PML Pick Ems’ is going to be a weekly segment featuring Greeny, Arod, Cammy, Burn, and I where we predict the winners for every PML game. We will also have excerpts each week from each of us, but these excerpts will feature different topics each week. This week we are focusing on each matchup and discussing around the league in the PML.
Week 17 Matchups –
This was the first week where we went undefeated as a collective on our consensus picks. Granted it was only four games, but Greeny’s lead was reduced to just four correct picks with two weeks left in the season. This was one of his worst weeks for picks going 9-7 and opening the door for a comeback for the other predictors.
Greeny –
Jacksonville 42 – Carolina 24:
T-Booty and the jags played much better ball in the second half of the season. It hasn’t been perfect but much improved. They are playing to keep Tlaw dev intact, and I expect a good game. Panthers have not had the season they would have hoped for and are turning to some young guns to see what they have for next year.
Los Angeles Rams 45 – New York Giants 31:
Cook and the Rams keep their strong season going even with some tumultuous weeks recently. They have lost Kupp for the remainder of the season but with 2 defensive touchdowns in this one pull away late. The Giants had their best offensive game of the season last week, but I don’t see it continuing this week again a very good defensive coach. Aaron Donald wrecks the gameplan here.
Arizona 56 – Philadelphia 49:
Shootout alert. These two coaches can both put up points and the Eagles have the worst defense in the league currently. They have been playing better rattling of 2 of their 5 wins in the last 3 weeks but Que and the Cards will be playing to show they will be an impact team season 2. Expect touchdowns galore in this game, this should be a game of high interest in the Underdog and Drafting slate.
Burn –
Chicago 28 – Atlanta 17:
This matchup features two teams who are in the thick of the NFC playoff race. At the moment the Bears are slated as the 6th seed while the Falcons are outside looking in at the 8th spot. The Falcons traded a lot to get Waddle on their team. They essentially mortgaged their immediate future for the chance to take their offense to new heights and lead them into the playoffs. This has failed so far as not only are they outside of the playoffs if the season ended today, but they are in the bottom 5 for passing yards and total yards gained per game. The Bears are one game away from taking over the division lead from the Packers. They have one of the best rushing offenses in the game and will look to dominate the Falcons with it. If the Bears can win this game and the Packers lose their game, it would potentially lead right into a divisional battle for the NFC North crown. The Falcons will be highly motivated to win given all they gave up this season, but I feel that the Bears will come away with the victory 28-17.
Las Vegas 30 – Indianapolis 27:
Welp, someone has to win this right? This game features two teams who have only four wins this season. Both teams are going to be playing for pride. The Raiders are hanging tough in each game they play, however, they can’t close out the games for one reason or another. Well, they can’t stop throwing interceptions, that’s the issue. Speaking of interceptions, Richardson is having a terrible season by currently leading the league in interceptions. He has 39 interceptions on the season and that number could get to over 45 by the end of the season. The Colts have a top ten rushing attack and will need to lean on it for a chance to win this game. The over under on interceptions is set at 6 for this game. I think this game will be closer than most think, however, I think it will be the Raiders who throw the least number of picks and win the game 30-27.
Houston 24 – Tennessee 14:
This is a huge divisional matchup at the end of the season. Both teams have two divisional games left, however, the Texans have a two-game lead at the moment. If the Titans can win their next two games while the Texans lose both games, they would be tied at 11-6 at the end of the season. The Titans would get the division crown by virtue of a better division record at 5-1 compared to 4-2. This is the best-case scenario for the Titans.
The Texans know full well that they just need to win one of their last two to seal the division crown. Odds are severely in their favor as they have not only beat the Titans a few weeks ago, they have not been defeated in divisional games. They know what’s at stake. The Titans have been impressive after training Henry; however, the Texans aren’t going to let the division slip out of their hands. Texans win 24-14.
AROD –
New York Jets 24 – Cleveland 13:
Cleveland is without Nick Chubb for the remainder of the season as they now find themselves on the outside looking in the AFC playoff picture. Losing Chubb is a major blow for Mali. New York on the other hand looks to extend the win streak to 4 games and clinch the Jets first playoff berth since 2010. More or less the Jets will play hard nose defense while pounding the Browns into submission with Dalvin Cook. Jets get the dub and clinch a playoff spot.
Detroit 41 – Dallas 21:
This game has major upset alert written all over it. But is it really an upset the ways things are going in Dallas? The Cowboys have now dropped 4 straight and will be without Ceedee Lamb who is serving a 2-game suspension. The Cowboys losing streak will hit 5 games and the Lions will secure the road win as they look to close out the season on a high note.
New England 28 – Buffalo 21:
The Patriots have now ripped off 6 straight and are steamrolling through anything in their way. For the Bills, this is a must win game to keep their playoff hopes alive. They will come out and give it all they got, but right now the Patriots look untouchable, and I expect them to pick up the win here sending the Bills into panic mode week 18.
Cammy –
Baltimore 30 – Miami 23:
THIS IS THE MOMENT WE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.. The Baltimore front office truly believes they won’t be pick 1 and this is one of the few games on their schedule that I truly believe he can squeak one out. Lamar dev is gone and now the coach finally feels free from the handcuff that he was worried about. It’ll be very important for these ravens to sell out and stop the run force these Dolphins to pass the ball. If they can achieve that I think the Ravens will come out with a win.
Green Bay 35 – Minnesota 17:
I don’t think Minnesota has anything to play for anymore and I think they’ll just go out there to try and have a good time. The Packers still want that bye so they can relax and party it up without having the stress of 4 games on their calendar in the post season. This will be a great game between two tiered coaches unfortunately with not much stakes on the line and that’s why I have the Packers.
San Francisco – 28 Washington 10:
The Commanders offense has lately looked like one of the worst offenses in the league. Last week they had the ball about 4 times starting at the 50 and were unable to make any noise with that at all! I truly respect the commanders coach as a person and a player on the field, but he needs to dig deep into the lab to start figuring some stuff out or he’ll continue to have terrible performances on that side of the field for a long time. The 49ers are poised for a playoff push, and I think they’ll move through this game with no problem.
Fallen –
New Orleans 28 – Tampa Bay 15:
The Saints are on a 9-game winning streak and are one of the most impressive teams in the league right now, but they lost to the Buccaneers 35-38 all the way back in week 4. However, I think this is a much better Saints team than the one in the start of the season. Derek Carr is playing the best football of his career and in that game, he threw for 400 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. I think he mimics those stats; except he’ll throw for less interceptions.
Seattle 31 – Pittsburgh 28:
Pittsburgh has four crucial players out this week; T.J Watt, Pat Freiermuth, Joey Porter Jr. and Zach Wilson. It’ll be another 3 games for Zach Wilson, so unless the Steelers can make a deep playoff run, Wilson’s season is pretty much over. Seattle is going to take advantage of Kenny Pickett’s miniscule arm strength and press the Steelers receivers all game long. I think this is going to be a turnover fest, but the Seahawks will get back into the win column this week.
Los Angeles Chargers 31 – Denver 20:
Justin Herbert revenge game? Herbert was knocked out of their earlier matchup and the Chargers lost to the Broncos 31-36. I don’t think Codes is going to let that happen again. His run defense was pure Swiss cheese the last time these two teams faced off and I think the Chargers are going to aim to stop the run and force Trey Lance to beat them through the air.
Kansas City 40 – Cincinnati 15:
This isn’t a very good matchup for the Bengals. Kansas City is starving for victories right now and they’re going to be looking to gain the points advantage over the Chargers, so expect their offense to have an up-tempo approach. The Bengals defenders are going to be gasping for air all game long. This one might be over by halftime.
