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Joe’s NFL Picks, Week 1: Are You Ready For Some Football? Chiefs and Patriots in a nail-biter – PLUS – NFC East grudge matches.

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Picking the winners and losers of 2017 week 1 in the NFL.
NFL weekly picks: 2017, week 1

Are You Ready For Some Football? The Chaos of Week 1 in the NFL. Lots of changes around the league. Are we saved now that football season is finally kicking off? The answer is yes – in a lot of ways. I will stand. I will salute. The return of Bocephus!

Grab your foam fingers (except you, Miley), here we go:

Thursday Night Game:

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots (-9.5)
The NFL Season Opener serves us up a classic nail-biter. The Chiefs are strong, but the Patriots are stronger – especially in Foxborough.
Patriots 21, Chiefs 20

Sunday Games:

Hurricane Irma and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins (CAT 5)
Mother nature dominates so strongly that both teams flee for safety, and live to fight another day.
Irma 1, NFL/Mankind 0

New York Jets (+9) at Buffalo Bills
Tank-fest 2017.
Bills 20, Jets 14

Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears (+7)
I think the Falcons are still pissed. And the Bears are not ready.
Falcons 42, Bears 22

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-3)
A close and ugly game. Joe Mixon beats expectations and runs for over 100 yards.
Bengals 24, Ravens 20

Pittsburgh Steelers (-9.5) at Cleveland Browns
Steelers have a talent and experience surplus. The Browns have a lot of youth and raw talent. We know what wins here.
Steelers 35, Browns 17

Arizona Cardinals (-1.5) at Detroit Lions
Remember when Arizona came out flat last year and stayed flat? I do too. Carson Palmer’s arm falls off.
Lions 34, Cardinals 14

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-6)
The Houston Flood extinguishes the Jacksonville Dumpster Fire.
Texans 31, Jaguars 21

Oakland Raiders (+1.5) at Tennessee Titans
A tough and close game. Oakland should take this one, but they are not polished enough yet on defense. The Titans pound out a win.
Titans 28, Raiders 27

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins (+1)
In this NFC East slugfest, the Eagles come out strong to start the season once again. Redskins drama persists.
Eagles 24, Redskins 21

Indianapolis Colts (+4) at Los Angeles Rams
No Luck for the Colts in week one. Goff gets a win. Sammy Watkins hurts his foot again.
Rams 28, Colts 10

Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers (-3)
The Seahawks show off their upgraded defensive line by mashing the Packers. Aaron Rodgers’ mustache gets its own endorsement deal. By week nine Rodgers will join ZZ Top.
Seahawks 35, Packers 27

Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers (+6)
Kyle Shanahan might be a good offensive coach, but the players play the game. Carolina shows what a talented roster can do to the undermanned.
Panthers 31, 49ers 17

New York Giants (+3.5) at Dallas Cowboys
The Giants beat the Cowboys twice last year, and the ‘Boys haven’t forgotten that. Ezekiel Elliot gets to play this game before his suspension – and he’ll be looking to lay down strong dibs on that starting job.
Cowboys 31, Giants 28

Monday Night Games:

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL??!? BOCEPHUS IS BACK!

New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings (-3)
The Saints roll into the Purple Stadium and roll out with a “W”. Adrian ‘All Day’ Peterson runs for 150 yards.
Saints 26, Vikings 20

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos (-3.5)
Philip Rivers puts on a show of how to beat Denver at Denver (like he has many times before). Keenan Allen makes some plays, Antonio Gates gets two touchdowns. Broncos Defense scores two touchdowns as well. John Elway wishes he’d actually brought in a better quarterback rather than standing pat.
Chargers 31, Broncos 24

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Joe’s NFL Picks, Week 15: Chiefs and Raiders in OT, Ravens fly high in Detroit

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Picking the winners and losers of week 15 in the NFL.

Last Week: 13-3.  Season: 78-52-1 (60.00%).

NFL weekly picks: 2013, week 15
NFL weekly picks: 2013, week 15

Do we want more snow games? Is Tom Brady on a mission – Gronk or no Gronk? Is the NFL the most addictive drama on television?

