- Rams Ratchet it Up - A lot of movement occurred in the past two weeks, and it started when the L.A. Rams asked John Dorsey and the Browns if they'd be willing to trade guard Joel Bitonio for corner Marcus Peters. Cleveland said no, but Dorsey did send backup center Austin Corbett to Los Angeles for a draft pick. Following that deal, Les Snead sent Peters to Baltimore for Baltimore linebacker Kenny Young and a 2020 fifth-round pick. Les Snead and the Rams didn't stop there. They then pulled off a blockbuster for Jacksonville corner Jalen Ramsey, sending two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to the Jaguars.
- The Trades Continued This Week - Tuesday, the Raiders sent corner Gareon Conley, a former first-round pick, to Houston for a third-round pick. That same day, the Patriots added to their wide receiver room, acquiring Mohamed Sanu from Atlanta for a second-round pick. But the day's trading was only halfway done. The 49ers also added to their receiving corps, acquiring Emmanuel Sanders from the Broncos in exchange for third- and fourth-round picks. Then Detroit made a surprising move by sending starting safety Quandre Diggs to Seattle for a fifth-round pick.
- Who's Next? - There are several notable names on the trading block. Washington tackle Trent Williams, who is holding out, has been subject to trade rumors all season. Reports say that Bruce Allen is refusing to trade him right now, but multiple teams, namely Cleveland, are trying to change Allen's mind. Tampa Bay tight end O.J. Howard has also been rumored to potentially be on the move, as has Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley Jr. There may be more high-profile trades involving corners, as names like Arizona's Patrick Peterson and Denver's Chris Harris Jr. have appeared on the rumor mill as well. There will surely continue to be trade rumblings (and actual trades) all the way up until the 4:00 PM deadline next Tuesday.
Week 7 Superlatives
Best Performance: Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals (27 carries, 126 yards, 3 TD)
The 2018 fourth-rounder out of Fordham filled in for David Johnson, who was held back due to injury, and tore up the New York Giants defense to help propel Arizona to a 27-21 victory.
Best Play: Be Yourself, Unless you can be Eric Ebron
Colts tight end Eric Ebron made an incredible catch in the back of the endzone Sunday against Houston. Although he was originally called out of bounds, replay showed that he somehow got both feet down. The Colts went on to win, 30-20, and take over first place in the AFC South.
Best Quote: "I'm seeing ghosts" - Jets QB Sam Darnold
Apparently (*Googling...*) that kid from The Sixth Sense isn't the only one seeing dead people. Sam Darnold was mic'd up for New York's Monday Night Football game against New England, and he was getting haunted all night by the frightening Patriot defense.
Week 8 Games
Thursday
Redskins @ Vikings
(8:20 PM, FOX/NFL)
Plenty of narratives surround this game. There's the "revenge" narrative (Kirk Cousins, Case Keenum and Adrian Peterson are all playing their former team), the "Kirk Cousins in primetime" narrative, and the "Washington is bad" narrative. The last narrative will overwhelm the others.
Spread: WAS +16.5 O/U: Under 42
Prediction: Vikings 27, Redskins 13
Sunday
Seahawks @ Falcons
(1:00 PM, FOX)
The Seahawks fell to Baltimore last week, but they should bounce back this Sunday in Atlanta. Matt Ryan got hurt last week, so Atlanta might have to start Matt Schaub. It won't matter who starts, because the Falcons are a mess. I wouldn't be surprised if Dan Quinn gets fired on their bye week.
Spread: SEA -3.5 O/U: Under 54
Prediction: Seahawks 32, Falcons 17
Eagles @ Bills
(1:00 PM, FOX)
Speaking of birds, the Eagles will look to bounce back from a Sunday night loss in Dallas when they travel to Buffalo Sunday. This one could go in either team's favor, but I'll ride with the power of the Bills Mafia at home. No one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills.
