Hopefully, I can turn things around and put up a good week. Three games isn't much at this point in the season, but the sooner I make my move, the better. And I'll have six opportunities to do so, as that's how many on which Stella and I differ this week.
It starts on Thursday night. Even though Arizona QB Carson Palmer is questionable due to injury, I think David Johnson is capable of doing more than enough to take down a suspect 49ers team. Stella's going with her gut on this one she's surprisingly bullish on Carlos Hyde. I've got the Titans going into Miami and taking down the Dolphins I really like what DeMarco Murray has showed me thus far and I think Marcus Mariota is set to break out. Stella's also a fan of Tennessee's run game, but she thinks that their defense will struggle and Ryan Tannehill and company will score enough to win.
Stella's got a road winner next, picking Washington over the Ravens. She thinks the Washington offense is really starting to click and that the Baltimore defense has been exposed. Plus, she doubts in the Ravens scoring ability. I think Baltimore will be much more effective defensively this week; they won't allow Washington any big plays. It'll be tight, but the Ravens will win. Stella also likes the Bengals to go into Dallas and pull off the victory. She's a believer in the offensive capabilities of Cincinnati and thinks the defense will stifle young Cowboys Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. Quite the contrary, I think Prescott and Elliott put up strong performances against the Bengals; big games from those two plus the home-field advantage will be enough for a Dallas win.
I'm not going to go so far as to say that the Rams are for real, but I think they're real enough to win a game in their house against the Bills. I think Todd Gurley becomes more integrated into the passing game and breaks out with a big game. But Buffalo can really run the ball, whether with LeSean McCoy or QB Tyrod Taylor. And the Bills are riding high after the big win over New England; Stella thinks it carries forward, but I'm predicting a letdown. Finally, I've got the Raiders holding serve at home, while Stella thinks San Diego goes into Oakland and wins. The Raiders passing game looks very strong in this matchup, but Stella thinks the Chargers will move the ball against an Oakland defense that may not be able to handle running back Melvin Gordon.
There we have it. Wish me luck hopefully, I'll be able to move the needle this week. And Stella? Stella's just biding her time; when she decides to really get after it, I expect I'll know it.
(winners in caps)
-
ALLEN'S PICKS
Thursday, Oct. 6
ARIZONA at San Francisco
Sunday, Oct. 9
NEW ENGLAND at Cleveland
PHILADELPHIA at Detroit
Chicago at INDIANAPOLIS
TENNESSEE at Miami
Washington at BALTIMORE
Houston at MINNESOTA
NY Jets at PITTSBURGH
Atlanta at DENVER
Cincinnati at DALLAS
Buffalo at LOS ANGELES
San Diego at OAKLAND
NY Giants at GREEN BAY
Monday, Oct. 10
Tampa Bay at CAROLINA
Week 4 record: 8-7
Season record: 34-29
STELLA'S PICKS
Thursday, Oct. 6
Arizona at SAN FRANCISCO
Sunday, Oct. 9
NEW ENGLAND at Cleveland
PHILADELPHIA at Detroit
Chicago at INDIANAPOLIS
Tennessee at MIAMI
WASHINGTON at Baltimore
Houston at MINNESOTA
NY Jets at PITTSBURGH
Atlanta at DENVER
CINCINNATI at Dallas
BUFFALO at Los Angeles
SAN DIEGO at Oakland
NY Giants at GREEN BAY
Monday, Oct. 10
Tampa Bay at CAROLINA
Week 4 record: 8-7
Season record: 37-26
