FA+
Shop
Zeus vs Summer - NFL Pick Em Round 2 - Week 5
4 years ago
Haha! Once more, I squeak by with another victory to get my second point of the year over Summer. But 14 long weeks remain in the season, so I really should not be celebrating just yet.
To recap, here are the rules.
1. Summer and I will pick 3 NFL games based on the current spread. The favored team (represented by a negative sign) HAS to win by more than the listed number for anything to count. So if the spread is (-3), and the favored team wins by a field goal, that is a push. Neither side wins, and that is a loss on our ends.
2. We battle on a week to week basis. If we have the same outcome, that week is a push an no one gets a point. The winner of this challenge will get to choose what sort of kinky art they want involving the losing party.
With that said, let's not waste anymore time and jump into picking!
CURRENT SCORE
zeuspegasus13 2
summer 0
Ties: 2
PICK 1
~ Green Bay Packers beat and cover the spread against Cincinatti Bengals as road favorites (-2.5)
This screams to me like Vegas is trying to trap betters this week. However, since the line shifted down half a point, I think a team that found it's groove can remind a rebuilding Bengals team where it belongs on the NFL hierachy. The real test will be how the Packers defense can halt a hot Bengals offense. I think they will rise up to the task, making sure to stay ahead in the race for the one seed in the NFC
Result: 25 Packers 22 Bengals (CORRECT)
The skunk and I totally called this game despite how INSANE it was in the end. Too bad, Vegas. We're both going to be paid well today for this game. The Bengals are a serious threat for the wild card spot in the playoffs though. Never count them out.
PICK 2
~ New England Patriots beat and cover the spread against the Houston Texans (-8.0)
I know it may seem silly to pick another spread above 7 points for the second week in a row, but I'm calling the Texans bluff. They were blanked 40-0 on the road. They don't have Tyrod Taylor. This is an offense that will fail to do anything against a talented Bellicheat defense. The Patriots are pissed they lost their chance at being a spoiler to their former legend. This is not the week to play the Patriots for sure. If the Bills can put up 40 points, why can't the Patriots score a lot on them too?
Result: Patriots 25 Texans 22 (WRONG)
Of course the Patriots continue to slump their way against bad competition. This is a truly different team from years past. Very untrustable going forward. They have no ability to blow out opponents. I should have known better, and the Bills beating the Cheifs badly is proof how good they are.
PICK 3
~ Miami Dolphins pretend they are good without Tua to barely cover the spread against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+10.0)
Okay. I know what many are thinking. My Phins are a bottom 10 team right now without their star QB. They are on the road to face the defending Super Bowl champs. The Bucs are fired up after an emotional last second win in New England. But... so what? I've seen enough of this this team to see them show up to opponents that are better than them. Even if they cover in garbage time, Flores is not going to roll over and die no matter the score line. His job is warming up, and getting a win like this on the road will cool things down to spark a turnaround this season. The Phins are good at covering the spread as road underdogs, so may as well keep believing!
Result: Phins 17 Bucs 45 (WRONG)
It was close until the demoralizing drive in the 3rd quarter. The defense just gave up and bent over to allow Tom Brady to annihialate them with 21 points in the 4th quarter. This team is in serious jeopardy. I am not picking them again until they show me a reason to be proud to be a Phins fan. This is a disgraceful second year in the rebuild so far. Florez better turn this around quick or I'm going to be looking off the edge of a cliff by the season's end.
Overall Result: 1-2 (LOSS)
So, the professor broke her streak of 1-2 weeks with a perfect call this week. It was bound to happen, but I could have matched her. I should have bet against the Jaguars instead of trust my Phins. I should have also picked the Saints as well or the Falcons to bounce back against a horrible Jets team. But, with 5 weeks in, teams identities are firmly established. I'm not nearly afraid of losing this series!
Onwards to week 6.
Unofficial gut reaction picks below. NO SPREAD CONSIDERED! (Current Record 23-24). Bolded picks are ones that came true. Italicized is wrong picks.
Falcons > Jets
Vikings > Lions
Broncos > Steelers
Saints > Washington
Panthers > Eagles
Titans > Jaguars
Raiders > Bears
Browns > Chargers
Cowboys > Giants
49ners > Cardinals (Cards are due for a loss. Why not this one in a crazy NFC West this year?)
