NFL: No One Was Safe in Week 6/Week 7 Preview

You really can’t trust anyone in any given week – ask the Survivor Pool players.

Week 6 Recap

• Broncos Edge Out SEA – It was not pretty, and the numbers really are not kind, however the Broncos win again. The Seahawks are left looking for answers again, as the TOs are a big problem for this team. In the end, DEN moves to 4-2 with the 17-14 win on TNF.
• Texans Never Die – The Jags may remember this game – in London adjusted to time taking on the 1-4 Texans could have moved to a 90% chance to win the AFC South. Give HOU credit, they moved the ball at will against the Jags and put up 34 points in their 34-31 victory. The win moves HOU to 2-1 in the AFC South tied with the Jags now 0-1 in the division. Still breathing.
• Remember the Titans – The Colts ran out to an easy lead, but ran out of gas, as the Titans dominated the 2nd half outscoring IND 26-7 for their first win on the year – much to the chagrin of Circa Survivor participants – 26-20 – in spite of QB Cam Ward’s 102 yards passing in the game.
• Bears Light Up ATL – QB Caleb Williams was back, and the O responded with 31 points through 3 Quarters. However, they let the Falcons come back to within one score, but that is how the Bears are this year. CHI won 31-23.
• Bills Continue to Score – The Bills O with Josh Allen at the helm is a wrecking crew, especially indoors. The only issue with BUF, they can’t stop anyone – the Raiders kept it close, but could not get the onside kick late to have a chance to win – BUF won 33-30.
• Cardinals Love Sofi – The opener at Sofi against the Chargers was a shocker, but more so, as AZ had not been super competitive after that win. No worries, in Sofi again, the Cardinals played the Rams tough all afternoon. In fact, they led late, but the Rams scored the go ahead TD – over right? Wrong, AZ moved into FG range to kick a GW FG (never scoring a TD) 18-16 – the Rams move to 2-4 and searching for answers – AZ is now 2-0 in Sofi, while the Chargers and Rams are 1-5 collectively.
• Packers Stay Hot – Maybe it took a little time to get going, but watch out for The Pack – QB Jordan Love is throwing dimes (even with his WRs drop them) – DAL had no answer and more importantly, the GB D held down the mighty Cowboys to 13 points (which included a garbage time TD late). GB moved to 4-2 with the 23-13 win.

Predictions: S/U 3-2; ATS 3-2; Totals 1-4 (The Hurts injury really changed that game, but my totals were way off this week).

Fantasy Football – Waiver Wire

The injuries keep coming with QB Jalen Hurts (out for the year – blood clots), WR Davante Adams (out 6-10 weeks – hamstring), WR Terry McClarin (knee) and WR Mike Evans (calf/Achilles).

• QB JJ McCarthy, NYG (5% Rostered) – I’ve been a naysayer, but he certainly played well in relief of Jameis Winston – 243 yards in the 4th Quarter? Maybe he figured some things out. They are in contention with some weapons.
• QB Tanner McKee, PHI (10% Rostered) – You may not love the Philly prospects, but the next 3 games are against DAL, WAS, NYG – all 26th or worse against the pass – he will have the job with Hurts out. You could do worse.
• RB Kendre Miller, NO (54% Rostered) – Kamara scored more points, but Miller got 20 carries in the game. He is the main back, plus Kamara got a little dinged up during the game.
• RB Pierre Strong, GB (1% Rostered) – Strong looked much better than Lloyd on SNF – he catches the ball well. Jacobs will be back, but Strong should be the 3rd down back going forward.
• WR Germie Bernard, PIT (76% Rostered) – He popped into the Roman Wilson role, and Rodgers trusts him. You have to like him in a PPR league. He had a crazy 12 targets – 11 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD (2nd week with 80+ yards).
• WR Omar Cooper, NYJ (12% Rostered) – Cooper came off the IR and lit it up on Sunday – 7 targets, 6 catches, 103 yards, 1 TD. He is a great WR2 for the Jets and maybe a WR3 for you.

