Pick ‘Em Pickle: NFL Week 15

I should start by apologizing for last week. No, not for my performance (which hey! wasn’t bad last week) but for being rushed and leaving out descriptions. You may not care, may not have even noticed. But I apologize nonetheless!

Two games being played tonight (Saturday) so I thought I’d get this out early. Is there anything better than this time of year for football fans? Feels like we get a game every night. Could you imagine? Anyways let’s get to the picks and win you some Christmas green.

Panthers @ Packers Line: GB -8.0

Packers need that number one sees and it’s in reach. Rodgers is also out for an MVP so I expect him to want to put up big numbers in the win.

Pick: GB -8.0 Packers 33 Panthers 24

Bills @ Broncos Line: BUF -5.5

I like the Broncos defense and almost picked them to beat the spread but this Bills team is rolling. I think they can win by a touchdown.

Pick: BUF -5.5 Bills 27 Broncos 20

Lions @ Titans Line: TEN -10.0

Titans strength? Running the football. Lions weakness? The run. This could get ugly, especially if Stafford doesn’t play.

Pick: TEN -10.0 Titans 28 Lions 16

Buccaneers @ Falcons Line: TB -6.5

Brady struggles against the pass rush. Falcons lack that. Matt Ryan and company would usually put up a shoot out here and compete. Not this year, though.

Pick: TB -6.5 Bucs 33 Falcons 23

49ers @ Cowboys Line: SF -3.0

Ugh. Ugly game. Who cares. 49ers win low scoring game finally ending the Cowboys sad season.

Pick: SF -3.0 49ers 23 Cowboys 17

Texans @ Colts Line: IND -7.5

Colts are looking great and primed for playoffs. Rivers isn’t making mistakes, the run game is working, and defense is one of the best in the league. Watson will need more help than he’s getting.

Pick: IND -7.5 Colts 28 Texans 20

Patriots @ Dolphins Line: MIA -3.0

Game of the week? Feel like this one is a toss up but I’m betting on the hotter team right now.

Pick: MIA -3.0 Dolphins 21 Patriots 17

Bears @ Vikings Line: MIN -3.0

Vikings are more talented but Bears defense is still something to note. Don’t love this pick but I had to take a risk and go against the spread somewhere this week!

Pick: CHI +3 Bears 23 Vikings 20

Seahawks @ Football Team Line: SEA -6.5

A lot of people liking the Football Team here. I get the Seahawks have been inconsistent even against teams they should easily beat but…Haskins was basically kicked off the team months ago! Now he’s starting. Give me the Seahawks.

Pick: SEA -6.5 Seahawks 26 Football Team 16

Jaguars @ Ravens Line: BAL -13.0

13 points is a lot but with Jackson healthy it shouldn’t be a problem.

Pick: BAL -13.0 Ravens 35 Jaguars 14

Jets @ Rams Line: LAR -17.0

Again, a huge spread. But it’s the Jets!

Pick: LAR -17.0 Rams 42 Jets 12

Eagles @ Cardinals Line: ARI -6.5

I like the Cardinals in this game. Could be close but they should win by a touchdown. Their defense should be used to going up against a mobile quarterback, they do it every day in practice.

Pick: ARI -6.5 Cardinals 24 Eagles 17

Chiefs @ Saints Line: KC -3.0

Saints are getting a lot of love this game. Brees is back but Thomas is out. I just don’t like this matchup for Brees’ return. Could be kept close but I still think Chiefs should win handsomely.

Pick: KC -3.0 Chiefs 30 Saints 23

Browns @ Giants Line: CLE -6.0

Browns looked great in a loss against a good team last week. One of the hotter teams heading into the playoffs.

Pick: CLE -6.0 Browns 24 Giants 16

Steelers @ Bengals Line: PIT -12.5

Steelers are starting to show their true colors the past couple of weeks. A lot of people now doubting them…I expect a statement game against the Bengals and a back up QB.

Pick: PIT -12.5 Steelers 30 Bengals 13

Pickle Parlay: TB -6.5, TEN -10, GB -8

Good luck!

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Pick ‘Em Pickle: NFL Week 13

An era is over in Detroit. But as they say…SOL. Big week with playoffs on the line for fantasy managers. Expect injuries to start making an impact on the outcomes of games. Let’s win some money!

