***SWAMPY SUNDAY - WEEK 7 - MUCK 5***
***PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS***
The Steelers have been getting it done in the absence of the starting QB Big Ben Rothlisberger, kudos to them. They have somehow been making it work with an old Mike Vick at QB but last week he got hurt, and in came the young and former Oklahoma QB Landry Jones. Landry faired well in Vick's relief throwing two TDs, with the help of his stellar supporting cast of course. There is no doubt that Pittsburgh has arguably the best offensive weapons in the game at WR and RB. However today I do not like Landry Jones making his first start in a ruckus Arrowhead Stadium against a Chief team who has lost 5 straight games and are hungry for a win. Yes, they have lost RB Jamal Charles and will be without their top WR Jeremy Maclin today but I believe that doesn't matter as it is a great spot for KC to play tough at home and steal a win from Pitt here. The coaching staff really seems to believe in this youngster Checandrick West in Charles replacement and does KC ever really throw the ball downfield anyway? That being said I don't think Maclin being out will be felt that much. Pitt is due for a loss in Big Ben's absence and I believe it comes today on the road with KC keying on RB LeVeon Bell and Landry Jones turning the ball over once or twice for points. Big Ben will most likely make his return next week to face the undefeated Cincy Bengals, where I like them to serve up Cincy their first loss.....but today it's KC -3
***NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS***
Diggin' Drew and the boys today in the Indy dome as I think they matchup well with the Colts and have an edge against the Indy defense. The Saints got their swagga' back last week with a HUGE home upset over their division rival the Atlanta Falcons on Prime Time TNF. Today they roll into Indy to face a Colts team who looked more like the team we are used to seeing despite getting spanked by the Patties. That being said, I think the Saints secondary can contain these Colt WRs and limit Luck's production through the air. On the other side of things I like Drew to have success throwing down field and getting the trusty screen game going with his stable of RBs in Ingram, Spiller, and Robinson. Back and forth one here decided by a field goal either way, taking the points! SAINTS +4
***ATLANTA FALCONS @ TENNESSEE TITANS***
I know, I know, the Falcons are absolutely going to bounce back after a loss against the lowly Titans without their starting QB right? Ehhhhh possibly, but I don't think they cover this number. Backup Titan QB Mettenberger has a big arm, and at this point in the rookie Mariotta's career, I don't think is much of a dropoff for a starting QB. Mettenberger has the game experience necessary to provide a spot start like this at home. It will be cold and rainy for the Birds who are a dome team and prefer to play indoors. They are clearly still not at full strength with a hobbled stud WR Julio Jones making them a pretty average offense. I think Titan's Head Coach Ken Wisenhunt is starting to feel the heat and needs to produce at home here. That being said I think he puts together a solid scheme to attack this Falcon defense today with help from all areas. Look for big body rookie WR Dorial Green-Beckham to have a solid day with Mettenberger. Taking the points! TITANS +6.5
***MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ DETROIT LIONS***
Going with the better overall team here. Don't be fooled by the Lion's lucky in last week against the lowly Chicago Bears. I think the Lions were fortunate to get a win here and it was almost sad to watch as the Refs seemed like they tried to even help the poor kittens along in an effort to makeup for screwing them so often.....and they STILL almost lost. The Vikings are a sneaky good team here as they are solid throughout both sides of the ball. They beat up Stafford really good in week 2 and I expect them to do the same today. The Lion offensive line is garbage and they have zero run game. Peope don't realize this Viking defense is the product of multiple top round picks over the last couple of years. I heard Adrian Peterson is sick and may not play and I don't think it matters as the Viking backup RBs Asiata and McKinnon are great when used as a tandem like we saw in Peterson's absence last year. I think Bridgewater has success threw the air with all the speed he has at WR and the purple people get it done on the road today. Purple People PK'em.
***DALLAS COWBOYS @ NEW YORK GIANTS***
The GMen look to get revenge today as they host their divison rival Dallas Cowboys who beat them week 1 on SNF in the final seconds of play. Since then the Giants have gotten much better and have overcome some big injuries. However they did look terrible on Monday Night in Philly where they straight up got their butts whooped. I believe they bounce back today at home when they face an even more wounded Dallas Cowboys team. The Cowboys will be turning to oldtime journeyman and newly acquired QB Matt Cassel which I think is a big mistake and that they were actually better with Brandon Weeden at the helm. Cassel is garbage and only has been on the team roughly two weeks but I guess they plan on running the ball and that they have something in young RB Christine Michael as there is rumors of him getting heavier load of the carries moving forward and maybe they do. However I'm not buying the gameplan and I think Big Blue forces Cassel to beat them by stopping the run and Cassel will be predictable looking to checkdown to TE Jason Witten and throw underneath to little Beasely. On the other side of things Eli and the Giants will have to take on the new Dallas pass rush consisting of Greg Hardy and rookie Randy Gregory. I think they beat this rush by dumping off the rock to RB Vereen in the screen game and in turn this will open up the downfield pass to Odell Beckham Jr. who is apparently hurt but always looks just fine come game time. Big Blue to hold down the home fort today, GMEN -3
