Greg's 2021 NFL Picks: Week #8

 So I seem to be on a bit of a roll as of late. 6-4 against the points and a great 10-3 in the victory department. Including nailing my 3rd straight upset pic of the week. So that brings my season total to:

Points: 44-44

Victory: 67-38

I might be feeling my oats this week a bit, I'm not sure. BTW I know I put "Week 6" twice, but what can you do? So, using the odds provided by the Draftkings Sportsbook, let's roll.

Packers @ Cardinals (-6.5): Green Bay is banged up in the WR department but Arizona lost JJ Watt for the season, a key component to their defense. Plus, Thursday Night games are usually sloppy and somewhat low scoring. I think the Cardinals win, but that spread is very close. I'll take the Cardinals but hesitantly.

Points: Cardinals    Victory: Cardinals

Bengals (-10.5) @ Jets: This game screams trap/letdown for the Bengals. But the Jets are so banged up defensively that I think they will win rather easily. If this spread went a little higher, I would have taken the Jets. But it's still in range for me to take Cincinnati. 

Points: Bengals   Victory: Bengals

Dolphins @ Bills (-14): The Bills are out for vengeance and the Dolphins are garbage. Send those points way.

Points: Bills    Victory: Bills

Titans @ Colts (-1.5): PICK'EM! Two teams that have seemingly found themselves via their runs games. But to me, I will take Derrick Henry over Johnathan Taylor. I think the Titans are more battle tested than the Colts. Give me the Titans

Victory: Titans

Rams (-14.5) @ Texans: I'm done with Houston and large spreads. They are awful and the Rams will be looking to make a statement after messing with the Lions last week. CRUSH THEM, Rams

Points: Rams    Victory: Rams

Eagles (-3.5) @ Lions: UPSET PICK OF THE WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKK!!!!

The Lions are going to win a game. And this is the one I think it will be. They're at home. They're playing a mediocre Eagles team; an Eagles team who are near the bottom of the league in rushing yards given up. The Lions have a good RB stable with Swift and Williams. I think this is the week for the Lions to get their first win.

Points: Lions    Victory: Lions

Steelers @ Browns (-3.5): I was considering this for my upset pick of the week, until I discovered that Baker Mayfield appears to be on track to play Sunday. I think his presence will be the difference for the Browns. The hook scares me a bit, but I will take those points

Points: Browns   Victory: Browns

Panthers @ Falcons (-3):  Glad the Falcons were favored because the Panthers are awful without CMC. And their defense has crashed back to Earth. Falcons are also on a rebound. I will take those points and those birds

Points: Falcons   Victory: Falcons

49ers (-4) @ Bears: Hate this game. Neither team has shown capabilities of scoring at will. Actually thought this line would be closer. In fact, this seems like a "Vegas knows something" line. I'm very suspicious. I think I will split the difference on this one because I'm getting mixed signals

Points: Bears     Victory: Niners

Patriots @ Chargers (-4.5): Pats should hang in there as they have done with other more talented teams but at the end of the day, I think the talent of the Chargers will win out in the end. If it was a bit higher, I might split but I will take the Chargers.

Points: Chargers   Victory: Chargers

Jaguars @ Seahawks (-3.5): Man how far have the Seahawks have fallen. Only 3.5 point favorites against the Jaguars AT HOME. And you know what? That is not unjustified. I think Seattle wins by more than 4 points though, but any more and it could have been a split.

Points: Seahawks  Victory: Seahawks

Buccaneers (-4.5) @ Saints: The Saints and the Ravens are kindred spirits. You don't know what you are getting from then every week. The Bucs are more reliable so I'm going with them

Points: Bucs    Victory: Bucs

WFT @ Broncos (-3): Has to be the most boring game this week. And also I have no real call on it and seemingly Vegas agrees with me. I think I'm going to stick my neck out. And pick :

ANOTHER UPSET PICK OF THE WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Broncos are awful and the Heineken man has not been awful, even ins losses (save 1). I will take Washington on the road.

Points: Football Team    Victory: Football Team

Cowboys (-1.5) @ Vikings: PICK'EM #2! Cowboys are expected to get Michael Gallup back which will add another weapon. The Vikings are kind of like the Patriots to me. They play hard but they don't really go anywhere. I will take Dallas to win.

Victory: Cowboys

Giants (-9.5) @ Chiefs: This is a must win for KC. They have been humiliated the past couple of weeks. The Giants are tough because their injury situation is a bit nebulous. But I think they can hang in that spread given the crappiness of the Chiefs defense. KC wins but they don't cover.

