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| If only Cam Newton had as short of a memory as his critics do. |
Apologies for getting the picks out so late this week. But don't worry, I've made up for it with plenty of media/society/quarterback rants.
Last Week: 5-7-1
Regular Season: 46-55-3
Washington Redskins at Pittsburgh Steelers
It says something about today's sports media (and perhaps our society in general) that last year's Super Bowl MVP staged yet another late game-winning drive, and the story after the game was "how great did Robert Griffin look?" Sometimes we're so focused on finding the next great thing, we don't enjoy what is right in front of our faces. I can't wait for next year when the Redskins beat the Cardinals and Chris Berman says "solid win for R3, but how great was Geno Smith!" By the way, the Steelers are going to look great in this game.
The Pick: Steelers (-4)
Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears
It intrigues me to watch the media adore Griffin and slam Cam Newton, and justify it with statements like "and to be clear, RG3 and Cam are VERY DIFFERENT PLAYERS." Has everyone forgotten how good Newton was last year, and how much they loved him? He shattered the rookie passing record. He received 47 of 50 Rookie of the Year votes. His peers voted him the 40th best player in the league on the NFL Top 100. And yet, this week I heard an analyst suggest that the Panthers may have to move on from Newton next year. Cam didn't deserve all the praise he got last season, but now the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction.
The Pick: Panthers (+7)
Read my Pro Football Focus preview of this game here. And here is my story of my trip to the NFL's first London game back in 2007. I can't stand those who bash this event with statements like, "this is a waste of time, Europeans don't care about football." Thank goodness the founding NFL owners didn't take the same attitude when they started a football league in a time when baseball was king.
The Pick: Patriots (-7)
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Who is having a better rookie season, Griffin or Andrew Luck? My favorite article of the week explains why the debate isn't as lopsided as you'd think.
The Pick: Colts (+3)
The Pick: Colts (+3)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Green Bay Packers
I found it poetic that when Blaine Gabbert was finally putting together a great game (110 passing yards and one touchdown in the 1st quarter), he was knocked out with an injury. And then Chad Henne, who many expected to take Gabbert's starting spot this season, squandered a 14-point lead. The Jaguars QB battle looks like a true war of attrition.
The Pick: Packers (-14.5)
The Pick: Packers (-14.5)
San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns
The last time we saw the Chargers, they were walking off the field after blowing a 24-point lead to Peyton Manning. If San Diego loses a game like this, then Denver could sleepwalk to the AFC West title.
The Pick: Chargers (-3)
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles
After watching Andy Reid fire Juan Castillo before the bye, perhaps Michael Vick realizes that he is playing for his job this week.
The Pick: Eagles (-3)
The Pick: Eagles (-3)
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions
Seattle may be the only secondary with cornerbacks as physically-gifted as Calvin Johnson. Optimus Prime vs Megatron should be a fun matchup to watch.
The Pick: Seahawks (+2.5)
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
Cameron Wake destroyed Jets' right tackle Austin Howard when these two teams played in Week 3. Our new PFF feature, Beatdown Watch, predicts that things won't be much different this time around.
The Pick: Dolphins (+1)
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
The Giants have never lost in Cowboys Stadium. But the defending champion had never lost an opening Thursday Night game until Dallas knocked off New York in Week 1. The Giants will be in an odd position if they lose this game: still in the NFC East lead, but with a 1-3 division record.
The Pick: Giants (-2)
The Pick: Dolphins (+1)
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Zero touchdowns, two interceptions, 4.7 yards per attempt and a 48.1 QB rating. Brady Quinn's first start in three years did not go well. If I were making odds on which team will get the No. 1 pick in the 2013 Draft, Kansas City would be a heavy favorite.
The Pick: Raiders (+1.5)
The Pick: Raiders (+1.5)
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
The Giants have never lost in Cowboys Stadium. But the defending champion had never lost an opening Thursday Night game until Dallas knocked off New York in Week 1. The Giants will be in an odd position if they lose this game: still in the NFC East lead, but with a 1-3 division record.
The Pick: Giants (-2)
New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos
The Saints can't blame Sean Payton's suspension for their awful defense, which is dead-last in the league with 465.5 yards allowed per game. I'm shocked that Steve Spagnuolo has not been able to recapture the success he had with the Giants.
The Pick: Broncos (-7)
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
The biggest mismatch we will see this season is the 49ers' pass rush against the Cardinals' offensive line. Arizona backup QB Ryan Lindley should just start warming up right now.
The Pick: 49ers (-7)
Follow me at @PFF_Pete.
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