2014 Suicide Pool Strategy Thread (3 Viewers)

[fantasy stud]

Warming up to Buffalo. Minnesota has looked awful for 2 weeks. Buffalo at home coming off a loss. I see them being able to shut down Minnesota's run and making Bridgewater beat them which I don't think he can right now. Buffalo should be able to run the ball against Minnesota and cruise to a 10 point win.

 

[Futz]

I too have talked myself out of Seattle and leaning Buffalo. Detroit gave a blue print clinic on how to stop Minny's offense and exposed the rookie QB.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

I've reluctantly got Cleveland selected at the moment.

I'm considering Buffalo, or Seattle. Both make me a bit nervous, though, as they each had rough weeks. That could mean bounce-back, but it could mean a mini slump.

 

[bbdut]

Is Chicago a reasonable option? Marshall and Jeffery are healthy and the offense seems to be clicking. They are 0-2 at home and it's hard to see them losing another one.

Miami played GB tough, but the last second loss had to be somewhat deflating. They have had a couple of ugly losses sandwiched between a win over NE in the opener and a win over Oakland in London. This is only their 2nd true road game...the first was a 29-10 blowout loss to Buffalo.

The spread is relatively low (3.5), but for some reason I feel more confident here than with some of the bigger favorites. Thoughts?

 

[FUBAR]

great, now I'm considering not using NE.

 

[bigbrownbag]

great, now I'm considering not using NE.

In my pool the Thursday night games are not available.

Yeah, for whatever reason I really like buffalo and Miami as my choices. More so than any of the bigger favorites.

I really hate taking those interdivison games unless it's the second meeting and the team I think will win lost the first time. Example Cleveland last week.

 

[Futz]

Is Chicago a reasonable option? Marshall and Jeffery are healthy and the offense seems to be clicking. They are 0-2 at home and it's hard to see them losing another one.

Miami played GB tough, but the last second loss had to be somewhat deflating. They have had a couple of ugly losses sandwiched between a win over NE in the opener and a win over Oakland in London. This is only their 2nd true road game...the first was a 29-10 blowout loss to Buffalo.

The spread is relatively low (3.5), but for some reason I feel more confident here than with some of the bigger favorites. Thoughts?

It's hard to see them losing another and yet they haven't won a game at home all season? There has to better options out there for you.

 

[Raider Nation]

GRRRRR!!!! So close. NE losing would have booted another 20% of the pool.

Just wish he could have gotten that damn kick up in the air. I feel so cheated.

 

[FUBAR]

GRRRRR!!!! So close. NE losing would have booted another 20% of the pool.

Just wish he could have gotten that damn kick up in the air. I feel so cheated.

Meanwhile, 20% of us are already safe for the week.

That was way too close.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Just wish he could have gotten that damn kick up in the air.

Or that the Jets could have been even slightly better in the red zone.

 

[Freelove]

Already figured this week for a #### storm. Last night did nothing to soothe my nerves.

Sticking with the DAL pick for reasons previously stated:

- Objectively better team

- At home

- Giants' major offensive weapons all on the shelf

- Long week of practice coming up eases a little psychological pressure

- Riding high after big win

All in all, it's still thin when you consider they're division rivals and the NYG's haven't exactly been a dumpster fire every week. But thin is the name of the game this week, I guess. So...

WK 1: PIT
WK 2: DEN
WK 3: NE
WK 4: IND
WK 5: GB
WK 6: SD

WK 7: DAL

 

[TeeDub]

For those looking at picking ravens this week, there's suppose to be wind gusts of 15-20mph by kickoff. Does this deter you from choosing ravens this week?

 

[Freelove]

For those looking at picking ravens this week, there's suppose to be wind gusts of 15-20mph by kickoff. Does this deter you from choosing ravens this week?

If anything, I would find that encouraging. Anything that makes ATL's one seeming path to victory more difficult makes BAL look even better.

 

[bigbrownbag]

Already figured this week for a #### storm. Last night did nothing to soothe my nerves.

Sticking with the DAL pick for reasons previously stated:

- Objectively better team

- At home

- Giants' major offensive weapons all on the shelf

- Long week of practice coming up eases a little psychological pressure

- Riding high after big win

All in all, it's still thin when you consider they're division rivals and the NYG's haven't exactly been a dumpster fire every week. But thin is the name of the game this week, I guess. So...

