Sanders's Week 8 picks

By Jacob Sanders

Wow. I found time to write today. What a miracle. The NFL has been rather exciting and there is so much I could put in this blurb here but I am going to write about one person specifically. Carson. Wentz. My man. Take a bow. Despite the injuries to cornerstone franchise players, this guy came out in primetime and lit it up to bring his team a victory. If he becomes the next big house QB name for years to come, I’m not surprised. Wonder what Browns fans think of this…

Anyway, on to the picks!

Sanders went 10-5 last week putting him at 50-42 on the season.

Miami Dolphins VS Baltimore Ravens

So the Ravens got Williams back. Aaannndd still looked like one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. And that’s how Miami wins this game. Keep pressure off of Moore and let the running game punish Balitmore’s faults. Unless Flacco and Co. can show signs of life, the answer is to just tire out Baltimore’s defense.

Dolphins 16 Ravens 13

Minnesota Vikings VS Cleveland Browns

I actually laughed when I read this matchup. Is it possible for the Browns to win this? Not at all. The QB position looks worse than it did last year (that’s saying something) and the Vikings defense is an impenetrable wall at the moment with Harrison Smith leading the way. Frankly, the Vikings could have there offense on the field for only twenty minutes and I would still give the game to the Vikings.

Vikings 30 Browns 10

Oakland Raiders VS Buffalo Bills

The Raiders are starting to look up again. They’ll continue to look up as well but it will be at the scoreboard wondering how they lost. Both of these teams are feisty right now but the Bills are playing some excellent defense. The same can’t be said about the Raiders offense as they have consistently been sub-par. Yes, they just beat the Chiefs. But one can’t wonder how much of that was a trap game for the Chiefs and more about the rivalry for the Raiders than a statement of how good they are. Guess we’ll find out.

Raiders 23 Bills 30

Indianapolis Colts VS Cincinnati Bengals

At first I thought this was a no-brainer. But then I took a look at the Bengals past performances and was reminded this team isn’t playing up to it’s potential. Then again, the Colts are playing just about where you would expect them to be playing. With the Bengals having a higher ceiling and being at home, frankly, it’s hard to pick a Colts team that just got shutout at home last week.

Colts 13 Bengals 24

Los Angeles Chargers VS New England Patriots

I really really want to pick the Chargers here. Something tells me I should. But I’m not going to. It’s hard to pick against a team that’s on a 3 game winning streak. It’s also hard to pick against a team that has shown in the last 18 years it’s the most adaptable team we have ever seen, and so far, the Patriots have been covering up their weaknesses. I won’t be surprised at all if the Chargers pull it off but for the sake of my pick record, I’m going safe. New England wins with another Tom Brady 2 minute drive.

Chargers 30 Patriots 34

Chicago Bears VS New Orleans Saints

You would think this would be easy. It’s not. The Bears have won two of their last three in rather dominant fasion. However, the Saints, for me, have become my pick to win the NFC South. I thought the race would come between the Saints and the Bucs with the Bucs winning the division. My oh my was I wrong because the Saints are gonna be 5-2 after this one. This isn’t any discredit to the Bears. It’s just that the Saints have the defense to match the Bears defense (wow, so weird to type). I can’t say that the Bears have the offense to match the Saints.

Bears 17 Saints 24

Atlanta Falcons VS New York Jets

Call me crazy, but it’s not an upset pick for the Jets here. Fun fact: The Falcons are 0-3 against the AFC East this year. Make it 0-4 after this game. The Jets have played surprisingly well for a roster deemed to go 0-16 or 1-15 (2-14 by your lovely writer here) and the Falcons have, also surprisingly, played badly. In hindsight, this shouldn’t have been difficult to call or predict. The Ryan-Jones combo has always been there but what made it shine was having Shanahan as the O.C. So far? No Shanahan, no shine for the duo. Go figure.

Falcons 17 Jets 24

San Francisco 49ers VS Philadelphia Eagles

Well. The 49ers are a team. That’s about what you can say for them. Especially playing against the top team in the NFC and possibly the best team in the NFL but I’m not ready to crown them yet. Read my blurb in the beginning if you wanna know where I think the Eagles stand.

49ers 3 Eagles 35

Carolina Panthers VS Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cam Newton will be Cam Newton. A loveable guy when he is winning and a poor sport when he is losing. Frankly, it’s a little pathetic but some people are just that way. I can’t speculate what it does to the locker room, but what I can speculate is that Newton typically slumps when his team starts losing. With that in mind, I’m going to pick the Bucs. I’m not confident about it, but the Bucs are at home and need to be hungry for a win. Their season pretty much rides on this game here.

Panthers 20 Bucs 21

UPSET OF THE WEEK!!!!

Houston Texans VS Seattle Seahawks

This is probably the most exciting matchup of the week. Watson has been lighting up the scoreboard and the Seahawks have quietly become a rising team. Both teams will garner attention with a win here but I’m sure you guys already know who I’m picking. Yep, I’m taking the rookie against the Legion of Boom. Why? Because Watson has quickly become a fan-favorite and a guy who has proven no stage is too big for him. In fact, he typically performs better when the stage is bigger than him. It’s no primetime game, but it’s in Seattle and he is a rookie. He’s gonna do it again because his back’s against the wall.