Bills > Chiefs (Statement game for the Bills. Would be nice to have that team on its heels already)
Ravens > Colts
To recap, here are the rules.
1. Summer and I will pick 3 NFL games based on the current spread. The favored team (represented by a negative sign) HAS to win by more than the listed number for anything to count. So if the spread is (-3), and the favored team wins by a field goal, that is a push. Neither side wins, and that is a loss on our ends.
2. We battle on a week to week basis. If we have the same outcome, that week is a push an no one gets a point. The winner of this challenge will get to choose what sort of kinky art they want involving the losing party.
With that said, let's not waste anymore time and jump into picking!
CURRENT SCORE
zeuspegasus13 2
summer 0Ties: 2
PICK 1
~ Green Bay Packers beat and cover the spread against Cincinatti Bengals as road favorites (-2.5)
This screams to me like Vegas is trying to trap betters this week. However, since the line shifted down half a point, I think a team that found it's groove can remind a rebuilding Bengals team where it belongs on the NFL hierachy. The real test will be how the Packers defense can halt a hot Bengals offense. I think they will rise up to the task, making sure to stay ahead in the race for the one seed in the NFC
Result: 25 Packers 22 Bengals (CORRECT)
The skunk and I totally called this game despite how INSANE it was in the end. Too bad, Vegas. We're both going to be paid well today for this game. The Bengals are a serious threat for the wild card spot in the playoffs though. Never count them out.
PICK 2
~ New England Patriots beat and cover the spread against the Houston Texans (-8.0)
I know it may seem silly to pick another spread above 7 points for the second week in a row, but I'm calling the Texans bluff. They were blanked 40-0 on the road. They don't have Tyrod Taylor. This is an offense that will fail to do anything against a talented Bellicheat defense. The Patriots are pissed they lost their chance at being a spoiler to their former legend. This is not the week to play the Patriots for sure. If the Bills can put up 40 points, why can't the Patriots score a lot on them too?
Result: Patriots 25 Texans 22 (WRONG)
Of course the Patriots continue to slump their way against bad competition. This is a truly different team from years past. Very untrustable going forward. They have no ability to blow out opponents. I should have known better, and the Bills beating the Cheifs badly is proof how good they are.
PICK 3
~ Miami Dolphins pretend they are good without Tua to barely cover the spread against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+10.0)
Okay. I know what many are thinking. My Phins are a bottom 10 team right now without their star QB. They are on the road to face the defending Super Bowl champs. The Bucs are fired up after an emotional last second win in New England. But... so what? I've seen enough of this this team to see them show up to opponents that are better than them. Even if they cover in garbage time, Flores is not going to roll over and die no matter the score line. His job is warming up, and getting a win like this on the road will cool things down to spark a turnaround this season. The Phins are good at covering the spread as road underdogs, so may as well keep believing!
Result: Phins 17 Bucs 45 (WRONG)
It was close until the demoralizing drive in the 3rd quarter. The defense just gave up and bent over to allow Tom Brady to annihialate them with 21 points in the 4th quarter. This team is in serious jeopardy. I am not picking them again until they show me a reason to be proud to be a Phins fan. This is a disgraceful second year in the rebuild so far. Florez better turn this around quick or I'm going to be looking off the edge of a cliff by the season's end.
Overall Result: 1-2 (LOSS)
So, the professor broke her streak of 1-2 weeks with a perfect call this week. It was bound to happen, but I could have matched her. I should have bet against the Jaguars instead of trust my Phins. I should have also picked the Saints as well or the Falcons to bounce back against a horrible Jets team. But, with 5 weeks in, teams identities are firmly established. I'm not nearly afraid of losing this series!
Onwards to week 6.
Unofficial gut reaction picks below. NO SPREAD CONSIDERED! (Current Record 23-24). Bolded picks are ones that came true. Italicized is wrong picks.
Falcons > Jets
Vikings > Lions
Broncos > Steelers
Saints > Washington
Panthers > Eagles
Titans > Jaguars
Raiders > Bears
Browns > Chargers
Cowboys > Giants
49ners > Cardinals (Cards are due for a loss. Why not this one in a crazy NFC West this year?)
Bills > Chiefs (Statement game for the Bills. Would be nice to have that team on its heels already)
Ravens > Colts
Packers -2.5 > Bengals
Lions +10 > Vikings
Chargers -2.5 > Browns