First up, we have the Bears heading to Atlanta to face the Falcons. I’m going with the visiting Bears; I think the Justin Fields Experience continues apace there in Atlanta. I just don’t think they have anyone to stop him, even if he can’t really throw the ball all that well. Stella likes the Falcons to get things done against this Chicago squad. She’s thinking that tight end Kyle Pitts is due for an explosive game and that he and QB Marcus Mariota are poised to make that happen. She also anticipates a couple of forced turnovers, due to her unwillingness to fully buy into the Fields hype train.
Up next, we’ve got the Jets visiting the Patriots. I am, as always, picking my beloved Pats, although in this case my heart and head are in agreement. New England is coming off a bye and I expect the rest will have done them a world of good. Look for a healthy dose of Rhamondre Stevenson on the ground and a series of short and medium passes from Mac Jones; it won’t be all that exciting, but it’ll be more than enough for the win. As per usual, Stella has opted to troll me with this pick; anytime she can justify it, even with a slight underdog pick, she’s going to take the swing. She’s not really enamored of anyone on this Jets roster, but she thinks that they might be gunning for revenge after getting handled easily by this Pats team just a handful of weeks ago.
After that, it’s Washington/Houston. I have the home Texans because they’re home and I think there’s a Washington letdown after the Monday night win against the Eagles. Stella has the visiting Commanders because she thinks they’re still riding high after that Eagles win and also because the Texans are butt. Do not watch this game.
To the Mile High City, where I’ve got the visiting Raiders knocking off the Broncos. While I think this Las Vegas squad is in disarray, I think they can ride the running of Josh Jacobs to a ball control-type victory. If Derek Carr can get out of his own way, so much the better. Also, this Denver team isn’t good. Stella concedes the point, but feels that the Raiders are actually the worse of the two. She recognizes that Russell Wilson looks pretty washed, but she’s betting on him summoning up just enough of the old magic to hold off Vegas; the good news on wideout Jerry Jeudy’s health certainly helps matters.
Lastly, in what might be the best matchup of the week, we have Dallas/Minnesota. I’m going with the home Vikings, because I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from Justin Jefferson recently. He catches, you know, everything. If he can keep it up and Dalvin Cook can run well enough against this Cowboys front seven to keep them honest, I expect the Vikings will pull this one out. Stella’s really feeling Dallas in this one. The offense has its share of playmakers – look for big things out of CeeDee Lamb – but it’s really the defense that has her thinking that the Cowboys will pull it out. She’s expecting them to stifle the Minnesota offense enough to allow Dak Prescott and company a little offensive breathing room. Basically, to her mind, the lower the score, the more it favors Dallas.
And that’s it. Just five games. We’ll see how it plays out, but hey – I’m still winning. Let’s all enjoy that while we still can, shall we? Oh, and if the Sunday night game – Chiefs/Chargers – gets out of hand, you can always flip over to the Grey Cup, which will be contested by the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers that same night.
At any rate – bon match!
(winners in caps)
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ALLEN’S PICKS
Thursday, November 17
Tennessee at GREEN BAY
Sunday, November 20
CHICAGO at Atlanta
Cleveland at BUFFALO
PHILADELPHIA at Indianapolis
NY Jets at NEW ENGLAND
LA Rams at NEW ORLEANS
Detroit at NY GIANTS
Carolina at BALTIMORE
Washington at HOUSTON
LAS VEGAS at Denver
Dallas at MINNESOTA
CINCINNATI at Pittsburgh
KANSAS CITY at LA Chargers
Monday, November 21
SAN FRANCISCO at Arizona
Week 10 record: 5-9
Season record: 85-62-1
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STELLA’S PICKS
Thursday, November 17
Tennessee at GREEN BAY
Sunday, November 20
Chicago at ATLANTA
Cleveland at BUFFALO
PHILADELPHIA at Indianapolis
NY JETS at New England
LA Rams at NEW ORLEANS
Detroit at NY GIANTS
Carolina at BALTIMORE
WASHINGTON at Houston
Las Vegas at DENVER
DALLAS at Minnesota
CINCINNATI at Pittsburgh
KANSAS CITY at LA Chargers
Monday, November 21
SAN FRANCISCO at Arizona
Week 10 record: 6-8
Season record: 83-64-1