Texans 31 Seattle 24

Dallas Cowboys VS Washington Redskins

Oh man. You have no idea how much I want to pick the Redskins. But I seriously can’t ignore the improvements that Dallas has made across the board in the last few weeks. They have looked like the Dallas Cowboys of last year. And the Redskins were 0-2 against the Boys last year. Ugh. Cousins needs to outduel Prescott if the Redskins are gonna win this one. Prescott just has the better weapons.

Cowboys 27 Redskins 23

Pittsburgh Steelers VS Detriot Lions

This seriously feels like a “lets lose to an inferior team” kind of game for the Steelers. However, I’m going to go ahead and pick the Steelers. It’s a primetime game plus AB and Bell have to be shutdown in order for the Lions to have a chance at winning this game. Do you trust the Lions defense to do that? I certainly don’t.

Steelers 24 Lions 21

Denver Broncos VS Kansas City Chiefs

I agree with Coach Joseph’s take on the Broncos offense. It’s not a Siemian issue. It’s a unit issue. Frankly, Siemian hasn’t had much time to throw the ball and the running game hasn’t been performing like it did in the first three weeks of the season. The Chiefs, on the other hand, are in a two-game skid but that isn’t saying much when it was against the Steelers and Raiders. It just means the Chiefs are vulnerable and nothing more. Their job Monday Night is to get after Siemian. Not too hard of a job against this Broncos O-line. And they’re at home. Uh oh for the Broncos.

Broncos 13 Chiefs 27

Sanders's Week 6 NFL Predictions

By Jacob Sanders

I would like to apologize again that this will be short on quality analysis as I did not start writing Week 6’s column until an hour before the games as I again have been swamped in work, school, homework and testing for school. This doesn’t include my other hobbies as well.

A BIG THANKS TO ALL WHO READ. I wouldn’t continue doing this without you.

Sanders went 6-8 last week putting him to 40-37 on the season.

Philadelphia Eagles VS Carolina Panthers

Hot matchup here and one that potentially can decide the No. 1 seed of the NFC down the road. Picking the Eagles here. They have excited me much more than the Panthers have this season. Also, their only loss is to the Chiefs. The best team in the NFL. Oh, and they almost rallied back to beat the Chiefs at the last minute of the game. Outside of the Packers, the Eagles are the best team in the NFC and the Panthers gotta show up or shut up if they wanna be considered a Super Bowl contender.

Eagles 30 Panthers 27

Miami Dolphins VS Atlanta Falcons

The Dolphins look awful. Cutler threw for all of just under 100 yards. The defense is letting the enemy team score more than their on-paper talent says they should. As for Atlanta, they are fresh off a bye and have been great throughout the season. I expct Ryan and Co. to light up the Dolphins and for the Falcons D to smother Miami in all phases of the game.

Dolphins 7 Falcons 38

Chicago Bears VS Baltimore Ravens

Another tough game for Trubisky to start out his career. The Vikings showed how to beat a Trubisky-led offense which is to take away his first reads and let him try to make plays through free-style. It worked. But, the Ravens are still without Brandon Williams and have one of the worst run defenses because of his absence. Jordan Howard can pave a way to a win just like against the Steelers if Howard can pop off. However, that’s only one phase of the game where the Bears have an advantage. The rest seems to be in Baltimore’s favor, especially if their offense can play complementary football again.

Bears 13 Ravens 23

Cleveland Browns VS Houston Texans

This team deserves a much better fate than losing their a lot of their defensive starters. However, their offense is so good with Watson-leading the way, that there is no doubt in my mind they stay competitive in the AFC South and can still win it. They’re up against the Browns here. A team that is already on life-support. The Texans should light up the scoreboard here and never look back.

Browns 10 Texans 36

Green Bay Packers VS Minnesota Vikings

Fun fact: Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre have failed more often than not when playing against the Vikings in Minnesota. Huge difference here is that the Vikings were never so banged up like they are today. And Aaron Rodgers is playing his best football, as per usual. Would like to pick Minnesota here but they just seem a little off. Defense has to put up a shut-down against Rodgers to win this game. Not sure if that’s possible in Rodgers’s current state.

Packers 28 Vikings 23

UPSET OF THE WEEK!!!!

Detroit Lions VS New Orleans Saints

Pretty sure I am cheating here on my upset of the week as this is a really close matchup but I couldn’t find any other matchup where I think the upset will actually win or if the game could be considered an upset. Anyhoo, the Lions have disappointed me in the last couple weeks. I thought they were looking like a top-tier NFC team but they just seem to be good. Not great, not bad, just good. And that’s how the Saints are right now with one difference. They have figured out an offense for Drew Brees to thrive without turning over the ball, and their defense has stepped up. Sure, the offenses weren’t great, but it’s been a long time since we have since a resemblance of defense from this team. New Orleans win here to show they need to be taken more seriously now.

