Week 5 was obviously several days ago, so I'm trying to catch up while I have a free Sunday afternoon.
Colts (2-2) vs Texans (1-3)
Pick: Texans
I think this was my second consecutive Thursday night loss after starting 3-0 in those contests. Andrew Luck's injury had me doubting, and the game was in Houston, but I guess the Texans just aren't that good? The final score in a bunch of their games looks close (often just a 7 point difference), but if you were to watch this one, they needed a Hail Mary to end the first half (which was actually caught for a TD) to get some of their first points.
Bears (1-3) vs Chiefs (1-3)
Pick: Chiefs
It's hard to tell what I saw in the stats here. I do remember years when Kansas City was practically unbeatable at home, and I probably went with them because of the home field. They barely missed the playoffs last year, so how could they become a worse team in just one offseason?
Seahawks (2-2) vs Bengals (4-0)
Pick: Bengals
When I was watching this game, it concerned me to see the Bengals trailing 7-24, following a fumble that was scooped up into a defensive TD. I think I saw how the Bengals were at home, they're a pretty good offense (as in #2 in the league?!!), and they had the better turnover ratio.
Redskins (2-2) vs Falcons (4-0)
Pick: Falcons
Statistically, the Redskins have a good defense to this point of the season. The area where they struggle is forcing turnovers. I'll probably mention the irony there when I post the results. I think I just wanted to see how long the undefeated teams could stay undefeated? The Falcons have a pretty powerful offense, and their defense hadn't faced many rushing attempts (although they were allowing a deceptive 4.4 yards/attempt). I just thought, on the road, if the Redskins struggled to run, they'd become too one-dimensional.
Jaguars (1-3) vs Buccaneers (1-3)
Pick: Buccaneers
I keep meaning to Google that saying about when the "unstoppable force" meets the "immovable object" (where it comes from and what would logically happen there). These teams were almost the opposite! I saw how the Jaguars were 0-10 in their recent road games (ESPN claimed an 11 game streak overall), and the Buccaneers were 0-10 in the most recent home games (ESPN said their streak was also up to 11). In the end, I'm thinking I just looked at each roster's skill players and favored the home team just a little more. The Buccaneers actually have a positive differential between yards gained and yards allowed. Their points scored were also better, and the defense was 40 total yards ahead of the Jaguars.
Saints (1-3) vs Eagles (1-3)
Pick: Eagles (changed from the Saints)
Is it just me, or was 1-3 vs 1-3 a popular pairing last week?
These teams have both been hard to figure out. The Eagles were supposed to go to the playoffs last year, before their December collapse. The Saints had a chance to win their division with a below .500 record, and weren't they in the Super Bowl less than 10 years ago? I know 10 years is a long time in sports, but still. Drew Brees had been the QB of that team. The Saints' offensive averages were actually very similar to what the Eagles allow, and the Eagles were struggling to produce all the points and yards that the Saints usually give up, so I'm thinking the better turnover ratio may have swayed me in the Eagles' direction.
Browns (1-3) vs Ravens (1-3)
Pick: Ravens
You would think these two teams might be further apart in terms of skill. I was able to go back to their series from 2014. The Ravens swept it, but that took a late field goal in the first game (played at Cleveland). When they played in Baltimore, it was the Ravens gaining 160 more yards and winning 20-10, despite how the Browns held the ball slightly longer. Over the two games, I think the Ravens only had a 12 or a 24 second advantage in overall time of possession!
I guess what I saw here was how the Ravens could try to control the tempo with a good running game, and they're still gaining more yards than their opponents (not true of the Browns), combined with the home field.
Rams (2-2) vs Packers (4-0)
Pick: Packers
I'm not sure why I go through all of the stats and metrics whenever the Packers are playing at home! If it's a regular season game, they're probably going to win almost every one of them. The one surprising thing with the Packers this year has been their DEFENSE! I have them listed only giving up 312 total yards to that point, and that's with only an average ability to stop the run.
Bills (2-2) vs Titans (1-2)
Pick: Bills
When I first saw this game on the schedule, I immediately thought Bills. Then I checked the injury report! Almost every running back and wide receiver had an issue.
I still think the Titans could be a .500 team this year, since they spread the ball around to a lot of different players. Somehow, they rank high in rushing yards, and I think their leading rusher is still below 200 for the season.
Cardinals (3-1) vs Lions (0-4)
Pick: Cardinals
There was actually a version of this game played last season, but the teams were reversed. The Cardinals held on 14-6 in that contest. I think Carson Palmer was injured at the time.
Statistically, there wasn't much doubt about this pick. When the Cardinals gain 405 yards and the Lions allow 383, those numbers are similar. The Lions only gain about 293 yards in their games, while the Cardinals try to limit teams to 307. Their turnovers were both high, but they had the same neutral 1:1 ratios.
Patriots (3-0) vs Cowboys (2-2)
Pick: Patriots
This one probably didn't need as much analysis as I gave it. The Cowboys are using backups in their offense. The Patriots have something to prove in their feud with the commissioner.
Broncos (4-0) vs Raiders (2-2)
Pick: Broncos
This may have been the most lopsided divisional matchup from 2014. I have the Broncos winning by a combined score of 88-31, with at least 451 total yards in each game, while holding the Raiders to a MAXIMUM of 222 yards!
In 2015, it's hard to believe, but these two teams have the same point scoring average! I most likely saw Denver's defense making the difference.
