Sunday 11/1/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Arizona at Cleveland

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 1, 2015
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

The Arizona Cardinals look to pad their lead in the NFC West when they visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Arizona owns a 1 1/2-game advantage over St. Louis in the division but dropped a two-point decision to the Rams at home in Week 4.

The Cardinals hope to exploit Cleveland's league-worst run defense with Chris Johnson, who ranks second in the NFL with 567 yards. Arizona also has a potent passing attack, as it is sixth in the league with an average of 281.3 yards while Carson Palmer entered Week 8 tied with New England's Tom Brady for first with 16 touchdown tosses. Cleveland has lost two in a row at home and two straight overall after being limited to a pair of field goals in last week's loss at St. Louis. Josh McCown, who has committed five turnovers in his last two games, is expected to start for the Browns despite suffering a right shoulder injury versus the Rams.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Cardinals -6. O/U: 46

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (5-2): Arizona's defensive backfield is hoping to make life miserable for McCown, as the team leads the NFL with 12 interceptions. Rashad Johnson leads the club with three picks while fellow safeties Tony Jefferson and Tyrann Mathieu and cornerback Patrick Peterson have recorded two apiece. Larry Fitzgerald looks to extend his streak of 177 consecutive games - including playoffs - with a reception.

ABOUT THE BROWNS (2-5): Gary Barnidge made six catches for 101 yards last week to join Ozzie Newsome, Kellen Winslow and Milt Morin as the only tight ends in Browns history to record three 100-yard performances in a season. Rookie Duke Johnson Jr. is second among AFC running backs with 31 receptions after leading the club with seven last week. Isaiah Crowell is 112 rushing yards shy of 1,000 for his career.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Arizona RB David Johnson leads all NFL rookies with six touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving, one kick return).

2. Cleveland is allowing 151 rushing yards per game and has surrendered at least 24 points in six of its seven contests.

3. The Cardinals have not visited Cleveland since Nov. 16, 2003, when the Browns rolled to a 44-6 victory.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 33, Browns 13

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: San Francisco at St. Louis

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 1, 2015
Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

The St. Louis Rams look to move above .500 this late in the season for the first time in nine years with a victory over the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. St. Louis benefited from a stifling defensive performance in a 24-6 rout of Cleveland last week and faces a struggling San Francisco club that mustered just 142 total yards of offense in a 20-3 setback to Seattle on Oct. 22.

"We have to do something to get better. It's unacceptable," 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said after his team was held to single digits for the third time this season. "That game is not anything that any of us here are proud of. That's not how we want to represent ourselves." Beleaguered quarterback Colin Kaepernick (13-for-24, 124 yards) routinely misfired versus the Seahawks and has been sacked 25 times, tied for the second most in the league. St. Louis, which has accumulated the NFL's second-most sacks (23) this season, recorded an astounding eight in its last meeting with its NFC West rival.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Rams -8. O/U: 39.5

ABOUT THE 49ERS (2-5): Carlos Hyde limped to just 40 yards last week while dealing with a stress fracture in his foot. Hyde, who is expected to play on Sunday, has rushed for 302 yards in his last six games after erupting for 168 in the 49ers' 20-3 season-opening victory over Minnesota. Veteran wideout Anquan Boldin has reeled in a touchdown reception in four of his last five encounters with St. Louis.

ABOUT THE RAMS (3-3): Todd Gurley reached triple digits in rushing yards for the third consecutive game, amassing 433 and two touchdowns in that stretch to earn NFC Offensive Rookie of the Month honors. The 10th overall pick of the 2015 draft has run roughshod when it counts, bolting for an NFL-best 213 yards and amassing a sterling 9.26 yards per carry during the fourth quarter. While the ground attack has been stellar, Nick Foles' aerial game leaves a bit to be desired after being held under 200 yards passing in each of his last five contests.

EXTRA POINTS

1. St. Louis WR Tavon Austin leads the team with just 20 receptions.

2. San Francisco LB NaVorro Bowman's 69 tackles are second only to Indianapolis' D'Qwell Jackson (79).

3. Rams P Johnny Hekker was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month after averaging 48.3 yards on 16 kicks in October.