Points: Giants   Victory: Chiefs

Greg's 2021 NFL Picks: Week 6

 It always pays to play safe at times. A couple of my point splits paid off big time and as a result, I went 

7-5 against the spread and 9-5 overall, including my upset pick of the week, once again. So that brings my results to:

Points: 38-40

Victory: 57-35

This week however, seems to be challenging, so it's going to be tough to find an upset or a split. So, with the odds provided by the DraftKings Sportsbook, let's see what I can do.

Broncos @ Browns (-1.5): PICK'EM! Thank goodness this is a pick'em because I have no clue in this game. Cleveland is banged up but the Broncos have kind of stalled after their great (fraudulent) start. In this game, I think Case Keenum will do just enough to get the Browns to a victory. I just don't think the Broncos are skilled enough.

Victory: Browns

WFT @ Packers (-7.5): The hook bothers me in this case, but I think I have to go Green Bay. Washington is hurting a bit and their defense is still a disappointment. Slightly hesitantly, I will take the Packers

Points: Packers   Victory: Packers

Jets @ Patriots (-6.5): In this case, the hook is absolutely delightful because a touchdown is the perfect line IMO. I don't expect Zach Wilson to throw 4 picks again, but I think he will struggle again and the Jets lose by 7, so give me the Pats

Points: Pats    Victory: Pats

Bengals @ Ravens (-6.5): UPSET PICK OF THE WEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!

Does anybody have any clue what the Ravens are? They have been a total mystery all year. And for that reason, I can absolutely see a bit of a letdown after pounding the Chargers. Bengals got by the Lions trap with ease and now are focused in on this game. Because of the unpredictability of the Ravens, I'm going with the Bengals

Points: Bengals    Victory: Bengals

Chiefs (-5) @ Titans: If this game was in a week or so, I would take Tennessee. But coming off a short week with an emotional win over Buffalo, I don't know if the Titans can muster up that energy again, especially Derrick Henry. I will take the Chiefs to eventually wear down the Titans

Points: Chiefs     Victory: Chiefs

Panthers (-2.5) @ Giants: PICK'EM #2! This is going to be an ugly game. Giants are a M*A*S*H unit and the Panthers are still without their key player. In the end, the loss of Andrew Thomas is fatal, I believe. Panthers defense will score in this game and they will win

Victory: Panthers

Falcons (-2.5) @ Dolphins: PICK'EM #3! I nailed the Dolphins exactly last week. They are a mess. And now, with Deshaun Watson rumors cranking up, how will Tua, who had a good game last week, respond. And how will their fans respond? Give me Atlanta.

Victory: Falcons

Lions @ Rams (-15.5): The thing that should scare you is if Sean McVay takes his foot off the gas like he did against the Giants last week,. Now the spread was 10 last week. However, the Rams did not play well last week, IMO. They could have hung 60 on the Giants if they played well. So I think they will cover because of the Rams familiarity with Goff and the fact that they should impetus to play a better game than last week.

Points: Rams   Victory: Rams

Eagles @ Raiders (-3): I thought about this for a second, but the Eagles defense has been susceptible to high powered offenses and Derek Carr is having one of the best years of his career. I think the Raiders win comfortably.

Points: Raiders    Victory: Raiders

Texans @ Cardinals (-17.5): Once again, the Texans leave me with a bad option. In this case however, the Cardinals have a big game against Green Bay next week and there may be a bit of looking ahead. Fool me once, shame on you....

Points: Texans    Victory: Cardinals

Bears @ Buccaneers (-12): I'm taking a flyer on this game. Bears defense has been very solid and they are going to run the ball a lot just to play keep away. I think the Bears keep it under the spread, but Tampa wins

Points: Bears    Victory: Bucs

Colts @ 49ers (-4.5): You know the crappiness of this week is cemented when THIS game is the best NBC could come up with for the primetime slot. I could care less about this game. I think the Colts keep it close but the Niners win.

Points: Colts   Victory: Niners

Saints (-4.5) @ Seahawks: This game scares me to death. New Orleans is like Baltimore. You don't know what you are getting from them. And Seattle played solidly against Pittsburgh. I think the Saints will win, but I'm feeling a bit cautious so...

