Week 8 Game Picks cont.
27 OCT 4:05 PM ET Game
Panthers @ 49ers
The matchup of the week. The Panthers are undefeated with Kyle Allen at quarterback as the 49ers are undefeated on the year. The game is so very well-rounded on both the offensive as well as the defensive side of the ball. Here’s a statistical breakdown of the two defenses.
Quite frankly, no matter how dominant the 49ers defense has been, especially when it comes to allowing a mere 7.5 PPG, the Panthers outduel the 49ers when it comes to takeaways & sacks. This could draw about concern against Jimmy Garoppolo as he has nearly just as many INTs as TDs (7 TDs/6 INTs). On the contrary, sophomore season QB, Kyle Allen has just as many TDs as Jimmy G with 0 INTs! The Panthers have somewhat of an ability to be two-dimensional however, the 49ers main success this season has come behind the run game & defense. I expect this to be a close matchup & running the ball in late game situations is certainly not the best idea. For the Panthers, that’s their success… RUN CMC! The main matchup this game is the 49ers defense trying to stand their ground against Stanford Standout, Christian McCaffrey who has a league-high 9 TDs this season. The 49ers? Not allowed a single TD to opposing RBs all season… We got a great one in the bay & as all good things must come to an end, I’m picking the Panthers in this nail biter. Besides the 49ers do have the worst track record against the Panthers (7-13).
Score: 21-17, Panthers Win.
27 OCT 4:25 PM ET Game
Browns @ Patriots
This should be a better matchup as the Browns are not as good as we expected & the Patriots are just that good. In a must win game for the Browns, I believe they will show up… but not enough. The Patriots defense has scored more points this season compared to opposing offenses! On top of that, the stout Patriot defense has held six of the 7 opposing QBs this season to under 175 pass YDS. When Tom Brady & the offense step onto the field it doesn’t get any easier as the Browns defense is allowing a total of 373.3 YPG! No matter how good the Browns are in this matchup, it’s going to come down to the same old story… Patriots win.
Score: 31-23, Patriots Win.
Raiders @ Texans
It’s not getting easier for the Raiders. Here’s a recap of the Raiders past month: Play in London, bye week, @ Green Bay, @ Houston. Yup their 3rd straight road game! The biggest concern here is how the Raiders defense has allowed 10 pass TDs in the past 3 weeks… they play Deshaun Watson this week who notched a 158.3 passer rating while tossing 5 TDs against the Falcons. With the Raiders coming off a game in which they allowed 5 passing TDs & a 158.3 passer rating, they went ahead and traded cornerback, Gareon Conley to none other than the Texans. An immediate revenge game. The Raiders just got weaker in their weakness… Texans pick up the W in a surprisingly close one.
Score: 34-26, Texans Win.
Sunday Night Football
Packers @ Chiefs
This is why I hate this game. Injuries. The Chiefs will be without Patrick Mahomes & they play Aaron Rodgers & the Packers in primetime. This season has robbed us of one of the best matchups between two-generational talents at QB. Unfortunately, the team with a healthy QB is going to pull out with a win in this one. With no more Mahomes in the Chiefs offense, Andy Reid will have to adjust his offense against a stout Packer defense. On the flip side of the ball, he’ll have to prepare a defense against a Packer offense that seems to get better & better week to week. Rodgers is not only the rightful “King of the North” but dub him the “King of the West” as he has a 8-2 record against AFC West teams (best win % for any QB against a division) I got the Packers in Arrowhead!
Score: 31-23, Packers Win.
Monday Night Football
Dolphins @ Steelers
If you were up all of Sunday watching football & are tired after a long Monday, this would be the game that you could watch only to fall asleep at the start of the 3rd quarter. The Steelers are clearly in a win-now mode… the Dolphins, not so much. The Dolphins are allowing 417 total YPG to opposing offense which includes a bottom-2 ranked rush defense allowing 160.8 rush YPG. The Steelers game plan is simple. Defense comes up with a few stops & turnovers as they feed James Conner on offense & just chew up time of possession.
Photo via: Sports illustrated
Score: 29-13, Steelers Win.
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