Winning team in bold.
Unanimous Picks (7-4)
Right:Falcons @ Colts
49ers @ Redskins
Packers @ Chargers
Browns @ Texans
Seahawks @ Cowboys
Buccaneers @ Saints
Rams @ Cardinals
Wrong:
- Dolphins @ Chiefs
- Maybe the Dolphins aren't that awful? Looking back, there's been a few games where they've been close (or even leading) in the 4th quarter, but just not able to get to a win. Whereas the Chiefs are clearly not as good as their (now former) 4-game winning streak. Anyone who had the Chiefs penciled in to contend for the AFC West needs to get their erasers out.
- Giants @ Patriots
- The Patriots haven't scored more than 20 points in their last 3 games, which is putting more pressure on their defense than it can really stand—they've only held their opponent under 20 points twice this season. And even the Giants can score well into the 20s when they get 4 extra chances at the ball.
- Jets @ Bills
- Virtually every one of the Bills' wins this season have come against teams having a major melt-down for at least some of the game. When they've played good teams that played solidly for 60 minutes (as in this game), they just haven't won.
- Broncos @ Raiders
- If you're playing the Tebow-lead Broncos, don't you stack up 9 guys against the run, and let your two fastest corners drop back to defend against the pass? Tim Tebow had 124 yards passing, mostly on 4 completions. If the Raiders defense stops the run, and they don't make any big mistakes on offense or special teams, they win easily. But the Broncos put up 299 yards rushing, Carson Palmer threw 3 interceptions, and special teams gave up an 85 yard punt return touchdown.
Split Picks: (APR: 2-1, SRS 3-0, Line 0-3)
Wow, the Line goes 0-fer on split picks this week!
- Bengals (APR, SRS) @ Titans (Line)
- The Titans played very well in the first half: on offense, 3 long drives ending with a score; on defense stifling the Bengals except for one long drive. Apparently, the Bengals were able to make some half-time adjustments and the Titans weren't, because in the second half, all that changed. The Titans only had one second-half drive longer than 24 yards, and the defense gave up two long scoring drives.
- Ravens (APR, SRS) @ Steelers (Line)
- As advertised, a close game, and certainly not an embarrassment for the Steelers like their week 1 matchup against the Ravens. But when their defense gives up a 92-yard touchdown drive with the game on the line, they're clearly still not up to full strength.
- Bears (SRS) @ Eagles (APR, Line)
- The Bears' defense won this game for them. The Bears got out-scored 3-14 in the 3rd quarter, and appeared to be losing control of the game. But in the 4th quarter, the Bears' defense held the Eagles to 3 scoreless drives, non longer than 37 yards, which gave their offense a chance to pull back into the lead, and ultimately win the game.
Totals
| This Week | This Season | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 9-5 | 70-43-1 | 61.8% |
| SRS | 10-4 | 72-41-1 | 63.6% |
| Line | 7-7 | 76-38-0 | 66.7% |