Spread: BUF -1.5 O/U: Under 43.5
Prediction: Bills 21, Eagles 17
Chargers @ Bears
(1:00 PM, FOX)
Da Bears looked reeeaaaal ugly last Sunday against New Orleans. Luckily for them, they host the Chargers this week. L.A. found a way to lose against Tennessee last week when Melvin Gordon fumbled at the goal line. I think the Bolts will find another way to lose this week in Chicago.
Spread: CHI -4 O/U: Over 41
Prediction: Bears 27, Chargers 20
Giants @ Lions
(1:00 PM, FOX)
After a controversial loss to the Packers, I thought Detroit would bounce back last Sunday at home against the Vikings. I was wrong. But I do think the Lions will bounce back this week, as they host the Giants, who have lost their last three games.
Spread: DET -7 O/U: Over 49.5
Prediction: Lions 30, Giants 21
Buccaneers @ Titans
(1:00 PM, FOX)
The Titans were lucky to escape with a victory last week. This week, they face jittery Jameis Winston and the Bucs. If Jameis plays like he did in London two weeks ago (where he threw five picks), there is no way Tampa wins. I think he'll just barely play well enough to not lose.
Spread: TB +2.5 O/U: Over 45.5
Prediction: Buccaneers 25, Titans 21
Broncos @ Colts
(1:00 PM, CBS)
Joe Flacco looked worse than Matt Moore last Thursday during Denver's loss to the Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Colts overtook first place in the AFC South, and I think they are currently, at worst, the seventh-best team in the NFL. Indianapolis should breeze by the Broncos Sunday.
Spread: IND -5.5 O/U: Under 43
Prediction: Colts 28, Broncos 13
Bengals vs. Rams
(London, 1:00 PM, CBS)
The race for the first overall pick in next year's draft is a heated one, and it might come down to a big Bengals-Dolphins matchup in Week 16. I think winless Cincinnati will keep pace with winless Miami this week, as the Rams should roll in England. Tally-ho!
Spread: LAR -13 O/U: Under 48
Prediction: Rams 31, Bengals 14
Cardinals @ Saints
(1:00 PM, FOX)
Don't look now, but the Cardinals have won three straight to get to .500. Don't look now, but the Saints have won five straight with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback. You can look now. Considering Arizona's three wins came against the Bengals, Falcons and Giants, I'll take New Orleans in this one.
Spread: ARI +10.5 O/U: Over 48
Prediction: Saints 28, Cardinals 21
Jets @ Jaguars
(1:00 PM, CBS)
Hopefully, Sam Darnold won't be seeing as many ghosts when the Jets travel to Jacksonville Sunday. The Jags won last week, but Minshew Mania has faded a bit. There should be more mania surrounding Leonard Fournette, although I think Le'Veon Bell and the Jets will escape with the win.
Spread: NYJ +6.5 O/U: Over 41
Prediction: Jets 24, Jaguars 21
Panthers @ 49ers
(4:05 PM, FOX)
This may be the most compelling contest on the slate. The Panthers have an MVP candidate in Christian McCaffrey, but the undefeated 49ers have a ferocious defense. I've heard that offense wins games but defense wins championships. I think San Francisco's defense wins this game.
Spread: SF -5.5 O/U: Under 42
Prediction: 49ers 24, Panthers 17
Browns @ Patriots
(4:25 PM, CBS)
I enjoyed last week because I didn't have to watch the Browns be the Browns. Alas, they're back this week, and they play the best team in football. I do think Cleveland will make this surprisingly close, but I'm not about to pick against the Patriots.
Spread: CLE +13 O/U: Over 45.5
Prediction: Patriots 31, Browns 23
Raiders @ Texans
(4:25 PM, CBS)
Both Oakland and Houston will be looking for bounce-back performances Sunday. The Texans fought hard, but relinquished first-place in the division to Indy. The Raiders got burnt by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. I'll take host Houston to get back in the win column here.
