Baltimore (-6) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Ok, so I’m going against the naysayers who feel that Arrowhead provides Kansas City with an indestructible field that makes them invincible at home. Those rising walls that surround the stadium act as a sound amplifier that do make it an extremely loud venue, but the Ravens have proven that as journeymen they don't fear the hostility. This season the Chiefs are 1-3, including two losses at home, with an average score of 16.5 points. The Ravens disemboweled them in the Wildcard game during the 2010 season in Kansas City. Last year, KC lost 5/8 at home. So their fans are loud, but last time I checked, screaming doesn't win games. If I just screamed at someone in a bar fight when they were ready to throw fists, I would get the shit knocked out of me.
Kansas City is in total disarray right now, as there are some major considerations for replacing their starter, Matt Cassell, who has 7 picks, 4 fumbles, and a mere 5 TD’s. Only “Hollywood” Sanchez and two rookies have a worse QB rating. Jamal Charles is having a resurgent year, but the only weakness on the Ravens defense (possibly even their team) is their secondary. Dwayne Bowie is a good receiver (342 yards this year) and the Ravens corners have been off, but due to the lack of QB ability (KC’s back-up is Brady “I can’t throw the ball 40 yards” Quinn), they won’t be able to feed him the ball enough. Their starting TE, Kevin Boss, is out for the year with a head injury after signing a 3 year, $9 million contract and their back-up TE is coming back from a torn ACL. Now, while the Ravens defense is 23rd in the NFL, they've played against Pro-Bowler Andy Dalton, Michael Vick, and All-World Tom Brady. Even though the poor QB Brandon Wheedon amassed over 300 yards, they had essentially three days to prepare for that Thursday showdown after an intense Sunday night game against one of the best QB’s in NFL history (and diehard UGG supporter) Tom Brady. They were also exhausted from playing 4 games in 17 days.
The Ravens had 10 days to plan for this game and are as healthy as they were at the beginning of the season. Flacco looks to be on point this year as he has the second most passing yards in the NFL, 11th in QBR, tied with a few other QB’s for 7th in TD’s, and tied for 19th in picks. Ray Rice is always an unreal weapon and even though the pundits state Arrowhead is too loud for the Raven’s no-huddle offense, they will come in prepared, and if worse comes to worse run a few run plays to eliminate a sack field, negative yardage day. Ravens dominate.
Buffalo vs. San Francisco U44.5
Last week, we all learned that Buffalo’s defense is abysmal. Tom Brady dissected them as if they were a Buffalo carcass in anatomy class. But Alex Smith is not Tom Brady. Is Ryan Fitzpatrick going to throw as many picks this week as last, 4? Fuck no. Are they going to score a lot of points if they do not turn the ball over? No! The 49’s defense has limited 3.2 yards/carry and the Bills only main weapons on offense are their deep backfield in Jackson, Spiller, and Choice although the first two are coming off injuries.
So this week The Bills are really going to have to make some plays as they travel to Candlestick Park in San Francisco. I also do see a bit of a let-down for the 49’s after the thromping of a Jets team whose issues stem from their coach but I’ll wait to rant on him in another article. Watch as the Bills finally rebound and lose by a very narrow margin. Because of 49’s defense and the lack of offense by the Bills, I foresee a very physical game by two teams that will play and coach overly tentative as neither wants to let up the one big play that would alter the landscape of the entire game. I’m predicting 20-17 49’s win.
San Diego Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints (o 54)
This is an absurdly high over and in the bookie world, they love every time someone picks an NFL over like this, but it should be one helluva shoot-out. You have a Saints Defense that couldn’t stop a priest from…yeah...
San Diego’s defense is actually not TERRIBLE, but it's apparent that a good offense beats a good defense in this league.
How bad is the Saint’s D? Well if poor play is a sin, then these would be the first Saints to go to hell. Their defense has allowed a league-worst 463.3 yards per game which is 40 more than the next. They've allowed 32.5 points/game and the opposing QB’s have a 107 QB rating against them. Who are the monumental QB’s thrashing them like Jason Voorhees? A rookie, who's playing beyond his years but a rookie no less (RG III); a second year player who pouts like a child who does not get a toy when shopping with his mom, Cam Newton; and a QB (Matt Cassell) who's about to get benched. They have played against one elite QB (Aaron Rodgers) who was actually struggling at the beginning of this year until the game against them last week. The Saints offense though can make it rain. Even though they're 0-4, they have average 27.5 ppg. You know Drew Brees is going to come out firing as he's on pace to break Unitas’ consecutive game touchdown streak of 46. He also leads the league in yardage (1350 yards). With Colston seeming to finally be 80% healthy, Darren Sproles creating havoc for opposing teams, and Lance Moore having a great season, they have the weapons to score. Oh yea, they also have arguably the best TE in the game in Jimmy Graham. I’m not sure what race he is but I do know that he's a beast.
The Chargers have their own weapons in Rivers slinging the rock to Malcom Floyd and a returning TE guru Antonio Gates. They also have Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal. In regards to their running game, they have two beasts of runners in Ryan Mathews and the rising Jackie Battles. Now that Jackie has been relegated to starter due to the injury and fumble prone Mathews, I would check and see if he's still available in your fantasy league. Even when Mathews is back, Battles (162 rushing yards-most on the team and the only one on the team with a rushing TD-3) will score some points especially within the 10 yard line, as he's their redzone rhino. Plus his last name is badass. On defense, their secondary has been brutally murdered as they had to pick up Chris “I have played for every team in the NFL” Carr. In all fairness, this is actually only the 5th team the journeyman has played for. Their rush defense is very good allowing the 6th fewest yards of any team, but the Saints have not been known as a running team since DB’s inception with the team. They have 3 healthy corners, which means Brees is guaranteed to break Unitas’s record.
*
Now that the replacement refs aren't fucking everything up, I had my first perfect week. I’m not counting this on my lock-street post and in no way can you prove this, but I informed my roommates and peers that the Rams would not only cover but win the game Thursday night against the overrated Cardinals. We all won financially. I know it didn't go public and thus there will be a standard eye roll, blank stare, and “If your aunt had balls she would be your uncle” type responses, but I thought it would be worth mentioning. Hopefully, this iron will stay hot.
LOCK STREET RECORD TO DATE
Week 4
3-0
Week 3
2-1
Week 2
1-2
Week 1
0-1
TOTAL
6-4
-Kyle
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