So, normally I do preseason picks. I had them almost done this year too, but unfortunately my internet went out while i was typing it up and I lost half of it to not saving. I was already struggling to get it down this year, so I wasn't going to start over at that point. Just to give you a taste of what it would have been and how awkward some of the misses were, I had this (with a lot of breakdowns for each team as well)
Jets/Ravens/jaguars/chiefs the division winners, Bills/browns/texans the wildcards in that order.
Eagles/Lions/Falcons/9ers the division winners, Rams/Vikings/cowboys, Bucs, and cardinals all competing for that last spot.
Jets win the superbowl!
So, while I was probably one of five people in the world who had the Vikings in the playoffs (I believed in Sam Darnold) I think my belief in the Jets and Jags nullifies any flowers I can give myself for making that pick :) There are a few other misses too of course, but the teams were either close (falcons/cards) or ravished by injuries (cowboys/9ers), and those are just par for the course when you try and pick stuff in august.
But hey, time goes on, and much to the chagrin of Ballsy and Chewy I ain't gonna stop making picks.
Chargers 26, Texans 17
Everyone is wondering what happened to CJ this year. And it's true, with a year of film and expectation it was always going to be a harder season than the one where everyone thought the Texans were a bye that gifted a win. A small step back was expected, and now it's time for the kid to adjust to the adjustments teams made against him. But he's still a good qb, and the Texans have a lot to like about their team, save one glaring weakness. Their interior line. Chargers can get after the passer, and the only reason I think the score is as close as I have it is because Harbaugh is going to try and control the clock in an attempt to prevent anything crazy from happening.
Ravens 31, Steelers 13
Everyone will be down on Russ and pointing at Pickens when the Steelers lose today. But the truth is they haven't been particularly good all season. The thing that surprised me the most about the Steelers 4 game losing streak during an admitted gauntlet of games to end the year was how bad the defense looked. Meanwhile, the Ravens just seem to keep getting better than their already great status at the right time. I have this as a blowout, and if the steelers can make it closer than ten points that alone would be a shocker to me.
Bills 24, Broncos 20
Of all the games this weekend, I feel like this could be the big shocker. Broncos can get after the passer like no ones business, and Josh Allen has traditionally had trouble when under duress. Unfortunately for the Broncos, I have never seen Josh Allen look more focused and at ease as he has this year. So, while I think the game is actually close, I think the MVP (sorry Lamar fans, it's the most valuable player award not the best qb award, and josh is more valuable to the bills) squeaks through.
Eagles 34, Packers 27
I think the packers are one of the up-and-coming teams and could be a legit title contender as soon as next year. Unfortunately, they drew the most complete team in the league this season round one, and I think Barkley could have 150 yards by the half just to remind folks he should have that record. I think the packers put up a fight, but even losing by 7 might be too generous without Christian Watson.
Buccaneers 24, Commies 20
The Commanders have a worse roster than half the teams not in the playoffs, which is a testament to how good Jayden is and how good of a job coaching Dan Quinn did this year. I think they will have similar issues to the Texans this year next year, where they make a few big signings and the hype outpaces the talent on the roster, and they won't have the afc south to cover their deficiencies, but that's a problem for another day. They -could- beat the Bucs this year, but I have to go with Liam Coen's offense (teams should really be giving him a look for a hc position this year) and Todd Bowles defense. Bowles is one of the best defensive minds this league has ever seen, and while I have the score close a Bucs blow out is not out of the realm of possibility if he confuses Jayden early and often.
Rams 27, Vikings 24
It's rare that I root against my own picks, but this is one of those games. I want the Vikings to win. Hell, I want them to make the Superbowl, go Sam Darnold. But unfortunately, they looked awful and inept against the Lions last week, and while I think they are way better than that I think the Rams are the most Dangerous team that's not a top 4 team in the playoffs. Unfortunately, if they lose the mouth breathers will be out in force to dump on Sam Darnold, it's what happened last week. But while it was certainly not a good outing for him, I put the onus on the coaching. How you keep sending three deep when you can't stop the cover 0 and cover 1 blitz is baffling to me, and as someone who watches a lot of games throughout the season in their entirety (a few games on Sunday, then three or four NFL network reruns throughout the week) last Sunday was easily the worst coaching job I have seen all season. And I watched every Jet game lol. I'm sure it was the pressure of being a win away from taking the conference bye when no one thought you were going to win seven games this year, and I expect them to be better this week, but its master vs apprentice this week and I am going with the Master.
Anyways, that's all I got. Let the flaming begin!