Spread: OAK +7 O/U: Under 51.5
Prediction: Texans 27, Raiders 24
Packers @ Chiefs
(8:20 PM, NBC)
Apparently, Patrick Mahomes is already back at practice despite a messed-up kneecap, and he has yet to be ruled out for this game. Obviously, his availability will play a key role in the outcome. I'm going to take the safe bet and pick Aaron squared and the Packers.
Spread: GB -3.5 O/U: Over 48
Prediction: Packers 32, Chiefs 24
Monday
Dolphins @ Steelers
(8:15 PM, ESPN)
What a Monday night matchup we have this week! I can't wait to see this quarterback showdown between Devlin Hodges (who is apparently the king of Dave & Buster's) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (who went to Harvard). I'll take the buck/duck hunter over the Ivy League graduate.
Spread: MIA +14 O/U: Over 43
Prediction: Steelers 28, Dolphins 17
Last Week: 11-3 vs. Spread: 7-7 Over/Under: 4-9-1
Season: 63-42-1 vs. Spread: 43-62-1 Over/Under: 44-58-4
My Week 8 Daily Fantasy Lineup
QB: Deshaun Watson, Texans (vs OAK)
Aaron Rodgers tore up the Oakland defense last week, throwing for 429 yards and five touchdowns. Watson, who also has thrown five touchdown passes in a game this season (against Atlanta), gets that defense this week. I also considered Rodgers against Kansas City.
RB: Aaron Jones, Packers (@ KC)
The second-most famous Aaron on the Green Bay offense is having a great year. He has found the endzone in every game but the first one. I think he'll find the endzone again this week against one of the worst rushing defenses in the league. Leonard Fournette vs. the Jets is also a solid option.
RB: Chris Carson, Seahawks (@ ATL)
Carson was quieted by Baltimore last week, but I think he'll bounce back in Atlanta. The Seahawks should be able to run all over the Falcon defense in a game that probably won't be very close. If you can afford him, Saquon Barkley is also a strong choice.
WR: Tyrell Williams, Raiders (@ HOU)
Williams is trending toward returning this week after missing two games due to injury. He has scored a touchdown in each of the four games he has played in. If he returns this week, I can see him getting into the endzone again. If Williams doesn't play, I might go with Courtland Sutton vs. Indy.
WR: John Brown (vs. PHI)
The Philadelphia secondary has been less than stellar this season, setting up a strong matchup for Buffalo's number one receiver. Brown's lowest yard total in a game this season is 51. He'll surpass that this week. With Adam Theilen out, Olabisi Johnson vs. Washington is another consideration.
WR: Kenny Golladay, Lions (vs. NYG)
Detroit's top receiver was almost nonexistent against Minnesota last week, but that's likely an anomaly. Golladay has been targeted at least eight times in each of his other five games this season. Depending on Devante Adam's status, Marquez Valdes-Scantling should get a look vs. the Chiefs.
TE: Austin Hooper, Falcons (vs. SEA)
Although most of the team has been a complete mess this season, Austin Hooper has been a consistent producer for the Falcons. On FanDuel, he has scored double-digit fantasy points in every game but one. I also considered Josh Hill vs. Arizona if Jared Cook is unable to go.
FLEX: Chase Edmonds, Cardinals (@ NO)
Edmonds went off last week, and it appears as though he'll get the bulk of the work again this week, with David Johnson still nursing an injury. If he even comes within the same stratosphere of last week's production, he's a good pick. You could also look at James White vs. Cleveland.
DEF: Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. MIA)
The Pittsburgh defense has been quite strong, aside from its first-week loss against New England. Monday, the Steelers host the winless Dolphins. That's about as good of a matchup as you can get. I also considered Tennessee's defense against the Buccaneers.
Stats and info via ESPN.com, YouTube.com, OddsShark.com, BleacherReport.com, CBSSports.com, USAToday.com, and Forbes.com
Lines via OddsShark.com
Lines as of Thursday afternoon
No comments:
Post a Comment