Points: Seahawks    Victory: Saints

Greg's 2021 NFL Picks: WEEK 6

 Slightly bounced back from last week's debacle. I went 5-7 in the points and 12-4 in the victories department, nailing the upset pick of the week. That brings me to:

Points: 31-35

Victories: 48-30

Want to get to it so without further ado, let's do it. (with the Draftkings Sportsbook odds hehe)

Buccaneers (-6.5) @ Eagles: I have been burned on Thursday night games so far this season, and the Bucs have a tendency so far to be a bit wobbly against the spread. The Eagles showed some toughness against the Panthers so I think they will show up. If it were 7.5 I would take the Eagles easily. I'll take the Bucs but the Thursday night factor scares me

Points: Bucs  Victory: Bucs

Dolphins (-3) @ Jaguars: YE OLDE UPSET PICK OF THE WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wanted to use that last week and glad I didn't. Miami might be the most disappointing team in the AFC. Their defense is trash. and their offense has been non existent. Even if Tua comes back, I still don't like them. And the Jaguars are now no longer the team with the controversial coach (or ex/coach). I think the Jaguars, in their future home, get on the board.

Points: Jaguars   Victory: Jaguars

Chiefs (-6.5) @ WFT: After getting depantsed on national primetime TV, the Chiefs will be out for blood. Their defense still sucks, but I don't think Washington can take advantage. Gimme the Chiefs.

Points: Chiefs    Victory: Chiefs

Rams (-10) @ Giants: How bad is your opponent that you are a 10 point favorite ON THE ROAD? Anyway, as of this moment, it looks like Jones will play but others won't. I don't think he should. "Let's have a guy coming off a concussion go against Aaron Donald" Such a smart idea. I hope the Rams kick the crap out of them if he does. Serves them right.

Points: Rams   Victory: Rams

Packers (-5.5) @ Bears: Matt Nagy gives away the play calling duties and the offense looks better. Surprise Surprise. Anyway, this is an interesting spread. I think if it was bit higher, I could chance the Bears but I'm going to play it safe and take the Pack

Points: Packers  Victory: Packers

Texans @ Colts (-10): This is way too high for me. The Colts played one of their best games against Baltimore and blew it in OT. They are better than the Texans, but a Texans team that hung with New England? No thank you.

Points: Texans   Victory: Colts

Chargers @ Ravens (-2.5): PICK'EM! I'm starting to get high on the Chargers. Love me some Brandon Staley. And I will ride them 'til the cows come home.

Victory: Chargers

Bengals (-3.5) @ Lions: LOVE THIS LINE because I can jump on the Lions pain bandwagon. How many different ways can the Lions lose a game this year? I can totally see the Lions making this a game and losing at the last minute. AGAIN.

Points: Lions   Victory: Bengals

Vikings (-2) @ Panthers: PICK'EM #2!  This game might come down to whether Christian McCaffrey can play. Because without McCaffrey, Sam Darnold has reverted back to his Jets days. As of now, he is 50-50 to play. Losing two straight might push Matt Rhule's hands into making him play. I will say he plays and the Panthers win

Victory: Panthers

Cardinals @ Browns (-3.5):  This could have been my upset pick of the week, but I've been thinking...

Cleveland comes off a heartbreaking loss to the Chargers and the Cardinals come in as the only undefeated team left in the NFL. Cardinals have sleepwalked a couple of times and I think this time if they do, they will get bit. Browns need this game and I think they will get it. BUT....to be safe and I think it will be a close game....

Points: Cardinals   Victory: Browns

Cowboys (-3) @ Patriots: I just think the Cowboys are a better team that wear you down defensively. I think New England will show up and Mac Jones will be okay, I just think the Cowboys offense will be too much. 

Points: Cowboys   Victory: Cowboys

Raiders @ Broncos (-3.5): The question here is whether Denver can offensively take advantage of a Raiders team in disarray? My head says the Broncos will win. but my gut can see the Raiders circling the wagons and playing "the world is out to get us" card. So I will play it cautious again. Sorry.

Points: Raiders   Victory: Broncos

Seahawks @ Steelers (-5.5): Seahawks are toast. No other way to put it. THEY ARE TOAST. Now, 5.5 is a solid number, and the Steelers aren't great, but the Hawks are toast.

Points: Steelers    Victory: Steelers

Bills (-5.5) @ Titans: Is there a letdown chance? Yeah. But I don't think the Titans have enough to take advantage of the letdown. The Buffalo March of Doom continues. The Bills are the best team in the NFL and will continue to show it.

Points: Bills    Victory: Bills

Greg's 2021 NFL Picks: WEEK 5

 Last week was good and horrible. I went a very strong 10-6 in the victory department. But against the spread, a very stinky 4-8. I underestimated a lot of teams and missed on a few upsets. So through 4 weeks:

Points: 26-28

Victories: 38-26

Point spreads were set on the Thursday by the Draftkings Sportsbook. And AWAY WE GOOOO!

