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This weeks predictions are in. These are your favorites to win big this week.
@Houston Texans: 21
The Colts have come off two big wins over mediocre defenses and a struggling win over the Ravens. That being said, Andrew Luck has done as expected against both those teams. Coming off of 9 touchdowns in the last 3 games. Luck’s struggles against the Ravens could give Colts fans a reason to worry about this weeks game against the Texans. The Texans have a stout defense and the offense seems to be able to contend against teams that don’t matchup in terms of offense. The Cowboys line last week held J.J Watt to 0 sacks and 0 swatted passes. Arguably, Dallas has one of the best lines in the game and a good offense that the Texans were able to slow down. This game could be close but every thursday night game has been a blowout. The Colts should come through with a win.
@Cleveland Browns: 17
The underrated matchup of the week is the Steelers and Browns. The Steelers have struggled against the Buccaneers and the Jaguars. The big question is what Pittsburgh team will show up in Cleveland on Sunday. Leveon Bell will have to carry the ball against a good Browns defense and the passing game can not rely on screenplays. The Browns are coming off a huge comeback win which marks the biggest comeback victory to not go into overtime. Brian Hoyer made a few mistakes and in the case of a shootout we could see a very good. That being said Ben Roethlisberger boasts a 17-1 record against the Browns that should improve to 18-1 this week.
@Buffalo Bills: 17
Anyone counting Tom Brady out probably did not watch football last season. Brady struggled last year against the Jets and Bengals early in the season and then got it together and outperformed just about every team he faced. Once Brady gets it going, teams have something to fear. The Bills have not been able to get it done offensively and if it was not for 3 missed field goals we would have seen a different outcome against the Lions.The Patriots should roll past the Bills once again.
@Cincinnati Bengals: 24
This game could be closer than we think. The Bengals have lost momentum and the Panthers have gained it. The Bengals have not lost a regular season home game in a little over a year. The Panthers offense was lead by Cam Newton making good plays last week. Newton should have somme success and without AJ Green the Bengals will struggle a bit. If the Bengals decide to play Green, they might have a better chance but an injured Green last week still produced some decent play. Bengals should have the home win.
@Tennessee Titans: 27
Does anyone remember the Browns and Lions game in 2009? The shootout between two mediocre teams that no one watched. I think this game could be one of those games. Blake Bortles has not looked bad and the Titans were not looking bad last week against the Browns besides blowing a 25 point lead but it happens to the best of us. Maybe not, the Jaguars should get a tough divisional win here.
@Miami Dolphins: 14
Should be an easy prediction. Aaron Rodgers is not slowing down and the defense is picking up their slack. Impressive performance last week should carry on this week. The Dolphins are coming off a bye week and because of that i don’t think they are prepared enough. Packers should take the win.
Detroit Lions: 20
@Minnesota Vikings: 21
Both teams are coming off demoralizing losses last week. The Lions signed Matt Prater to ensure that the team doesn’t miss 3 field goals. The Vikings will have a chance if Teddy Bridgewater plays. The Vikings could make a good statement with a win and the Lions are looking for redemption. Only problem is the best receiver in the league is probably at 30% healthy right now. Calvin Johnson not playing could hurt the Lions. The Detroit defense is good but i think the Vikings can sneak away with a win with Bridgewater at the helm.
Denver Broncos: 34
@ New York Jets: 21
Peyton Manning continues to do what Peyton Manning does. The third ranked passing offense in the league is going up against the 14th ranked passing defense. While the Jets defense is decent, Manning eats up decent. The Jets are unsure who will be under center. Even Michael Vick was not ready to play last weekend. Until one of their QBs starts to show that they can hold the ball, don’t count on them for much.
Baltimore Ravens: 31
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 17
The Ravens had a terrible performance against the Colts last weekend, turning the ball over three times. The defense, however, forced four turnovers against Indianapolis and has been playing great the last few games. Tampa gives up the most fantasy points to defenses, and that will hold true this weekend. One thing to be worried about is the somewhat skeptical secondary the Ravens have. Their 269 average yards through the air are 27th in the league.
@ Oakland Raiders: 13
The Chargers seem to be showing exactly what they are capable of. Brandon Oliver brought a new light to the backfield last week, and will look to do that again versus one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. Oakland also has a QB controversy that really has no affect on how the game will play out.
Chicago Bears: 24
@Atlanta Falcons: 31
Not many people expected both the Bears and Falcons to be sitting at 2-3. Both teams have not been showing much promise on the defensive side; however, Atlanta is mostly a lock at home. Jay Cutler has faltered late in games over the past few weeks, throwing four picks over the last two losses. With Julio Jones healthy and on the field, the Falcons’ passing attack is deadly.
Dallas Cowboys: 20
@Seattle Seahawks: 34
If it weren’t for the Arizona Cardinals, I would simply just say the Seahawks are at home and that should tell you everything you need to know. The matchup to watch will be Dez Bryant and Richard Sherman, if they even lineup Bryant on Sherman’s side. Demarco Murray has shown his work horse potential this season and will do the same against the defense of Seattle. However, Russell Wilson will again show us why he is a deity worth worshipping.
@ Arizona Cardinals: 27
Washington is on the edge of a horrible may-day call. It only took a dislocated ankle for people to label Kirk Cousins as the future of the franchise, until three straight losses put the Redskins in scare-mode. Even while losing to the Broncos by 21, the Cardinals are a team on the rise. Somehow, even with different QBs, they keep playing good football. Their defense will look to have a bounce back performance this week, and Alfred Morris will be the victim.
New York Giants: 38
@ Philadelphia Eagles: 27
Finally, Eli Manning will be facing a horrific defense. Both teams have less-than-mediocre passing defenses, which shows why this game shapes up to be a shootout. The Giants, however, will get the edge on the ground and Rashad Jennings’s replacement Andre Williams should have a great day. Teams seem to be aiming solely on LeSean McCoy, which is why the star running back only has a 2.9 average yard-per-carry.
@St. Louis Rams: 14
Really? People thought this should be a prime time game? Really not much to say here except that both Frank Gore and Colin Kaepernick will be having a field day. Look for big numbers on the ground and through the air and small numbers from the Rams on both sides of the ball.
Joshua Gantt and AJ Risser are writers for Couch Rider Report. Follow the site on Twitter and Facebook.
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