WK 1: PITWK 2: DENWK 3: NEWK 4: INDWK 5: GBWK 6: SD

WK 7: DAL

I ask you this. Would you be shocked if the Giants won?

 

[FUBAR]

For those looking at picking ravens this week, there's suppose to be wind gusts of 15-20mph by kickoff. Does this deter you from choosing ravens this week?

If anything, I would find that encouraging. Anything that makes ATL's one seeming path to victory more difficult makes BAL look even better.

if both of these teams run more, Baltimore has a better edge.

 

[Freelove]

Already figured this week for a #### storm. Last night did nothing to soothe my nerves.

Sticking with the DAL pick for reasons previously stated:

- Objectively better team

- At home

- Giants' major offensive weapons all on the shelf

- Long week of practice coming up eases a little psychological pressure

- Riding high after big win

All in all, it's still thin when you consider they're division rivals and the NYG's haven't exactly been a dumpster fire every week. But thin is the name of the game this week, I guess. So...

WK 1: PITWK 2: DENWK 3: NEWK 4: INDWK 5: GBWK 6: SD

WK 7: DAL

I ask you this. Would you be shocked if the Giants won?

There is no game available to me, where I would be shocked if either opponent won.

 

[J-LEW]

I havent posted yet. These are my top 3 picks for your survivor pool this week.

#1 - Arizona. Clearly the better team. Arizona is 4-1 with a sole loss in Denver. Oakland is 0-5 and hasnt done much to impress me, aside from Carr having throw 8 TD's this year. Great defensive team, up against a rookie QB that hasnt seen a defensive scheme as good as Zona. I think they handle the rookie QB fairly easily and win this game by 2 touchdowns. Arizona win 27-13.

#2 - Dallas. I really wanted to take Dallas this week. Coming off a big win vs Seattle, and the Giants coming off a big loss in Philly, has the makings for a potential upset, however. I know that Victor Cruz is out for the year, and Rashad Jennings sits on the bench, but the Giants/Cowboys always seem to play each other tough regardless of who is in the lineup. Not saying it will happen, but its for sure in the realm of possibility.

#3 Seattle. Taking the road favourite in a big divisional tilt seems to be survivor pool suicide. I would AVOID it at all costs. Seattle probably wins this game, but you will have to sweat it out for sure. This is no gimme. Seattle is in turmoil this week after having lost a couple games this year that they didnt expect to lose. They just traded Percy Harvin this week, so there locker room has to be a bit shook up. The Rams always seem to show up against the Seahawks, as do the other division rivals. Lets remember, that the Cardinals went into Seattle last year, and won, FYI. Something that no other team was able to do over the past three years, until the Cowboys repeating that feat last week. Buyer beware.

Good luck, rolling with Arizona this week.

 

[Freelove]

I havent posted yet. These are my top 3 picks for your survivor pool this week.

#1 - Arizona. Clearly the better team. Arizona is 4-1 with a sole loss in Denver. Oakland is 0-5 and hasnt done much to impress me, aside from Carr having throw 8 TD's this year. Great defensive team, up against a rookie QB that hasnt seen a defensive scheme as good as Zona. I think they handle the rookie QB fairly easily and win this game by 2 touchdowns. Arizona win 27-13.

#2 - Dallas. I really wanted to take Dallas this week. Coming off a big win vs Seattle, and the Giants coming off a big loss in Philly, has the makings for a potential upset, however. I know that Victor Cruz is out for the year, and Rashad Jennings sits on the bench, but the Giants/Cowboys always seem to play each other tough regardless of who is in the lineup. Not saying it will happen, but its for sure in the realm of possibility.

#3 Seattle. Taking the road favourite in a big divisional tilt seems to be survivor pool suicide. I would AVOID it at all costs. Seattle probably wins this game, but you will have to sweat it out for sure. This is no gimme. Seattle is in turmoil this week after having lost a couple games this year that they didnt expect to lose. They just traded Percy Harvin this week, so there locker room has to be a bit shook up. The Rams always seem to show up against the Seahawks, as do the other division rivals. Lets remember, that the Cardinals went into Seattle last year, and won, FYI. Something that no other team was able to do over the past three years, until the Cowboys repeating that feat last week. Buyer beware.

