Raiders vs Packers

This game relies on the injury report. The Packers are one of the most banged up teams offensively and we could be looking at Allen Lazard as Aaron Rodgers number one receiver. With Davante Adams definitely out and Marquez Valdez-Scantling questionable, the Packers are going to need to get their run game going. Besides going against Dalvin Cook, this Raiders run defense has been extremely successful. It's going to be hard to run against the Raiders, if you want to attack them, do it through the air. Unfortunately for the Packers, there wide receiver depth chart is Lazard, Equinameous St. Brown, and Jake Kumerow. Aaron Rodgers is going to need to work a miracle if they want to win this game through the air. Let's get into my keys to victory for each team, offensively for the Packers, they need to run the ball. I know I was just talking about how stout this Raiders run defense is, but if the Packers want to win they have to feed Aaron Jones. They don't have weapons outside of Jones, so they need to do what the Vikings did and feed their young running back! The Raiders key to victory is similar to the Packers. FEED JOSH JACOBS! This Packers defense is so much better than last year, but that's in the passing game. Jaire Alexander is one of the best corners in the league and Zadarius Smith is one of the best pass rushers, but this defense has been susceptible to the run game all year. This should be Josh Jacobs best statistical game of the season. If the Raiders can prevent Aaron Rodgers from getting out to an early lead and control the game flow, they should be able to win this game. I have a feeling that Aaron Rodgers will get on the board early, which forces the Raiders to pass the ball. I think the Packers pass rush will end up getting after it. This game will be all about game flow and momentum, and I think it goes in the Packers direction. Final Score Packers 24 Raiders 23

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Rams vs Falcons

This is a rebound game for the Rams. I still believe they're one of the best teams in the league, they just need to hit their rhythm. They just acquired Jalen Ramsey and he's going to have a big matchup against Julio Jones this week. I think due to Ramsey's unfamiliarity of the Rams system, there will be opportunity for Jones to succeed this week. I think Jones finishes the game with the better day than Ramsey, but I think the Falcons will try and get Julio in space with either cut splits or from the slot. One player for Atlanta that I think is going to have a big day is Austin Hooper. George Kittle just went off against this Rams defense and now Hooper has the chance to do the same thing. Despite the potential success of Julio Jones and Austin Hooper, I think the Rams are going to dominate this game. I think we see Jared Goff put up at least 4 touchdowns and I believe Brandin Cooks will be his number one receiver. Cooks hasn't gone off once this season and he's bound to break out eventually, and this is the perfect matchup for him. The Falcons pass defense is god awful and the Rams need to be fired up after what happened last week.  I think this is going to be a high scoring affair and Jalen Ramsey will finish with some type of legendary "mic'd up" quote. Final Score Rams 37 Falcons 20

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Bills vs Dolphins

This game is one of the most lob sided games we are going to have all season. The Bills are one of the worst teams when it comes to early down success and the Dolphins have the worst early down success rate defensively. This means that the Bills are going to get off to a fast start and be able to control how this game goes. I see the Bills coming out hot with Josh Allen hitting on all cylinders. After a fast start by the Bills they are going to be able to run the ball down the Dolphins throat with Frank Gore. Gore has been extremely reliable for Buffalo all season and I think he continues to pad his stats this game. Final Score Bills 27 Dolphins 10

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Texans vs Colts

This feels like a trap game for me. The Texans are riding the high of coming off a big upset vs the Chiefs, but so are the Colts! Usually I don't love to pick home teams coming off the bye (a stat that favors the other team) but the Colts are healthy. Even though Malik Hooker isn't playing, Darius Leonard is. The Colts are also getting Clayton Geathers back and TY Hilton is 100%. Frank Reich is a better coach than Bill O'Brien and has had an extra week to prepare. On the other hand, Deshaun Watson is on a hot streak. He looks like an MVP candidate right now, but every now and then he has those games where he puts up 10 or 13 points in a game. I'm not saying that the Texans are going to score 10 points this week, I just see an upset coming. Final Score Texans 16 Colts 23

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Vikings vs Lions

This whole year I've been hating on Kirk Cousins, but I think it's fair to say that he's pulled it together. The drama in Minnesota has been relieved and this team is clicking. Not only do they have one of the best running backs in the NFL, but they also have receivers who are getting the ball. If you feed these receivers you are most likely going to win the game. The Lions on the other hand remind me of the Chargers from a few years ago. They keep getting so close to winning games and then lose off of some flukey stint. The Lions have dropped two straight, so it's time that they kill this negative momentum. If the Lions lose this game they will most likely be out of playoff contention for the near future. Detroit needs this win, but I think the Vikings will feast on a desperate team. Final Score Vikings 31 Lions 23

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Cardinals vs Giants

I love picking teams with momentum, but this week I'm going against my ways. While the Cardinals are hot, their last two opponents were the Bengals and the Falcons. These are two of the worst defenses in the league, but the Giants aren't a whole lot better. I just feel like the Cardinals are going to get humbled a little. The Giants are getting Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram back and Daniel Jones has been quiet lately. I think this is going to be a close high scoring game that finishes with a Giants victory. Final Score Cardinals 26 Giants 31

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49ers vs Redskins

This game just isn't fair. The Redskins interim coach is Bill Callahan and his philosophy is winning games by running the football. I don't hate the idea of running the football, but he is terrible at calling when to do it at proper times. There is a lack of creativity with his runs compared to Kyle Shanahan who gets his running backs in space. I know the Redskins are coming off their first win, but they literally beat a team that's trying to lose by one point. Also, the 49ers are one of the best defenses in the NFL and are going to focus on stopping the run. The 49ers are going to pad their stats and dominate this football game. Final Score 49ers 31 Redskins 13

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Chargers vs Titans

This is a game that I'd avoid betting on at all costs. There are so many inconsistencies with these two teams, so I'm staying away. I think the key to victory for both teams involves running the football. Which ever team can get their running backs hot will win. Turnovers also play a big part in this game. If Ryan Tannehill can be a game manager I like the Titans' odds. If Keenan Allen has over 100 yards for the Chargers, I think their odds to win this game skyrocket. Allen is the biggest playmaker when it comes to both teams, but sometimes it's like he's not even in the game. I think this game is determined by which team can run the ball better and how involved Keenan Allen is. Final Score Chargers 20 Titans 17

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Ravens vs Seahawks

I think this is the battle of the future quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson are two of the most versatile quarterbacks in the NFL and I think we are going to see these two teams go back and forth offensively. Neither pass defenses are great and both run defenses are solid. The Seahawks are one of the hottest teams in the league and the Ravens have been susceptible to 11 personnel. Pete Carroll is a smart coach and I think he's going to be able to expose bad defense. I have Seattle staying hot and winning this game. Final Score Ravens 27 Seahawks 31.

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Saints vs Bears

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