Well, so far so average.<\/p>\n
I managed to peg the winner of the Thursday night game straight up. And outcome was a push with the five points Tampa Bay was getting. So, you know, there was no getting that one wrong (or right).<\/p>\n
I guess I’ll take it.<\/p>\n
Here’s what not to expect from this week’s remaining games.<\/p>\n
LA Chargers<\/a><\/strong> (+3.5) at NY Giants<\/a> Buffalo<\/a> (+3) at Cincinnati<\/a> NY Jets<\/a> (+1) at Cleveland<\/a> Jacksonville<\/a> (+8.5) at Pittsburgh<\/a> Tennessee<\/a> (-3) at Miami<\/a> San Francisco<\/a> (+1.5) at Indianapolis<\/a><\/strong> Arizona<\/a><\/strong> (+6.5) at Philadelphia<\/a> Carolina<\/a> (+2.5) at Detroit<\/a> Seattle<\/a><\/strong> (+1) at LA Rams<\/a> Baltimore<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0(+2.5) at Oakland<\/a> Green Bay<\/a> (+2.5) at Dallas<\/a> Kansas City<\/a><\/strong> (-1) at Houston<\/a><\/strong> Minnesota<\/a> (-3) at Chicago<\/a>
\n<\/strong>These two teams are pretty much identical, right down to their 0-4 records. In this type of situation you look for the home team not to lose. Giants by three.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Bills may or may not turn out to be for real. But until I see clear evidence to the contrary, I’m going to be of the opinion that Buffalo’s a lot closer to real than Cincinnati. Bills by six.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Um … um … um … . Hmmm. Yeah, I’ve got nothing. Jets, I guess. Maybe by a field goal?<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>You can’t lose to the Jets<\/a> in New Jersey one week, then turn around and beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh the next. I don’t think you can, anyhow. I mean, right? Except, you know, the Jaguars probably will. But I’m not picking that. Steelers by a touchdown.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Know what the Dolphins do well? Nothing, really. Titans by four.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>It’s fairly easy to take advantage of the Colts’ horrendous defense. If you have an offense. Too bad for the Niners. Indy by three.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I don’t know how long the Eagles are going to be able to maintain the success they’ve had over the first quarter of the season. But I don’t think a one-dimensional squad like the Cardinals poses much of a threat. Philadelphia by nine.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>A second straight road game and an opponent with an actual defense is not a formula for a Carolina win. Lions by six.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>It just doesn’t seem like this is the Seahawks’ year, does it? Of course, it won’t ultimately be the Rams’ year either unless they grow a defense. But that’s a matter for another day. Los Angeles by seven.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Raiders might still be an average-ish football team even without Derek Carr<\/a> behind center. And average-ish seems to be all it takes to handle the sputtering Ravens this season. Raiders by one takeaway and one point.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Packers haven’t been so great at stopping the run this season. That could potentially be a problem in this game. But I don’t think it’ll be enough of a problem to cost Green Bay a win. Packers by three.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Traveling on a short week after a hard-fought win<\/a> in Washington Monday night could make this matchup a difficult one for the Chiefs. I’m reluctant to pick against Kansas City, a team that has earned its status as the NFL’s last undefeated team. But I think I’m going to take a chance here. Texans by a point.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I’m sure Mitchell Trubisky<\/a>‘s going to do just fine. Eventually. Vikings by a touchdown.<\/p>\n