Well, we’re not really going to do alternative picks in the postseason, but we still will share our thoughts on the games.
Andy:
Indianapolis at Houston — The Colts have been stunningly good on both sides of the ball. The Texans had a great run, but the offensive line can’t protect Watson. Prediction: Colts 28-24
Seattle at Dallas — Are the Cowboys that good or are they the product of a division that wasn’t very successful? I’m not a believer in Dak. The Seahawks have not been as good on the road as at home, but I’ll take Russell Wilson in this duel 100 times out of 100. Prediction: Seahawks 24-14
L.A. Chargers at Baltimore — The Ravens defense is legit. The Chargers are also really good. Had they won homefield, I might be picking them for the Super Bowl. Hell, might be anyway, knowing Andy Reid’s propensity for grasping his throat and squeezing hard in the playoffs. Can Baltimore keep Lamar Jackson from looking like a rookie? Prediction: Chargers 24-17
Philadelphia at Chicago — The Bears are awesome and, for once, fun to watch. The Eagles struggled all season, but got hot at the right time and snuck in. Mitch Trubisky is the key here. Can the Eagles keep it close enough where they force him to have to make plays? Or do the Bears get a lead and pound? Prediction: Eagles 20-16
Tony T.:
A full slate of games that I could care so little about, its unbelievable.
Indianapolis at Houston — DeSahaun Watson may have been the comeback player of the year if not for Andrew Luck. The Colts haven’t been particularly good in the playoffs with Luck at QB, but they’ve also not been good at building an OL or coaching up until this year. Colts 31, Texans 17.
Seattle at Dallas — Two teams that I haven’t believed in all year. I still can’t figure out how the Seahawks ran for that many yards with as non-descript of running backs as they have, nor how Dak Prescott managed to salvage Amari Cooper’s season/career. Ultiamtely, I think the Cowboys running game is what wins this one, amazingly enough. Dallas 20, Seattle 17.
LA Chargers at Baltimore — The closest to a game I’m interested in this weekend. Ultimately, I’m not convinced that the Ravens offense (Lamar Jackson) is ready for this type of game. It would be interesting to see them prove that they are, though–they do have a defense that could give the Chargers fits. Chargers 23, Ravens 13.
Philadelphia at Chicago — If the Eagles go on a run to the Super Bowl again this year, will their fans be just as obnoxious as last year? Did the city of brotherly love budget extra Crisco for greasing up their light poles this year? Did the police department decide to change up the diets of their mounted police horses, in case another genius Eagles fan decides to once again get on hands and knees to take a taste of their excrement? Isn’t it sad that these are legitimate questions in 2019? I’m not sure that the Eagles have what it takes to stop Khalil Mack, or effectively stop Matt Nagy’s offense–but I’ll pick them just the same. Eagles 35, Bears 13. Hopefully that’s as good of a pick as the rest I’ve made this season.
Andy’s hot streak slowed a bit, has he hit just five of his eight picks in week 14, but he still picked up a game on Tony, who was .500 on his own selections. It’s becoming less a question of whether Andy will win the season and more a question of by how much.
Tony had a pretty decent week in alternative picks, getting five of his seven correct. Andy was on fire, however, going 8-0, to land a fairly dominant win over the Thanksgiving break.
As good as week 10 was for Andy, week 11 was almost as bad. If not for Tony missing a couple of his latter picks, he might have made up the entire 12-2 difference from that week. Here are the standings:
Week 11
Tony 8-5
Season
Andy 84-75-2
And here are this week’s alternative picks:
1) Tony: Chargers over Cardinals — I really would have preferred spots 2 & 3 this week. I have to believe that the Chargers will have a fairly easy time against the Cardinals, especially after last week’s wake up call.
2) Andy: Patriots over Jets — Patriots stinging from a bad loss while the Jets are reeling from an even worse one. New England has a better chance of answering the call.
3) Andy: Saints over Falcons — Normally wouldn’t be this confident in a Saints/Falcons tilt, but New Orleans might be the best team in football right now.
4) Tony: Ravens over Raiders — This probably would have been one of my picks at 2/3. Not that I trust the Ravens…but I definitely trust the Raiders.
5) Andy: Colts over Dolphins — Andrew Luck looking good. I don’t think they’re talented enough to be playing this well, but you have to tip your cap – they are.
6) Tony: Steelers over Broncos — The Steelers should have a fairly easy time with the Broncos. If not, it solidifies the Chiefs & Patriots as the favorites for the AFCCG.
7) Andy: Texans over Titans — Houston isn’t as good as Kansas City. Name me another team in the AFC playing as consistently well as the Texans right now. … Still waiting.
8) Tony: Panthers over Seahawks — Will the real Carolina Panthers please step up? Seahawks struggle heading east, though.
9) Andy: Bears over Lions — This one got a little tougher with Trubisky likely out, but I think Chase Daniel can run the offense alright and I don’t see Detroit doing much against the Bears defense.
10) Tony: Eagles over Giants — I wouldn’t mind being wrong here at all. I’m loving seeing the Eagles flounder.
11) Andy: Browns over Bengals — Cleveland may be on to something.
12) Tony: Cowboys over Washington — Washington hung in there with a banged up offensive line, and almost came back after Alex Smith’s leg was destroyed…but even the Cowboys should be able to beat up on Colt McCoy with a week of planning.
13) Andy: Bills over Jaguars — Upset special? Or are the Jags really as bad as they are playing?
14) Tony: Buccaneers over 49ers — This week’s game that absolutely no one cares about. Except maybe a few coaches that might be interested in that job in Tampa.
15) Andy: Vikings over Packers — Kind of a coin toss, though I think Green Bay isn’t very good and Minnesota has the weapons to be better. Whether they will or not … hard to say.
While his alternative picks were horrid, Andy did pick up a game in the straight-up picks for the week — though it wasn’t in exactly impressive fashion. Here are those standings:
Andy
Tony T
Tony P
Week 11
7-6
6-7
5-8
Season
102-57-2
98-61-2
99-60-2
And here are the picks for this week… Happy Thanksgiving.
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