Lions @ Bears Line: CHI -3.0

You have to expect the Lions to come out fired up ready to prove Patricia was the problem. The want to win this game. The problem? They aren’t that good. “But Cort, it’s Trubisky!” Yeah, and unfortunately he’s had the Lions number of late. Would love to see the Lions make a statement…but I’m not betting on it.

Pick: CHI -3.0 Chicago 27 Lions 21

Eagles @ Packers Line: GB -8.5

Eagles are a joke. Rodgers is out for another MVP. Take the Pack and the over, whatever it is.

Pick: GB -8.5 Green Bay 30 Eagles 17

Saints @ Falcons Line: NO -3.0

The Taysom Hill thing has to come to an end soon right?? This could be the week. The Falcons are better than their record and played well against a playoff contender in the Raiders last week. An upset could be in the making.

Pick: ATL +3.0 Atlanta 24 New Orleans 20

Browns @ Titans Line: TEN -4.0

This is going to be an old school football game. Trenches. Run game. Defense. I expect the Browns to be able to hang in there with the return of Myles Garrett. They could keep the score low enough to win or at least beat the spread.

Pick: CLE +4.0 Cleveland 17 Tennessee 20

Bengals @ Dolphins Line: MIA -10

Dolphins defense is one of the best in the league. I’d take this spread even if Burrow was playing…and he’s not. Yikes.

Pick: MIA -10 Miami 21 Cincinnati 10

Jaguars @ Vikings Line: MIN -10.0

The Vikings get Theilen back this week. They’re going to put up points against a horrible Jaguars team.

Pick: MINN -10.0 Minnesota 28 Jacksonville 17

Raiders @ Jets Line: LV -7.5

Raiders still have a shot at the playoffs despite that poor performance last week. No better way to bounce back than facing the Jets.

Pick: LV -7.5 Las Vegas 28 New York 17

Colts @ Texans Line: IND -3.0

The Texans are missing some valuable pieces. It’s going to be hard to compete with the Colts and their D.

Pick: IND -3.0 Indianapolis 24 Houston 20

Rams @ Cardinals Line: LAR -3.0

Bounce back seems to be the theme this week. Goff is off a horrible game and is out to prove he’s the guy now. Still can’t figure out who the Cardinals are week to week. I like the Rams in this one.

Pick: LAR -3.0 Los Angeles 27 Arizona 21

Giants @ Seahawks Line: SEA -10.0

Daniel Jones is out, Colt McCoy is in. Yes, that Colt McCoy. Somehow still in the league. Bet on the Seahawks.

Pick: SEA -10.0 Seattle 31 New York 13

Patriots @ Chargers Line: LAC -2.0

This one is a toss up. Both teams have potential to put up points or lay a dud. I want to see Herbert step up here and get a big win for his team. But can the Chargers finish a game?

Pick: LAC -2.0 Los Angeles 26 Patriots 20

Broncos @ Chiefs Line: KC -13.5

It’s a big spread but this is the best offense we’ve possibly ever seen. How do you bet against that?

Pick: KC -13.5 Kansas City 35 Broncos 20

Football Team @ Steelers Line: PITT -7.0

Tomlin rightfully called his team out. Yeah, they’re undefeated…but they don’t look great. They need to step it up and will against a team in the NFC East.

Pick: PITT -7.0 Pittsburgh 27 Washington 16

Bills @ 49ers Line: SF -1.0

Very excited to watch this game. Two teams who matchup nicely. Give me the better quarterback in this one.

Pick: BUFF +1 Buffalo 24 San Francisco 23

Cowboys @ Ravens Line: BAL -8.5

Jackson comes back but still so many question marks with this Baltimore team. However I expect them to still win against the Cowboys. Don’t love the spread but what have I been saying about betting on the NFC East?

Pick: BAL -8.5 Baltimore 23 Dallas 13

NFL Week 8: Pick ‘Em Pickle

I wanted to do better last week. I’m prepared to correct that this week in Week 8. Last week, some surprises (and maybe a poor pick or two) led to a 5-8 record against the spread in Week 7. The Falcons proved to be the bigger disappointment compared to the Lions, Bengals clawed away against the Browns again, and the Bills decided to let the Jets hang around for most of the game. Onwards and upwards! In Week 8, we’ll see some solid Divisional matchups, Tua Time, and the battle for the AFC North. Let’s pick ‘em!

