MARLBORO, NY – Yuck! I went 1-3 last week with my Cheesy Bruin’s FREE NFL Picks and have a bitter taste in my mouth over it. In hopes of improving on a 6-6 record to date, I’m looking to rebound with these selections…
FAVORITE At this point and time the Atlanta Falcons are limping into today’s game with the upstart Cincinnati Bengals. The Dirty Birds are without four starters on defense so there will be more pressure on Angry Ward’s favorite Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkissian to devise a game plan to keep the Falcons in this and future games. Calvin Ridley had the hat trick last week but that was against an iffy Saints defense so who knows what is in store today. What I do know is this, Atlanta is still a favorite to win and the desperation they’ll be playing with to avoid going 1-3 is enough motivation to get the cover. The Pick: ATLANTA -4 over Cincinnati
UNDERDOG Jon Gruden is coaching like he’s been away from the game for ten years and his aging roster looks every bit the 0-3 team it is. The Oakland Raiders just can’t score and while the visiting Cleveland Browns will be starting rookie Baker Mayfield at quarterback, there’s no indication the Raiders break the schneid. Some football fans have compared Mayfield to Johnny Manziel but they are mistaken. Apparently this #1 overall pick has the maturity Johnny Football lacked and has a work ethic. The kid also moves around in the pocket very well and is accurate with his throws even though he has average arm strength. Outright win for the Browns today! The Pick: Cleveland +2.5 over OAKLAND
OVER Monday Night should be another barn burner like what we saw Thursday Night between the Vikes and Rams. Is there any slowing down this Pat Mahomes/Andy Reid machine? How do you defend a team with a great offensive mind as head coach, a Wurlitzer arm at quarterback, speed to kill in Kareem Hunt and Tyriek Hill, and a deep threat in Sammy Watkins? The only thing going for the Broncos for this prime time game is that it’s at home. I don’t think they can keep pace but will score enough to cash our ticket on this bet. The Pick: Kansas City/DENVER OVER 54.5
UNDER Do you have David Johnson on your Fantasy Football team? You must be frustrated if you do, as he is not living up to the hype of a top five pick in most draft formats. Blame falls on the shoulders of quarterback Sam Bradford, who just looks like a guy who has fallen apart and cannot play any more. Enter Josh Rosen and we’ll see if the rookie can jump start this moribund offense. The defense is stout for the Cards and the Seattle Seahawks aren’t exactly blazing things up on offense. My thought here is that the Seahawks can figure a defensive game plan to befuddle Rosen and keep David Johnson frustrated. The Pick: Seattle/ARIZONA UNDER 39.
That’s it for now. Leave your thoughts below and come back tomorrow for Buddy Diaz, who traded Thursdays for Mondays with DJ Eberle!
