Week 18 Picks

I went 11-5 last week in picking games straight up which brings me to 167-88 for the year.  As always, I'll have my picks highlighted in green with the home team listed first.

Broncos vs Chiefs

Eagles vs Cowboys

Browns vs Bengals

Lions vs Packers

Vikings vs Bears

NYG vs Washington

Jaguars vs Colts

Ravens vs Steelers

Texans vs Titans

Falcons vs Saints

Bills vs Jets

Rams vs 49ers

Dolphins vs Patriots

Cardinals vs Seahawks

Buccaneers vs Panthers

Raiders vs Chargers

Out of 16 games I have the home team winning only 6 of them.

NFL Week 18 Power Rankings

 

Another week in the books and the playoffs are pretty much set.  I won't go in depth about the teams like I usually do as I'll have a big in depth playoff preview when things are finally set.

1. Green Bay Packers (13-3) (+1)

2. Los Angeles Rams (12-4) (+2)

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4) (+2)

4. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) (-3)

5. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) (-2)

6. Buffalo Bills (10-6) (+1)

7. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) (+2)

8. New England Patriots (10-6) (--)

9.  Arizona Cardinals (11-5) (+1)

10. Tennessee Titans (11-5) (+1)

11. Indianapolis Colts (9-7) (-5)

12. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) (+1)

13. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) (+3)

14. San Francisco 49ers (9-7) (--)

15. Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) (+3)

16. Miami Dolphins (8-8) (-4)

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) (+3)

18. Minnesota Vikings (7-9) (-3)

19. New Orleans Saints (8-8) (+3)

20. Baltimore Ravens (8-8) (-3)

21. Denver Broncos (7-9) (-2)

22. Cleveland Browns (7-9) (-1)

23. Chicago Bears (6-10) (+2)

24. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) (-1)

25. Seattle Seahawks (6-10) (+1)

26. Washington Football Team (6-10) (-2)

27. Houston Texans (4-12) (--)

28. Carolina Panthers (5-11) (--)

29. New York Jets (4-12) (--)

30. New York Giants (4-12) (--)

31. Detroit Lions (2-13-1) (--)

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) (--)

NFL Week 17 Power Rankings

 

Another interesting week in the NFL.  There wasn't too many surprises this week.  There wasn't a lot of teams that stayed the same so a lot of movement in my rankings.  There were only 5 teams that stayed where they were at, a season low.  The biggest rise was by the Bengals with plus 5.  The biggest fall was by the 49ers and Steelers with negative 4.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) (+1)

The Chiefs overtake the Packers for the number 1 spot.  They have won 8 games in a row.  They have scored more points, given up less, and have had a harder schedule than the Packers.  Oh, they beat them head to head as well (without Rodgers).

2. Green Bay Packers (12-3) (-1)

The Packers are on a 4 game win streak.  They are 7-0 at home so any team that meets them in the playoffs are in trouble.

3. Dallas Cowboys (11-4) (--)

The Cowboys are good but would they be as good in a different (stronger) division?  Maybe but they are 5-0 in their division.

4. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) (--)

They have lost 2 at home and 2 on the road.  They have lost 2 division games.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4) (--)

They are second in points scored.  The NFC is going to shape up as a real battle in the playoffs.

6. Indianapolis Colts (9-6) (--)

The Colts are 4-4 at home and 5-2 on the road.  Maybe it bodes well that they travel for the playoffs.

7. Buffalo Bills (9-6) (+2)

The Bills lead in point differential this season with +163.  They are as dangerous as they come when the playoffs arrive.

8. New England Patriots (9-6) (-1)

Another surprising stat is that the Patriots are 6-1 on the road and 3-5 at home.  Maybe they should travel for the playoffs as well?

9. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6) (+5)

The Bengals keep entering and sliding out of my top 10 for the last several weeks.  They are dangerous but very inconsistent.

10. Arizona Cardinals (10-5) (-2)

The Cardinals have now lost 3 games in a row.  They are starting to look very beatable instead of the juggernaut we saw earlier in the season.

