Homeward Bound is the safe route in Week 10 Pick’em
By John Hendrix
Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Kyle Orton (18) calls out the play from the line during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Who Dat Dish NFL Pick’em is back with our weekly edition of staff picks. It was another good week for our pick’em, as Ryne and Federico dominated with an 11-2 showing. Andrew continues to hold on the top spot, but his lead has been cut by a game over John and MacGyver, who continue to duke it out over the second spot. Let’s look at the overall standings after Week Nine:
- Andrew (@ShootsMcGavin), 94-39-1
- John (@JohnJHendrix), 89-44-1
- MacGyver (@SaintsTailgate), 89-44-1
- Barry (@HarahanWhoDat), 88-45-1
- Simon (@Daugulis), 86-47-1
- Federico (@FedeFerrari10), 86-47-1
- Ryne (@RHancock19), 83-50-1
- Ian (@IDear_Sports), 78-55-1
There’s a ton of teams on the bye this week: Colts, Vikings, Patriots, Texans, Redskins, Chargers. We’ve got another thirteen total games to pick from this week, and here’s how Week Ten plays out.
Disclaimer: Picks against the Saints
Cleveland (5-3) at Cincinnati (5-2-1)
If this were a Thursday Night Football matchup a year ago, we’d all laugh it off. However, give the Brownies some credit, as they have a respectable record going right now. The AFC North is playing of the best football right now, as their worst team is the Ravens (5-4). Each AFC North team has a positive point differential. As for this ‘Battle of Ohio’, it’s pretty even. The Browns haven’t defeated the Bengals at Paul Brown stadium since 2008, make with that what you will, but I’ll take the home team.
Tennessee (2-6) at Baltimore (5-4)
Are you going to believe that a bye week is going to help propel the Titans over a Ravens team that has lost two straight divisional games on the road? I don’t. Ravens will roll.
Kansas City (5-3) at Buffalo (5-3)
If you’ve kept up with my Power Rankings, you would get the sense that I believe the Chiefs are a tad overrated right now. After a huge win over the Pats back in Week 4, they followed it up with a loss on the road to the 49ers, and then after the bye week they beat the reeling Chargers, Rams, and Jets. I just don’t think they’ve played at a level comparable to that team that embarrassed the Pats on Monday Night Football. I’m taking the Bills.
Miami (5-3) at Detroit (6-2)
The only thing you should concern yourselves with is the fact that Megatron is back, and says he ‘feels good’. That should give the Lions an extraordinary boost heading into a huge matchup.
Dallas (6-3) at Jacksonville (1-8) in London
#DallasUK (tee-hee). C’mon folks, it wouldn’t matter where this game would be played. I don’t see the Cowboys dropping three in a row to the Jaguars of all teams.
San Francisco (4-4) at New Orleans (4-4)
Nov 17, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) carries up the field against San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
I mean, you know who I’m taking. Just understand I believe there’s more pressure on the Saints right now than the 49ers. They’re putting their stellar home record on the line against a team that desperately needs a win. It should be a highly entertaining game.
Pittsburgh (6-3) at New York Jets (1-8)
I don’t care that the Raiders don’t have a win this season, the Jets are the worst team in the NFL. They just look pitiful, and they aren’t going anywhere.
Atlanta (2-6) at Tampa Bay (1-7)
It’s a battle of the lackluster teams in the NFC South. The Falcons still haven’t won a road contest this season, and perhaps the Bucs are just what the doctor ordered. Although, Josh McCown returns against a horrid Falcons secondary. Put it this way, if the Falcons manage to lose this game, don’t expect Smitty to board the plane home.
Denver (6-2) at Oakland (0-8)
I might say it’s a classic trap game for the Broncos, who are coming off of a big loss against the Pats. It’s revenge time for Peyton Manning, and I’d hate to be the Raiders right now.
St. Louis (3-5) at Arizona (7-1)
The Cardinals haven’t lost at home this season, and I don’t expect it to start against the Rams this week. The Cards are quietly the team to beat right now, as they jumped to #1 in my Power Rankings.
New York Giants (3-5) at Seattle (5-3)
Is there any hope for the young Giants wideouts against the Seahawks secondary? Highly unlikely. Besides, the Giants secondary just lost Prince Amukamara for the season. That one stings.
Chicago (3-5) at Green Bay (5-3)
Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated Packers 44-23. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Cutler and company will have to steal one away from the Packers to salvage their season. They’ve lost two in a row, and the Pack hasn’t lost at home this season. Rodgers will be on a roll, and out to prove that the loss to New Orleans was a fluke.
Carolina (3-5-1) at Philadelphia (6-2)
Even if Mark Sanchez is starting for the Eagles, the Panthers offense is struggling heavily right now. The Iggles have an assortment of weapons to beat up on the Panthers, and Jeremy Maclin is on fire right now. Expect Sanchez to pick up another victory here, and depress Jets fans even more.
Agree or disagree with our picks? Who do you have as a ‘upset of the week’ candidate?