PREDICTION: Rams 23, 49ers 7

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: N.Y. Giants at New Orleans

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 1, 2015
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

The New Orleans Saints are trying to dig out of an early hole for the third time in the last four seasons and go for their third consecutive victory against the visiting New York Giants on Sunday afternoon. Staring at a 1-4 record following a 39-17 beating in Philadelphia, the Saints have regrouped with impressive victories over Atlanta and Indianapolis.

“I think we all understand that we're only as good as our next performance," New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees said. "And while I think we have gained some momentum from the last two weeks, there's still a long road ahead." The Giants also bounced back from an ugly loss in Philadelphia (27-7) by squeezing out a 27-20 victory over Dallas last week to move atop the NFC East. Giants quarterback Eli Manning, a New Orleans native, has lost both career starts to the Saints in his hometown by a combined 97-51. "The Superdome is loud. We have to control the crowd and get first downs," Manning said.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Saints -3. O/U: 49

ABOUT THE GIANTS (4-3): Manning has thrown for a combined 359 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in two starts since his 441-yard eruption in a Week 5 victory over San Francisco, but New York overcame a sluggish offensive performance against Dallas by forcing four turnovers. Orleans Darkwa came off the bench to add a spark to the running game with 48 yards on eight carries last week and coach Tom Coughlin said he plans to play all four running backs. Odell Beckham Jr., another New Orleans native, practice fully Thursday after being slowed by hamstring issues the past two weeks.

ABOUT THE SAINTS (3-4): Like the Giants, New Orleans was opportunistic in last week's 27-21 victory at Indianapolis, converting two turnovers into touchdowns to jump out to a 20-0 lead less than two minutes into the fourth quarter. Brees had his streak of 300-yard games stopped at three, but Mark Ingram rushed for a season-high 143 yards and Khiry Robinson added a pair of short scoring runs as the Saints held the ball for nearly 38 1/2 minutes. Brandin Cooks, selected eight spots behind Beckham in the 2014 draft, has a team-high 35 catches after catching six balls for 81 yards last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who suffered a grisly hand injury in a fireworks mishap, practice Thursday for the first time since the accident.

2. Saints DE Cameron Jordan has five sacks on the season and 15 in his last 18 home games.

3. Beckham has 16 touchdown catches in 19 career games.

PREDICTION: Saints 27, Giants 23

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Minnesota at Chicago

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 1, 2015
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

The Minnesota Vikings earned their first road victory last week and will try to make it two in a row when they visit the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The Bears are coming off a bye week that gave them extra time to prepare for a Vikings defense that is tied for second in the NFL with an average of 17 points allowed.

Minnesota has held each of its first six opponents to 23 points or fewer and used Adrian Peterson and the rushing game to hold on to the ball for nearly 36 1/2 minutes in a 28-19 triumph over Detroit last week. Peterson blamed eating shrimp for an illness that briefly pushed him into the questionable category last week, but he rumbled for 98 yards in the win and is battling through nagging injuries to his hip, finger and ankle. "It's going to take 11 guys playing good run defense to get (Peterson) stopped," Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio told reporters. "You can be going along fine with him and then, all of a sudden, he breaks a 40- or 50-yarder or more. So you've got to be on point with him all the time." Chicago's defense enters the week 25th against the run, allowing opposing teams an average of 124.8 yards.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Vikings -1. O/U: 42.5

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (4-2): Peterson’s presence is opening things up in the passing game for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who completed passes to 11 different receivers in last week’s win. “That’s our mindset going into any game, just to start fast, whether it’s in the run game or the pass game,” Bridgewater told reporters. “We want to be a balanced team. We know that teams are going to focus on Adrian and try and stop the run.” Bridgewater posted his first 300-yard passing performance of the season with 316 last week.

