Last week’s Record: Tom 9-4, Jesse 7-6
Overall Record: Jesse 80-53, Tom 82-51
NFL PICKS WEEK TEN: FALCON TROUGH
Washington at Minnesota
Jesse: So maybe Greg Schiano wasn’t off base for treating Josh Freeman like a leper. After his embarrassing debut, Freeman was a healthy scratch for last week’s game against Dallas, because according to the Vikings coaches, Ponder “gave them the best chance to win.” Of course, this begs the question: WHY IN THE HELL DID YOU GIVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO JOSH FREEMAN? As for Washington’s quarterback, despite Sally Jenkins’ assertion to the contrary, it appears that RG3 is once again leading Washington towards a come-from-behind playoff berth, with this upcoming win getting them closer to and NFC wild card slot.
Redskins
Tom: After Washington pulled off the OT win against the Chargers last week (new coach, same ol’ Chargers), the team that shall not be named must continue to win in their pursuit of the Cowboys for the NFC East crown. This is a must win for Minnesota because, well, they’ve only won one game so far this year (at that was vs. the 2-win Steelers). Ponder looked good last week, but guess what? That was against the 31st ranked passing defense. Deangelo (aren’t there are like 4 guys in the NFL named Deangelo?) Hall is playing better and the defense is getting better each week, especially with takeaways, of which Ponder is more than happy to provide.
Redskins
Seattle at Atlanta
Tom: A re-do of the NFC semifinals last year where the Falcons pulled off the improbable and won, only to lose to San Francisco in the NFL Championship. Now the Seahawks are a little worse than last year (possibly the Patriots of the NFC with record vs. how they’ve actually played), but the Falcons are a LOT worse than last year. Against my better judgment, I go with the Seahawks away from home.
Seahawks
Jesse: Seattle’s sluggish play against Tampa Bay last week at home was alarming. I have a feeling they’ll be a little bit better prepared this week. By the way, don’t you feel for Tony Gonzalez? The guy was set to retire and embark on the rest of his life, only to be lured back for one more chance at a Super Bowl ring. Now he’s stuck on the Falcons, waiting for the tire fire to eventually burn out.
Seahawks
Detroit at Chicago
Jesse: Apparently, Jim Schwartz rips off his headset and throws it to the ground in between spits at the end of each game. That annoys the hell out of me. For that arbitrary reason, I’m picking Chicago.
Bears
Tom: After Green Bay’s stumble and subsequent losing of Aaron Rodgers for the next 3 weeks (or the rest of the season), it may be up to one of these two teams to contend for the NFC North title. I can see this division possibly being won by a .500 team now. Detroit seems to win those games you don’t expect them to, and this seems like one of those games.
Lions
Philadelphia at Green Bay
Jesse: Chip Kelly’s offense continues to do well as long as there’s a competent QB under center. Combine this with Rodgers’ injury, and the Eagles win handily. If the Packers start Mike “I also loved Brandon Weeden” Holmgren’s favorite project, Seneca Wallace, they may lose by 4,000 points. It’s science.
Eagles
Tom: Nick Foles just threw more TDs in one game than Seneca Wallace has in the past 3 years.
Eagles
Jacksonville at Tennessee
Tom: Nope. Not yet, Jags.
Titans
Jesse: Tennessee is favored by 14 points, which seems ludicrous, as they’re only 4-4 and as mediocre as their record indicates. If I could pick against the spread, I’d pick the Jags. Unfortunately, I just can’t pick Jacksonville to win. Ever.
Titans
St. Louis at Indianapolis
Jesse: Between Monday and this past Sunday, I got to endure 2 straight Rams games. God, the Rams suck. Kellen Clemens is nobody’s answer for anything. Professional Footballing Tip: If your QB is known as “one of Brian Schottenheimer’s guys”, your team will not do well.
Colts
Tom: The Rams do just enough to stay in a game and then lay an egg at the end. If you’re a Rams fan and haven’t died of a heart attack yet, you are a strong individual.
Colts
Oakland at NY Giants
Tom: “He Hate Me” game of the week. Blergh. Who friggin’ knows.
Raiders
Jesse: Terrelle Pryor was injured last week, but it looks like he’ll be playing this week. If they were playing at home, I’d pick the Raiders to win. They aren’t.
Giants
Buffalo at Pittsburgh
Jesse: At this point, both teams are playing out the string. The Steelers appear to be broken, with over-the-hill players and the most unlikable Offensive Coordinator not named Mike Martz at the helm. With E.J. Manuel returning, the Bills actually have a dash of hope. Therefore, I’m picking Buffalo.
Bills
Tom: So, here’s my strategy—I will pick the opposite on Steelers games from what Jesse picks. So odds are, get ready for a load of Steelers picks from me the rest of the season.
Steelers
Cincinnati at Baltimore
Jesse: For starters, I wasn’t able to edit last week’s column, so apologies to commenter “gregroll.” You were right, Greg…Andy Dalton had 5 TDs the week before, not 4. With Geno Atkins’ season-ending injury, that game may have been the peak of the Bengals’ season, so by all means, savor it. I think the Ravens win a squeaker, bringing the Ravens and Browns (GO BROWNS) closer to the AFC North lead.
Ravens
Tom: Once again, the Bengals had a prime chance to put more distance between themselves and any contenders to the AFC North. And once again, they failed. One step forward, two steps back. Even with Atkins out, I still think they have enough to beat the Ravens and Joe Succo.
Bengals
Carolina at San Francisco
Tom: At San Fran? Yeah, I think the Rivera stare-a returns this week.
49ers
Jesse: Carolina became a good team so gradually over the last month or so that I barely noticed. Unfortunately, all of that work will be for naught when they go to San Fran. Ron Rivera vs. Jim Harbaugh? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH come on.
49ers
Houston at Arizona
Jesse: Who cares?
Texans, I guess
Tom: “He Hate Me” Part II.
Cardinals
Denver at San Diego
Tom: Hey Chargers, remember when you could have won the game last week, but you failed to get 1 yard in 3 tries? Well, I don’t think you’ll have to worry about it being that close this week.
Broncos
Jesse: This game could prove to be a difference-maker in the AFC West once the season is over. The Chargers will almost certainly go out to an early lead against Denver, but since they’re San Diego, I’m sure they’ll gag it away like they always do. I have a feeling Denver will be distracted by losing John Fox, and may be looking ahead to next week’s battle against Kansas City, but I still can’t pick against them here.
Broncos
Dallas at New Orleans
Jesse: I smell a New Orleans blowout. I’m hoping for one of those 38-35 games, but the Saints are at home, and I think Rob Ryan will be eager to shove it to the Cowboys for firing him. I think the Saints will be up by 21 before Monte Kiffin installs his hearing aid correctly.
Saints
Tom: Kiffin may be done with football. Is it the personnel, or do his schemes not work anymore? Drew Brees is pissed off and at home. Rob can’t wait to welcome his old team to a Cajun-style beatin’.
Saints
Miami at Tampa Bay
Tom: The Bucs put up a fight with the Seahawks last week, but ultimately remembered they were who we thought they were. The Greg Schiano clock continues to tick tick tick. Richie Incognito is a dick dick dick.
Dolphins
Jesse: Guh. I think Mike Tirico’s preview of the game neatly sums things up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atZ2DbQ6B_E
Dolphins
