From the Desk of Eagles Outsider Barry Bowe

Did awful in last week’s football pool for Week 9 – only got six games right. The winner had 10. Haven’t won in a good four weeks now. Time to turn that around. So let’s pick some winners.

Since I’m running late, only have time to post my pick for tonight’s Thursday Night Football. I’ll catch up with the rest later.

I see tonight’s game as a head-scratcher.

Thursday – November 12

8:25 – Bills (4-4) at Jets (5-3)

Jets are 2-point favorites at home with an O/U = 41½ points.

For most of the season now it’s looked as if the Jets were the second-best team in the NFC East while the Bills were also-rans. However, a Bills victory tonight would deadlock both teams with 5-and-4 records.

And if you believe that revenge will play a factor in the outcome, you might be leaning toward the Bills – since the Jets fired Rex Ryan after the 2014 season ended. Myself, I don’t think the players care one way or the other. So I’m ignoring the revenge-factor and making my pick based on the players themselves.

• I’m calling quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Fitzpatrick as a wash. Both are listed “Probable.”
• I’ll give Shaky McCoy a slight edge over Chris Ivory – McCoy is listed as “Probable.”
• But I’m thinking that the Jets defense is far superior to the Bills defense.

Ergo, since defense wins games, I’m picking the Jets to win.

The Bills beat the Jets 22-17 in a lackluster game. So I start the week 0-and-1. Here’s the rest of my picks for Week 10:

• six easy picks
• five head-scratchers
• one upset.

Sunday – November 15

1:00 – Lions (1-7) at Packers (6-2)

Packers are 12-point favorites at home with an O/U = 49 points.

Easy one here. Even though the Packers haven’t played well for last two games, I can’t see the Lions winning another game this season. In fact, it’s hard for me to believe they’ve already won a game. To me, that one win makes the Lions over-achievers this season.

I take the Packers easy.

1:00 – Cowboys (2-6) at Buccaneers (3-5)

EVEN game with an O/U = 43½ points.

Hard for me to utter the word “easy” in the same sentence with Buccaneers win – but I don’t see any way the Cowboys can beat anybody this week. Maybe next week – or the week after – but not this week.

I don’t like Jameis Winston a little bit, but I think the Bucs win at home.

1:00 – Panthers (8-0) at Titans (2-6)

Panthers are 4-point favorites with an O/U = 44 points.

Although still undefeated, the Panthers were fortunate to win their last two games. Meanwhile, the Titans looked real good last week in Marcus Mariota’s return after missing two weeks with a knee injury. I think it’s tight, but I’m taking the Titans to upset the Panthers at home – thanks to another strong performance by the rookie from Oregon.

1:00 – Bears (3-5) at Rams (4-4)

Rams are 7½-point favorites with an O/U = 42½ points.

Although I’m classifying this as easy, no game is easy for the Rams the way Jeff Fisher calls the plays.

The Bears surprised by beating the Chargers on Monday night, but I think the short week will hurt them.

I’m picking the Rams and hoping Fisher lets Nick Foles throw the ball down the field a few times.

1:00 – Saints (4-5) at Redskins (3-5)

EVEN game with an O/U = 50 points.

I have no idea how the odds-makers are making this an EVEN game. The Redskins are sad and the Saints have shown flashes of brilliance lately.

I’m picking the Saints in an easy one in D.C.

1:00 – Dolphins (3-5) at Eagles (4-4)

Eagles are 7-point favorites with an O/U = 49½ points.

For me, every game the Eagles play is a head-scratcher. The Dolphins looked resurgent in Dan Campbell’s first two games at the helm, but then regressed over the last two. Which means the Eagles should roll.

But the Eagles had to go to overtime last week to beat a Cowboys team that lost five straight games, was starting a quarterback who joined the team just two weeks earlier, and who lost star linebacker Sean Lee during the fray. No game is easy for the Birds.

Still, I’ll go with my heart here and take the Birds to win – while keeping my fingers crossed the whole time.

1:00 – Browns (2-7) at Steelers (5-4)

Steelers are 5½-point favorites with an O/U = 41½ points.

I’m not sure that the Steelers will get from third-string quarterback Landry Jones, but I know what the Browns will get from their backup quarterback. That backup be Johnny Frenetic, who’s making his second straight start, and he stinks.

I’ll take the Steelers at home in this one.

1:00 – Jaguars (2-6) at Ravens (2-6)

Ravens are 4½-point favorites with an O/U = 47½ points.

Neither team is good.

Would love to pick the Jags, but not sure if they’ll win another game this season.

So I’ll scratch my head and take the Ravens – reluctantly.

4:05 – Vikings (6-2) at Raiders (4-4)

Raiders are 2½-point favorites with an O/U = 44 points.

I’ve liked the Raiders for the last few weeks. In my opinion, they’re up-and-coming.

But the Vikings are tied with the Packers for first place in the NFC North. In my opinion, the Vikings should be the favorite – but they’re not. Which puzzles me.

In a coin flip, I’ll take the Raiders at home.

4:25 – Patriots (8-0) at Giants (5-4)

Patriots are 9-point favorites with an O/U = 54 points.

Even though the Giants are in first-place in the NFC East and beat the Patriots the last three times these teams met, I can’t see this game being close.

Yes, the Giants will put up some points – but not enough to make it a game.

I’m going with the Pats to remain undefeated – and hoping I’m wrong.

4:25 – Chiefs (3-5) at Broncos (7-1)

Broncos are 9½-point favorites with an O/U = 41½  points.

Easy one because I can’t see the Chiefs beating the Broncos – especially after the Broncos were spanked last week.

I take the Broncos easy.

8:30 – Cardinals (6-2) at Seahawks (4-4)

Seahawks are 2½-point favorites with an O/U = 44½ points.

I think the Cardinals are the better team, but I also think the Seahawks are a tough out at home.

If the Seahawks win – and the Rams beat the Bears – the Cards will still be in first place in the NFC West – but just one game ahead of both the Seahawks and the Rams.

I’ll take the Seahawks at home to tighten the NFC West.

Monday – November 16

8:30 – Texans (3-5) at Bengals (8-0)

Bengals are 12½-point favorites at home with an O/U = 47 points.

Easy one here.

The Bengals are far superior to the Texans and should win easy. I’ll take the Bengals at home without breaking a sweat.

VALUE PICKS

So there you have my pick for Thursday Night Football kicking off Week 10 action.

As always, they’re free of charge and worth every penny.

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In addition to being the official Eagles Outsider for BlameMyFather.com, Barry Bowe is also the author of:

• Born to Be Wild
• 1964 – The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant
• 12 Best Eagles QBs
• Birth of the Birds
• Soon-to-be-published sexy, police procedural Caribbean Queen
• Soon-to-be-published novel Stosh Wadzinski
• Soon-to-be-published novel Polish Widow