ABOUT THE BEARS (2-4): The biggest positive to come out of a 37-34 loss at Detroit prior to the bye week was the performance of Jay Cutler and the offense, which posted its highest point total of the season. Cutler threw for 353 yards in the loss and got a big boost from wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who racked up 147 yards and a touchdown after missing the previous four games with a hamstring injury. “We expect more of that, that’s for sure,” receivers coach Mike Groh told ESPNChicago.com. “This is a good fit for (Jeffery) offensively, the things that we do from a schematic standpoint.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. Bears S Antrel Rolle (high ankle sprain) returned to practice this week and could play for the first time since Oct. 4.

2. Minnesota has lost seven straight games at the Bears.

3. Chicago released veteran DL Jeremiah Ratliff and signed free-agent DT Ziggy Hood during the bye week.

PREDICTION: Bears 27, Vikings 24

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: San Diego at Baltimore

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 1, 2015
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

A threat to shatter the NFL's passing record for a season, Philip Rivers faces an extremely generous defense on Sunday when his San Diego Chargers visit the Baltimore Ravens. Rivers (league-leading 2,452 passing yards) followed his 65-attempt performance on Oct. 18 by throwing 58 times for 336 yards in last week's 37-29 setback to Oakland.

Like the Chargers, the Ravens are mired in a three-game losing streak and Joe Flacco has proven to be pass-happy as well while playing catch-up throughout the majority of the campaign. Flacco followed his 53-attempt performance versus San Francisco on Oct. 18 with another 40 throws in a 26-18 setback to Arizona on Monday. Although Baltimore resides in the basement of the AFC North, coach John Harbaugh isn't throwing in the towel. "A lot of teams would fold in this situation, but not the Ravens. That's not going to happen," Harbaugh told the team's website. "We will be writing the story, and it's going to be a really interesting story to read before it's all said and done."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Ravens -3. O/U: 50

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (2-5): Keenan Allen's league-leading 62 receptions are four more than any other player in NFL history through the first seven games of a season, according to ESPN Stats and Information. The third-year wideout could have a field day against Baltimore's injury-riddled, 28th-ranked passing defense on Sunday. Allen gouged the Ravens in his lone previous meeting for 11 catches for 121 yards and two scores. While San Diego's ground attack is ranked just 29th in the league, running back Danny Woodhead has 37 receptions and Ladarius Green has scored in back-to-back weeks while serving as a capable fill-in for fellow tight end Antonio Gates (knee).

ABOUT THE RAVENS (1-6): Veteran wideout Steve Smith (41 catches, 588 yards, three TDs) has enjoyed a successful season, but tweaked his knee in individual drills on Thursday and was limited the rest of practice. As for a struggling cornerback with the same last name, Jimmy Smith hasn't paid much in the way of dividends since signing a $41.1 million contract extension. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith has allowed 33 receptions and four touchdowns this season - including two last week versus the Cardinals.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Baltimore RB Justin Forsett has rushed for 98 yards in his last two weeks after recording 271 in his previous two.

2. San Diego WR Stevie Johnson has reeled in at least four receptions in four of the five games he's played this season.

3. The Chargers (minus-6 turnover differential) and Ravens (minus-7) have struggled mightily to hold onto the ball.

PREDICTION: Ravens 35, Chargers 31

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 1, 2015
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

After seeing his team split four games in his absence, Ben Roethlisberger hopes to make a triumphant return on Sunday when the host Pittsburgh Steelers host the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals. The two-time Super Bowl winner suffered a sprained left knee on Sept. 27 and watched as Michael Vick struggled early in his place while Landry Jones didn't fare much better in a 23-13 setback to Kansas City last week.

Roethlisberger threw for five touchdowns and 667 yards last season to lead Pittsburgh to pair of victories over Cincinnati, which has dropped three in a row and eight of 10 to its AFC North rival. The Bengals are singing a different tune in 2015, however, as they vie for their best start in franchise history. "That's our goal to be 7-0 and it'd be a good thing," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "And it would last for about five minutes and then we'd be on to whoever we play next." Andy Dalton has thrown 14 touchdown passes against two interceptions this season and looks to expose Pittsburgh's 27th-ranked passing defense (276.9 yards per contest).