The answer is yes, yes and yes. December football in the NFL never disappoints!

Grab your foam fingers, here we go:

Thursday Night Game:

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos (-6.5)
Unless Manning’s throwing arm falls off due to overuse, then I cannot pick against Denver. Especially at home.
Broncos 41, Chargers 38

Sunday Games:

Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
This reminds me of the 1987 KU-KSU game (aka the ‘Toilet Bowl’). Seriously, both of these teams have really stunk it up this year compared to lofty expectations. If RGIII were starting, I would pick the Falcons – but I think giving Kirk Cousins the reins for the rest of the year is an excellent move. Gimme the ‘skins on the road.
Redskins 31, Falcons 24

Chicago Bears (-1.5) at Cleveland Browns
I know it was Ditka night at Soldier Field on MNF last week, but DAY-UMM those Bears lit up the scoreboard in the freezing cold. Josh McCown is having a heyday running Trestman’s offense to perfection. Alshon Jeffries is a B-E-A-S-T. Look out Cleveland; the Monsters of the Midway are coming for you.
Bears 42, Browns 28

Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (-1)
I’m supposed to pick the Titans at home here but I can’t. The stuff they’re cookin’ up in the desert is pretty spicy and I think it travels well this week.
Cardinals 32, Titans 28

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (PK)
The Tailspin Texans stand to gain more by losing here (in draft position) than they do by winning. Factor in Kubiak’s firing and the QB woes and I wouldn’t bet a dime on them going into Indy and posting a ‘W’. Reluctantly, I will take the Colts at home.
Colts 30, Texans 20

New Orleans Saints (-1.5) at St. Louis Rams
‘Dem Saints on the road aren’t as good as ‘Dem Saints in N’awlens. I believe the Saints will get caught napping by a spoiler-minded Rams team. I expect some ‘Punch-in-the-mouth’ football. POW!
Rams 35, Saints 24

New England Patriots (-2) at Miami Dolphins
No Gronk? No Problem. The Patriots won all season without him anyway! Time to dust off Kembrell Thompkins. I sense a Brady Super-Bowl push this year – in a big way. Tom Brady wants to add to his legacy and make an argument for G.O.A.T. status. Look out ‘fins.
Patriots 38, Dolphins 21

Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings (-3.5)
The Eagles will be tough to beat this week as the face a beat-up and very suspect Vikings defense. Factor in no Adrian Peterson and it could get UGLY.
Eagles 37, Vikings 20

Seattle Seahawks (-1) at New York Giants
The Seahawks are supposed to crush this one out of the park. But I start adding things up . . . West Coast team traveling all the way to NY . . Cold weather/Nasty Weather game . . . Road game . . . A proud Giants team looking to smack down the high-flying Seahawks . . . and (my favorite) Eli Manning in December. Sorry Seattle, I’m going with the G-Men on this one.
Giants 49, Seahawks 20

Buffalo Bills (-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags have momentum going now and will be looking to add to it this week in what I believe may be one of the more hotly-contested games played this weekend. The things have me picking the Bills this week: (1) that wicked front 7 of the Buffalo defense, and (2) no one is overlooking the Jaguars now.
Bills 35, Jaguars 23

San Francisco 49ers (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A focused San Fran team is rolling into Tampa Bay with the playoffs in mind. The defense that the 49ers field will be giving Mike Glennon nightmares for years to come. Duck and cover kid, duck and cover.
49ers 24, Buccaneers 7

New York Jets at Carolina Panthers (-3)
The Jets have fooled me for the last time this year. Cam and the Panthers at home will be too tough for the bi-polar Jets to beat. Getcha Nyquil.
Panthers 27, Jets 7

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders (PK)
The Chiefs shook off some doubts with last week’s drubbing on the tail-spun Redskins, and this rivalry is always a heated one. I’m expecting a classic battle with the Chiefs edging the Raiders in OT.
Chiefs 30, Raiders 27