11. Tennessee Titans (10-5) (+2)

The Titans continue to stay ahead of the Colts in the standings.  If and when they get healthy they are going to be very dangerous in the playoffs.

12. Miami Dolphins (8-7) (+3)

The Dolphins have now won 7 games in a row.  They are still negative (10) in point differential though.

13. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7) (-2)

They are 2-3 in their last 5 games.  That isn't good and they had every chance to knock the Chiefs off of the top of that division.  They just couldn't put them away.

14. San Francisco 49ers (8-7) (-4)

They are 3-2 in their last 5 games however they are 1-4 in their division.

15. Minnesota Vikings (7-8) (+2)

They have scored 1 more point than the Packers.  Once again, the offense isn't the problem.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) (+4)

What if I told you that they have scored more points and given up less points than the Packers?  Crazy, huh?

17. Baltimore Ravens (8-7) (-5)

They have lost 4 in a row and looking like a complete mess.  Injuries have finally caught up with this team.

18. Las Vegas Raiders (8-7) (+4)

They are 8-4 against everyone not in their division.

19. Denver Broncos (7-8) (-1)

They are in last place in the division but positive in the point differential category unlike the Raiders and Chargers who are ahead of them in the standings.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1) (-4)

They are -70 in point differential which is by far the worst in their division.

21. Cleveland Browns (7-8) (-2)

The Browns have lost 2 in a row and now need a lot of help to make the playoffs.

22. New Orleans Saints (7-8) (-1)

They are 2-5 at home which is just crazy considering how much of an advantage the Superdome usually is.

23. Atlanta Falcons (7-8) (+1)

They are a surprising 3-2 out of the last 5 games.

24. Washington Football Team (6-9) (-1)

They are negative 110 in point differential which isn't the worst in their division.

25. Chicago Bears (5-10) (+1)

They are 2-5 at home and 3-5 on the road.

26. Seattle Seahawks (5-10) (-1)

Interesting stat:  The Seahawks have scored 306 points and given up 307.

27. Houston Texans (4-11) (+3)

The Texans have won 2 in a row and actually look good at times.  Imagine if they weren't the worst ran franchise in the league?

28. Carolina Panthers (5-10) (-1)

At this point we should just feel sorry for the Panthers.

29. New York Jets (4-11) (+2)

They have not won a division game all season.

30. New York Giants (4-11) (-2)

They have only won 1 game on the road.

31. Detroit Lions (2-12-1) (-2)

They have scored 6 less points than the Bears this season.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-13) (--)

Well, there is always next year....right?

NFL Week 16 Picks

Last week, I went 12-4 which brings me to 144-79 on the season.  As always, I'll highlight the team I think will win in green.  I'll list the home teams first.

Titans vs 49ers

Packers vs Browns

Cardinals vs Colts

Falcons vs Lions

Bengals vs Ravens

Vikings vs Rams

Patriots vs Bills

Jets vs Jaguars

Eagles vs Giants

Panthers vs Buccaneers

Texans vs Chargers

Seahawks vs Bears

Chiefs vs Steelers

Raiders vs Broncos

Dallas vs Washington

Saints vs Dolphins

Out of 16 games I picked the away team to win 8 times.

NFL Week 16 Power Rankings

 

What an interesting week with all the games rescheduled due to covid.  This might be the normal as we close out on the last couple of weeks in the season  The biggest rise was the Colts with +5.  The biggest fall was the Cardinals and Titans with -5.

1. Green Bay Packers (11-3) (--)

They already clinched their division.  If they get the #1 seed then watch out.  They are 6-0 at home.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) (+3)

The Chiefs have won 7 in a row now.  Their defense is playing lights out.  Their offense is not making the big mistakes like they were at the start of the year.  Nobody will want to play them in the playoffs if they stay hot and win out the rest of the season.

3. Dallas Cowboys (10-4) (+3)

They are the second highest scoring team behind the Bucs.  Yes, they are in a weak division but they have taken care of them going undefeated so far.

