PFT’s Week Nine picks

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/11/02/pfts-week-nine-picks-5/

PFT’s Week Nine picks
Posted by Mike Florio on November 2, 2017

I managed to go 10-3 in the picks last week. Unfortunately, MDS went 11-2 — and now he has a five-game lead.

The only saving grace is that nobody cares. Except him.

But with another 13 games on the docket, you care if your favorite team is playing, or if you’re simply gather as many opinions as possible before calling your bookie.

Before you make that call, make that scroll.

Rams at Giants

MDS’s take: The last time the Giants suspended a cornerback, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, they responded with a big upset win over the Broncos. This week the Giants suspended a cornerback again, Janoris Jenkins, but I don’t see another upset coming.

MDS’s pick: Rams 30, Giants 14.

Florio’s take: Cornerback Janoris Jenkins won’t be getting a chance to face his former team. Which is very good news for his former team, which is good enough to do at MetLife Stadium what the other team in L.A. did when the Giants had Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall.

Florio’s pick: Rams 27, Giants 17.
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Bills at Jets

MDS’s take: The Bills are a run-first team, but against a weak Jets pass defense I see Tyrod Taylor hitting some deep balls, and Buffalo putting a lot of points on the board.

MDS’s pick: Bills 31, Jets 21.

Florio’s take: Buffalo keeps finding ways to win, the Jets keep finding ways to lose. The Bills may be finding their way back to the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Florio’s pick: Bills 24, Jets 20.
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Colts at Texans

MDS’s take: The Texans could be set for a letdown after such a hard-fought loss on Sunday in Seattle, but against the Colts they should take care of business easily.

MDS’s pick: Texans 35, Colts 20.

Florio’s take: The Texans are one of the best 3-4 teams in recent league history. The Colts are 2-6, and they should be worse than that.

Florio’s pick: Texans 42, Colts 17.
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Bengals at Jaguars

MDS’s take: Jacksonville has the best pass defense in the NFL, and they’re going to make Andy Dalton‘s life miserable on Sunday.

MDS’s pick: Jaguars 20, Bengals 7.

Florio’s take: The good-week, bad-week Jags had a bye week on what would have been a bad week. If they can play this week like they do when playing well, they should easily beat a Bengals team that simply can’t match Jacksonville’s talent.

Florio’s pick: Jaguars 30, Bengals 20.
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Buccaneers at Saints

MDS’s take: The Bucs may be the biggest disappointment in the NFL this year. Their pass defense has been a mess, and Drew Brees could easily go for 400 yards on Sunday.

MDS’s pick: Saints 31, Buccaneers 17.

Florio’s take: The Saints are surging, and the Bucs are falling apart. A banged-up Jameis Winston simply can’t will the team to wins, especially when the various pieces aren’t fitting together the way they should.

Florio’s pick: Saints 34, Buccaneers 23.
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Falcons at Panthers

MDS’s take: This is a close call, as both of these teams have been inconsistent and unpredictable this season. When I can’t decide who to pick, I go with the home team.

MDS’s pick: Panthers 17, Falcons 16.

Florio’s take: The trade of receiver Kelvin Benjamin could actually diversify the offense, which will be helpful against a Falcons team that is still struggling to find consistency. Home team gets the edge in a game that could go either way.

Florio’s pick: Panthers 27, Falcons 23.
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Broncos at Eagles

MDS’s take: The Broncos are cratering and the Eagles are surging. Philadelphia should get a big win and maintain the league’s best record.

MDS’s pick: Eagles 28, Broncos 10.

Florio’s take: Brock Osweiler gets the start for the Broncos. Enough said.

Florio’s pick: Eagles 30, Broncos 17.
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Ravens at Titans

MDS’s take: Joe Flacco was playing as well as he’s played all season when he got knocked out of Thursday night’s game against Miami. Unfortunately, I think he’ll come back to earth against a Titans pass defense that’s better than Miami’s.

MDS’s pick: Titans 20, Ravens 10.

