Message from BrendawnoftheDead: Ah the home stretch. Some teams will make their final push towards the playoffs, others will scratch and claw to retain their job status going into next year, and finally there are those that packed it up weeks ago and are just looking to not get too hurt to play golf. In our case, this is the time that separates the men from the men who would have a terrible time during a Vegas vacation.
Week 14 Records:
Blind Owl: 3-10
Concret3Cowboy: 7-6
BrendawnoftheDead: 5-8
Total Records:
Blind Owl: 88-110-7
Concret3Cowboy: 98-100-7
BrendawnoftheDead: 91-107-7
Brendawn goes on: I’m not going to sugarcoat it, Blind Owl’s season has fallen into a tailspin. While trying to make up ground, the hole just keeps getting deeper. At this point, Concret3Cowboy would need to forget to make picks for 2 of the 4 weeks for The ole Owl to have a shot at the title. Can’t say I’m much better than the sightless bird, I’ve been mediocre at best for the majority of the season and am just trying to avoid coming in last place. You know what? Screw it, I’m saving my best for the playoffs. This has been a ruse, just lulling ya’ll to sleep before making the perfect strike… Cowboy has been running his mouth in the group chat (or flexing his thumbs?) as is his right. He’s been dominant and built an insurmountable lead. Unless we have an Atlanta Falcons 28-3 collapse on our hands, Florida Man has secured the regular season title, may the gods forgive us.
SF @ SEA: SF -3
Blind Owl: Welp. I’m screwed. Now I pick based on my emotions and not care if I win or not. That being said, screw Seattle. Purdy B====D Legend
Concret3Cowboy: San Fran.. They’ve finally become that team that everyone was expecting from this offseason and even into the first half of the season. Now the 9ers are here, NFC is going to have some problems. Purdy looked good, really good for the last draft pick. Being a defense guy, I love this defense. Especially with the NFL being what it is and being offense biased, I love these defenses that can just shut people down.. Like Tom Brady and that pathetic buc offense last week.
BrendawnoftheDead: OK, the Seahawks have been exposed as pretenders. It was cute for a while, Geno Smith reviving his long dead career and the rats w/ wings looking like geniuses for trading away the Hardo Lord for a king’s ransom, but the wheels have fallen off. They lost to the Sam Darnold led Panthers, which is the final nail in the coffin of mediocrity. San Fran has issues, mainly at quarterback. Can Mr. Irrelevant be hidden by the immense amount of talent possessed by the 9ers? Against Seattle, yes and they will cover. Against a good team?...doubt it.
IND @ MIN: MIN -4
Blind Owl: Remember when the Colts were good last year? Their season was over when they tied the Texans in Week 1. The Vikings are good, but keep choking. They’ve lost some games that they should have at least hung in. They actually lost to the Lions, who may make the playoffs, but still. Lucky for the Vikings, their division is made of crap. This is a test for Minnesota. Will they beat who they’re supposed to beat, or will they continue to play down to their competition? They’ll beat the Colts but it’ll be closer than it should. That’s more than 4, so they’ll cover, but it’s a weird way to start our special Saturday of NFL football.
Concret3Cowboy: As much as I like Kirk Cousins, the Minnesota Vikings continue to fall flat on their face when things matter. Yes, it was a divisional game that they lost, and I’m on record saying divisional games can go anyway at any point in the season, but if the Vikings really are that championship caliber team, they should have been able to put their foot on the neck of the lions. But rules are rules, you can’t pick the lions when they’ve favored. As for this game, the Colts stink but can we really trust the Vikings? Unsure, but I’ll take them here.
BrendawnoftheDead: Ding Dong the Colts are a mess, the Colts are a mess, The Colts are a mess… They are one of the aforementioned teams that mailed it in and just want to play golf. They will lose to a Minnesota team looking to prove that losing to the Lions was a fluke.
BAL @ CLE: CLE -3
Blind Owl: No Lamar Jackson, again. The Browns have their starter back in Desean Watson. I haven’t been impressed with either team. It’s going to be a boring Saturday matchup. Maybe a fight will break out or something to spice this up. I guess I’ll pick the Browns? Nick Chubb will do things.
Concret3Cowboy: I’m taking the Ravens, Desean Watson stinks and he messed up the QB contracts for everyone. I just don’t see Cleveland beating a divisional opponent by more than a field goal. That defense is good though.
BrendawnoftheDead: EWWWWWWWWWWWWWW… Cleveland covers by winning the injury report.
