NFL: Wide Open in Week 6/Week 7 Lookahead

The NFL will give us weeks that are not as eventful, but in the NFL, I think it can be said that there is no one team that is running the league. Everything is up for grabs.

Week 6 Recap

• Giants Thump Eagles – Well, the Eagles have not been dominant for a while, but going to NY and getting pushed around by the rookie RB Cam Skattebo was a bit of a surprise. Skattebo ran for 98 yards, but it was 3 rushing TDs for the rook that got them the 34-17 win.
• Seahawks Back in Win Column – After a shoutout at home last week, the Seahawks came in throwing as WR Jaxson Smith-Ngiba went off with 162 yards receiving and a TD. Even though the Jags held them scoreless the final 25 minutes, they couldn’t get back on top. SEA won, 20-12.
• Bucs Move to 5-1 – The Miracle Bucs finally got to do the victory formation on the year, as they controlled the game against the banged up 49ers (who lost LB Fred Warner for the year). With the 30-19 win, Bucs are a sneaky potential 1 Seed in the weaker NFC South.
• Chiefs May Be The Team – The Lions seemed like the best team going in, but it was the Chiefs who played physical in limiting DET to under 100 yards rushing and only 203 passing in the 30-17 victory.
• Falcons Run Over Bills – The Score was not even indicative of the domination – 210 rushing, 250 passing yards on the game (RB Bijan Robinson had 238 of those yards himself) – plus 4 sacks of QB Josh Allen. The Falcons nearly scored at the end of the 1st half to stretch the lead to 28-7, but the TD was reversed. It took ATL a late FG to ice the game in the 4th for the 24-14 win over the once undefeated Bills (2 weeks ago).

Predictions – S/U 2-2, ATS 3-1, Totals 1-3 – all Unders this week

Fantasy Football – Waiver Wire

More key injuries – WR Emeka Egbuka, TB (Hamstring), WR Puka Nacua, LAR (Ankle), WR Marvin Harrison, AZ (Concussion), WR Quentin Johnson, LAC (Hamstring), QB Kyler Murray, AZ (Foot), TE David Njoku, CLE (Knee).

We know now that RB Kimani Vidal, LAC is the guy if you picked him up last week, as recommended. In AZ, RB Michael Carter is the between the 20s guy, but see below for the Red Zone guy.

• QB Jacoby Brissett, AZ (4% Rostered) – He was good in IND, and he is a pro. You will not get super high production, but he ran the offense very well. He plays GB, but if you are desperate.
• RB Zonovan Knight, AZ (12% Rostered) – Bam Knight is the thumper for AZ in short yardage and the Red Zone. He may get more run vs. GB with that good D.
• WR Tez Johnson, TB (3% Rostered) – With Egbuka not 100%, Baker has to throw to someone, why not the other rookie? He made a huge catch on Sunday, so could be a guy vs. DET that can get some looks.
• WR Luke McCaffrey, WAS (36% Rostered) – He has been great in Scary Terry’s absence with another TD on MNF. He can be plugged in as a WR3 or Flex.
• TE Harold Fannin, CLE (32% Rostered) – If you dropped him (like I did), then pick him up again. He stepped up immediately with Njoku out and Gabriel needs the safety blanket.

Wegs Index After Week 6

Some movement at the top and along the way with the results.

1. Colts 5-1 (5.67) – Avoided a scare, and 19th in Yards Against is concerning long term.
2. Lions 4-2 (8.00) – Took a hit on SNF, as they are game script dependent.
3. Rams 4-2 (8.50) – Seem to play to their level of competition.
4. Seahawks 4-2 (8.67) – Points Against are 6th while Yards Against is 13th – interesting.
5. Packers 3-1-1 (8.83) – The Pack are on the way up again after the win over CIN – Top 10 in all categories by TO Margin (15th with -1).
6. Chiefs 3-3 (9.00) – The Chiefs are getting more balanced each week – now Top 9 in both Offensive categories.

Week 7 Key Matchups

Byes: Bills, Ravens

• Colts at Chargers (-1.5, 48.5 Total) – Sunday, October 19th at 3:05 PM Central on CBS – The Colts already played in Sofi vs. the Rams, so they know the trip. The Chargers do not really have a home field advantage, but it will be nice for them to be home. The injuries are mounting for LA, but their D is as good as the Colts have faced. So, I’m not a believer in the Colts still, so I’ll give the Chargers the Win, Cover -1.5, Total Under 48.5.
• Falcons at 49ers (-2.5, 47.5 Total) – Sunday, October 19th at 7:20 PM Central on NBC – The 49ers are so banged up – no Warner, Bosa on D – who knows who will start on O for SF. The wrong team is favored here. ATL will come in and run the ball down the throw of the 49ers. Maybe people didn’t see the MNF game – the D has played really well, too. I like them to win, Cover +2.5, Total Over 47.5.
• Bucs at Lions (-5.5, 53.5 Total) – Monday, October 20th at 6 PM Central on ABC/ESPN – The Bucs are not going to let the Lions run the ball like they like to do. So, can QB Jared Goff throw the ball against this blitzing team? Not sure, I definitely think the line is off here. The Bucs are just playing with too much juice to be catching 5.5, so DET may win this game, as they need to avoid losing 2 straight, but they will not cover – TB Covers +5.5, Total Under 53.5.
• Texans at Seahawks (-3.5, 41 Total) – Monday, October 20th at 9 PM Central on ESPN – So, how good is the HOU D? We will find out. The Seahawks O has been humming for the most part, and their D has been touted. Yet, HOU has a real D – 12.2 PPG. I like SEA to win, but laying -3.5 against this D off the Bye is dangerous. HOU Covers +3.5, Total Under 41. It should be a tough defensive battle.

Another fun week.

Wegs