***SWAMPY SUNDAY - MUCK 5 - WEEK 6***
Not a lot of time to write today so I will keep these Merky write-ups short and sweet:
***DENVER BRONCOS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS***
Ugly game on deck as the undefeated Broncos trot into a cold and wet Cleveland to take on a very fiesty Browns team. Despite the Browns being faced with much adversity this year while dealing with injuries and suspensions, they have brought the "fight" and have been competetive in every game thus far. Today I like Brownies at home in the Dog Pound to give it all they got, as this is probably the biggest game they will play all year. It is clear that the great Peyton Manning has taken a few steps back in his old age, and that the Ponys have been juuuuuuust getting bye and pulling out wins with huge plays by their stellar defense. I think their luck runs out today versus an unlikely opponent. Browns CB Joe Haden and Safety Gipson have both just been ruled out but I still like the Brownskes here as I think DE Paul Kruger and his guys feed off the Dog Pound energy and get after Peyton early. Also, Bronco DE Demarcus Ware is out with an injury and he has been THE main reason for that pass rush and secondary to be having the success they are and they will miss his production today as 'ol faithful Browns QB Josh McCown suprisingly plays well once again. Not a sexy pick by any means but, BROWNS +4
***WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ NEW YORK JETS***
The Jets are off the bye week and are in a bad spot to possibly overlook a banged up lesser opponent in the Washington Redskins today as they look ahead to their HUGE game in New England next week against their division big brother, the New England Patriots. The Skins are not as bad as percieved as we saw last week when they nearly took out the undefeated Falcons in Atlanta in OT. They can hang and are very well coached. They play fundamental football and rely heavily on running the ball and stopping the run, similar to the Jets. Yes the Skin secondary is banged up and limited but they are also facing QB gunslinger Ryan Fitzpatrick who has been known to take some chances that backfire and the Skins could be getting a big turnover or two this afternoon. Rookie RB Matt Jones is out today but the Skins still have Alfred Morris and Chris Thompson who's role in the offense has been increasing all along anyway. I think the Skins keep the ball on the ground today with success versus a laxed Jet defense and also get a big turnover or two on defense to keep this one close. REDSKINS +7
***MIAMI DOLPHINS @ TENNESSEE TITANS***
Classic case of the Head-Coach-being fired-before a bye week-bounce back factor here, hahah that's a mouthful. Miami was internationally embarassed badly by their rival the New York Jets last weekend which predictably led to the firing of their Head Coach Joe Philbin. Enter Interim Coach Dan Campbell. Campbell wasted no time with letting it be known there is a new regime in town. I got to believe the players are relieved their head coach is gone and there is a new sheriff in town. The fact that he is their firey assistant coach and friend, these guys will in favor of him taking over and will surely play for him today. I have to believe they will give him everything and will be focused with a new gameplan that is in their favor to try and get their guy a win in his first game since taking over the reigns. It was a perfect scenario for the coaching change with a bye week to prepare for a road game against the rookie QB Marcus Mariota and the Tennesee Titans. This will be a battle as the Titans are tough and have been just barely missing some wins at the very end of their games but today are in a bad spot facing a very talented and pissed off Phish team who are out to prove that they are not as bad as they have shown to be so far. With all the talent they have, I think they bounce back and get it done today against the rookie QB. DOLPHINS +2
***CHICAGO BEARS @ DETROIT LIONS***
The Lions are a shameful team at the moment and one would think that after an embarassing start to the season as they have had this year, that they would put in maximum effort today at home versus a opponent who they should be able to beat in the Chicago Bears. This is a division game and don't look now but da' Bears seem to be sneakily on the rise. They were just able to squeak out a huge win in KC last weekend in the final seconds and that kind of game is a real confidence builder. These are two teams headed in opposite direcitons today and all the pressure is on QB Matt Stafford and the Lions today. Da Bears are getting back starting WRs Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal and TE Martellus Bennett is also a go today. RB Matt Forte has always been a Lions killer and QB Jay Cutler is playing well. With the Lions now also full of injuries on defense and without their emotional leaders in Safety James Ihedigbo and DeAndre Levy, this team is in shambles and will get torched today. Stafford and that offensive O-Line have been horrendous and it looks as though a Miami-Like Mutiny is upon us. WR Golden Tate is not shy about voicing his displeasure with the offense and that kind of thing is contagious. The Lions running game is non-existant and since Bears Head Coach John Fox is defensive minded, I don't expect them to have much luck of that changing today. Let the whispers of 0-16 round 2 begin. DA BEARS +3
***SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS***
The Bolts suffered an embarassing loss this past Monday night as the undermanned Pittsburgh Steelers beat them in the last seconds of the game. I know Chargers QB Philip Rivers has definitely lost some sleep over that this week and is eager to get back out on the field to try and right the ship. Too bad for him, his team heads into Green Bay to take on an undefeated Aaron Rodgers led Packers team. However, I do like the Chargers to give it their best shot today and actually give the Packers a run for their money. The Chargers are not a bad team by any means and are well coached with talent in all the right places especially now with Rivers favorite target Antonio Gates back from suspension. They can absolutely hang with the Packers here and I am thinking even give them a good scare with the possibility of an upset. I think rookie RB Melvin Gordon for the Chargers will have a huge game today as it will be a bit of a homecoming for him returning to Wisconsin where he was such a huge college star. Aaron Rodgers as we know is arguably the best QB in the league or even in a long time for that matter and makes it look easy out there. He will undoubtedly get his numbers but bottom line is I think the RiverMonster goes toe to toe with him and keeps this one well within the number. CHARGERS +10