Green Bay Packers (-1) at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys will be looking to right the ship after the trip to the Soldier Field woodshed on Monday Night Football last week. Needless to say, the Pack won’t be back until Aaron Rodgers is back.
Cowboys 38, Packers16

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5)
The Bengals will face a nasty battle in Pittsburgh. After last week’s nail-biter, Pittsburgh will be looking to put things back on track. Look for the Steelers to hold serve much like the Bears did on Monday Night Football. Bonus points if Pittsburgh can honor a legendary coach at halftime.
Steelers 34, Bengals 24

Monday Night Game:

Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions (PK)
I can’t figure out the Detroit Lions. They’re like a more talented version of the Jets. If there is any team in the league that you look at and think “Why aren’t they winning damn near every week?!” then the obvious choice is Detroit. A proud Baltimore team will look to come in and trip up a bumbling Lions franchise. To me it was a coin flip, but after Elam said the Megatron is old? Wow, I have to go with the Lions now.
Lions 41, Ravens 30

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Joe’s NFL Picks, Week 9: Chiefs Go 9-0, Cowboys, Bears Win

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Picking the winners and losers of week 9 in the NFL.NFL 2013 Week 9 Match-Ups and Predictions

Last Week: 10-3.  Season: 29-14 (67%).

Week 9 in the NFL! The start of the stretch run toward the postseason. A lot of close battles will take place this week in some great match-ups.

Will the Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated for another week? Can the Texans turn it around? Let’s take a look.

Thursday Game:

Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins (-1)
Cincinnati is red hot. Their defense has been strong all season, and now with the added deep threat that Jones brings, it is ‘pick your poison’ for opposing defensive coordinators. Miami is struggling and will continue to. Give me the Bengals in a close one.
Bengals 28, Dolphins 21

Sunday Games:

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills (-1.5)
Halloween? Call the Ghostbusters! Kansas City has been dispelling a lot of ghosts this season, and their 26 year losing streak in Buffalo is next up. Buffalo is tough and scrappy and this will be a very physical game. Buffalo’s DL is going to cause problems for KC. Good thing Andy Reid can scheme for that.
Chiefs 24, Bills 17

San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins (-3.5)
AFC West vs NFC East? Hmmm. Yes, I think I know how this one goes. The Chargers are playing excellent football, and the Redskins (as usual), have problems. I think the Redskins will start winning again when they finally change their name to the Washington Bravehearts.
Chargers 34, Redskins 21

Atlanta Falcons (-1) at Carolina Panthers
The Falcons are in free fall. Injuries have stacked up and morale is down. Carolina is playing well and will be tough to beat at home. Give me the Panthers at home.
Panthers 23, Falcons 20

Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys (-1.5)
The Vikings QB situation is reminiscent of last year’s Chiefs. It is a debilitating distraction with no good options. Dallas is looking to make a statement. This is where they speak up.
Cowboys 30, Vikings 10

Tennessee Titans at St. Louis Rams (-4.5)
The Rams are strong up front and they need their skill positions to hold up their end of the bargain. Expect a close one with the home team managing to eke out a ‘W’.
Rams 20, Titans 16

New Orleans Saints (-1.5) at New York Jets
The Saints have no business even making this game a close one. The J-E-T-S are a disaster.
Saints 42, Jets 14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks (-7)
Seattle is a monster. They are an even bigger monster at home. The Bucs have leadership issues with the lame-duck Schiano. Also, morale can’t be very high for this team.
Seahawks 28, Buccaneers 21

Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5) at Oakland Raiders
Another AFC West team, another NFC East team. Chip Kelly’s Eagles are going to get swallowed in the Black Hole.
Raiders 34, Eagles 17

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots (-4)
Belichik has been talking up the Steelers, which is an old Lou Holtz trick. He’s pulling out all the stops because his start QB has a fat hand, the receiving core is maligned and the defense has experienced significant losses. The Pats win if the can keep Le’Veon Bell from putting cleat marks all over them. Hopefully the new DT they picked up can plug the hole left by Wilfork’s absence. I’ll take the home team. There’s still some magic left in Foxborough.
Patriots 30, Steelers 28

Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) at Cleveland Browns
Which Ravens team is going to show up on the road? My gut tells me the defending Super Bowl Champs will come in and pound Cleveland. Just because they are supposed to.
Ravens 24, Browns 17

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (-4.5)
Hello trap game, it’s been a long time. Houston is sick (x3) of losing, and Case Keenum gets his first home start. I sense a lot of emotion will be coming from the Texans. Keenum either wins this one or Houston fans can start looking forward to the Johnny Manziel era (which may actually be coming to Dallas if Romo can’t earn his paycheck in the playoffs this year).
Texans 31, Colts 17

Monday Night Game:

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (-4)
Finally, a MNF game worth watching! Da Bears. Da Packers. Green Bay is shallow in the receiving department and will miss Clay Matthews on Monday night. I’ll take the flying Ditkas on the road.
Bears 31, Packers 28

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Joe’s NFL Picks, Week 8: Chiefs Go 8-0, 3 Upsets: Raiders, Jets, Redskins

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NFL Week 8 Predictions

Welcome to the Chief's Kingdom

Picking the winners and losers of week 8 in the NFL.

Last Week: 11-4.  Season: 19-11 (63%).

Ah, week 8 in the NFL. Teams are finding their identity and establishing their playoff credentials. Let’s take a look:

Thursday Game:

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5)
I’ll take the Panthers on the road. Cam Newton is playing well. Also: The Bucs are hapless.
Panthers 28, Buccaneers 13

Sunday Games:

Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions (-1)
“Getcha Popcorn” for Megatron and Dez Bryant: The Showdown. This game has the makings of a potential classic. Dallas is on a roll and the Lions are desperate and dangerous. Nobody puts baby in a corner. Give me the Lions in a nail-biter.
Lions 31,  Cowboys 30


Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Arrowhead Stadium for today’s game . . . First, In this Corner . . . The Snake-bit Challenger . . . Weighing in at over 12,000 lbs . . . Featuring a Nasty Defense and a Bumbling Offense run by yet another back-up Quarterback . . . in the Brown Trunks . . The Cleveland Browns!” (Spattering of Boos, Heckling). AND In this corner, weighing in at over 13,250 lbs . . . Sporting a Defense with over 35 sacks in only 7 games . . . In Front of the Loudest and Proudest Stadium of Fans in the World . . . Having been through Hell and Back in the Last Few Years . . . Coached by a rejuvenated Andy Reid . . . In the Red Trunks . . . The Kansas City Chiefs!!!” (THUNDER).
Chiefs 24, Browns 7

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-7)
Miami is a year or three away. Even though the Patriots are a shadow of their former selves, I don’t see the Tom Brady losing this one on Foxborough.
Patriots 31, Dolphins 17

Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints (-6.5)
I like how Buffalo has been playing lately, but it is too much to ask of them to go into New Orleans and get a ‘W’. Too much Brees, too much Payton . . . and possibly too much fun on Bourbon Street the night before the game for the visiting Bills players.
Saints 30, Bills 21

San Francisco 49ers (-10.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars [London, England]
One of these weeks the Jaguars are going to rise up and win a game. I don’t think that this is the week.
49s 28, Jaguars 9

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (PK)
“Dear Magic 8 Ball: Is this the game where the fraying around Chip Kelly’s security blanket takes a severe uptick? Could Eli Manning and the Giants be really, really tired of losing?” Giants 34, Eagles 13

Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5) at Oakland Raiders
Yes, the Steelers beat the Ravens last week and look much better. But that was last week. Welcome to Oakland, CA. Welcome to the Black Hole. Worse? The whipping boy of the AFC West is going to take you to the woodshed. Dig ya’ll lock your doors?
Raiders 24, Steelers 17

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals (-4.5)
Cincinnati’s defense is way too good to let them lose this game in front of the home crowd, right? I mean, Andy Dalton can just throw the ball to AJ Green for an 80 yard touchdown every time, right? This Jets team isn’t that scrappy, is it??!!??
Jets 27, Bengals 21

Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos (-6)
Every time my neck hurts, I think of how Peyton Manning’s neck must hurt – especially after 4 surgeries and a few vicious hits by Robert Mathis last week. Ankle my foot. Every time my knee hurts, I think about how much better RGIII’s knee must feel than mine does. Also, I remember being 37 recently. More vivid are my days as an invincible 23-year-old.
Redskins 34, Broncos 31

Atlanta Falcons (-4) at Arizona Cardinals
I look for the Falcons to further implode – while, simultaneous – the Cardinals do a wicked impression of a playoff team. Midnight in the desert. For the Falcons.
Cardinals 31, Falcons 20

Green Bay Packers (-1) at Minnesota Vikings
Any Given Sunday. I see pride coming into play here for Jared Allen, Adrian Peterson and the company. Look for a very tough, grind-it-out, punch-em-in-the-mouth game from the Vikings in front of a raucous home crowd.
Vikings 24, Packers 23

Monday Night Game:

Seattle Seahawks (-4) at St. Louis Rams
With a huge disparity in QB play and a margin of talent difference both being in favor of the Seahawks, I’m bailing on the Rams at home. It really is too bad Favre is too old. They actually should have called Tim Tebow. Say what you want, but the guy gets wins.
Seahawks 20, Rams 6

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NFL Week 7 Picks: Chiefs win, Broncos win and an upset in Miami

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NFL Week 7 Predictions

Welcome to the Chief's Kingdom

Picking the winners and losers of week 7 in the NFL. Last Week:8-7. Season 8-7.

Once more into the fray:

Thursday Game:

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
I’ll take the Seahawks on the road. Pete Carroll has them playing very strong..
Seahawks 28, Cardinals 17

Sunday Games:

St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers
Rams really showed up last week versus Houston. Are they that good? I’ll take the Panthers at home.
Panthers 24,  Rams 17

San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Phillip Rivers is focused and Antonio Gates is back. The wideouts are talented and the running game eats clock. I’m even more impressed with their defense. The Jags will win a game this year. I don’t see it being this one.
Chargers 34, Jaguars 21

Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions
A second straight road game after the surprising overtime game in Buffalo? I’ll take the home team.
Lions 24, Bengals 20

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
I picking an upset here. Buffalo will win in Miami.
Bills 34, Dolphins 28

New England Patriots at New York Jets
Tom Brady and no receivers VERSUS Geno Smith and no receivers? I don’t care if this is being played on the Moon. Gimme the Pats.
Patriots 38, Jets 24

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas is playing strong. Jerry Jones will smack Chip Kelly with his wallet.
Cowboys 35, Eagles 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
If the Falcons can’t eke this one out at home, then they might as well trade Tony Gonzalez back to the Chiefs.
Falcons 24, Buccaneers 16

Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins
Chicago is still figuring out their offensive timing – while winning. The Redskins are snakebit. Da Bears.
Bears 31, Redskins 21

San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans
Tennessee is tough. Under Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers win tough games. Even on the road. It doesn’t hurt that Vernon Davis is back and rocking.
49ers 20, Titans 10

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
Houston is having horrible QB issues. Their team is lost. That isn’t going to improve at Arrowhead in front of the loudest (137.5 decibels) crowd and facing the extremely awesome defense of the Kansas City Chiefs. I predict a flyover, lots of great BBQ, and another 10-sack game. I think the ghost of Derrick Thomas will be there as well. Go Chiefs!
Chiefs 23, Texans 10

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore is inconsistent. Pittsburgh is starting to get its groove back. I’ll take the home team in a smash-mouth affair.
Steelers 28, Ravens 21

Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers
Cleveland still doesn’t believe they are in a lost season after trading T-Rich. Green Bay will help remind them. I hope it snows for this one.
Packers 36, Browns 17

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning wants this one. I know Luck does too, but Manning has a better supporting cast. Gimme the old pro in his best season returning home.
Broncos 49, Colts 34

Monday Night Game:

Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Someone is going to win this one. I’ll take the Giants at home. Poor ESPN.
Giants 28, Vikings 13

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