Good luck, rolling with Arizona this week.

A wiser man than me would probably take ARZ, BAL, or SEA.

I'm just finding things I don't like about each of those matchups that are a tad more concrete than "the Giants always play the Cowboys tough." Which is, of course, ABSOLUTELY true. But I've got to go based on the rational rather than the anecdotal. And the divisional opponent mythology is the only thing I see that doesn't point the arrow WAY over toward Dallas.

I know I could easily eat it this week. But hey, that's the name of the game.

GL to all stayin' alive!

 

[Freelove]

After all that hullaballoo (that can't be how that's spelled), I switched to BAL last minute. Since they've amped up the crappy, windy weather forecast even further, it's getting harder and harder to imagine ATL coming through.

So...

WK 1: PIT
WK 2: DEN
WK 3: NE
WK 4: IND
WK 5: GB
WK 6: SD

WK 7: BAL

...

I'm nothing if not indecisive.

 

[Big Blue Wrecking Crew]

I too have talked myself out of Seattle and leaning Buffalo. Detroit gave a blue print clinic on how to stop Minny's offense and exposed the rookie QB.

Where I am going. Minny's line is in shambles, and that is Buffalo's strength.

 

[FUBAR]

If I hadn't already won this week, Arizona would be my choice and it's not close.

 

[Lascelle]

Feeling really good about my Baltimore pick right now. As terrible as Matt Ryan has been on the road over Atlanta's 10 consecutive defeats in an opposing team's stadium, 54 passing yards at the half is downright atrocious. It's not like the Falcons are ever going to beat you with the run unless they actually deviate from their gameplan and take the training wheels off Antone Smith. And they clearly have no interest in doing that.

I'm just a touch worried on whether that loss to the Cowboys gets in their heads and they begin doubting themselves. Psychologically, this is not a path this Seahawks team has traveled. They haven't lost a home game that mattered in almost three years. We really don't have any information on how they'll respond.

Judging from Seattle's panic trade of Harvin, springing it on his teammates at the last second and their 21-6 deficit to the Rams at halftime... evidently we now have an idea how the Seahawks will respond to a rare, historic home defeat.

 

[Lascelle]

So we'll be losing folks who took Seattle for the 2nd consecutive week.. along with the Browns backers.

Time to see if Dallas and Arizona can hold serve. After which we can start talking about Week 8.

 

[Freelove]

So we'll be losing folks who took Seattle for the 2nd consecutive week.. along with the Browns backers.

Time to see if Dallas and Arizona can hold serve. After which we can start talking about Week 8.

Still feel good about Dallas, the way the game matches up. But not at all disappointed I made the late switch over to BAL. Thank you, weather gods.

 

[Futz]

BUFFALO! :WHEW:

 

[Lascelle]

BUFFALO! :WHEW:

You dodged one hell of a bullet there. Congrats!

 

[Futz]

BUFFALO! :WHEW:

You dodged one hell of a bullet there. Congrats!

That's the third time this year I've changed my pick towards the end of the week from these threads and the team I would have taken (Seattle this week) lost. Good stuff. I was more excited about that victory than my Lion's pulling off a minor miracle against N.O.

 

[Raider Nation]

I preach "safe picks" and then take Seattle, which hit two no-no's... division game + road team. But I refused to believe they would lose two straight.

BTW, Mason clearly fumbled and Seattle clearly recovered. So naturally, St. Louis is awarded the ball with no review. Not that I'm bitter!

Oh well, I've won this thing before. Time to give someone else a chance. Good luck to the rest of you.

 

[J-LEW]

I havent posted yet. These are my top 3 picks for your survivor pool this week.

#1 - Arizona. Clearly the better team. Arizona is 4-1 with a sole loss in Denver. Oakland is 0-5 and hasnt done much to impress me, aside from Carr having throw 8 TD's this year. Great defensive team, up against a rookie QB that hasnt seen a defensive scheme as good as Zona. I think they handle the rookie QB fairly easily and win this game by 2 touchdowns. Arizona win 27-13.

