Writing this as the 49ers play the Raiders, although I went on record with a public Facebook post before kickoff that San Francisco would beat the Raiders. Seriously, look it up.
Thought about ditching the column this week; there’s been a lot going on. But I’m an Eddy, and nothing keeps us down for long.
Plus, it’s not like I’d set my word down in front of God and everyone and then lie, take it back or change my mind. My mom and dad raised me better than that.
There’s just something about a 4 and Southern Mississippi and a football game under the lights. You might think I’m describing a certain NFL Hall of Famer named Brett Favre who holds all the QB records a So. Miss. QB could hold. But he doesn’t. Nick Mullens does.
Last week’s 12-2 showing puts me at 71-50 (0.587) on the year. Here we go with Week 9, when six teams are off on a bye: Cardinals, Bengals, Colts, Jaguars, Giants and Eagles.
RAIDERS at 49ERS
Still, I will allow for the possibility that this is all Jon Gruden’s grand plan. Oakland currently owns at least three first-round 2019 draft picks. Is that before or after they finish as the worst team in the league? 49ERS 21-10
FALCONS at REDSKINS
Washington is on a roll and its defense is second against the rush. WASHINGTON 23-17
LIONS at VIKINGS
Adam Thielen. MINNESOTA 28-17
STEELERS at RAVENS
Having already dropped the Week 4 game to Baltimore, the Steelers cannot afford to go 0-2 in this division rivalry. It won’t be easy as Big Ben struggles on the road and Baltimore leads the NFL with 73 plays per game. PITTSBURGH 20-16
CHIEFS at BROWNS
Trap game? Nah. KC 30-14
JETS at DOLPHINS
Flip-flopping on this one, but Miami’s run game should ground the Jets. FINS 17-16
BEARS at BILLS
The Bears defense leads all fantasy units and Nathan Peterman – a self-fulfilling prophecy at this point – in his disastrous career, has scored negative 0.87 points. As Matt Dennis pointed out, Buffalo signed baller Terrelle Pryor as a WR all while whispering and winking, “QB.”
BUCS at PANTHERS
Carolina with the running game. I mean, Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey are on fire. CAROLINA 26-22
CHARGERS at SEATTLE
L.A.’s only losses are to the Chiefs and Rams. Seattle has rallied for a 4-3 mark. A running game, which the Chargers have, will be the ticket to win this road tilt. BOLTS 24-20
HOUSTON at DENVER
Look for Houston to win this on the big play. Deshaun Watson has weapons, including now Demaryius Thomas who was traded by the Broncos to Houston despite never having to leave his couch for this week’s game. TEXANS 20-14
RAMS at SAINTS
Oh, buddy. I’d take Drew Brees right now over Jared Goff right now, as it is, but it will be Saints RBs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara who win it for the home team. NO 33-28
PACKERS at PATRIOTS
Tom Brady, as loath as I am to admit, is 9-2 at home in prime time, while Aaron Rodgers, as loath as I am to admit, is 3-6 on the road. NE 26-21
TITANS at COWBOYS
Marcus Mariota IS Tennessee’s ground game and it will have to contend with Dallas LBs such as Sean Lee and Leighton Vander Esch. In Jerry’s House. On Monday Night. You betta bring it, Marcus. DALLAS 23-12
