Hunter Lyons is back on a bit of a heater after a solid 8-4-1 week to raise his record to 31-26-2. Any time you are over .500 in gambling, you’re doing things right. To lead us off, he’s also included his completely unbiased Power Rankings:
- Patriots: The Bill Belichick and Tom Brady dynasty continues. It seems whoever they plug in can make them competitive. Whether it’s Jonas Gray or LaGarrette Blount on the ground or the ever evolving linebacker play of second year man Jaime Collins, there is no other team in the NFL and other than the Spurs, no other team in professional sports that have had the continued stability that the Patriots have had over the past 15 years.
- Broncos: Even though Manning has been somewhat contained the last three weeks, only 3 TD’s and 195 yards/game of that span, the Broncos have found different ways to get it done. Largely in part to their play on defense and special teams.
- Seahawks: I always judge teams on when they’re at their best, how good can they be? And when the Seahawks are clicking on all cylinders I think it’s tough to find a more all-around football team. Whether they can do that away from home is still yet to be seen.
- Packers: Last week at Buffalo was certainly caused for concern when the Bills shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Pack. But I think going forward I think we’ll see that was more an outlier and didn’t show Green Bay’s true colors.
- Cardinals: I, like many, am pained to rank a team so far knowing that their quarterback going forward is Ryan Lindley but in sports they don’t ask how, but how many. What this team lacks from the quarterback position they make up for in toughness and tenacity. Knowing how to squeeze out ugly games is a skill in itself and a sign of a good football team.
- Colts: Another AFC South title for the Colts to the surprise of no one. They will live and die by the play of Andrew Luck who in his short time in the league has proven he has the ability to step up in big games posting a career record of 10-2 in games played in December and January.
- Lions: Like the Cardinals, the Lions haven’t won pretty but have continued to win which is all that counts this late in the year. The defense stepped up huge again this week with timely interceptions in big moments of the game. Although the offense has yet to get in a groove I can’t imagine this is a team that anyone wants to play going forward because of the weapons they have at their disposal.
- Cowboys: A huge win for them on Sunday night against the Eagles behind big performances from Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. I don’t think there has been any shortage of this discussion but this team is where it’s at because of that offensive line and will go only as far as they take them
- Steelers: It’s been a crap shoot each week for what you’re going to get with the Steelers. They have a tough road ahead of them to win the AFC North but think they end up doing so behind some more strong performances behind LeVeon Bell and Big Ben.
- Bengals: Another up and down team in the AFC North. I’d like to think the play by Johnny Manziel had just as much to do with the Bengals win last week as their own play did but they certainly did a great job containing him, something a lot of people were unsure of.
- Ravens: Third straight team in the rankings from the AFC North and goes to show just how close this division is. If the playoffs started today, all three would make the playoffs.
- Eagles: the holes are really starting to show with this team. Shady McCoy hasn’t been able to really get anything going all year and it became evident after the Sunday night loss to the Cowboys that there are some serious issues with their secondary. I see the Eagles as the last team out in the NFC Playoffs
- Buffalo: Dominating performances the last two weeks against the two premier quarterbacks in the league in Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers, allowing no touchdowns and picking off the future hall of famers a total of four times.
- Chiefs: It’s not surprising the Chiefs live and die by the run game. This year when Jamal Charles gets 10 or fewer rushes the Chiefs are 0-4, when he gets more than 10 they are 7-2. If only they could get ANY passing game.
- Dolphins: They are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs which is a positive.
And now, let’s make some money.