49ers (1-3) vs Giants (2-2)
Pick: Giants
Now we start to get to some of the games where I can actually remember them in my mind.
This same matchup and location produced a 16-10 win for the 49ers in 2014. In 2015, I think what I saw was a Giants team that can stop the run, make San Francisco one-dimensional, and then try to force turnovers. Coming into the game, the turnover ratios were exactly opposite and perfect matches (49ers 2 takeaways, Giants 2 giveaways; Giants 7 takeaways, 49ers 7 giveaways).
Steelers (2-2) vs Chargers (2-2)
Pick: Chargers
Side note: Coming into this season, I thought the Super Bowl might be Steelers vs Cowboys, if only because Super Bowls 10 and 30 were that pairing, and the Steelers have played in the last two Super Bowls that were multiples of 10 (30 and 40).
Having said that, which teams have the games that might be the HARDEST to pick, because of injuries? My votes go to the Steelers and the Cowboys!
When I wanted to make this post last week, I hadn't made my mind up yet about the Monday night game. In the end, I'm not even sure why I went with the Chargers. They were the home team, with a middle of the pack defense, and not as many injuries. The Steelers pretty much have to play totally different with Vick running the offense.
And my other picks:
"Eliminator" - Kansas City Chiefs
I put the quotes, because I'm already at a 2-2 record, meaning everyone would need to finish 15-2 for me to compete for the top prize. Somehow, they let you keep picking, though, and I'm taking it as practice or learning strategy for future seasons.
Record Breaker - Justin Forsett, Ravens
Until week 4, this may have been a risky move. Even following up on a 100+ yard game, how many running backs have consecutive 100 yard weeks? I just trusted in a matchup against the Browns, and his game log showed that he usually averages over 5 yards per carry against them.
For now, I think it's time for a lunch break, and I haven't finished all my picks or fantasy moves for the 4 PM games! One week, I'll either be ahead of schedule, or I'll just have to let things slide and prioritize other activities.
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WWE 2K18 ROSTER & MATCH TYPES | ||||
If you see multiple of the same name, it just means different versions that can be in the ring together. Names highlighted in blue are Cruiserweights | ||||
1 Up Man Adam Cole Aerostar Aiden English AJ Styles Akam Akira Tozawa Albert Aleister Black Alexander Wolfe Andrade "Cien" Almas Andre The Giant Angelo Dawkins Animal Apollo Crews Ariya Daivari Arnold T101 Austin Aries B Brian Blair Bam Bam Bigelow Baron Corbin Barron Blade Batista '10 Beautiful Bobby Eaton Big Boss Man '91 Big Boss Man '99 Big Cass Big E Big Show Big Show '00 Bo Dallas Bobby Fish Bobby Roode Booker T Braun Strowman Bray Wyatt Bret Hart '97 Bret Hart '98 Brian Kendrick British Bulldog Brock Lesnar Brutus Beefcake Bryan Danielson Buddy Roberts Butch Cactus Jack '92 Cactus Jack '98 Captain Jobber Cedric Alexander Cesaro Chad Gable Chris Jericho |
Chris Jericho '00 Christian Col Sanders Cole Quinn Curt Hawkins Curtis Axel Daniel Bryan Dark Link Darren Young Dash Wilder DDP '92 DDP '98 Dean Ambrose Dennis Condrey Diesel Doc Louis Dolph Ziggler Donatello Drago Drew Gulak Drew McIntyre Dude Love Dusty Rhodes Earthquake Eddie Guerrero Edge El Mago Elias Enzo Amore Epico Colon Eric Young Erick Rowan Fandango Finn Balor Finn Balor Demon The Godfather Goldberg Goldust Gorgeous George Gran Metalik Greg Valentine Hawk Heath Slater Hideo Itami Hurricane Jack Gallagher Jake Roberts Jason Jordan JBL Jeff Hardy Jey Uso Jim Brunzell |
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WOMEN | ||||
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VALETS & MANAGERS Anyone above can be a "manager" plus... | ||||
Bobby Heenan Lana |
Mr. McMahon Paul Ellering Paul Heyman |
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MATCH TYPES | ||||
*** ONE ON ONE *** Normal |
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MATCH MODIFIERS | ||||
Pin & Submission Both, Pin, Submit, Off 2 Out of 3 Falls Iron Man |
Over the Top Rope On, Off K.O. Last Man Standing |
Perform Finisher to Win On, Off First Blood Climb out of Cage (Cage Match Only) DQ |
Rope Break (Automatic) On, Off Ring Out Elimination |
Falls Count Anywhere On, Off Time Limit Entrance Interval (Chamber/Rumble) |
SUPER SMASH BROS. ROSTER & SETTINGS | |||
Akira Alph Austin Powers Bayonetta Bob Ross Bowser Bowser Jr Burger King Captain Falcon Charizard Charlie Brown Chuck Norris Cloud Col Sanders Corrin Dark Pit Diddy Kong Donkey Kong Dr. Mario Dracula Drew Carey |
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BATTLE TYPES TIME BATTLE: All characters battle for a set amount of time scoring one point per KO and LOSING one point each time they are KO'ed. STOCK BATTLE: All characters have a set number of lives and when they run out, they're done. When combined with a time limit whomever has more lives left when time runs out wins. COIN BATTLE: For 2-4 characters ONLY! Coins are knocked out of characters as they battle. After a fixed time limit whomever has the most coins wins. SETTINGS TIME LIMIT: Can be from 1 to 15 minutes. |