Colts @ Lions Line: IND -3

The Lions were one of my disappointing picks last week. I felt Falcons were better than their record and with a healthy Julio Jones could light up a struggling Lions defense, but that didn’t happen. Detroit now has a very favorable schedule the next couple of weeks and I think their success continues against the Colts. These are two evenly matched teams, actually. I really like the Colts defense, but I can’t bet on Philip Rivers. I just don’t trust them. Lions win an ugly game filled with mistakes.

Pick: Lions 24 Colts 21

Vikings @ Packers Line: GB -6

Last week was a big bounce back week for the Pack and Aaron Rodgers. The Vikings have been having a rough season and playing the Packers shouldn’t help that. Pack roll winning by at least two scores.

Pick: Packers 34 Vikings 14

Patriots @ Bills Line: BUFF -4.5

Buffalo was a major let down last week against the spread playing the Jets. I thought the Jets were going to end up winning for most of the game. However, you can’t mention struggle without bringing up the Pats. Cam Newton is now playing for his job…and possibly career. Won’t help that all his help is beat up on both sides of the ball. This isn’t their week. Bills win and cover.

Pick: Bills 20 Patriots 10

Titans @ Bengals Line: TEN -7

The Bengals were my shock of the week last week. For a second time they hung on against the Browns. Does this say more about them or the Browns? We’ll find out soon, but there has to be a lot of optimism in Cincinnati right now regardless of the record. With that being said, the Titans are coming off a narrow loss to the undefeated Steelers and will want to prove they’re still a Super Bowl contender. I don’t see the Bengals luck repeating against the Titans.

Pick: Titans 28 Bengals 10

Raiders @ Browns Line: CLE -1

I think this could be one of the more interesting games of the week. Who are these teams? Both are largely inconsistent. As are their quarterbacks. Baker had a stellar second half last week…but it was against the Bengals. How much do we factor that in? Meanwhile, Carr is a QB who is elite one week and getting run out of town the next. The Browns find themselves in a competitive division and need every win they can get. This is a winnable game for them, but they’re missing OBJ for the season. This could be used as motivation for the team, but I look for patterns. I don’t trust the Browns pattern. They lose a disappointing game against the Raiders here.

Pick: Raiders 24 Browns 21

Jets @ Chiefs Line: KC -20

The Jets burned me last week. 20 points is a big spread. But I’m still riding it. Best team in the league against the worst. Bet the best.

Pick: Chiefs 35 Jets 14

Rams @ Dolphins Line: LAR -4.5

Tua Time is getting the headlines. I think the Fins learn quickly that they might have rushed this thing. Debuting against Aaron Donald? Ouch.

Pick: Rams 21 Dolphins 10

Steelers @ Ravens Line: BAL -4

Hoping for a great game here. This is a right division and every game matters. I have to go with the Steelers here, though. It’s a big game and historically that doesn’t work well for Lamar. Steelers remain undefeated going into week 9.

Pick: Steelers 24 Ravens 17

Chargers @ Broncos Line: LAC -3.5

Chargers look great with Justin Herbert behind center. My pick for rookie of the year stays hot against Denver.

Pick: Chargers 17 Broncos 10

Saints @ Bears Line: NO -4

The Bears started hot but are now slipping. And will continue to fall the next couple of weeks. Can’t see them beating the Saints, even if the Saints don’t have a healthy squad.

Pick: Saints 24 Bears 13

49ers @ Seahawks Line: SEA -3.0

Last week was a head scratcher for the Seahawks. Wilson threw three picks and they lost to the Cardinals in OT. I expect them to bounce back here and return to their normal selves.

Pick: Seahawks 31 49ers 21

Cowboys @ Eagles Line: PHL -10.5

I believed in the Cowboys last week. Even through all of the disasters leading up to Week 8. I still believed. However, my faith is gone. They are as bad as they say they are. It’s all just bad. Oh, the Eagles are, too. But not quite *that* bad.

Pick: Eagles 27 Cowboys 13

Buccaneers @ Giants Line: TB -12.5

Tom Brady and The Bucs are looking like Super Bowl contenders, as many expected. But what’s really been impressive is the Tampa Bay defense. I expect them to demolish a Giants team prone to turnovers. Plus, we all know Tom would love to run up the score against the Giants. People don’t forget.