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Pick. O/U: 48

ABOUT THE BENGALS (6-0): A.J. Green was held in check in a 34-21 victory over Buffalo on Oct. 18, but the stud wideout had 19 receptions for 306 yards in two meetings with Pittsburgh last season. Tight end Tyler Eifert is enjoying a breakthrough campaign, reeling in six touchdowns to join running back Jeremy Hill for the team lead. Hill, however, has failed to rush for more than 63 yards in any of his six games in 2015 - a mark he eclipsed seven times during his rookie season.

ABOUT THE STEELERS (4-3): The electric Le'Veon Bell was reduced to a spectator in last season's playoffs, courtesy of a hit to the knee by Cincinnati safety Reggie Nelson. Bell spent several months recovering but has hit the ground running since serving his three-game suspension, rushing for nearly five yards per carry. Antonio Brown has seen his numbers take a dip without Roethlisberger, recording just 17 receptions for 235 yards in four games without the star quarterback.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Roethlisberger needs just 31 yards passing to become the fifth active quarterback to reach the 40,000-yard plateau.

2. Cincinnati's Carlos Dunlap is tied with fellow DEs Michael Bennett (Seattle) and Chandler Jones (New England) for the league lead in sacks.

3. After reeling in eight catches for 84 yards in the season opener, Pittsburgh TE Heath Miller has nine receptions for 84 in his last six contests.

PREDICTION: Steelers 24, Bengals 21

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tennessee at Houston

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 1, 2015
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

The Tennessee Titans hope to get back rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota as they look to halt a five-game losing streak when they visit Houston on Sunday. The former Heisman Trophy winner returned to limited practice earlier in the week after missing the Titans' last game due to a knee injury.

While the Titans continue to struggle, things have gotten even worse in Houston. The Texans lost star running back Arian Foster last week to a season-ending Achilles injury in a lopsided loss at Miami. Then, with calls for his firing by disgruntled fans increasing, Houston head coach Bill O'Brien released backup quarterback Ryan Mallett after he missed the team's flight to Miami last week. Despite all Houston's problems, it is just a game out of first place in the woeful AFC South Division standings.

TV: CBS, 1 p.m., ET. LINE: Off. O/U: Off.

ABOUT THE TITANS (1-5): Tennessee ranks 30th in the NFL with an average of 19.8 points per game and will go with Zach Mettenberger if Mariota is unable to play. The Titans also have problems on the other side of the ball as cornerbacks Jason McCourty and Perrish Cox are both questionable with hamstring injuries. Tennessee shut down Atlanta's potent offense last week, improving to fourth in the league in yards allowed, but once again the Titans couldn't do much offensively and lost for the 15th time in their last 16 games.

ABOUT THE TEXANS (2-5): O'Brien had to iron out difficulties with Texans general manager Rick Smith over the release of Mallett, who played in five games this season. Houston re-signed T.J. Yates to replace Mallett but Brian Hoyer will continue to start. Hoyer has 11 thrown touchdown passes and three interceptions, helping the Texans to fourth in the NFL in passing as receiver DeAndre Hopkins (58 receptions, 776 yards) continues to emerge as one of the league's best.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texans DE J.J. Watt missed practice during the week with a minor back issue but is expected to play.

2. Houston won both meetings last season by double digits.

3. Houston ranks 28th in the league, allowing 28.4 points a game.

PREDICTION: Texans 28, Titans 20

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: N.Y. Jets at Oakland

When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, November 1, 2015
Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

The New York Jets attempt to bounce back from a disappointing loss when they visit the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. New York squandered a four-point lead over undefeated New England midway through the fourth quarter en route to a 30-23 defeat - its first in three road games this season.

It was the highest amount of points allowed this season by the Jets, who yielded more than 20 just once in their first five contests. New York's top-ranked run defense (71.5 yards) limited the Patriots to 16 yards last week and looks to be just as stingy against a Raiders team that gained 130 on the ground in its 37-29 triumph at San Diego. Oakland also is tough against the run, ranking third in the league at 84.3 yards, but needs to put forth a better all-around defensive effort after surrendering 23 points in the fourth quarter versus the Chargers. The Raiders are one victory away from surpassing last season's total.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Jets -3. O/U: 44

ABOUT THE JETS (4-2): Ryan Fitzpatrick never has lost to the Raiders, going 3-0 while passing for 723 yards and seven touchdowns with just one interception. Brandon Marshall made a season-low four catches for 67 yards against New England, ending his streak of four consecutive games with 100 yards receiving. New York ranks second in total defense (283.2 yards) and fourth in passing defense (211.7).

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (3-3): Amari Cooper, who had five receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown against San Diego, is the first NFL rookie to record three 100-yard performances in his first six games since Mike Ditka in 1961. Oakland has been involved in close games since a season-opening blowout loss to Cincinnati, as each of its last five contests have been decided by fewer than nine points. Safety Charles Woodson, the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for October, shares the league lead with four interceptions and is one away from tying Ken Riley (65) for fifth place on the all-time list.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Raiders have won only two of their last eight meetings with New York, with one of the victories coming in the last matchup in Oakland on Sept. 25, 2011.

2. Jets RB Chris Ivory is likely to play despite dealing with tightness in his hamstring.

3. Oakland is a horrid 59-139 since appearing in the Super Bowl in 2002.

PREDICTION: Jets 27, Raiders 24

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Seattle at Dallas

When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, November 1, 2015
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

The Dallas Cowboys are in dire need of a spark in the wake of a four-game losing streak and may get just that in the person of star wide receiver Dez Bryant, who appears poised to return to the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the visiting Seattle Seahawks. Bryant has been sidelined since undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot on Sept. 14.

"Just know I had a great day at practice," Bryant told reporters Thursday. "I had a great day. You should have seen me in 1-on-1." Dallas, which has floundered since losing Bryant in the season opener and quarterback Tony Romo to a fractured collarbone a week later, faces a difficult test against the two-time defending NFC champion Seahawks. Seattle has blown fourth-quarter leads in each of its four losses, but seemed to regain its mojo by holding San Francisco to 142 total yards in a 20-3 road win on Oct. 22. Three of the Seahawks' defeats have come at the hands of Green Bay, Cincinnati and Carolina, who are a combined 18-0 entering Week 8.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Seahawks -6. O/U: 41

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (3-4): Seattle got back to the formula that led to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, riding a 122-yard rushing performance by Marshawn Lynch and a suffocating defensive effort at San Francisco. Russell Wilson, who has thrown for eight touchdowns versus five interceptions and has been sacked a league-high 31 times, had one of the worst performances of his career (14-of-28, 126 yards) in a 30-23 home loss to the Cowboys last season. Defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril combined for five sacks last week - 3.5 by Bennett that gave him a share of the league lead.

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (2-4): Dallas pulled the plug on backup quarterback Brandon Weeden last week and started recent acquisition Matt Cassel, who was picked off three times in the second half of a 27-20 setback at the New York Giants. Getting back Bryant would obviously be a huge help but Cassel should also look for veteran Jason Witten against a Seattle defense that has had issues covering tight ends this season. Starting running back Joseph Randle was hurt last week and is reportedly facing a suspension, but oft-injured Darren McFadden stepped in and rambled for 152 yards in his place.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cowboys DE Greg Hardy, who was involved in a sideline altercation with a coach last week, has 12 sacks in his last six games.

2. The Seahawks are 20-6 heading into their bye week, the best mark in the league.

3. Witten needs one touchdown catch to become the fifth tight end in league history to reach 60 for his career.

PREDICTION: Seahawks 23, Cowboys 19

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Green Bay at Denver

When: 8:30 PM ET, Sunday, November 1, 2015
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

The Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos share many similarities, namely future Hall of Fame quarterbacks, unblemished records and questions surrounding their respective running games. The Broncos, however, boast the league's most dominant defense and that could prove to be the difference when the teams test their mettle in Denver on Sunday.

The Broncos have scored a defensive touchdown in four of the last six contests, including a 26-23 overtime victory at Cleveland on Oct. 18. Denver's opportunistic defense will be challenged by two-time and reigning league MVP Aaron Rodgers, who tossed a pair of touchdowns - including the sixth to familiar target James Jones - in a 27-20 victory over San Diego on Oct. 18. Denver's Peyton Manning has struggled mightily this season, throwing two touchdowns against seven interceptions in the last three games. Should the league's only five-time MVP right the ship, Manning would tie former Packers star Brett Favre for most victories (186) by a quarterback in the regular season.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Packers -3. O/U: 45.5

ABOUT THE PACKERS (6-0-0): After battling a nagging ankle injury, Eddie Lacy dealt with a different issue this week as reporters questioned whether the 234-pound - give or take a few - running back is being hampered by his weight. Lacy was limited to four carries for three yards versus the Chargers, with backup James Starks receiving the bulk of the work in that contest. Starks has been hampered by an ailing hip this week and coach Mike McCarthy hinted that Lacy could shoulder the load versus Denver by revealing that he is "starting to get back to himself."

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (6-0-0): Ronnie Hillman (team-leading 323 yards rushing) said he believes Denver's ground attack is about to get on track. "The offensive line is starting to get in a groove and it's making it easier for us to run," said Hillman, who rushed for 111 yards against the Browns before the team's bye. C.J. Anderson (2.7 yards per carry) admitted he was more injured than he let on earlier in the season, but told the Denver Post that he feels ready to go after the bye week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Sunday's contest pits teams 6-0 or better for the fourth time in NFL history, and first since New England (8-0) faced Indianapolis (7-0) in 2007.

2. Green Bay LB Clay Matthews has 4.5 sacks this season and 10 in his last 15 games.

3. Denver owner Pat Bowlen will be inducted into the team's Ring of Fame on Sunday, but he will not be in attendance as he battles Alzheimer's disease.

PREDICTION: Packers 24, Broncos 16

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist's Bonus Play for Sunday, Nov 1, 2015

Take: (264) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Sunday, November 1, 2015 is in the NFL scheduled contest between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals put their undefeated 6-0 record on the line here on Sunday against their AFC North division rival, Pittsburgh. A Cincinnati win and they open up a 3 1/3 game lead over the Steelers. A Pittsburgh win and we have a race for the AFC North again. Good news for Pittsburgh is that QB Ben Roethlisberger looks to return here today. The Steelers went 2-2 without their top QB. The Bengals boast the league's third best scoring offense (30.3 ppg) and will go up against the league's seven best defense. The Steelers are very good against the run, though they are just 28th against the pass. The Steelers have also done well against the Bengals at home, going 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings. Moreover, Pittsburgh is 21-8-1 against Cincy the last 30 meetings. With Big Ben back here today, I look for this to infuse this Steelers club. I'm taking Pittsburgh here on Sunday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

TEDDY COVERS

Take the Ravens – Chargers Over 50.5

We’ve got a classic recipe for an Over in Baltimore on Sunday, in a matchup of two very weak defenses against two quality opposing quarterbacks. With both teams struggling mightily – a combined 3-11 SU this year, with two of the three wins coming against equally hapless foes from Cleveland and Detroit – we can expect both coaches to pull out every trick from their playbook in an effort to stem the losing tide. Even with light rain forecast in Baltimore for Sunday, temperatures will be mild and the wind isn’t expected to be a factor – a light shower or two isn’t going to doom our chances to cash this bet.
Both defenses are truly bottom of the barrel. The Ravens defense has lost every bit of leadership they had following the retirements of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed along with Terrell Suggs’ season ending injury. Over the last few weeks, Colin Kaepernick and Josh McCown both had their best game of the season against this stop unit, not a good sign against Philip Rivers and the Chargers strong downfield passing game, especially with leading receiver Keenan Allen back to full health after a limited showing last week.
On a yards per play basis, the Chargers rank dead last out of 32 NFL defenses this year, allowing 6.5 yards per opposing snap. Don’t be fooled for a minute by their supposedly good defensive showing at Green Bay two weeks ago. San Diego allowed more than seven yards per rush to the Packers. They allowed more than seven yards per pass. They didn’t force any turnovers, and the Packers had more scoring drives than punts. That same defense couldn’t get a stop with the game on the line against a hapless Michael Vick led Steelers offense the previous week. Last week against the Raiders, the Chargers D allowed seven scores before forcing their first punt. By that time, they were trailing 37-6. That’s bad news here. Joe Flacco’s receiving corps is relatively weak, but his gunslinging ability remains strong!
When these two teams met last November, we saw a 34-33 shootout that flew Over the total, with the two teams combining for 12 red zone chances. San Diego and their opponent have both scored 20+ points in each of the last four weeks. The only time Baltimore or their opponent has been held below 20 since Week 1 came on Monday Night this past week, when the Ravens scored only 18 against a quality Cardinals stop unit. Expect a high scoring shootout once again this week in a game primed to get up and Over the total. Take the Over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CHIP CHIRIMBES

