NFL Mocks Writers Make their picks
Right now I just have in Reggie’s picks, Will’s pick, and my picks. This is done through email. The spreads are different than what we have listed. Will’s came in last so his spreads are closer to today’s spreads. We’re aware of that, but these are the spreads were using. They’re from early in the week. Will has some different spreads I’ll note them when that happens.
Bengals vs San Fran 49ers: Bengals -1.5
Reggie’s pick: Bengals to cover the spread
Will’s pick: San Fran (+2.5)
My pick: 49ers
My thoughts: I’ll take the 49ers because the Bengals have had a rough week. A sterotypical Bengals week if you will. There are reports floating around out there that Cedric Benson will be suspended three games for personal conduct violations that occured during the lockout. On top of that there are other reports that Anthony Collins and Jerome Simpson might be invovled in receiving large amounts of pot. (To make sure there is no allegations here. Reports are that there were large amounts of pot delivered to Simpsons house and that Anthony Collins signed for the package) . That seems like a lot to overcome. I also think the 49ers have looked much better than I thought.
New England -8.5@ Buffalo
Reggie’s pick: New England to cover the spread
Will’s pick: New England to cover the spread
My Pick: New England wins. Buffalo to cover the spread.
One thought:
Buffalo has been one of the most productive offenses in the league this year. The Patriots have had trouble stopping the pass (See Patriots/Dolphins game). The Bills have lost 1,000,000 games in a row to the Patriots (ok so only 16). The Patriots are a better team, but getting beat down that bad as to wear on you sometime. Anthony Hernandez is likely out of the game and the Bills will be pretty healthy. I think Bills are motivitated and will really give the Patriots a game.
Texans +5.5 at the Saints
Reggies pick: Saints to win, Texans to cover the spread
Will (Saints -4)
My pick: The Same as Reggie
One thought: This is the first true test of whether or not the Texans defense has improved. They have more talent on defense, clearly. But can they contian a high powered offense. The New Orleans Saints defense hasn’t really looked impressive in a while. The Texans should be able to score with them, they are (the Saints) very tough to beat at home though so I still give them the edge.
Giants @ Eagles (Eagles -5.5)
Reggies pick: Eagles to cover the spread
Will’s pick Eagles to cover the spread
My pick: Same
My Take: Depressing that I’m picking the Eagles to win big, but the Giants defnese has looked absolutely terrible in the passing game and the Giants offense hasn’t looked any better. Their OL has given up a lot of sacks and isn’t creating running room. The Giants have lost recently to the Eagles when there was far less of a talent gap as there is currently on the Giants. Domenik Hixon is out for the season. Ramses Barden is out. Mario Manningham is out. . Their WR core is then: Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Brandon Stokley, Devin Thomas, Jerrel Jernigan, and recently signed Michael Clayton.
Yikes.
Dolphins @ Cleveland (Dolphins +1)
Reggies pick: Dolphins to cover the spread
Will: Dolphins to cover the spread (at 2.5)
my take: Cleveland
My thought: Why not? Both of these teams were my two most overrated teams heading into the season. They’re both terrible. Clevland is at home. I think the Dolphins have more talent and they could run all over the Browns, but I’ll stick with the Browns.
Titans @ Broncos +4.5
Reggie: Titans to win, Broncos to cover the spread
Will: Tennesse to win big (-6.5)
My pick: Tennessee to win big
One thought:
Time for Tennessee to step up and show what they are made of. The Broncos will be without Elvis Dumervil. The Titans have a lot of weapons on offense. This could be Chris Johnson’s breakout game the Broncos run defense isn’t great.
Lions -4 @ Minnesota
Reggies pick: Lions to cover the spread
Will: Lions to cover the spread
My pick: Lions to cover the spread
One thought:
The Lions have a good front seven, which will not allow the Vikings to run all over them. With the way Mcnabb is playing the Vikings have to be able to shove Peterson down your throat to win. I don’t think they can do that to the Lions. The Lions also want to show the world they are really, really here to stay. This is a huge game for the Lions.