#2 - Dallas. I really wanted to take Dallas this week. Coming off a big win vs Seattle, and the Giants coming off a big loss in Philly, has the makings for a potential upset, however. I know that Victor Cruz is out for the year, and Rashad Jennings sits on the bench, but the Giants/Cowboys always seem to play each other tough regardless of who is in the lineup. Not saying it will happen, but its for sure in the realm of possibility.

#3 Seattle. Taking the road favourite in a big divisional tilt seems to be survivor pool suicide. I would AVOID it at all costs. Seattle probably wins this game, but you will have to sweat it out for sure. This is no gimme. Seattle is in turmoil this week after having lost a couple games this year that they didnt expect to lose. They just traded Percy Harvin this week, so there locker room has to be a bit shook up. The Rams always seem to show up against the Seahawks, as do the other division rivals. Lets remember, that the Cardinals went into Seattle last year, and won, FYI. Something that no other team was able to do over the past three years, until the Cowboys repeating that feat last week. Buyer beware.

Good luck, rolling with Arizona this week.

Shameless self-promotion calling Arizona for a 27-13 win over Oakland. Final score, 24-13!

Hopefully, I was able to caution people from taking Seattle as well, who look to have eliminated several people from survivors this week by breaking the golden rule...NEVER EVER take a road favourite in a divisional game! Like I said earlier, its survivor pool suicide! See you next week!

 

[Raider Nation]

 

[Lascelle]

Early look ahead at options for Week 8...

Kansas City - Hosting the Rams (fresh off their Seahawks upset) at vaunted Arrowhead; this is the first of 3 suicide pool-friendly home games to take the Chiefs this season - the others being Week 9 vs. the Jets and Week 15 vs. the Raiders (that week boasts a ton of divisional matchups); probably makes sense to take Kansas City one of the next two weeks but which opponent do you fear less? Week 9 certainly seems to boast a wider array of preferred matchups so this may be the ideal time to ride KC. Travelling across Missouri may not be much of a road trip for the Rams but they have lost 5 straight to the Chiefs and it's not like they're beating anyone by more than 2 points this year. They've also never had much road luck against Andy Reid - only toppling the Eagles in Philadelphia once in overtime way back in 2001.

Dallas - The hottest team in football only has two appetizing matchups the rest of the way - this coming week hosting the Redskins on Monday night and Week 10 in London against the no-longer-winless Jaguars. Washington has not won on the road this season... in fact, they've lost 9 consecutive road games starting with a road game in Dallas in Week 6 of last season. Now RG3 is supposedly going to be healthy and motivated to win his starting job back - but it's not like he can stop the Cowboys from running all over these indians on defense.

Cleveland - After being embarrassed by the Jaguars on the road, the Browns aren't going to return home and cough up a win to "that other winless team" in the Raiders... or are they? Cleveland has played much better at home than they have on the road and they have the weapons to decimate the Raiders pitiful run defense that just coughed up 160 yards to Andre Ellington and 124 yards to Branden Oliver over the past two weeks. I would like this matchup better if it was a 1pm start instead of an Oakland-friendly 4:25pm game... but nevertheless, Oakland has an active 15-game losing streak in the Eastern time zone and that's not likely to change. In fact, just like with Washington's streak, this particular streak of futility started with the same opponent. That streak of Eastern defeats started in Cleveland in Week 16 of 2009. As for the Browns, their only opportune Eliminator plays are vs. Oakland this week and next week at home vs. the Buccaneers.

The one other matchup that I suppose could see some action would be Miami on the road at Jacksonville... but the three quality home matchups above seem like it really shouldn't be necessary to grasp at that straw just yet.

Incidentally, just taking the above 3 teams in a vacuum, I'd lean Cleveland (over Oakland) in Week 8, Kansas City (over NY Jets) in Week 9 and Dallas (in London over Jacksonville) in Week 10... but weeks 9 & 10 certainly have other possibilities.

 

[J-LEW]

Early look ahead at options for Week 8...

Kansas City - Host the Rams (fresh off their Seahawks upset) at vaunted Arrowhead; this is the first of 3 appetizing home games to take the Chiefs this season - the others being Week 9 vs. the Jets and Week 15 vs. the Raiders (that week boasts a ton of divisional matchups); probably makes sense to take Kansas City one of the next two weeks but which opponent do you fear less? Week 9 certainly seems to boast a wider array of preferred matchups so this may be the ideal time to ride KC. Travelling across Missouri may not be much of a road trip for the Rams but they have loss 5 straight to the Chiefs and it's not like they're beating anyone by more than 2 points. They've also never had much road luck against Andy Reid - only beating the Eagles in Philadelphia once in overtime way back in 2001.

Dallas - The hottest team in football only has two appetizing matchups the rest of the way - this coming week hosting the Redskins on Monday night and Week 10 on the road against the no-longer-winless Jaguars. Washington has not won on the road this season... in fact, they've lost 9 consecutive road games starting with a road game in Dallas in Week 6 of last season. Now RG3 is supposedly going to be healthy and motivated to win his starting job back - but it's not like he can stop the Cowboys from running all over these indians on defense.

Cleveland - After being embarrassed by the Jaguars on the road, the Browns aren't going to return home and cough up a win to "that other winless team" in the Raiders... or are they? Cleveland has played much better at home than they have on the road and they have the weapons to decimate the Raiders pitiful run defense that just coughed up 160 yards to Andre Ellington and 124 yards to Branden Oliver over the past two weeks. I would like this matchup better if it was a 1pm start instead of an Oakland-friendly 4:25pm game... but nevertheless, Oakland has an active 15-game losing streak in the Eastern time zone and that's not likely to change. In fact, just like with Washington's streak, this particular streak of futility started with the same opponent. That 15-week streak of Eastern defeats started in Cleveland in Week 16 of 2009. As for the Browns, their only opportune Eliminator plays are vs. Oakland this week and next week at home vs. the Buccaneers.

The one other matchup that I suppose could see some action would be Miami on the road at Jacksonville... but the three appetizing home matchups above seem like it really shouldn't be necessary to grasp at that straw just yet.

Incidentally, just taking the above 3 teams in a vacuum, I'd lean Cleveland (over Oakland) in Week 8, Kansas City (over NY Jets) in Week 9 and Dallas (@ Jacksonville) in Week 10... but weeks 9 & 10 certainly have other possibilities.

As a Dolphins homer, I really like the Phins in Jax, in what is essentially a home game for us. This is the safest bet for my Phins all year, except for Week 16 when we host the Vikings (still a long ways away, which is why I like the pick even more). I especially like the Phins this week as you get to "save" the Cowboys for Week 10 @ Jax. Considering most survivors still have Seattle in there back pocket, you can take them in Week 9 when Oakland comes to Seattle. Next three weeks look like this:

week 8: Miami over Jax

week 9: Seattle over Oakland

week 10: Dallas over Jax

See you boys in week 11!

 

[FUBAR]

Early look ahead at options for Week 8...

Kansas City - Hosting the Rams (fresh off their Seahawks upset) at vaunted Arrowhead; this is the first of 3 suicide pool-friendly home games to take the Chiefs this season - the others being Week 9 vs. the Jets and Week 15 vs. the Raiders (that week boasts a ton of divisional matchups); probably makes sense to take Kansas City one of the next two weeks but which opponent do you fear less? Week 9 certainly seems to boast a wider array of preferred matchups so this may be the ideal time to ride KC. Travelling across Missouri may not be much of a road trip for the Rams but they have lost 5 straight to the Chiefs and it's not like they're beating anyone by more than 2 points this year. They've also never had much road luck against Andy Reid - only toppling the Eagles in Philadelphia once in overtime way back in 2001.

Dallas - The hottest team in football only has two appetizing matchups the rest of the way - this coming week hosting the Redskins on Monday night and Week 10 on the road against the no-longer-winless Jaguars. Washington has not won on the road this season... in fact, they've lost 9 consecutive road games starting with a road game in Dallas in Week 6 of last season. Now RG3 is supposedly going to be healthy and motivated to win his starting job back - but it's not like he can stop the Cowboys from running all over these indians on defense.

