Alternative Picks: Week 7, 2018

I think Tony’s season-opening winning streak in 2017 was longer than Andy’s was to open 2018 – though I admit, I don’t care enough to actually check. Regardless, Tony got off the schneid in week six with a 9-6 victory that pulls him within seven games of Andy.

Here are the standings:

And here are the picks:

1) Tony: Rams over 49ers – CJ Beathard has played surprisingly well, and the Rams will be without Cooper Kupp. Not enough of a difference maker on either side.

2) Andy: Chiefs over Bengals – I chose to go second and third because at first there were several games I felt good about. As the week has dragged on, I have massive regret, because both of the games I picked, I no longer feel are correct. But I’m stuck with it, so … go Patrick Mahomes. Prove me right.

3) Andy: Jaguars over Texans – Will the real, 2017 version of the Jaguars ever show up? This team is weird. Extremely talented, but might be buying its own press clippings.

4) Tony: Chargers over Titans – Chargers have looked really good when playing less than undefeated teams.

5) Andy: Patriots over Bears – Can’t see Bill Belichick not handling Trubisky in their first meeting. This should have been my number one pick for the second slot.

6) Tony: Falcons over Giants – Giants are in disarray. I’m not convinced Shurmer makes it to season #2 right now.

7) Andy: Colts over Bills – This was based on the idea that Nathan Peterman was going to start for Buffalo. The presence of the slightly less crappy Derek Anderson makes me a bit nervous here. Buffalo’s defense has actually been pretty solid since Vontae Davis retired at halftime of week two. I could see Buffalo sneaking away from Indy with a win here.

8) Tony: Washington over Dallas – I’m stretching a bit here…but Dallas has not looked good.

9) Andy: Eagles over Panthers – I *think* the Eagles are about to start righting the ship here. I am not confident of much right now though and that is an extremely thinly felt prediction.

10) Tony: Saints over Ravens – Baltimore hasn’t given up a second half touchdown (point?) so far this year, but they haven’t played a team like the Saints, either.

11) Andy: Vikings over Jets – This game probably should be higher. Unless the Vikings are playing Buffalo or Arizona, Tony and I tend to avoid picking our home team. I’m definitely not confident in the pick, but it’s hard to fathom the idea of a Mike Zimmer defense underestimating another rookie QB for a subpar team from New York state.

12) Tony: Lions over Dolphins – I am not going to count on Brock Osweiler to win another game against an NFC North opponent.

13) Andy: Broncos over Cardinals – I picked this one because my alternative was Tampa Bay against Cleveland.

14) Tony: Buccaneers over Browns – Will the real Buccaneers please stand up?

And then straight up, where Zoneblitz Tony beat Tony Parslow and both schooled Andy in week six.

And the picks: