Raise your hand if you saw the Jets beating the Bills last week… yeah, didn’t think so.
The unpredictability of the NFL returned in Week 9, but there weren’t a lot of games that stumped our entire crew.
Blake Schuster is largely to thank for that, as he went against the grain for an 8-3-2 record (47-56-5 overall) last week. Charles Curtis strung together a fourth straight non-losing week at 6-5-2 (58-73-5), Prince Grimes went 5-6-2 (60-71-5) and Caroline Darney went 4-7-2 (61-70-5).
Here’s what they have to say ahead of Week 10.
Prince: Don’t pick the Raiders. Don’t pick the Raiders. Don’t pick the Raiders…
Charles: Four straight non-losing weeks is a HUGE victory.
Blake: Keep me away from all fire extinguishers. No one even look at me.
Caroline: oh. my. goodness. that. record.
1
Falcons at Panthers (+2.5)
Prince: Falcons
Carolina is throwing PJ Walker back out there, which I guess isn’t the worst option. But it isn’t great either.
Charles: Falcons
I can’t bet on Carolina, even on a Thursday night in a divisional matchup. Also, I don’t think I’m going to bet on this game at all.
Blake: Falcons
It’s Thursday Night Football, when all logic and reasoning is suspended, but Atlanta has been one of the best teams against the spread this year (6-2-1) so I won’t be fading the Falcons anytime soon.
Caroline: Falcons
Off to a solid start of thinking, “um, do I have to choose one?”
2
Seahawks at Buccaneers (-3)
Prince: Seahawks
I’m simply taking the better team here.
Charles: Seahawks
Seattle’s a contender! Tom Brady nearly lost against last week! Take the points!
Blake: Buccaneers
Tom Brady is 3-0 in international games and it sure feels like the Seahawks should have more trouble adjusting to the time change in Germany than the Buccaneers will given they’re a full continent closer.
Caroline: Seahawks
Seattle is a three-point underdog, but when you look at the exchange rate, that’s like…ok never mind that makes no sense. Geno Smith in Munich, though!
3
Vikings at Bills (-3.5)
Prince: Vikings
If I’m Buffalo, I’m allowing Josh Allen to rest his injured elbow for a week. That means Minnesota wins.
Charles: Vikings
I’m with Prince. Grab Minnesota and assume that Allen rests.
Blake: Bills
Uh are y’all forgetting who Buffalo’s backup is if Allen doesn’t play? His name is Case Keenum. He used to play for the Vikings. So did Bills star wideout Stefon Diggs. They previously teamed up to do this. Get ready for the most Minnesota-loss ever if Allen rests.
Caroline: Bills
Ok, last week was a rough one for us Bills fans, but they get right this week. Right?!
4
Jaguars at Chiefs (-9.5)
Prince: Jaguars
The Jags move the ball just well enough to be able to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field and prevent a blowout.
Charles: Chiefs
It’s a huge spread, but Kansas City by 10 at home seems more than doable.
Blake: Chiefs
It’s weird this isn’t a double-digit spread. I think I’m falling into a trap.
Caroline: Chiefs
If it was a double-digit spread you might entice me with the Jags, but I’m going with Mahomes here.
5
Lions at Bears (-3)
Prince: Bears
The Packers couldn’t move the ball on Detroit, but you know who can? Justin Fields!
Charles: Bears
Chicago’s going to run for 479 yards total.
Blake: Lions
The Bears are executing the perfect tank. Their offense is as exciting as ever and their defense can’t stop anything. Take the over.
Caroline: Bears
Oh my! I honestly think either team can win, but definitely agree with Blake: take the over.
6
Browns at Dolphins (-3.5)
Prince: Dolphins
It’s quicker to score through the air than it is on the ground.
Charles: Dolphins
A trickier game to pick than it looks. I thought about the points, but I’ll stick with the favorites.
Blake: Dolphins
Miami is in a groove on offense and Bradley Chubb gets another week to get used to his new team’s defense.
Caroline: Dolphins
Like Charles, I paused for a moment, but I think Tua and the ‘Phins take this one by a touchdown.
7
Broncos at Titans (-3)
Prince: Titans
Not sure if Ryan Tannehill is back, but Derrick Henry is still doing Derrick Henry things.
Charles: Titans
Even with Denver off the bye, I can’t back the Broncos until I see something change.
Blake: Titans
Tennessee is 6-2 against the spread! What on Earth!?
Caroline: Titans
I don’t love the fact that we all picked the Titans, but I also don’t love how Denver has been playing, so…
8
Saints at Steelers (+2.5)
Prince: Saints
New Orleans’ offense took a step back last week. Pittsburgh is a good place to get back on track.
Charles: Saints
Alvin Kamara and Co. can do enough on the road to grab a win by a field goal.
Blake: Steelers
A home underdog coming off a bye week? Yes, please.
Caroline: Steelers
Umm, sure. Why not?
9
Texans at Giants (-5.5)
Prince: Giants
I’m really tempted to go Houston, but the Giants get the nod because of the extra prep time from the bye.
Charles: Giants
I know Houston can play spoiler and the Giants aren’t as good as their record indicates … but surprised this isn’t Giants -7.5.
Blake: Giants
The Giants are another team that’s 6-2 against the spread. Houston is going to make this as ugly as possible to keep it close, but even playing the time of possession game shouldn’t stop New York from rolling.
Caroline: Giants
Once again, I hate that we’re in agreement.
10
Colts at Raiders (-6)
Prince: Colts
OK, fine. I’m not picking the Raiders. Even with his zero games of coaching experience, Jeff Saturday is probably better than Josh McDaniels.
Charles: Colts
I was all set to pick the Raiders … but that spread is too big for two bad teams.
Blake: Colts
Let’s get two things straight. 1) Jeff Saturday should not be coaching the Colts, 2) we always root for chaos.
Caroline: Raiders
Ok, I was worried we’d all panic take the Raiders, but since the guys went the other direction, I’ll go with Vegas. We should be calling him Jeff Sunday now, right? Hey, wait…where is everyone going? Why are you booing?
11
Cardinals at Rams (-3)
Prince: Rams
This is a get-right game for the awful Rams offense.
Charles: Cardinals
A divisional game against a Rams team struggling to score points … sure, Arizona, why not.
Blake: Cardinals
I went back-and-forth here, but I think the Cardinals are closer to figuring things out than the Rams are.
Caroline: Rams
Sheesh this is a matchup that I would have been pretty excited for before the season. Now? Eh.
12
Cowboys at Packers (+5)
Prince: Cowboys
Green Bay might seriously get shut out in this game.
Charles: Cowboys
A near-lock given how bad Aaron Rodgers has looked lately.
Blake: Cowboys
A matchup between “who cares?” and “why am I watching them?”. Dallas is 6-2 against the spread and Mike McCarthy is out for blood against his former team, so sure, let’s take the Cowboys.
Caroline: Cowboys
I will not be picking the Packers, thank you for your time.
13
Chargers at 49ers (-7)
Prince: 49ers
Too many injuries for the Chargers. And when the Niners win, they win big.
Charles: 49ers
I wish the Chargers were better, they had so much potential on paper entering 2022. Alas.
Blake: Chargers
Please don’t make me watch this game. There’s got to be something better on.
Caroline: 49ers
This is a game that is happening that I will not be tuning into.
14
Commanders at Eagles (-11)
Prince: Commanders
Philly should be well rested after last playing on Thursday, but the Commanders are playing respectable football right now.
Charles: Eagles
Philly is still so elite.
Blake: Eagles
By the time this game kicks off, what’s happening to the Commanders on the field will be the least noteworthy aspect of this franchise.
Caroline: Eagles
That’s a hefty spread, but Philadelphia has showed no signs of slowing down.