Florio’s take: Marcus Mariota has his mobility back, which is bad news for a Ravens defense that has a rough time against the run.

Florio’s pick: Titans 24, Ravens 16.
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Cardinals at 49ers

MDS’s take: The 49ers are going to get their first win eventually, and I say it’ll come here, against a reeling and injury-plagued Cardinals team.

MDS’s pick: 49ers 21, Cardinals 20.

Florio’s take: The good news is that the Cardinals won’t face Jimmy Garoppolo. The bad news is that the Cardinals will be playing Drew Stanton. The best news is that the 49ers remain the 49ers.

Florio’s pick: Cardinals 24, 49ers 20.
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Redskins at Seahawks

MDS’s take: The Redkins injury-plagued offensive line is going to struggle against the Seahawks’ defense, while Seattle’s offensive line gets a boost from the arrival of Duane Brown. That makes the difference.

MDS’s pick: Seahawks 17, Redskins 14.

Florio’s take: Seattle keeps getting better and better, and eventually they’ll be locking up the No. 1 seed in the conference.

Florio’s pick: Seahawks 28, Redskins 20.
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Chiefs at Cowboys

MDS’s take: With or without Ezekiel Elliott, I like Kansas City because I don’t see the Cowboys’ defense holding the Chiefs’ offense in check.

MDS’s pick: Chiefs 27, Cowboys 17.

Florio’s take: Dallas has blown double-digit leads in each of their last two home games. The Cowboys won’t have to worry about that this time, especially if they don’t have Ezekiel Elliott.

Florio’s pick: Chiefs 27, Cowboys 20.
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Raiders at Dolphins

MDS’s take: The Dolphins are 4-3, but they’re not as good as their record indicates, and the Jay Ajayi trade suggests that they know they’re building for the future, not winning this year. I like the Raiders to win in Miami.

MDS’s pick: Raiders 24, Dolphins 17.

Florio’s take: A couple of struggling offenses meet in what may be a de facto elimination game. With Jay Cutler back and the Dolphins getting a wake-up call from the elimination of Jay Ajayi, advantage Miami.

Florio’s pick: Dolphins 20, Raiders 14.
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Lions at Packers

MDS’s take: The Lions got very lucky this season as the only team in the NFC North that hasn’t had chaos at the quarterback position. If Aaron Rodgers were playing I’d pick the Packers, but with Brett Hundley at the helm I’ll take Detroit to get a rare road win in Green Bay.

MDS’s pick: Lions 21, Packers 20.

Florio’s take: If the Packers had gotten Brian Hoyer, maybe it would have gone differently. (It wouldn’t have.) Either way, Brett Hundley falls to 0-2.

Florio’s pick: Lions 27, Packers 21.

 

[RhodyRams]

Come on Denver

Beat the Eagles

 

[Ram_Rally]

Come on Denver

Beat the Eagles

Hoping Washington finds finds some spunk to beat Seattle too

 

[leoram]

Rams at Giants

MDS’s take: The last time the Giants suspended a cornerback, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, they responded with a big upset win over the Broncos. This week the Giants suspended a cornerback again, Janoris Jenkins, but I don’t see another upset coming.

MDS’s pick: Rams 30, Giants 14.

Florio’s take: Cornerback Janoris Jenkins won’t be getting a chance to face his former team. Which is very good news for his former team, which is good enough to do at MetLife Stadium what the other team in L.A. did when the Giants had Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall.

Florio’s pick: Rams 27, Giants 17.
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Cardinals at 49ers

MDS’s take: The 49ers are going to get their first win eventually, and I say it’ll come here, against a reeling and injury-plagued Cardinals team.

MDS’s pick: 49ers 21, Cardinals 20.

Florio’s take: The good news is that the Cardinals won’t face Jimmy Garoppolo. The bad news is that the Cardinals will be playing Drew Stanton. The best news is that the 49ers remain the 49ers.

Florio’s pick: Cardinals 24, 49ers 20.
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Redskins at Seahawks

MDS’s take: The Redkins injury-plagued offensive line is going to struggle against the Seahawks’ defense, while Seattle’s offensive line gets a boost from the arrival of Duane Brown. That makes the difference.