MIA @ BUF: BUF -7
Blind Owl: The nightcap is the best game of Saturday. This game traditionally doesn’t mean anything. But now it’s a playoff preview style game. 7 points? That seems like a big spread to me. Does the cold weather up in Buffalo make that big of a difference? I guess Vegas thinks so. This is Tua’s shot to prove he and the Phins can hang with the big boys. I think the Bills defense has their hands full with the quick passing game. Let’s all hope for an old fashion shootout. As much as I hate Tyreek Hill, he’s primed for a big one tonight. The Bills are going to win here because Josh Allen is a man amongst boys. But it’s going to come down to the wire. Don’t forget, Miami beat Buffalo earlier this year. Miami covers in a good game in the AFC East. That for once doesn’t include the Patriots.
Concret3Cowboy: Tua has a couple bad games in a row and now all the media (and the books) have come crawling back to Buffalo. I like Buffalo to cover though, being home in a rough weather game and having the superior defense gives me enough comfort to sit easy while I rest on my ass in 60 degree weather in Tampa.
BrendawnoftheDead: 7 is a big boy spread, but the Fish are teetering on the line of mediocrity and contender. Bad Tua = losing to mediocre teams (cough cough Chargers). How does Tua play in the cold? It’s supposed to be a solid 28 degrees in Buffalo, nothing like Hawaii, Alabama, or Miami. Going with Buffalo to cover.
ARI @ DEN: DEN -3
Blind Owl: Can Russell Wilson beat Colt McCoy? If not, cut his ass. Denver should win.
Concret3Cowboy: Wilson isn’t playing so it’s Let-It-Ryp time. A good old fashion “battle of the back-ups' ' for two teams with their seasons over. Broncos have more to play for.. considering they gave away their picks to help put together this pathetic offense behind that $240m quarterback. Denver… but I already feel like I’m going to be disappointed.
BrendawnoftheDead: CAN THE BRONCOS SCORE MORE THAN 10 POINTS? That is seriously all they need to do here. The Cardinals are a disaster and now on their backup QB. The Broncos are probably without their gazillion dollar Hardo Lord, which is probably for the best. Hate to say it, but the Broncos should win.
NE @ LV: PICK
Blind Owl: I’m picking the Patriots because the Raiders let me down all year. I blame them for my losses. I’m owed some kind of retribution. If Mark Davis is reading this, I accept cash, check or tickets to games.
Concret3Cowboy: Raiders stink
BrendawnoftheDead: I'm picking this before the spread is listed… patriots win and then choke away the season by going 0-3 down the stretch.
PHI @ CHI: PHI -9
Blind Owl: Look at the Cowboy dishing out percentages and claiming he thought it was lower. Does he think he’s some kind of big dick swinging, hooker buying, low rider riding pimp expert now? (Editor’s Note: He wrote that. Not sure what he’s trying to say, but ok) Who am I to disagree? I sucked this year. Even as we speak he is editing my post without knowing what I was going to write. As for the game, the Bears are awful. Justin Fields isn’t the savior of Chi-town like the media tried to force upon us. The Eagles will win by at least 12.
Concret3Cowboy: Philly is sitting at a surprising 61.5% cover rate. I thought it would be lower than that considering they didn’t cover against Houston, lost to Washington and almost gave away the whole game against the Colts (even though Indy still covered). Chicago is tied for 2nd worse for cover percentage… surprisingly, with the Chiefs. I’m going to reach and hope the Bears cover, I have no reason to do this as I’ve explained to do the opposite.
BrendawnoftheDead: I can't pick Chicago to do anything. Philly covers due to not being inept.
ATL @ NO: NO -4
Blind Owl: This game is actually important. It could impact the playoff picture in the NFC South. Tampa is doing their best to leave this division open. Just like the Cowboy, I’m all in on the Panthers to make a run at this division. I see this game ending like 12-6 with nothing but field goals. So, I’ll take the team with the better defense. Saints.
Concret3Cowboy: Atlanta has been good ATS, the Saints not as much. I see Carolina winning this division, this game has a lot of weight for that to happen. I think the Saints get it done and cover, the superdome is not where you want to do your first start. Also, Ridder stinks at throwing a football, he can run but this Saints has a very good defensive front.
BrendawnoftheDead: Who is Desmond Ridder? Picking the Saints because I'm generally aware of who will start at QB.