Panthers -3.5 @ Jaguars
Reggies pick: Panthers to win, Jaguars to cover the spread
Will’s pick: Jacksonville to cover the spread
my pick: Carolina to win and cover the spread
My thoughts: Why not? No I am worried about the Jaguars being able to run the ball right at the Panthers, but Cam Newton could be a difference maker and the Jaguars secondary is not very good.
Chargers -14.5 vs the Chiefs
Reggie’s pick: Chargers to win, Chiefs to cover the spread
Wills pick: San Diego to cover
my pick: Chargers to win, Chiefs to cover the spread
My thought:
Chiefs have lost two games in ridiculous fashion vs teams that haven’t been to the playoffs since the A.F.L. Was founded (the Lions and Bills). This is a division game. If the Chiefs don’t put up a great effort today. I’m mocking them Andrew Luck on Wednesday and they might push the Lions for worst record of all time.
jets @ Oakland+ 3.5
Reggie’s pick: Jets to win, Oakland to cover
Will’s pick: Jets to cover the spread
my pick: Oakland outright
My thought: Upset of the week. Come on Oakland. I’m worried Oakland won’t be able to pound the ball and that the Jets will just be able to spread Oakland out and throw it all over them. But just a gut feeling, which is a terrible betting thing. I think Oakland can punch the Jets in the mouth and I think missing Mangold could make a huge difference, the interior of their offensive line already isn’t playing well.
Ravens -3.5 @ St. Louis
Reggie’s pick: Ravens to win by more than 3.5
Will’s pick: the Same
my pick: The Same
My thought: I’d give the Ravens -7 and still feel comfortable. The Rams are in a bad spot here. The Ravens are coming off a pretty bad lost and the Rams are still banged up. Unlike the Giants last week who have a terrible secondary to take advantage of the Rams will struggle to move the ball through the air. Ray Rice is also the kind of cut-back, shifty runner that gives Spags over pursuing defenses problems. Ravens big. Rice to have a big day.
Atlanta @ Tampa Bay+1
Reggie’s pick: Tampa +1
Will’s pick: Tampa
My pick: Atlanta to win by more than 1
My thought: The Buccaneers were a team I expected to step up big time this year, but so far they haven’t been that impressive. I don’t know if they have the kind of offensive weapons they need to take advantage of Atlanta’s still average defense. On defense the Buccaneers will have to be very good today up front, the Falcons have very good weapons in White, Gonazlez, Turner, and Julio Jones.
Arizona -3.5 @ Seattle
Reggie’s pick: Seattle to win outright
Will’s pick: Arizona to cover teh spread
my pick:Arizona to cover the spread
My thought: I’m not watching this game. At least the Cardinals have two good players in Fitzgerald and Patrick Peterson. The Seahawks have none. (I kid, I kid).
Packers -4 @ Chicago
Reggie’s pick: Packers to cover the spread
Will’s pick: Packers to cover the spread
My pick:Packers to cover the spread
My thought: until the Packers show me they are beatable I’ll continue to ride with them.
Steelers -10 @ Indy
All: Steelers to wallop Indy
One thought:
I only wish I had Reshard Mendnhall to start tonight instead of Big Ben. Big Ben might not have to throw a pass.
Washington (+3.5) @ Dallas
Reggie’s pick: Dallas to win, Washington cover the spread
Will’s pick: Washington to cover the spread (at -5)
My pick: Washington to win outright.
My thought: I don’t think Washington is that good, but I’m not sure Dallas is any good either. I watched them play both of their games so far this year and have been less than impressed. I’m not sure that
Lock of the week (2-0 so far in this. Much better than in my actual games)
Ravnes to beat the Rams soundly.
It’s a “West Coast” game, but there’s not much travel. The Ravens are coming off a bad loss to a team they are better than and need to keep pace with Pittsburgh. I think Ray Rice is a RB that is ideally suited to have a big day vs the Rams and I don’t think the Rams offense is set up well to take advantage of the Ravens weaknesses on defense. I think the Ravens win big.
Follow us on twitter @NFLmocks