***SWAMPY SUNDAY - MUCK 5 - WEEK 8***
***DETROIT LIONS @ HOUSTON TEXANS***
Now we all saw just how bad the Texans looked last week in Denver on MNF. QB Brock Osweiler returned to his origin to face his old team and the result was just as bad as the Swamp predicted. It is no secret that so far Osweiler hasn't been quite the big money QB that the Texans bought this offseason. However as bad as he has looked at times, he hasn't been THAT terrible as Houston currently sits with a 4-3 record. They have won all 4 of their games at home, and have lost all 3 of their games on the road. Luckily for them, it will be home sweet home once again today when they host the Lions who are currently riding a three game win streak of their own, all were at home in Detroit. When looking at Houston's losses, they have come from respectable teams with top defenses in New England, Minnesota, and Denver last week. Two of these games were Prime Time situations, and as mentioned, all were on the road and in some of the most hostile environments the NFL has to offer. The Lions have arguably one of the worst defenses in the league, especially weak in the secondary. I think Brock should have no problem throwing against them in what can serve as a much needed confidence building home win. Lions QB Matthew Stafford has been amazing so far this year and the only reason the Lions are winning games. However I think Houston's defense is good enough and will find a way to get to him today and limit his production. This could be a weird spot for Staff and the boys who are historically not as sharp on the road. TEXANS-1.5
***NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ BUFFALO BILLS***
Revenge game here yes yes I know. I was on the Bills the first time around and I am going to go ahead and back them here again today. I know RB LeSean McCoy is out and just how big of a deal that is. However I went ahead and checked the forecast for this one and it looks like there is going to be rain all day in Buffalo and a lot of it. If that is the case, it changes the game completely as the Pats will look to pound the rock more rather than Tommy Boy throwing all over them as he usually does. The Bills are off a tough loss against the Dolphins last week and as I stated in last week's Muck 5 Dolphin's writeup, I believe it was largely due to the fact that they were looking ahead to this game. There is bad blood between these two, and for the first time in a long time it is the Bills who are up 1-0 in the yearly bout, foreign territory here. That being said the Pats haven't lost both games to an AFC East opponent since the year 2000, simply amazing. Not saying that streak ends here today, but I do like the rain to even the playing field here enough for an inspired Bills team to keep it close. QB Tyrod Taylor can be the key here and will look to rip off big gains with his legs and if it rains as much as it is supposed to, that gives the Bills a nice edge here. The Bills defense is getting healthier and returns DT Marcell Dareus, I like them to get up for this game and get in Brady's face. BILLS+6
***NEW YORK JETS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS***
The winless Browns will host the lowly New York Jets today in a true battle of the uglies. Many say that this is the best chance for the Browns to get their first win of the season. I get it, the Jets always seem to be such a mess and are so screw-up prone that they are the most likely opponent to drop a game and help a winless team get off the schneid. and the stage is set for Cleveland as they will get them at home. I am willing to go ahead and back Gang Green once more today because despite all of the turmoil and chaos this team has gone through so far this season with many moving pieces and embarrassing losses, the season is not yet lost for them. After a tough schedule to start, it lightens up dramatically moving forward. With a big home win last week against the Ravens, the Jets can really string together some W's here if they want it enough, and I believe they do. Once QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was finally benched due to horrible play, and backup Geno Smith was awarded the job, the change of pace seemed to have provided a spark to this offense. The Football Gods then must've been feeling humorous and in the mood to mess with Jet fans as Geno then got injured after throwing a TD pass, and back to Fitzpatrick they went. The benching could have just been what Fitzy needed and he played well enough in relief to finish the job and get the win against a severely injured Ravens team, but that doesn't matter. It was ugly, but a win is a win and now they have some positive momentum to work with, very little, but some. Fitzpatrick is now back to his underdawg role where he seems to thrive from the most. It is when there are big expectations tagged on him that he caves. He has come out and said that the coaches and organization have given up on him, that makes me think he will have himself a game today, if just for this once- against a poor Browns secondary. Browns QB Josh McCown is back and that is a good thing for Cleveland since he is a very competent starter, however I expect him to be a bit rusty in his first action back from time off with an injury. He is pretty old after all. There are also many trade rumors swirling around Cleveland that I think will mess up any positive mojo this team can muster up today. The deadline is Tuesday, and I believe will serve as just enough of a distraction to help the Jets avoid another embarrassment. JETS-2.5
***SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ DENVER BRONCOS***
The AFC Wild West will feature a game during the late slate when the Chargers head into Denver for the second time in three weeks. Two weeks ago on TNF, the Chargers were able to break a losing streak and serve the Broncos their second loss of the season. The Ponies will look for revenge today but I think may just fall short. The Chargers are the weirdest team in the league and one can argue could very well be undefeated this year. A ton of misfortune has this team sitting with a 3-4 record instead. Many key injuries and late game mishaps have been the team's demise this year, but they seem to be surging at the moment since that win against Denver. Last week they pulled a rabbit out of a hat and were able to get a miracle win on the road in Atlanta. This showed me that this is officially a different team and they have finally shaken off that bad luck bug they had at the end of games earlier this season. The Chargers of the first quarter of the season would have lost that game against the Falcons, and they were able to put together a monster comeback and win in OT. That being said they seem to be surging right now and riding a high off their little two game win streak against top NFL teams. They are well aware that the Broncos will be looking to exact revenge today and I believe they will be also be ready for the challenge. Despite many key injuries to their defense, the addition of Rookie Joey Bosa has really sparked the Bolts. He has been a monster in such limited time that it is hard not to believe that he will continue to improve every game as he gains more experience. The LBs have really come alive as well with Denzel Perryman making the HUGE 4th down stop behind the line last week in Atlanta to essentially win the game. These guys are playing with extreme confidence and QB Philip Rivers is just one of those QBs who can throw on Denver despite them being a top defense. The Broncos have shown that they can be passed on, and I think the Bolts will hang with Denver once again today, possibly beat them for the season sweep! CHARGERS+4.5
***GREEN BAY PACKERS @ ATLANTA FALCONS***
The Packers are off a big win on TNF last week against the Bears but I didn't like what I saw. There are many things that are currently wrong in Green Bay and I was surprised that they actually got the win and cover. If Bears QB Brian Hoyer doesn't break his arm, I don't know that the Pack would have. This win was a bit misleading because Aaron Rodgers and his WRs are not on the same page, and they are without a RB, lining up WRs in the backfield. I would assume newly acquired RB Kniles Davis will play more having now been with the team more than a couple days but I still don't like this offense as a whole. WR Jordy Nelson isn't himself, and now Randall Cobb seems to be limited for the game today. They now head on the road to a hostile Atlanta, for a shootout with Matt Ryan and the Falcons. The Packers simply do not not have the secondary to defend this high octane passing game of the Falcons. WR Julio Jones cannot be defended, especially not by backup CBs. Look for Matt Ryan to have himself a day here, after two brutal losses in a row in a controversial one on the road in Seattle two weeks ago and the tough Chargers one mentioned above last week, I expect them to come to play today and be clicking on all cylinders. I really like the Atlanta Rookie Safety Keanu Neal, he is a stud and reminds me of a young Kam Chancellor. I think he provides this secondary a spark they have been missing for a long time, and I feel as if they will come up big today. There is rift between Rodgers and this offense/coaching, you can feel it. FALCONS-3