Tennessee @ Jacksonville- The average margin of victory for the Thursday Night primetime games this year has been 18.5 points a game. Which just goes to show just how bad the football has been this year for TNF, even by their already bottom of the ocean standards. But this week’s season finale may be their crown jewel when the Titans head to Jacksonville to take on their brothers in 2-12 records, the Titans. Typically I would say stay away from this game but it’s the last Thursday Night Action of the Week and YOLO. I’d flip a coin but I already did that for you because I’m here to help. PICK: JAGUARS -3
Philadelphia @ Washington- The fact that we’re in Week 16 of the NFL season and there is still a chance that we could have starting quarterbacks of Ryan Lindley, Case Keenum, Jimmy Clausen, Kyle Orton and Mark Sanchez is a scary thought. I don’t think that the football gods would allow such a thing and think that RG3 will have a nice game. PICK: REDSKINS +7.5
San Diego @ San Francisco- For San Diego, their playoff hopes were slim even before the injury to Kennan Allen, Phillip Rivers and an ailing Ryan Mathews so it looks as though this might be it for the Chargers this year. The Chargers are 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games so they have clearly not lived up to the expectations of Vegas nor themselves. These last two games are must wins for the Chargers and they would still need some help from other AFC Wild Card contenders. I think the injuries have been too much for the Chargers, especially with Rivers injury being more severe than they originally thought. Take the home team. PICK: 49ers -1
Baltimore @ Houston- The quarterback situation leaves much to be desired in Houston and as much as it pains me to pick against JJ Watt for fear that he will jump out of my closet and rip me limb from limb, I can’t pick a team that is choosing between Thad Lewis and Case Keenum against a playoff contender. PICK: RAVENS -5.5
Cleveland @ Carolina- Excitement was at an all-time high in Cleveland at this time last week for Johnny Football’s first NFL start. That excitement quickly faded as JFF went out and displayed a performance similar to what I think I would do if ever given a chance to man the helm of an NFL team. What does Mike Pettine do now? Stick with him and let him learn on the job, something that could very possibly kill him? Or does he sit him and potentially kill any confidence that he might still have? This game is listed as a pick em right now so for the time being I’ll take the home team. PICK: PANTHERS -3.5
Green Bay @ Tampa Bay- After last week’s debacle that brought Aaron Rodgers back down to life for the first time in a long time, the Pack have the fortunate task of traveling to play a meddling Bucs team. The NFC playoff picture is far from locked in and the result of this game has huge ramifications for the Pack. I’ve never been of the belief of any professional team tanking but look at this more as a Bucs team that is so discouraged and ready for the season to be done that it will be difficult for them to get up for a game that in that grand scheme of things, will not matter. Hard to take an away team with this many points but the stakes and talent for each team are just too far apart. PICK: PACKERS -10.5
Kansas City @ Pittsburgh- The Kansas City Chiefs have the most one dimensional offense in the NFL, and a wide receiver hasn’t caught a touchdown pass yet this season. The Steelers don’t have the most stout defense with all their injuries, but they have enough to box up Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis. Add in Le’Veon Bell steamrolling the Chiefs defense and you’ve got yourself a Pittsburgh win. PICK: STEELERS -3
Minnesota @ Miami- TEDDY B IS HOME! The Miami native comes back for his first game back in his hometown in the 305. I’m a sucker for any coming home or redemption back story in a game so this is right up my alley. This goes against every single gambling tip you can have in ‘not picking emotionally.’ But damn it I can’t help it. Theodore and the Vikes make Philbin’s seat a little hotter. PICK: VIKINGS +6.5
New England @ New York Jets- Rex Ryan takes his final whoopin from Tommy B and the Pats. PICK: PATRIOTS -10
Atlanta @ New Orleans- It saddens me that this game will have any ramifications on the NFL playoffs and is an abomination. Vince Lombardi just did a full 540 in his grave. I’m boycotting this game in protest of the fact that a team that wins less than 40% of their games can make the playoffs. PICK: KILL IT WITH FIRE
These next two games are so bad that there’s nothing to even say about them. I can only make fun of Tom Coughlin and Kyle Orton so much; I’m just gonna leave my picks and move on.
New York Giants +6 @ St. Louis
Buffalo @ Oakland +6
Indianapolis @ Dallas- I was talking to a friend the other day in between running around my house waving a towel around my head because of Dez Bryant keeping me alive in two fantasy football leagues. I’ve paid a lot of attention to Dez this week because of said fantasy teams and have noticed his style of play is so much more unorthodox than other receivers. Calvin Johnson is always said to have had those long, graceful strides and makes running look effortless. Bryant is the polar opposite. He has short, choppy, and somewhat violent strides. There are receivers that embrace contact and like hitting, and then there is Bryant who wants to hit you, step on your face, take your wallet, take your girlfriend to dinner, make a sandwich from your fridge all while running in the endzone and throwing up the X. He wants to obliterate and demoralize you. If Murray goes I think it’s a game changer and puts them over the top, even with Luck on the Colts side…get it? Ok I’ll see myself out… PICK: COWBOYS -3
Seattle @ Arizona- The Cards just cannot catch a break this year, which is odd to say for a team that currently holds the NFL’s best record. Even odder is the fact that in Week 16 of an NFL season, the team with the best record in the league is giving 7.5 points AT HOME. Truly telling of just how horrible Ryan Lindley is. I got nothing on this game and would advise to stay away. PICK: PASS
Denver @ Cincinnati- Andy Dalton? Primetime? Easy money. PICK: BRONCOS -3
Now for this week’s guest pick, going for his record 3rd successful pick in a row, BRENT DADDY’S HOT ACTION OF THE WEEK:
“Detroit vs. Everybody”
PICK: LIONS -9
Well said from the kid who actually lives in Chicago and whose parents won’t actually let him go to Detroit alone.