DET @ NYJ: NYJ -1.5
Blind Owl: Judge me if you like Cowboy. I know your rules. I’m picking Detroit here. They’re going to ruin someone’s season in the playoffs.
Concret3Cowboy: Is it a coincidence that the Owl is doing his picks right behind me? Meanwhile, Brendawn has been done with all his picks since Wednesday. You know the rules, Detroit is the underdog.. and 69.2% ATS, that’s number two in the league.
BrendawnoftheDead: Zach Wilson is starting so I'm picking the Lions.
PIT @ CAR: CAR -3
Blind Owl: Carolina is going to win the NFC South. So they have to be able to beat the Steelers right? Panthers all the way.
Concret3Cowboy: I’ve liked Carolina for much of the season. The Christian trade has really worked out for everyone, that speaks a lot to the coaching staff in Carolina and I’ve been a fan of Foreman for a while, mainly because he has been a hidden gem in Madden for years. I like them to win by 10 in this game.
BrendawnoftheDead: I don't love this one. Mitch Trubiski who is a train wreck facing a walking train wreck of a team.. give me Carolina I suppose
DAL @ JAX: DAL -4
Blind Owl: Dallas barely scraped past the Texans. The odds makers saw that and squeezed the spread down for the Jags. That won’t happen twice in a row. Big D wins big.
Concret3Cowboy: Jacksonville has been the classic “young and talented” team. They’ve been a rollercoaster of good games and horrible performances, extremely inconsistent. I don’t believe in Dallas but I will for this week.
BrendawnoftheDead: Dallas, can't trust Jacksonville yet.
KC @ HOU: KC -14
Blind Owl: I’ve got nothing to lose here. Houston got me one of my few wins last week against a big spread. Screw it, I’ll do it again. #DavisMills4Life
Concret3Cowboy: I said earlier that KC is tied for second last ATS. This is a trap spread, the books are trying to get that money. You’re supposed to think “big spread with a team with horrible ATS%, I’ll take the underdogs. Not today satan, not today. KC
BrendawnoftheDead: I will in fact take KC. Houston is trying to lose.
TEN @ LAC: LAC -3
Blind Owl: I’ve moved past the Cowboy in the picks. I think he’s doing it on his phone. Meanwhile, I’m on my laptop and can type faster than he can. Tennessee is just too inconsistent for me to pick. Justin Herbert has all his weapons back and is actually doing what he is supposed to be. I’ll go with the super Chargers.
Concret3Cowboy: “look at me, I’m typing in a nice quiet room while the Cowboy has to hide away from 4 wild animals, no 5.. his wife is wild too.” Tennessee has a solid team that you would think would travel well, they run the ball and play good defense (usually). I’ll take the Titans because F my lead in the records.
BrendawnoftheDead: It pains me to do this but Chargers. Tennessee is at a crossroads. They have one offensive weapon, one! The Chargers have more ways to win.
CIN @ TB: CIN -3.5
Blind Owl: I refuse to pick the Bucs anymore. They’ve killed me all year with subpar performances. I know the Cowboy won’t take them because of Brady, and his love of Joe Burrow. In actuality, the Bengals have been on a tear. So give me the Bengals.
Concret3Cowboy: HAHAHAH finally, we have both the top ATS team vs the worst. Cincy holds a strong 76.9% while the Bucs have a rate of 25%. Do I need to explain more?
BrendawnoftheDead: Tampa sucks. Cincy does not.
NYG @ WAS: WAS -4.5
Blind Owl: Heinicke will be crushing Heinie’s. Go Commanders.
Concret3Cowboy: From an easy one to this mess. The Giants have been awful for the last 5 or so weeks. Both teams having the same records and both being equally surprising. I’ll take the mustard and maroon.
BrendawnoftheDead: Commies over the G Men. The wheels have fallen off, Barkley can't do it all himself.
LAR @ GB: GB -7
Blind Owl: I should pick the Packers. The Rams are horrendous. But I’ve had success with my stupid rules. Aaron Rodgers is a douche fluter. I’ll take the Rams.
Concret3Cowboy: Does Green Bay finally do Green Bay things? I’m going to go with yes, more because the Rams defense is reeling and Aaron Donald isn’t playing. The Rams are barely even a shell of themselves from a year ago. I mean, they’re not going to get the fans in LA like they thought they would by going all in for that Super Bowl. They may have already lost them all.
BrendawnoftheDead: I would love to pick Baker Mayfield because chaos…but that would be dumb.
