***SWAMP SUNDAY - MUCK 5 - WEEK 6***
It is good to be back 'muckin around again! Hoping to stay hot after back to back Sunday's with the Muck on fire. For the sake of time, going to try to keep these short and sweet. Let's do this.
***CHICAGO BEARS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS***
The Bears broke the seal on their new toy at home last week on MNF when they decided to bench QB Mike Glennon and hand the keys to their Rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky. It was a tough first start for the youngster, in the spotlight and up against one of the league's meanest defensive units in the Vikings. He was raw for sure, but in my opinion showed that he does have the tools and intangibles to one day become a successful NFL QB. But despite all that what is important here for today's pick is that he provided a spark to this team, one that knows it is most likely going nowhere this season but has some sneaky talent, and now knows that they can compete with the top teams. I think that confidence will carry them 1 more week here in Baltimore and give the inconsistent Ravens all they can handle similar . Balty has been a Jekyll & Hyde team so far this year, and it is yet to be seen who they really are. They have been one of the most injury ridden squads thus far and seem to still be trying to find themselves a bit and what works for them. One thing I do really like is what this Bears defense is doing. I think ex-Raven DT Pernell McPhee and his teammates will get after Raven QB Joe Flacco in this one, holding them to FGs and keeping things close. The Bears have the run game to hold the rock on long drives as well and make this an ugly close battle throughout. Taking the points, BEARS+5
***CLEVELAND BROWNS @ HOUSTON TEXANS***
Well, no surprise here as we move into week 6 of the season already and the Browns remain winless once again. Last week I really thought could be the one where they snuck out their first win at home against a Jets team playing over their heads. They actually did outplay them offensively the entire time but consistently shot themselves in the foot in the redzone, and came away with another L. Needless to say I think this was a bit of a heartbreaker for the team. Things won't get any easier as they head into Houston to face a very talented Texans team fresh off a SNF loss at home against KC. The Browns have also decided to bench their Rookie QB Deshone Kizer and go with backup Kevin Hogan after making the switch at halftime last week due to Kizer's ineffectiveness. The Texans have been hit with some unluck a bit themselves lately, losing LBs Cushing, Mercilus, and now DE JJ Watt who was injured in last week's game. That being said just like last season, the torch has officially been passed to the young phenom DE Jadeveon Clowney who should make some noise again now moving back to the position he was in last season after Watt went down. Long story short, Texan Rookie QB Deshaun Watson has been on fire since getting the nod and quickly has become a rising star in the NFL. The Browns passed on him in the Draft, and I'm pretty sure he will want to remind them what they're missing today. TEXANS-7.5
***SAN FRANCISCO 49ers @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS***
The Redskins are looking improved on both sides of the ball this season and have shown that they might be a serious contender so far this year. Coming off a tough loss in KC to the league's top team and fresh off a bye week, today they host the 0-5 49ers in a weird spot as their old Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan continues the search for his first win as an NFL Head Coach. Despite being winless so far this season, the Niners could easily have a winning record, having been in almost all of their games until the waining moments and just falling short. This will be their third road game in a row after taking the previous two into OT. Some would think that they probably have nothing left or that this would be a bad spot to back them based off of fatigue. However I think they will get up for their coach today and sell out one more time to try and get a huge upset win for their HC before heading home and hosting the Cowboys. Shanahan would like nothing more than to get his first win at his old stomping grounds where he served as the OC alongside his father Mike as the Head Coach, it would almost be fitting for this to be the game they get it done. That all being said I'll gladly gobble up the points here as I think it is also a weird spot for the Redskins as they might be a little out of sync off a bye week while simultaneously not being able to help themselves looking ahead to their division rival Philadelphia Eagles whom they face next week on MNF. The Eagles have been making a ton of noise after coming into Washington and serving the Skins a loss to start the season. Washington CB Josh Norman is also out today and that all being said I like the Niners to at the least, hang tough and keep this one close today. 49ers+12
***SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ OAKLAND RAIDERS***
The Bolts finally broke into the win column last week on the road against the Giants. It is no secret that I always have faith in this team because of their talent and I like them again in this spot today to continue to play well and reverse their fortune from a terrible start this year. The Raiders have a HUGE lookahead spot on deck when they host the big bad KC Chiefs at home on TNF. That being said I just have a feeling the Raiders come out a bit flat in this one, maybe underestimating the Chargers after sweeping them last season. QB Derek Carr is making his return today off an injury after sitting out last week and will most likely not be 100%. Up against those pass rushers in Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa for the Chargers, I think he will end up on his back plenty again today. I like Chargers QB Philip Rivers to have himself a day against this week Oakland secondary as well. First round Draft pick WR Mike Williams is making his debut as well today and I think he will shine. The Chargers offense will be too much for the Raiders who will have KC on their mind and look out for the Bolts to string together some wins and get back in the mix the next few weeks. CHARGERS+3
***PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS***
This one will be really short and sweet as it's almost game time. The Chiefs haven't lost since last year's playoff game when the Steelers came into KC and sent them packing. A lot of people are liking the Steelers to bounce back here today after QB Big Ben's worst performance of his career throwing 5 interceptions at home versus the Jags. It is a sexy spot for them to get the upset in a place and against a team they have had a lot of success against in recent history. However I think something may actually be really wrong with this Steelers offense and the Chiefs smell blood. No doubt these guys want revenge and to beat the hell out of Pittsburgh. I think QB Alex Smith will continue to play well and throw downfield against this secondary to move onto to 6-0. I have a ton of more reasoning, but out of time, sorry! CHIEFS-3.5