Pick: Buccaneers 35 Giants 13

Lines based on ESPN ScoreCenter App at 9:40am Sunday morning.

NFL Week 7 Picks

Week 7 is upon us! COVID tests are coming up negative and all games are set to play. Lots of exciting Divisional matchups this week, and two undefeated teams going head to head. Let’s dive in. The lines are determined by ESPN ScoreCenter app at game time.

Lions vs Falcons Line: ATL –1.0

Two teams who are known for disappointment and giving up huge leads. Both should have better records than they do. This is one game I’m looking forward to watching because I’m expecting it to be a high-scoring shoot-out. With that being said, I think the Falcons have the ability to put up more points than the Lions so I’m taking them to cover this game.

Pick: Falcons 35 Lions 27

Packers vs Texans Line: GB –2.5

Both teams gave up sad loses last week. Texans had a chance to comeback and win it but were unable to finish and the Packers embarrassed themselves against the Bucs. I think A-A-Ron comes out on a mission with something to prove and puts up big numbers in a win. Had to adjust the score once I found out Aaron Jones will be inactive, but still believe the Packers come through.

Pick: Packers 31 Texans 27

Browns vs Bengals Line: CLE –4.5

This game was much closer than it should have been when these two faced off earlier in the year. It was high scoring on both sides, and I don’t see that repeating. I think Browns win this one handily, while scoring less than last time.

Pick: Browns 21 Bengals 10

Steelers vs Titans Line: TEN -1.0

Game of the week! Two undefeated teams squaring off, both with dreams of the Super Bowl. Ryan Tannehill has, to my surprise, been playing at an MVP level. Steelers and Big Ben have been finding new weapons and have arguably the leagues best defense? Who comes out on top? I have a feeling the Titans could continue to roll, but I think the Steelers have the ability to put up points and defend. They just have too many weapons. I’m hoping this one comes down to a final play.

Pick: Steelers 38 Titans 35

Panthers vs Saints Line: NO -6.5

The Saints are beat up. Michael Thomas is going to miss another game, Emmanuel Sanders is. out, too. Doesn’t matter. Saints still win and cover.

Pick: Saints 24 Panthers 14

Bills vs Jets Line: BUFF –9.5

Bills win and cover. It’s the Jets.

Pick: Bills 35 Jets 10

Cowboys vs Football Team Line: Even

Oh, the NFC East. What is going on?? The Cowboys have come out and pointed fingers at coaching which is never a good sign, meanwhile the Football Team is having distractions of their own. I think the Cowboys, regardless of how they have played thus far, are still the better team–even with Andy Dalton at QB. They win this one in a sad game that we wish we didn’t watch.

Pick: Cowboys 17 Football Team 6

Buccaneers vs Raiders Line: TB -4.0

The Bucs are rolling. The way the beat up the Packers last week has me really believing in this team. With that being said, I love the way Carr has been playing. I don’t think he gets enough respect. However, the D comes through for TB again here in another win.

Pick: Bucs 24 Raiders 14

Chiefs vs Broncos Line: KC -7.0

Mahomes and co have proven to be dangerous in the snow. I think that continues, I just don’t believe in this Broncos team at all. Chiefs win and cover in the high altitude.

Pick: Chiefs 30 Broncos 10

49ers vs Patriots Line: NE -3.0

You never know what you’re going to get from the 49ers these days. I think Cam has a bounce back week in a win.

Pick: Patriots 24 49ers 20

Jaguars vs Chargers Line: LAC –8

I think Justin Herbert goes on to win Rookie Of The Year and expect a big game from him here at home against the struggling Jags. I just don’t like the points. Every game this season for the Chargers has been a close one, at least in terms of the final score. I think they win by a touchdown or less. Chargers win, Jaguars cover.

Pick: Chargers 24 Jaguars 17

Seahawks vs Cardinals Line: SEA -3.5

Cardinals looks like they could be something to keep our eyes on…three years from now. Seahawks continue to roll.

Pick: Seahawks 30 Cardinals 21

Bears vs Rams Line: LAR -6.0

Monday Night Football with the Bears and Rams. Bears have been one of the surprises of the season, but I think that starts to slow down now. I expect Aaron Donald and the Rams D to step up big in a win in Primetime.

Pick: Rams 24 Bears 17