MDS’s pick: Seahawks 17, Redskins 14.

Florio’s take: Seattle keeps getting better and better, and eventually they’ll be locking up the No. 1 seed in the conference.

Florio’s pick: Seahawks 28, Redskins 20.
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1. Soooooo, all the talk is about a suspension of Jenkins and how terrible the Giants are.

If Dallas destroys the terrible 9’ers, it means they are back to being a good team but if the Rams beat the Giants...the NFC East team is still the real story.

2. Has fun is it to see the 9’ers and Cards fall apart while the rest of the world chides them?

3. Let’s see...one NEW lineman who doesn’t know the offense and hasn’t had time to “gel” with them will suddenly make one of the NFL’s worst OLines into a winner?

Florio is still buying the Seahawk hype? My Gawd I can’t wait til we destroy them in Seattle so I can read Florio’s myriad of excuses.

 

[Rmfnlt]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/new...oncos-packers-lions/ouqaxtcmbe2j1psgmvn1w4xul
Both teams are coming off a bye. The Rams have a chance to go toe-to-toe with the Seahawks for the division title the rest of the way, as long as they don’t slip up in games like this one. They don’t have many breathers from here on out. In retrospect, the Giants’ win in Denver said more about the skidding Broncos than about the lousy-across-the-board Giants.

Prediction: Rams, 41-17

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https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/features/writers/expert/picks/straight-up/9

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https://nflspinzone.com/2017/10/31/nfl-picks-predictions-2017-week-9/6/
Los Angeles Rams (5-2) at New York Giants (1-6)
It’s time to start taking this Los Angeles Rams team seriously, if you haven’t already been. They’re currently sitting pretty at 5-2, nipping at the Seattle Seahawks’ heels for first place in the NFC West. In Week 9, they’ll put a little more pressure on their rivals from up north.

Then again, it’s not like the New York Giants are much of a hurdle to clear. Even coming off a bye, it’s unlikely we’ll see anything too exciting from the G-Men. They’ve been a mess this season, winning only one of seven games and failing to do much of anything on the offensive end.

I know that injuries have played a part in the Giants’ struggles. However, with limited options in the passing game and no ground game to speak of, Eli Manning has been left to do it all on his own. As we’ve seen, the aging quarterback isn’t exactly up to the challenge. Then again, even New York’s expensive defense isn’t doing enough to stay competitive.

Sean McVay has turned this Rams team around, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Look for revitalized sophomore quarterback Jared Goff to make some big plays through the air, while Todd Gurley does his thing. It’ll be a scoring fest for Los Angeles, bumping their perfect record on the road to 4-0.

Prediction: Rams win 34-9

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http://walterfootball.com/nflpicks2017_09early.php\

• 
  

• Los Angeles Rams (5-2) at New York Giants (1-6)
  Line: Rams by 3.5. Total: 42.
  Las Vegas Hilton Advance Point Spread: Rams -3.
  Walt's Calculated Line: Rams -3.5.
  Sunday, Nov 5, 1:00 PM
  Comment on this game
  
  The Game. Edge: Rams.
  
  
  
  
  VEGAS UPDATE: I'll be posting how the Vegas sportsbooks have done the previous week in this spot. Here were last week's most-bet sides:

• Chiefs -7.5

• Raiders +2.5

• Falcons -4

• Vikings -9.5

• Patriots -7.5

The highest-bet sides were 13-19-1 heading into Week 8. The public recovered last week, thanks to a Falcons-Jets middle and the Patriots getting a front-door field goal at the very end of the game. Highest-bet sides are now 17-20-1.

Here are the five highest-bet sides, as of Tuesday morning:

• Lions -2.5

• Bills -3.5

• Rams -3.5

• Jaguars -4.5

• Seahawks -7.5

• Raiders -3

I've listed six games this week, as the public is pounding all of those teams. Predictably, most (4) are road favorites.