Wegs Index After Week 6

1. Chiefs 5-0 (3.33 Index) – The Chiefs are back to the Priest Holmes days with Kenneth Walker being an MVP candidate. That rushing attack helps the D and opens up the passing game.
2. 49ers 6-0 (6.50) – The O continues to throttle opponents, and despite the injuries, the D is in the Top 5 of both Yards Against and Points Per Game.
3. Jags 4-2 (8.50) – The two performances in London were nothing to write home about. The O has been good, but the D seems to be struggling against good passing attacks.
4. Bears 4-2 (9.00) – The Bears with Caleb can carry the team, even if the D continues to be a concern.
5. Vikings 5-0 (9.33) – The Vikes got to sit out. If they can find a way to score, then they will get to the top. However, 27th in Yards Per Game will haunt them against high powered offenses.

Key Matchups in Week 7

Byes: Bills, Chargers, Commanders, Jags

• Patriots at Bears (-3, 50.5 Total) – Thursday, 10/22 at 7:15 PM Central on Amazon – Here we go. Another quality matchup on TNF. The Bears have the Ice Man back, and that matters. The Pats have been playing better, but they continue to turn the ball over. The opener was -2.5, which I loved the Bears. Now it is -3, a more fair number. The favorites have been getting killed in Primetime this season. So, I’m nervous to lay the number. Still, I’ll say, Bears win, Cover -3, Total Under 50.5.
• Bengals at Ravens (-3, 51 Total) – Sunday, 10/25 at 12 Noon Central on CBS – The Bengals take a week off and find themselves in the basement of the AFC North (all 4 teams are over .500). The Ravens lost a tough one at CLE. So, both teams need this game (both 0-1in the division). QB Lamar Jackson should play this week, but watch the practice reports. I think this is a must win for the Bengals, even more than the Ravens. Yes, it is a home game for BAL, but they have more talent on both sides than CIN. So, I like the Bengals to be competitive here. The line will likely go up if Jackson is ruled the starter, so I’ll say CIN wins, Covers +3 (wait for a better number late in the week – already moved to +3), Total Over 51.
• Bucs at the Panthers (-3.5, 44.5 Total) – Sunday, 10/25 at 12 Noon Central on FOX – The Panthers have a chance to take a stranglehold on the NFC South here. The Bucs are playing better, but they come in at 1-5 – it is a must win. QB Baker Mayfield is going to practice this week, which does not guarantee him playing. I think the Panthers are a better team with a better coach. I still think TB will muddy up the game. They need Baker to stretch the field in this one, as that is the weakness of CAR. CAR wins, CAR -3.5, Total Under 44.5.
• Packers at Lions (-3, 53.5 Total) – Sunday, 10/25 at 3:25 PM Central on FOX – The NFC North is loaded this year. We have yet another huge matchup in the division. The Pack are playing at an incredible level, so DET needs to show me something here. The line is off here. DET should not be a -3 favorite, to me -1, -1.5 is the right line. So, the value is on GB. Now, they can’t run the ball at all, but Jacobs will come back with a fury. I think GB wins outright here, Cover +3, Total Under 53.5 – the GB D is underrated in this matchup – maybe a trap game for GB with DET off the bye, but DET can prove me wrong.
• Chiefs at Seahawks (-2.5, 42.5 Total) – Sunday, 10/25 at 7:20 PM Central on NBC – The Champs need to find themselves, as the Chiefs bring back the SB MVP to SEA. You have to figure his former teammates want to show him they really miss him. KC is the better team at this stage, but if Darnold can play a clean game, then the SEA D can slow this KC attack. I understand the line, but money will go in on KC to bring it down, so if you like KC – bet it now. The Chiefs will not go undefeated, so this game makes sense that they lose – SEA wins, but SEA Covers -2.5, Total Under 42.5.

Let the good times roll.

Wegs