Steelers (+) over Bengals

The return of 'Big Ben' Roethlistberger will have an immediate impact on the Steelers offense not to mention their overall confidence. Last season 'Big Ben' threw for five touchdowns and 667 yards in two wins over Cincinnati. The Steelers have won the last three meetings and eight of the last 10 but, the Bengals claim they are a different team this year. Until I see it on the field I won't believe it. Take PITTSBURGH!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MARC LAWRENCE

Play - Houston Texans.

Edges - Texans: 5-1 ATS next game after surrendering 35 or more points. Titans: 1-9 ATS versus opponents that allowed 40 or more points in their last game. With The Titans offense banged up and non-productive, and Texans QB Brian Hoyer 6-0-1 ATS in games off a SUATS loss in his NFL career, we recommend a 1* play on Houston. Thank you and good luck as always.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JACK JONES

Jack's Free Pick Sunday: Seattle Seahawks -4.5

Despite their 3-4 start, I would still argue that the Seahawks are the best team in the NFC. They could easily be 7-0 right now as all four of their losses came after they were leading in the fourth quarter. Had they held on to every lead, they would be 7-0. It has been uncharacteristic of this defense to give up those leads because this is still one of the best stop units in the NFL. They worked out the kinks last week in their most impressive effort of the season.

Indeed, the Seahawks went on the road last Thursday and beat the 49ers 20-3 in a game that was an even bigger blowout than the score showed. They outgained the 49ers by 246 yards in the win. The offense amassed 388 total yards, including 176 rushing thanks to the healthy return of Marshawn Lynch, who rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown. But the defense was the story, limiting the 49ers to just 142 total yards in a dominant effort.

Seattle's rushing attack is averaging 143.3 yards per game, which is the second-best mark in the league. Lynch missed the losses to Cincinnati and Carolina due to injury, and considering he's the heart and soul of this team, the Seahawks are glad to have him back. ''We go with Marshawn. He leads the way," receiver Doug Baldwin said. "The style in which he runs, the style in which he leads in the huddle, that's what's important to us. That's what helps us get to where we want to be. We'll go as far as he takes us.'

Dallas has been a mess ever since Tony Romo and Dez Bryant both went down. The Cowboys are 0-4 SU & 0-4 ATS in their four games without those two, losing all four games by at least six points while getting outscored by 48 combined points in the process, or an average of 12.0 points per game. Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel are not the answer at quarterback. Cassel threw three costly interceptions against the Giants last week in his first start with the team. There’s a reason he couldn’t even make the Bills’ roster during the preseason, getting beat out by both Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel.

I trust in this Seahawks defense to force a few more Cassel turnovers Sunday to help aid the win and cover. Seattle still features an elite stop unit, ranking 3rd in the league in total defense at 294.1 yards per game allowed. The Cowboys have been held to 227 or fewer passing yards each of their last four games. They may be without Dez Bryant again, who is listed as questionable with a foot injury. Either way, I don’t expect them to find much success through the air against a Seattle defense that gives up just 200 passing yards per game.

Both teams are going to be motivated for this game as the Seahawks are 3-4 and the Cowboys are 2-4, so they both need a win here. But I can’t help but think the Seahawks are going to want to exact some revenge on the Cowboys after losing 23-30 at home to them last year. They would love to hurt the Cowboys’ chances of making the playoffs even more by beating them this week. I also like the fact that the Seahawks are the more rested team after playing last Thursday.