Cleveland - After being embarrassed by the Jaguars on the road, the Browns aren't going to return home and cough up a win to "that other winless team" in the Raiders... or are they? Cleveland has played much better at home than they have on the road and they have the weapons to decimate the Raiders pitiful run defense that just coughed up 160 yards to Andre Ellington and 124 yards to Branden Oliver over the past two weeks. I would like this matchup better if it was a 1pm start instead of an Oakland-friendly 4:25pm game... but nevertheless, Oakland has an active 15-game losing streak in the Eastern time zone and that's not likely to change. In fact, just like with Washington's streak, this particular streak of futility started with the same opponent. That streak of Eastern defeats started in Cleveland in Week 16 of 2009. As for the Browns, their only opportune Eliminator plays are vs. Oakland this week and next week at home vs. the Buccaneers.

The one other matchup that I suppose could see some action would be Miami on the road at Jacksonville... but the three quality home matchups above seem like it really shouldn't be necessary to grasp at that straw just yet.

Incidentally, just taking the above 3 teams in a vacuum, I'd lean Cleveland (over Oakland) in Week 8, Kansas City (over NY Jets) in Week 9 and Dallas (@ Jacksonville) in Week 10... but weeks 9 & 10 certainly have other possibilities.

any rivalry game gives me pause, but Dallas seems too good to pass on. They're my pick right now.

I wouldn't bet against the Rams, but KC is the most popular pick this week (for now).

 

[Pip's Invitation]

What about Detroit over Atlanta in London? London games usually go to form, Atlanta is awful away from the Georgia Dome, and Detroit's beastly front seven should have its way with Atlanta's atrocious O-Line.

 

[Big Blue Wrecking Crew]

BUFFALO! :WHEW:

Was following on ESPN app on phone and two or three times, it showed incorrect information seemingly indicating the Bills were done. Crazy stuff...on to Week 8!

 

[Lascelle]

What about Detroit over Atlanta in London? London games usually go to form, Atlanta is awful away from the Georgia Dome, and Detroit's beastly front seven should have its way with Atlanta's atrocious O-Line.

I like this call a lot - certainly more than the Dolphins on the road in Jacksonville (those teams have split that series with 3 wins a piece). Granted, the Falcons were able to win away from the Georgia Dome once last season in a neutral site game but that was indoors inside a dome in Toronto. Outside in London at Wembley Stadium in overcast 50-degree weather, the Lions are certainly set up a lot better to take advantage. That Falcons offensive line isn't fooling anybody right now and Detroit has literally been built to dismantle a team with such an obvious weakness. They've also been finding ways to win and persevere without Megatron - simply using the Tatertron in that role instead.

Both of the next two London games (this one and Dallas-Jacksonville in Week 10) bring nice safety appeal. Detroit doesn't really have an attractive matchup again until Week 14 when they host the Bucs - a week with plenty of home favorites albeit ones that have likely been exhausted in Survival pools by now (Denver, Green Bay, etc.)

My issue with the Fish - and frankly, ALL AFC East teams apart from the Jets - is that they seem to play up to or down to the level of their competition. Playing the good teams tough and the bad teams weak. That makes for a lot of variable unpredictability which I'd rather avoid. The Jets stand out as an exception in that they're just plain awful against everyone (except against teams in their division that will play down to their level).

On the pro-Dallas front for this week, the news that Colt McCoy is starting for the 'Skins has to be considered a plus. Considering the volume of promising matchups on Week 10 (Denver @ Oakland, NY Giants @ Seattle, Tennessee @ Baltimore, St. Louis @ Arizona, Cleveland @ Cincinnati) - and the Jacksonville game that week being the only other ideal time to use the team with the best record in football in Eliminator (at least right now) - it may not be a terrible idea to use them now.

 

[dbc925]

Early look ahead at options for Week 8...

Kansas City - Hosting the Rams (fresh off their Seahawks upset) at vaunted Arrowhead; this is the first of 3 suicide pool-friendly home games to take the Chiefs this season - the others being Week 9 vs. the Jets and Week 15 vs. the Raiders (that week boasts a ton of divisional matchups); probably makes sense to take Kansas City one of the next two weeks but which opponent do you fear less? Week 9 certainly seems to boast a wider array of preferred matchups so this may be the ideal time to ride KC. Travelling across Missouri may not be much of a road trip for the Rams but they have lost 5 straight to the Chiefs and it's not like they're beating anyone by more than 2 points this year. They've also never had much road luck against Andy Reid - only toppling the Eagles in Philadelphia once in overtime way back in 2001.