Oh, and our weekly fantasy football contest has returned. It's like DFS, but weekly and free, and there are cash prizes! There's no reason not to enter, and you can submit up to five lineups per week! Click the link here for our new Weekly Fantasy Football Contest!

LOS ANGELES OFFENSE: Jared Goff has gotten lots of praise for his play this season, but it has really been his terrific coaching staff, stout offensive line and strong running game that have carried him. I can't even imagine how good the Rams would be right now if Carson Wentz were their quarterback. That's how much of a disparity there happens to be between the two signal-callers from the 2016 NFL Draft.

Goff should have a decent performance in this contest, as his blockers will shield him from the New York pass-rushers. Olivier Vernon has a chance to return - he called himself "day to day" - but there's no guarantee that he'd accomplish anything against exceptional left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Jason Pierre-Paul, meanwhile, isn't having a great year, and he seems to have an even matchup versus right tackle Rob Havenstein.

Goff should have plenty of time in the pocket, but he won't be able to connect with Sammy Watkins, who will be blanketed by Janoris Jenkins. Of course, this is nothing new, as Watkins has been a non-factor since his crazy Thursday night performance versus the 49ers. Instead, tight ends Gerald Everett and Tyler "Eleanor" Higbee (sorry, couldn't resist the Berman-ism) figure to do lots of damage, as New York's terrible linebackers can't cover tight ends. They'll have trouble versus Todd Gurley as a receiver out of the backfield as well.

NEW YORK OFFENSE: While the Rams have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, the Giants have a terrible blocking unit. They have two viable linemen. One is Justin Pugh, who is playing out of position; he's at right tackle when he should be stationed at guard, and he's struggling as a result. The second is Weston Richburg, who is injured.

This definitely does not bode well against the Rams, who have a prolific front. Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers will be unblockable, while Robert Quinn, who has struggled this year, could finally wake up because of his matchup against Ereck Flowers.

It's going to be difficult for the Giants to accomplish anything against the Rams. Eli Manning won't have much time in the pocket, and I don't see Evan Engram having a big game because the Rams cover tight ends well. Sterling Shepard will be back in the lineup, but how much does that really matter? Meanwhile, Orleans Darkwa will be battling a defense that just bottled up Adrian Peterson and the Cardinals to 21 rushing yards.

RECAP: This isn't the best spot for the Rams, as they have to play an early game on the East Coast. If that sounds trivial, consider that teams are 2-7 against the spread in these situations this year.

That said, I still think the Rams could cover. They're the better team, by far, and they match up extremely well versus the Giants. I could see them beginning the game sluggishly and then pulling away in the second half once they wake up.

I won't be betting this game, as this spread matches the exact line I made (-3.5), but I will be picking the Rams to cover.


The Psychology. Edge: Giants.

It's possible that the Rams, praised throughout their bye for destroying the Cardinals and Jaguars, could overlook the Giants with some tougher opponents coming up (Deshaun Watson, Vikings, Saints).


The Vegas. Edge: Giants.

A good lean on the Rams.

• Percentage of money on Los Angeles: 73% (1,000 bets)
  
  
  The Trends. Edge: Giants.

• Eli Manning is 42-32 ATS as an underdog since 2007.

• Opening Line: Rams -4.

• Opening Total: 43.5.

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  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/predictions-every-nfl-game-week-9-2017
  
  

 

[551staaa]

Florio’s take: Seattle keeps getting better and better, and eventually they’ll be locking up the No. 1 seed in the conference.

As a wild card? How does that work?

 

[Prime Time]

Goff should have plenty of time in the pocket, but he won't be able to connect with Sammy Watkins, who will be blanketed by Janoris Jenkins.

Obviously written before the suspension.

While the Rams have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL

Who would have ever thought this to be the case during the offseason?

 

[DaveFan'51]

I predicted last week Florio would lose more ground to MDS and he did! More of the same this week, Florio Loses again!! :rolllaugh:

I have to go change my pick on the Houston Indy game after the Texans Lost there QB today for the Season!