Seattle is 6-0 ATS when playing against a bad team with a winning percentage from 25% to 40% over the last three seasons. It is winning by an average of 18.0 points per game in this spot. The Seahawks are 6-0 ATS in their last six road games after allowing 150 or fewer passing yards in their previous game. Seattle is 6-0 ATS in its last six games after leading its previous game by 14 points or more at the half. The Cowboys are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, and 0-4 ATS in their last four home games overall. Pete Carroll is 6-0 ATS in road games against NFC East teams as the coach of Seattle. Bet the Seahawks Sunday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SAM MARTIN

5* Bonus Play on Atlanta (-7).

While we are still a bit sour after Atlanta couldn't cover against Tennessee last week (threw a late interception in the endzone from the half-yard line), we still believe the Falcons remain one of the best teams in the NFL and should right the ship offensively this week against a bad Tampa Bay side. Buccaneers have allowed 31+ points in each of their last three games and have no answers defensively for an Atlanta offense that not only features one of the best running attacks in the league, but also one of the most feared QB-to-WR combos in Ryan-to-Jones.
Tampa's offense had a huge face lift this season with the drafting of Jameis Winston, but Tampa has yet to record a single 300-yard passing effort this season. Atlanta's rush defense has emerged as legitimate recently, holding four straight foes to 81 rushing yards or fewer, and all but one opponent has been held under the century mark this season. That puts the burden on Winston's shoulders to match Atlanta score-for-score - a situation we'll back the Falcons every time

 

[ahjoah]

PointspreadPros Week 8 Picks

NEW ORLEANS -3 over Ny Giants
DALLAS +6 over Seattle
DENVER +3 over Green Bay
CHICAGO +1.5 over Minnesota

thanks.....got any senor capper?

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BRANDON LEE

I’m taking the Seahawks -6 on the road against the Cowboys. There’s those that are questioning whether the Seahawks can return to that same form from the last two years that landed them in the Super Bowl. I don’t think there’s any doubt they can. This team has played a brutal schedule and has simply had some bad luck in close games. Of their 4 losses, 3 have come against teams who are currently undefeated and they had leads in all of those games. The other was a division loss on the road to Rams, who scored a last second touchdown to force overtime.
This team could very easily be 6-1 and potentially even 7-0Let’s not forget they were sitting at just 3-3 a year ago before going 9-1 to finish with the best record in the NFC. Until the Cowboys get back Tony Romo this isn’t a team that’s built to compete with the elite teams. Dallas has had some close games without Romo, but the bottom line is they are 0-4 when he's not the starter. The defense has played well at times, but they have allowed at least 26 points in all but 1 game.
I just don’t see the Cowboys offense being able to do enough here with Seattle not having to respect the passing game and I see a couple big turnovers by the Seahawks defense turning this one into a blowout. It's also worth noting that Seattle doesn’t lose often at home and when they do they make note of it. This team hasn’t forgot about last year’s 30-23 loss at home to the Cowboys and I look for them to come out an make a statement here. Give me the Seahawks -4.5!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

PURE LOCK

FREE NBA play Sunday 11-1-15

San Antonio -4 1/2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SCOTT SPREITZER

I'm recommending a play on the Arizona Cardinals minus the points. We went against the Cardinals and cashed on Monday night with Baltimore. Arizona is on a short week, but should not find too much trouble facing the Browns. Arizona gets to attack the league's worst run defense and I expect Bruce Arians to do what the offense does best: attack early through the air, then pound away. Defensively, the Cardinals will get after Josh McCown (probable) a week after the Browns' signal caller took a beating at the hands of the St. Louis Rams. The offense, a one trick pony as it is, (28th on the ground), may be further hamstrung with McCown not quite 100% healthy and likely on the run again in this one. I expect Arizona to sell-out a couple of times to put pressure on the Browns' passing game. Arizona enters on an 11-1 ATS run on the road against teams with a losing home record and we'll back them again in this one. I'm recommending a play on the Cardinals, minus the points on Sunday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.