Dallas - The hottest team in football only has two appetizing matchups the rest of the way - this coming week hosting the Redskins on Monday night and Week 10 in London against the no-longer-winless Jaguars. Washington has not won on the road this season... in fact, they've lost 9 consecutive road games starting with a road game in Dallas in Week 6 of last season. Now RG3 is supposedly going to be healthy and motivated to win his starting job back - but it's not like he can stop the Cowboys from running all over these indians on defense.

Cleveland - After being embarrassed by the Jaguars on the road, the Browns aren't going to return home and cough up a win to "that other winless team" in the Raiders... or are they? Cleveland has played much better at home than they have on the road and they have the weapons to decimate the Raiders pitiful run defense that just coughed up 160 yards to Andre Ellington and 124 yards to Branden Oliver over the past two weeks. I would like this matchup better if it was a 1pm start instead of an Oakland-friendly 4:25pm game... but nevertheless, Oakland has an active 15-game losing streak in the Eastern time zone and that's not likely to change. In fact, just like with Washington's streak, this particular streak of futility started with the same opponent. That streak of Eastern defeats started in Cleveland in Week 16 of 2009. As for the Browns, their only opportune Eliminator plays are vs. Oakland this week and next week at home vs. the Buccaneers.

The one other matchup that I suppose could see some action would be Miami on the road at Jacksonville... but the three quality home matchups above seem like it really shouldn't be necessary to grasp at that straw just yet.

Incidentally, just taking the above 3 teams in a vacuum, I'd lean Cleveland (over Oakland) in Week 8, Kansas City (over NY Jets) in Week 9 and Dallas (in London over Jacksonville) in Week 10... but weeks 9 & 10 certainly have other possibilities.

I agree with two of these.

Dallas sure looks like a safe bet (Only 4 our of 26 remaining have used them) and the Rams haven't had a lead that I've felt comfortable with yet, so KC looks like a good pick as well.

Before last week, Cleveland looked like a strong play. But losing Alex Mack is killing them on the offensive line and Hoyer is rushing his throws to avoid taking a sack. Add that to the fact that they could go to Manziel anytime (not guaranteeing that he'd be any better in his first real action) and I think I'm going to lay off them.

Leaning toward KC and saving Dallas.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

KC or Cleveland.

 

[Hurl Bruce]

Changed to Buffalo at the last second and sweated through that one.

My league's down to 2 teams.

I've used:

PHI

GB

NE

SD

NO

ARZ

BUF

He's used:

PIT

GB

NE

SD

SEA

IND

DAL

He wants to split. I'm holding out. I think that I have some really good weeks lined up, and he's used up his DAL, IND, and SEA slots.

I'm going with DAL this week.

 

[Lascelle]

I agree with two of these.

Dallas sure looks like a safe bet (Only 4 our of 26 remaining have used them) and the Rams haven't had a lead that I've felt comfortable with yet, so KC looks like a good pick as well.

Before last week, Cleveland looked like a strong play. But losing Alex Mack is killing them on the offensive line and Hoyer is rushing his throws to avoid taking a sack. Add that to the fact that they could go to Manziel anytime (not guaranteeing that he'd be any better in his first real action) and I think I'm going to lay off them.

Leaning toward KC and saving Dallas.

I'm kind of leaning your way as well at the moment. Oakland's well documented east coast futility notwithstanding, the Browns played like a completely different team in Jacksonville in their first game without the centerpiece of their offensive line. The loss of Mack cannot be overstated. With their run game completely derailed (something only the Ravens had managed to do before Week 7), Hoyer's offense consisted of air balls and checking down to Andrew Hawkins (probably the only guy that gets a boost with the loss of Mack). Unable to sustain lengthy drives, the Browns' depleted defense was exposed by Bortles and Shoelace... something a rejuvenated Run DMC could easily duplicate this weekend. It's not like that game was close, either.

Perhaps the Browns get it together this week against the Raiders and work out how their offense can function without Mack. Perhaps they don't. But I'd rather not have my Eliminator life on the line while they figure this mess out. If they get things back in order, an equally bad Bucs team shows up for Week 9 that we can take advantage of then.

