APC Pick'em Thread: Week 7

I tried to put the upsets in all caps.

Chargers – Even in a win the Jets look terrible. SD’s more talented generally and should be able to pull out a win.

Browns – The Browns are just more of consistent team then the Seahawks.

Falcons – Every logical bit of a sense says the Lions, but the Falcons are just the type of team that can beat the Lions. They have a physical offense that is able to control the clock and pick up the mismatches that the Lions can struggle with. The only problem facing the Falcons is Megatron. If they can limit him to one TD catch then ATL should pull it out. Not to mention we don’t know how this Lion team will face adversity.

Bucs – They are streaky, but their bodies will be better adjusted to the time zone and jet lag.

Dolphins – In my mind this all comes down to who is more invested in the “Suck for Luck” campaign. After watching the Broncos start their fire sale this past week I think it’s Denver more committed to losing than the Fins.

Panthers – Is John Beck the answer in Washington? I don’t think so, as bad as Cam can look right now, I believe in him more than what Washington is going to put on the field.

Titans – This is the game where TN starts to pull away from the rest of its terrible, terrible division.

Steelers – Arizona is so bad that they lost to the Vikings. Do I need to say more?

Raiders – KC is the team that our third stringers beat in the preseason and the Raiders look pretty legit this year.

Pack – The Vikes….ha!

Cowboys – The Rams are a team that is not playing with confidence and really just can’t find an answer. Dallas can take care of teams like this….it’s the one that fight to the finish that the Cowboys struggle to put away.

Saints – Remember why I picked the Fins? That goes triple here since the Saints aren’t in the race but the Colts really are.

Ravens – The Jags were a team lost before the season began while the Ravens would love to put on nice highlight show in primetime to show why they are a Super Bowl contender this year.

AGREED: Washington, Cleveland, Detroit, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, Baltimore

If Miami can’t be Denver at home, how are they going to win a single game this season? I’m unimpressed with the Bucs on the road, and Mike Martz might have finally learned that good things happen when you protect the quarterback. I picked Tennessee because the Texans seem to be struggling badly without Andre Johnson. Oakland is much better than the Chiefs.

Carolina – lots of weapons and unlike the Skins previous opponents, this kid Cam knows how to use em

Cleveland – interesting stat I pointed out to a buddy of mine. Massaquoi has been showing steady improvement after playing injured most of the first 1/4 of the season and Hardesty is as good as Hillis. BELIEVE IT.

Deeeeeetroit – never be the team that has to play that team who just came off a tough loss. Sorry Falcons.

Miami – Tebow is a sham and they traded a really good receiver. Fail.

Bears – I like the Bucs, but Matt Forte is on a mission.

Titans – I am honestly shocked they didn’t make a stronger bid for Brandon Lloyd. This is a good team and I think they take the AFC South.

Cards – This is my upset pick. I just think the Cards are going to get better in fits and starts and the Steelers will be one of those teams they show something against before going on another skid.

Chiefs – 1.) Cassel and Bowe ALWAYS start a season crappy then get it together. 2.) Jackie Battle can do the work they need of him.

Cowboys – Ugh… I hate the Cowboys but the Rams are just not what I thought they’d be.

Saints – …

Ravens – Jags don’t stand a chance.

The entire nightmare we all sat through because Dora employed Nick Nolte yesterday just cost Leon every damned eucalyptus tree. Paul is totally over Annie’s killer gams. Bow down all lackeys! New overlord bests all losers!

WAS – Defense only giving up 16.6/game, and Panthers’ offense is still too one-dimensional.
CLE – Two terrible teams, but the Browns get the home and QB edge.
DET – Roddy White and Julio Jones are banged up, plus the Lions are at home.
DEN – Matt Moore will be QB’ing the Dolphins… need I say more?
NYJ – These teams’ combined record vs opponents w/.500 or better records? 0-4. The Jets get the home edge.
TB – The Bucs are good at home (3-1), Bears still searching for their first road win (0-2).
TEN – Houston’s offense just isn’t the same w/o Andre Johnson; same goes for their defense and Mario Williams.
PIT – Arizona is terrible. That is all.
OAK – Kansas City’s two wins: vs MIN, at IND. At least OAK has won at HOU and vs NYJ.
DAL – The Cowboys have been within 3-4 points in their losses. St. Louis’ losing margins? By 18, 12, 30, 7, and 21…
GB – Not sure what to expect from Ponder, but the Vikes’ defense isn’t going to stop Aaron Rodgers and Co.
NO – This game isn’t even fair.
BAL – The Ravens boast the top defense in the AFC, in terms of points against, w/14.6 game. Who is Blaine Gabbert throwing to, again?

..hah, made you read.. actually over on DN picked gb to win by 2 scores at least.. so to hedge, i will say here that ponder blah blah blah, and jared and the d-line blah blah as well, AP will bounce back from the blah blah and so there you have it!! sceintific reasoning for vikes upsetting the pack and thus ending their run at the 72 dolfs..