Rams (-2) @ Seahawks: PICK'EM! Can anybody figure out these two teams? Rams were on a roll but got stung by the Cardinals. I vowed not to pick the Seahawks anymore and then they got by the Niners. This to me is a coin flip, I'll take Seattle because they're at home. But I don't know.

Victory: Seahawks

Jets @ Falcons (-3): I am VERRRRRRY tempted. Especially with the news that Calvin Ridley will not even make the trip to London. But something is holding me back. I don't know how the Jets youth will handle prosperity and their linebacking corps is decimated with injuries which doesn't match well with newfound Falcons weapon Cordarrelle Patterson. Nevertheless, I will hedge my bet here.

Points: Jets    Victory: Falcons

Dolphins @ Buccaneers (-10): Miami is reeling a bit here. They just lost Will Fuller for the year to an injury and their defense has regressed. I think Tampa makes a statement here with a dominating win. But 10 is a big number, especially with no Gronk. If it were 8 points, I would take the Bucs easily. But at 10, I will light a candle and pray to the football gods.

Points: Bucs   Victory: Bucs

Packers (-3) @ Bengals: The Bengals are 20th in the NFL in points per game which is a bit surprising. Joe Mixon has not been the running threat that he should be. I think the Packers win this by 6 or so I will take the Pack

Points: Packers   Victory: Packers

Eagles @ Panthers (-3): I was tempted to pick the Eagles in this one, but the latest rumblings is that Christian McCaffrey might be a go which would spell doom for the Eagles. so give me the Panthers

Points: Panthers    Victory: Panthers

Patriots (-8.5) @ Texans: Bill Belichick against a rookie QB. Need I say more?

Points: Patriots    Victory: Patriots

Titans (-4) @ Jaguars: Titans have to be steaming mad they blew the game to the Jets last week. And Jacksonville is caught up in UrbanGate. If the Titans don't win this game, there is something seriously wrong with them. I will take the Titans, hesitantly.

Points: Titans     Victory: Titans

Lions @ Vikings (-10): I know the Lions didn't upset the Bears last week, but do I believe in the Minnesota enough to outscore the Lions by 10. The better question may be should I expect the Lions to score enough. I'm going to take the Vikings but I don't like it.

Points: Vikings   Victory: Vikings

Saints (-2.5) @ WFT: PICK'EM #2! This line screams "Vegas knows something" Washington's defense has been the most disappointing unit in the NFL this year. I know the Saints are conservative but surely, they can beat Washington. I would also maybe account for a letdown after the comeback win last week.

Victory: Saints

Broncos @ Steelers (-1): PICK'EM #3! Steelers are in a very difficult spot. They are not nearly the team they used to be and are staring 1-4 in the face. This game will be ugly and at the end of the day, I think I trust Teddy over Ben. I will take the Broncos

Victory: Broncos

Browns @ Chargers (-2): PICK'EM #4! I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop with the Chargers. But they seem so settled. Anthony Lynn was a DISASTER coaching them last year and Brandon Staley seems to have more control and be more decisive. I think they continue to roll.

Victory: Chargers

Bears @ Raiders (-5.5): This spread is interesting. I think if the Raiders had beaten the Chargers, this would have been another trap game. But I will bet that Gruden will have them ready. I will take the Raiders barely over the spread

Points: Raiders   Victory: Raiders

Giants @ Cowboys (-6.5): I think this will be a classic NFC East competitive game. The Giants usually keep it close down there. But I think Dallas (Dak especially) has been on a mission all year to prove doubters wrong. I think Dallas ends up winning but I will take the points

Points: Giants     Victory: Cowboys

49ers @ Cardinals (-4.5): This is another line that screams "Vegas knows something" If Garappolo doesn't play, and he did not practice today so it's trending that way, I don't see how the Niners win unless the Cardinals have a major letdown which is possible. But I think they have proven enough to not have that letdown so I will take Arizona

Points: Cardinals   Victory: Cardinals

Bills @ Chiefs (-3): UPSET PICK OF THE WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!

The Chiefs defense has played like garbage. All year. No sugar coating it. And ever since losing to the Steelers in Week 1, the Bills have played with rage and vengeance and anger. This is a statement game for them. To become the class of the AFC. And I think they do it. Hard to go against Mahomes, but their defense.......oh boy.

Points: Bills     Victory: Bills

Colts @ Ravens (-6.5): The AFC South seems to be this year's NFC East. A crap division with 4 crappy teams. And I think that trend continues here. I think the Ravens will win this game by a TD at least.

Points: Ravens    Victory: Ravens