4. Los Angeles Rams (10-4) (+3)

When they are on they are tough to beat.  Kupp is playing lights out this year!

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-4) (-3)

They need to figure some things out on offense and quick as they might be out several star players for the rest of the season.

6. Indianapolis Colts (8-6) (+5)

They have scored more points than the Chiefs and given up less points than the Rams.  This Colts team is real.

7. New England Patriots (9-5) (-3)

They had a hiccup against the Colts but they are still well coached.  They will bounce back just fine.

8. Arizona Cardinals (10-4) (-5)

They are 2-3 in the last 5 games.  They need to figure it out fast to have a shot at the +1 seed in the NFC.

9. Buffalo Bills (8-6) (+3)

This team has been inconsistent throughout the season.  However, no one wants to draw them in the wildcard round.

10. San Francisco 49ers (8-6) (+3)

Unlike the Cardinals, the 49ers are playing their best ball as of late going 4-1 in their last 5.

11. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) (-1)

They still hoover around the 0 point differential this season with +9.  Their defense has been giving up way too many points.

12. Baltimore Ravens (8-6) (-3)

We are finally seeing the result of all their injuries.  It is effecting their play and play calling.  I don't blame Harbaugh for going for it.

13. Tennessee Titans (9-5) (-5)

They are 2-3 in their last 5 games.  I'm not sure they will win their division as the Colts are just too hot right now.

14. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) (--)

They have scored the most points in their division and have given up the fewest points in their division.

15. Miami Dolphins (7-7) (+3)

The Dolphins have now won 6 in a row.  Tua is slinging it with great accuracy. 

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6-1) (+1)

They are the worst in their division when it comes to point differential with -44.

17. Minnesota Vikings (7-7) (+2)

They are 3-2 in their last 5 looking to keep the momentum strong to try to get a wildcard.

18. Denver Broncos (7-7) (-3)

It looks likely that Lock will start the next game.  They need to get the offense going.  They have scored exactly 100 less points than the Chiefs this year.

19. Cleveland Browns (7-7) (-3)

As much grief I gave the Steelers offense this year.  The Browns have scored just 1 more point.  Ouch.

20. Philadelphia Eagles (7-7) (+2)

They have won 2 in a row now.  Will they be able to sneak in there to get a wildcard?

21. New Orleans Saints (7-7) (+3)

The Saints are the hardest team to figure out this year.

22. Las Vegas Raiders (7-7) (-1)

The Raiders have the only negative point differential in their division with -75.

23. Washington Football Team (6-8) (-3)

Surprisingly they are 3-2 in their last 5 games.

24. Atlanta Falcons (6-8) (-1)

They have scored the least amount of points in their division and given up the most points as well.

25. Seattle Seahawks (5-9) (--)

They have scored 282 points and have given up 282 points.

26. Chicago Bears (4-10) (--)

They are 2-5 at home and 2-5 on the road.

27. Carolina Panthers (5-9) (--)

The Panthers are just in a bad place right now.

28. New York Giants (4-10) (--)

They have lost 3 in row now.  It is a shame because they have some pieces.  Let's hope they hit on the high draft picks they have coming in April.

29. Detroit Lions (2-11-1) (+2)

They are the best worst team of all time.

30. Houston Texans (3-11) (--)

The Texans are -165 in point differential.  The crazy thing is, that's not even the worst in their own division.

31. New York Jets (3-11) (-2)

They have lost 3 in a row now going back to what we know about them...

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) (--)

They will just have to start from scratch again next year.

NFL Week 15 Picks

I had a great week last week going 12-2 bringing me to 132-75 for the year.  As always, I'll have my pick highlighted in green with the home team listed first.

Chargers vs Chiefs

Browns vs Raiders

Colts vs Patriots

Bills vs Panthers

Lions vs Cardinals

Dolphins vs Jets

Giants vs Cowboys

Philadelphia vs Washington

Steelers vs Titans

Jaguars vs Texans

Broncos vs Bengals

49ers vs Falcons

Rams vs Seahawks

Ravens vs Packers

Buccaneers vs Saints

Bears vs Vikings

I have 8 away teams winning out of 16 games.

