From the Desk of Eagles Outsider Barry Bowe
REBOUNDING
After winning the football pool at work during Week 4, I took a nosedive in Week 5 and finished last. So I’d love to rebound in Week 6 and win it again, but there are six games I’m finding to be extremely problematic:
Chiefs vs Vikings- Bears vs Lions
- Texans vs Jaguars
- Dolphins vs Titans
- Ravens vs 49ers
- Giants vs Eagles
So let’s get down to the task at-hand.
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS
Thursday – October 15
8:25 – Falcons (5-0) at Saints (1-4)
Falcons are 3½-point favorites with O/U = 51½ points.
Matt Ryan has completed 64.9% of his passes for 1,456 yards, six TDs, and four INTs. Julio Jones looks to be near the top of his game – 43 catches for four TDs, plus another on a fumble recovery – however he’ nursing a tender hamstring. And Devonta Freeman has been a fantasy player’s dream come true with 405 yards rushing, 24 catches for 240 yards, and eight TDs.
On the other side of the ball, the Saints are an aging team with an achy and aging Drew Brees at quarterback.
I’m picking the Falcons to win easy on the road.
Sunday – October 18
1:00 p.m. – Redskins (2-3) vs. Jets (3-1)
Jets are 7-point favorites with O/U = 40½ points.
The Redskins used smoke and mirrors to pick up two wins thus far. They’re not a good team and I don’t see Kirk Cousins putting enough points on the board against the Jets’ stout defense.
Jets win easy.
1:00 – Cardinals (4-1) at Steelers (3-2)
Cardinals are 3-point favorites with O/U = 44½ points.
Speaking of smoke and mirrors, that’s what Michael Vick used to defeat the Chargers last Monday night. It won’t happen again – especially over a sound Cardinals team that’s playing well on both sides of the ball.
I take the Cards in an easy win.
1:00 – Chiefs (1-4) at Vikings (2-2)
Vikings are 4-point favorites with O/U = 43 points.
Here’s my first head-scratcher.
I’m not sure of either team, but losing Jamaal Charles should be the difference in the game.
I’ll take the Vikings in a tough game.
1:00 – Bengals (5-0) at Bills (3-2)
Bengals are 3½-point favorites with an O/U = 42 points.
Both teams are still question marks to me. I’m not sure the Bengals are as good as their undefeated record shows. But I’m not crazy about Rex Ryan or the Bills.
I’m taking the Bengals to remain unbeaten for at least one more week.
1:00 – Bears (2-3) at Lions (0-5)
Lions are 3-point favorites with an O/U = 43½ points.
My second head-scratcher of the week as two bad teams face off against each other. Somehow the Bears have managed two wins and I can see the Lions finishing the season without a win.
I’ll take the Bears in a close game.
1:00 – Broncos (5-0) at Browns (2-3)
Broncos are 4-point favorites with an O/U = 42½ points.
I don’t like the Browns – mostly because they don’t have a quarterback.
Strong defense by the Broncos plus enough offense generated by Peyton Manning should prove to be too much for the Browns to match.
I’m taking the Broncos on the road.
1:00 – Texans (1-4) at Jaguars (1-4)
EVEN game with an O/U = 43 points.
My third head-scratcher of the week.
Neither teams is any good. The Texans are another team that seems to be missing a competent quarterback.
I’m taking the Jaguars – because they should’ve won last week and because they’re playing at home.
1:00 – Dolphins (1-3) at Titans (1-3)
Titans are 1-point favorites with an O/U of 43½ points.
Head-scratcher number-four.
The Dolphins look really bad. Meanwhile, the Titans are experiencing growing pains as Marcus Mariota matures during his rookie season. I like him to outshine Ryan Tannehill this week.
I’ll take the Titans to win at home.
4:05 – Panthers (4-0) at Seahawks (2-3)
Seahawks are 8-point favorites with an O/U = 40½ points.
The Panthers are both undefeated and coming of their Bye Week and the Seahawks are struggling to regain their Super Bowl form. I suggested that the Seahawks would fall short of another return to the championship game, but I think they’re much better than the Panthers.
Russell Wilson is a quarterback; Cam Newton is a pretender.
I pick the Seahawks to burst the Panthers’ bubble.
4:25 – Chargers (2-3) at Packers (5-0)
Packers are 11½-point favorites with an O/U = 50½ points.
Mismatch.
The Packers are a good team – if not the best team in the NFL – and the Chargers are not.
Packers in a cake-walk at Lambeau.
4:25 – Ravens (1-4) at 49ers (1-4)
Ravens are 1-point favorites on the road with an O/U = 44 points.
Head-scratcher number-five.
Neither team looks good to me.
The Ravens are under-achieving and the 49ers are pretty much who I thought they were.
I’ll stick my neck out and pick the 49ers in a mild upset home.
8:30 – Patriots (4-0) at Colts (3-2)
Patriots are 9-point favorites with an O/U = 55 points.
I don’t like the Colts or Andrew Luck – although I’m not even sure he’s playing. But it doesn’t matter to me. This game has blowout written all over it.
I’m taking the Patriots in an easy one on the road.
Monday – October 19
Giants (3-2) at Eagles (2-3)
Eagles are 4½-point favorites with an O/U = 49 points.
My sixth and last head-scratcher of the week.
I think the Giants might be a slightly better team at this moment, but they’re wide receivers are banged up. I’m betting the bleached-blonde will play and I’m hoping he’ll tear up that hamstring and be – play on words coming here – hamstrung for the rest of the season.
I still don’t think the Eagles are viable contenders, but it’s definitely within their grasp to win the NFC East.
I’m taking the Eagles to win and forge a first-place tie with the Giants – but it won’t be easy.
VALUE PICKS
So there you have my picks for Week 6.
They’re free of charge and worth every penny.
In addition to being an official Eagles Outsider, 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
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