Here is some advice for you, Cardinals fans…root against your team to lose…not for blowouts like we saw in LA last weekend but instead close games. You SHOULD WANT GM Steve Keim and first year coach Steve Wilks to lose their jobs. You SHOULD WANT to finish 2-14. You SHOULD WANT to get a fresh start. Because right now this team STINKS and as of now the prospects aren’t too much better for the future.
Is Josh Rosen a franchise quarterback? I’d say the odds are more likely than not that he’ll be a fine NFL starter one day. But the lack of credible receiving threats he has to work with on offense is laughable.
You ready for another suggestion? Get the #1 overall pick and trade it for a substantial package. Nick Bosa, formerly of Ohio State is a great defensive end prospect but the Cardinals should be more focused on offensive linemen and pass catchers.
In the meantime, if you consider yourselves legit Cardinals fans…be rooting against them for the next five Sundays.
On to this week’s picks…
Week 13 NFL Picks
Last Week: 11-4 Straight Up (SU), 10-5 Against the Spread (ATS)
Overall: 119-55-2 SU, 93-83 ATS
(Picks against the spread in parentheses; home teams in caps)
New Orleans 34, DALLAS 24 (ATS: Saints -7.5)
Now I’ll finally admit it…right now, the Saints are the best team in the league. With that said, I’ll still stand by my prediction that the Rams don’t lose again the rest of the season. But that’s besides the point. Dallas isn’t winning this game even though it’s in Arlington. I’m not as confident about the point spread pick, however.
Indianapolis 27, JACKSONVILLE 21 (ATS: Colts -3.5)
The Jags are a flat out disaster and it won’t be getting any better for them this season. Now QB Blake Bortles, who led the team to a 4th quarter lead in last year’s AFC Championship, has been benched for Cody freakin’ Kessler. Yikes! Colts continue their winning ways under the resurgent Andrew Luck.
HOUSTON 27, Cleveland 20 (ATS: Texans -4.5)
Speaking of teams on fire, the Texans have now won EIGHT in a row! Can you believe that? The Browns might be a playoff team in 2019…but the Texans are likely 2 wins away from a division title this season.
MIAMI 26, Buffalo 17 (ATS: Dolphins -5.5)
The Bills are shockingly better than I thought they’d be this season. So are the Dolphins. But still I could care less about this game. It has essentially ZERO fantasy football implications. So I’ll take Miami and the points without further analysis necessary.
GREEN BAY 31, Arizona 20 (ATS: Cardinals +14.5)
The Packers giving away two touchdowns to anyone right now seems a bit much. And I’m a Green Bay fan! Yes, the Cardinals are the worst team in the league but I think they keep it slightly closer than the massive spread.
Carolina 30, TAMPA BAY 24 (ATS: Panthers -3.5)
Not sure this game is going to be the epic shootout that most observers are expecting…in fact, the 54 total points I’ve projected might be too much. The Panthers have lost three in-a-row and need to get back on track before other teams start to pass them in the NFC playoff race. Here’s a good start against a lousy (at best) Bucs D.
Baltimore 27, ATLANTA 24 (ATS: Ravens -1.5)
I absolutely thought the Falcons would be favored here…but apparently I was wrong. Rookie QB Lamar Jackson has brought a necessary dual threat element to Baltimore’s offense…and I expect the Ravens to hold the ball for 35+ minutes on Sunday and win a close one…all but eliminating Atlanta from the NFC playoff chase.
Chicago 23, NEW YORK GIANTS 17 (ATS: Bears -3.5)
I don’t care who is starting at QB for the Bears this weekend (most like Chase Daniel)…their defense is among the best in the league and I have no trust that the Giants can beat a team over .500. Is that fair enough logic?
Denver 24, CINCINNATI 20 (ATS: Broncos -3.5)
No Andy Dalton for Cincinnati…but hey, A.J. Green is back at WR! Won’t matter…if Case Keenum can be mildly effective throwing the ball for Denver, they’ll have a shot at the AFC’s #6 seed.
Los Angeles Rams 33, DETROIT 21 (ATS: Rams -9.5)
I think it’s time for Detroit to move on from Matthew Stafford. He could net them at least a first round pick from a team like Jacksonville…because honestly they’ll never win anything with him at the helm in Detroit. Rams score at will and win comfortably on Sunday.
TENNESSEE 26, New York Jets 13 (ATS: Titans -9.5)
The Jets stink…while the Titans still have a reasonable chance at the AFC’s 6th playoff spot. Don’t overthink it here.
Kansas City 45, OAKLAND 20 (ATS: Chiefs -15.5)
I usually never like to take road favorites of 10 or more to cover the spread. But how do you expect Oakland’s pathetic defense to slow down the Chiefs’ incredibly dynamic offense. Fire up every Chiefs player you own in fantasy football.
SEATTLE 30, San Francisco 16 (ATS: Seahawks -10.5)
The Seahawks are legitimate playoff contenders after a stunning comeback upset win in Carolina last Sunday. San Francisco is “playing out the string” before focusing on offseason moves. Easy pick here.
NEW ENGLAND 30, Minnesota 27 (ATS: Vikings +6.5)
I have a sneaky feeling that Minnesota keeps this close…in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled the outright upset. The Vikings have to make a run at the Bears for the NFC North division, right?
PITTSBURGH 31, Los Angeles Chargers 21 (ATS: Steelers -3.5)
Play of the week alert here! Pittsburgh is coming off a tough road loss to Denver…and facing a Chargers team missing one of their best offensive players in RB Melvin Gordon. This line seems like a gift from the oddsmakers!
PHILADELPHIA 23, Washington 17 (ATS: Redskins +6.5)
How the heck are we supposed to predict this game? Philly looks like their sleepwalking week-in, week-out while the Redskins are a shell of themselves without QB Alex Smith. Give me Washington with the points, barely, and the Eagles to win the game on Monday night.
Week 13 Fantasy Football Guidance
‘Boom & Crush’ Record (15+ PPR fantasy points from a non-must start player)
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 21-15
‘Be Careful’ Record (12 or less PPR fantasy points from a top-15 player)
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 21-15
Boom & Crush:
QB: Marcus Mariota (TEN vs. NYJ)
RB: Chris Carson (SEA vs. SF)
WR/TE: D.J. Moore (CAR at TB)
Be Careful:
QB: Philip Rivers (LAC at PIT)
RB: Matt Breida (SF at SEA)
WR/TE: T.Y. Hilton (IND at JAX)
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Cohen's Corner 