NFL Week 15 Power Rankings

 

It was an interesting week in the NFL.  Not a lot of upsets and a couple really good games.  There was also a few blowouts.  Green Bay has taken over the number 1 spot with the Cardinals losing on Monday Night.  The biggest rise was by the Chargers and Browns with +3.  The biggest fall was by Washington and the Panthers with -3.  Not a lot of crazy changes this week.  The bottom 5 teams from last week stay put.

1. Green Bay Packers (10-3) (+1)

The Packers are just playing better football than everyone else right now.  If they get home field advantage in the playoffs, watch out.  They are 6-0 at home this year.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3) (+2)

Their defense is starting to play better.  That's not good for the rest of the NFL.

3. Arizona Cardinals (10-3) (-2)

The Cardinals are road warriors this year going 7-0.  Interesting.

4. New England Patriots (9-4) (-1)

This team was on a BYE WEEK.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) (--)

The Chiefs are now +83 in point differential which marks best in their division.  The next best is the Broncos with +47.

6. Dallas Cowboys  (9-4) (--)

They are 3-0 in their division.  That bodes well as they are looking to get the division win leading to the playoffs.

7. Los Angeles Rams (9-4) (+1)

They have scored just as many points as the Cardinals this year with 366.  Their defense has given up 39 more points though.

8. Tennessee Titans (9-4) (+1)

They all can't be Jacksonville...

9. Baltimore Ravens (8-5) (-2)

They had a chance at the end even without Lamar Jackson playing a lot of the game.

10. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) (+3)

The Chargers are going for the division win this Thursday Night against the Chiefs.

11. Indianapolis Colts (7-6) (--)

This team was on a BYE WEEK.

12. Buffalo Bills (7-6) (-2)

The Bills looked good against the Bucs but they have to win games like that against good teams especially in a tight AFC this year.

13. San Francisco 49ers (7-6) (+1)

They are looking better and better every week.  If George Kittle starts to get hot with Samuel playing this way it will be scary.

14. Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) (-2)

They have scored the most points in their division with 354.  50 more points than the second best Ravens.

15. Denver Broncos (7-6) (--)

They are 4-1 in non-conference games this year.

16. Cleveland Browns (7-6) (+3)

The Browns let the Ravens get back into the game.  They won a must win but I'm not sure if they can get into the playoffs.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1) (-1)

They have only won 1 game in their last 5.

18. Miami Dolphins (6-7) (--)

This team was on a BYE WEEK.

19. Minnesota Vikings (6-7) (+2)

They are 5th in points in the NFC.  Their defense has let them down this year.

20. Washington Football Team (6-7) (-3)

All winning streaks must come to an end.

21. Las Vegas Raiders (6-7) (-1)

They would have a winning record if they didn't play the Chiefs this year.

22. Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) (--)

This team was on a BYE WEEK.

23. Atlanta Falcons (6-7) (--)

How are they 2nd in their division?  They are -108 in point differential.  The First place Buccaneers are +113 points.

24. New Orleans Saints (6-7) (+1)

The Saints are 1-2 in their division.

25. Seattle Seahawks (5-8) (+1)

They are starting to look better but too little, too late.

26. Chicago Bears (4-9) (+1)

They put up a fight against the Packers.  I'm still not sure how it was as close as it was.

27. Carolina Panthers (5-8) (-3)

They have looked lost in this 3 game skid.  They are out there playing carousal QBs.

28. New York Giants (4-9) (--)

At least they have a few high draft picks next year.

29. New York Jets (3-10) (--)

At least they have a few high draft picks next year.

30. Houston Texans (2-10) (--)

They have the worst point differential in the league with -179.

31. Detroit Lions (1-11-1) (--)

They have won just as many games as the Steelers in the last 5.

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) (--)

They have lost 5 in a row and it isn't going to get any better leading to the end of the season.