Also, we haven't talked about either matchup yet but the Broncos and Patriots are also notable favorites at home this week against the Chargers and Bears, respectively. Not sure I'd love either game if I still had those teams in my holster (I don't). The Bears have been a force as a road underdog this season and the Chargers are the chief opposition for Denver in the AFC West and will be motivated to take them out... as they did last season in Denver in Week 15.

Now I just have to decide between Dallas and Kansas City.

 

[TheAssassin]

Seems like Miami would be a solid pick. St.Louis is more talented than Jax.

 

[Futz]

Detroit, GB, NE, Indy, SD, Denver, Buff

I had KC penciled in but St. Louis is trending upward and although I still think KC wins, I don't think it will be comfortably.

Dallas is the pick and I don't think it's even close. Washington is in complete disarray and I don't care if it's a divisional game, in fact, I see Dallas keeping their focus more so because it is.

 

[J-LEW]

Iv never found success in trying to pick the Monday Night game correct. And Im not going to start this Monday night. For whatever reason, I always seems to get it wrong (took Pittsburgh last week in my pick em pool, however). I have no stats to prove it. It seems as though, some of the biggest upsets in recent memory, have been on Monday Night Football. I just have this "gut" feeling, that somehow, the Redskins find a way to come into Dallas, and pull the upset of all upsets.

For what its worth, the line on the Miami game has shifted from Miami -4.5 to Miami -6.5, which is a pretty big move over the course of a couple days, and letting me know that, the smart money is being placed on Miami. I hope there right.

I would try and avoid taking KC or Cleveland for the reasons already mentioned. The Rams are coming off a big win in Seattle, and if they play a complete game, they can potentially upset the Chiefs. Additionally, Oakland is still in search of there first win, and Cleveland is about as good of an opponent that they couldve hoped for. I really liked what I saw from Derek Carr and the Oakland offence against a very good Arizona defence last week, and I think they only get better as the season progresses.

Good luck to all.

 

[Dark Matter]

What are the chances Colt McCoy returns to Texas and pulls a Clint Longley 1974 Thanksgiving Day miracle on MNF?

 

[J-LEW]

What are the chances Colt McCoy returns to Texas and pulls a Clint Longley 1974 Thanksgiving Day miracle on MNF?

I would say very unlikely, but still plausible. Dolphins over Jaguars is the pick!

 

[Freelove]

After shying off DAL last week, I can't bring myself to do it again this time. Romo's well-documented prime-time foibles are reason for fingernail biting, as is the possibility of Griffin suiting up and coming in to save the game at halftime Superman-style, but this has every other hallmark of being a lopsided affair.

Colt McCoy starting, the line moving from an early TD favorite to a much BIGGER favorite as the big money started to come in, the fact that this Cowboy team is pretty stocked with veterans at the performance positions, which should help fend off any chance of letdown ahead of the big ARZ tilt...

Got to go with what I see as the obvious pick this week. I think DAL really wants this one ahead of the much tougher part of their schedule, and will be firing on all cylinders.

Which gives us...

WK 1: PIT
WK 2: DEN
WK 3: NE
WK 4: IND
WK 5: GB
WK 6: SD

WK 7: BAL

WK 8: DAL

 

[FUBAR]

What about Detroit over Atlanta in London? London games usually go to form, Atlanta is awful away from the Georgia Dome, and Detroit's beastly front seven should have its way with Atlanta's atrocious O-Line.

Or not...

 

[Lascelle]

Well, looks like only one person in our ESPN group got burned on the Lions.

I doubt a comeback is likely - so our total of unbeaten owners will drop to 9.

 

[dbc925]

I was going Miami all week, but decided to change it up and go with Dallas today. I've made it this far by picking good teams moreso than picking against bad ones. Of course, now Miami will win and I'll be sweating bullets on Monday night.

 

[FUBAR]

I was going Miami all week, but decided to change it up and go with Dallas today. I've made it this far by picking good teams moreso than picking against bad ones. Of course, now Miami will win and I'll be sweating bullets on Monday night.

I just made the exact opposite switch, so you're good to go.