The Bears and Lions games will be very interesting. New Orleans will demolish Indy,

Carolina is like the Bulls of the mid 1980s, so I’m going with the Sex Cannon to throw downfield on the Panthers’ secondary
Both teams in the Seahawks/Browns game are awful, but I picked the Seachickens…. we’ll see if Charlie Whitehurst can fake out the Cleveland D.
Julio Jones and Roddy White are owie, so if Stafford can not make it look like a two man show with him and Megatron and pass the ball around, Detroit comes on top
I picked Tampa Bay in this one because, 1. I hate the Bears and will root against them for now until eternity, and if they might be riding high over their victory against Breesus and the Saints.
Andre Johnson not being in? Win goes to the Titans who have been doing pretty good.
Pittsburgh, no doubt about it. I’d almost vote for the Richwoods High School freshman squad to beat the Cards.
Oakland has a good chance of beating the Chiefs as they’ve only beaten terrible teams in Indy and with Minnesota.
The rest are pretty much “DUH!” picks with GB, NO, Dallas, and the Ravens beating up on teams that are weaker than newborn kittens on Valium.
Oh, and Jay Cutler sucks more than Paris Hilton backstage at a Def Leppard concert on 10 hits of Ecstasy.

sucking on Cheesestradamus, thank you.

Not sold on TB, DC, or NYJ as legitimate contenders. I see the Bears doing just enough to beat TB, Rex/Beck giving the Panthers a win, and San Diego’s offense being too much for the (over-rated) defense of the NYJ’s.

Falcons – I think the 49ers showed the blueprint to beat them. Put a safety over the top of Johnson, and don’t let him and Stafford connect deep. I don’t see Detroit’s defense being able to slow down the Falcons.

Texans – This one is a toss up for me. The Texans haven’t been as good without Johnson but they’ve still played deccent, and their defense has looked good. But the Titans seem so wildly inconsistent. Just never know when they’re gonna show up to play or not.

Washington Redskins @ Carolina Panthers – WAS

The Redskins D is for real, and Cam is coming back to earth. Beck will do just enough to keep the running game going as Torain and Helu grind down the Panthers.

Seattle Seahawks @ Cleveland Browns – CLE

McCoy is putting up the numbers, unfortunately it’s more because of the volume, than the skill. Regardless, the Browns won’t be able to run very well on the SEA defense and with Trufant out for the season, I see CLE airing it out a lot and with good success.

Atlanta Falcons @ Detroit Lions – DET

The Silverdome will be rocking for this game. The Stafford to Megatron connection will be in full force. Matt Ryan has not looked sharp this year. Because of that, ATL has relied on their running game. Unfortunately, the Lions front 7 is stellar and will force Matty Ice to air it out. The Lions D has allowed the 2nd fewest 20+ yard passing plays so far this season. I think the Lions win big.

Denver Broncos @ Miami Dolphins – DEN

I as well have faith in Tebow. DEN has an awful pass defense, but MIA has an awful pass offense, so it’s a wash. I think Denvers improved run defense will keep MIA in pass mode which will let Von Miller and company key in on Matt Moore.

San Diego Chargers @ New York Jets – SD

In close games, I usually go with the home team, but not in this case. Sanchez has really under-performed so far, and the Chargers Defense is very good. Even with V-Jax being cast away on Revis Island, I think the SD running game will be effective (the NYJ run defense has been suspect this year) enough to keep the safeties honest and open up the middle of the field for Gates and Floyd.

Chicago Bears @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TB

I’m going with TB for the upset at home. CHI will have success if they lean heavily on Forte, but I don’t think the great blocking last week was an indication of improvement. I think the TB defense will shake, rattle, and roll Cutler into multiple turnovers and the Bucs will squeek out the win.

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans – TEN

Houston’s offense has been a dissapointment thus far. It doesn’t help that their all-pro WR is out, but they didn’t look this bad last year when he was out. I think the Titans will force feed Chris Johnson the ball. TEN has been mixing in lots of counters and off tackle draws to keep defenses on their toes while CJ2K gets into game shape. Now that he seems to be in full football mode, I expect a more traditional running game. This will be the week CJ2K breaks out and helps his team win the time of possession battle as well as the game.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Arizona Cardinals – PIT

The Steelers passing game is no match for the woeful Cardinals secondary. Heck, even the Viqueens threw the ball on the Cards. Steelers in a rout.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders – OAK

The Raiders have hope with the new QB, but he won’t make an impact this week. This game will be all about D-Mac and Bush running all over the meager KC defense. Oakland wins easy.

St. Louis Rams @ Dallas Cowboys – DAL

I just don’t have faith in the Rams right now. I think they’re a good team who will come around eventually, but this will not be their week. Romo will put up big numbers and Murray/Choice will do just fine filling in for Felix Jones.

Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings – GB

A-Rod for MVP.

Indianapolis Colts @ New Orleans Saints – NO

This is a mismatch. Brees has cooled off recently, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him throw for 4 TD’s against the horrid Colts secondary. And even though the Saints give up plenty of big passing plays, the Colts just aren’t good enough to keep pace in a shootout. Saints by 2 scores.

Baltimore Ravens @ Jacksonville Jaguars – BAL

This will be another laugher. Poor Gabbert. I wouldn’t want to face this defense either.

Chicago just arrived in London this morning (Friday)..Bucs have been there since Tuesday. It will be interesting, but I think the Bucs took the right approach.

Really think the Lions will win, but going with my heart..:)

Panthers have been to close to lose against Beck
Hillis is hurt and Colt isn’t ready for 50 +passes a game
Atl,lose and their done,Smith won’t allow it this early
Mia,because it’s Tim Rah Rah time
SD they can’t lose again to the Jets
Chi defense,defense in spite of Cutler Cutler
Tenn got the Texans number
Pitt Kolb,Kolb and more Kolb
KC,,Janikowski can’t kick it
Dal.the Romo-coaster is climbing this week…I think
GB..words elude me
NO.win one for the Coach
Bal no fans,no team,no worries