Lions 24 Saints 34

New England Patriots VS New York Jets

This feels like a “too close for comfort” game for the Patriots. The Jets have a winning formula. Pound the ball, play controlling defense, and protect McCown to make the necessary passing plays. All seems good. Not sure that’s how you beat the Patriots. It’s very possible the Jets can win here. However, their competition in their last 3 wins hasn’t been impressive. Let’s see what they can do here before picking them to beat a top team in the NFL.

Patriots 21 Jets 17

San Francisco 49ers VS Washington Redskins

Well. The 49ers let go of Bowman. And are asking for trades with Carlos Hyde. Have they give up on the season? Who knows. All I know is the Redskins are better than their 2-2 record shows. The 49ers have had a knack for keeping in a few games this season. Not sure if they do here or not but either way, I don’t expect the Skins to let the 49ers just walk into D.C. and come out with a win.

49ers 13 Redskins 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers VS Arizona Cardinals

This is an awful matchup to predict. Both teams….just really aren’t all that good. The Cardinals have the star-power on paper which would lead me to pick them with Adrian Peterson on their team as well. But…they just look so dysfunctional. The exact same things can be said for the Bucs though. So….I’m gonna take the cop out and pick the home team. Ugh…

Bucs 20 Cardinals 23

Los Angeles Rams VS Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s amazing. This looks like a fantastic game. Who would have thought? Jags and Rams…huh. Anyway. Going with the team that has the better quarterback. Both teams have a similar win-condition in that they want to pound the ball and tire you out with their defense. But, one team has Bortles and the other has Goff. Goff has shown to be the better QB.

Rams 20 Jaguars 17

Pittsburgh Steelers VS Kansas City Chiefs

Much ado about nothing when it comes to Roethlisberger’s comments about his play. Every QB has that type of game at least once in their life. Moving on. The Steelers are playing the best team in football this week…in Arrowhead Stadium. Hell I ain’t even gonna talk about how good the Chiefs, that last sentence alone should convince you the Chiefs are going to win.

Steelers 17 Chiefs 31

Los Angeles Chargers VS Oakland Raiders

With Derek Carr back, you would think the Chargers easily win this game. Not so, however, I can’t convince myself to pick the Chargers either. I feel like Carr will be having his head on a swivel all day with that nasty Chargers pass-rush. Can the Chargers offense do enough to win? You tell me…

Chargers 21 Raiders 27

New York Giants VS Denver Broncnos

Giant’s Coach McAdoo said that “nobody will gave any chance in hell for us to win this game.” You are absolutely right coach. Barring an MVP performance from Manning, you have nobody receivers that are about to playing against one of the most elite secondaries in football. Don’t even forget the fact you don’t have a running game. Good luck coach.

Giants 10 Broncos 23

Indianapolis Colts VS Tennessee Titans

What the hell is with this week’s matchups and being so hard to pick…ugh. Well, I’m gonna pick against the team I thought would win the AFC South and go with the Colts. I’m liking Jacoby Brissett. His play always seems to be just enough to squeak out some wins against lower teams. The Titans are one of those lower teams at the moment.

Colts 16 Titans 10

Sanders's Week 5 NFL Predictions

By Jacob Sanders

As always, these are non-professional opinions and you may share your opinion with me as well!          Twitter: @jcs436        Email: jcs436@nau.edu

As I mentioned earlier this week, I have not had much personal time so I won’t be doing a pre-write up here. Just getting to the picks and summarys will shorter than normal as well.

I apologize in advance for the lack of quality content this week but life is taking priority over my hobbies.

Sanders went 10-6 last week putting him to 34-29 on the season.

On to the picks!

Patriots VS Tampa

As I posted on my social media, I did not have time to write for this game but predicted a 28-24 win for the Pats.

Final score: Pats 19 – Bucs 14

Buffalo Bills VS Cincinnati Bengals

Think this win will be tougher for the Bills than people are gonna think. The Bengals gave the Packers all they could and the Packers had to win in overtime….AT LAMBEAU field. The Bengals then took when they learned about their new offense and absolutely destroyed Cleveland last weekend. Meanwhile, the Bills were out fighting tooth and nail to the tune of two wins against the Broncos and Falcons. That’s two of the best teams in the NFL currently. Not bad. While the game is in Cincinnati, I think the Bills come and show they are the real deal in the AFC and beat the Bengals on the road in a game that comes down to the wire.

Bills 21 Bengals 20

New York Jets VS Cleveland Browns

Wowza. What a game here. So….uhhh. Cleveland stays winless. Yeah, I thought I would be saying that about the Jets but turns out they have turned on the jets recently and been over-performing for a roster that was supposed to be bare. This isn’t a bad thing. The team is really young and winning experience it gets can be carried on into the future. I expect them to continue winning against a punch-less Browns team.

Jets 23 Browns 10

Carolina Panthers VS Detroit Lions

Well. A week ago I thought this would be an easy pick. Turns out the Panthers aren’t that bad. However, it was against a Patriots team that really hasn’t figured out its identity on defense other than to give up points. So, with that in mind, I see this as a prove it game for the Panthers. They win here? They’re the real deal. If they lose? Well, guess we’ll wait for another week. As for the Lions, they are my current pick to be hosting a playoff game. This team is so fun to watch and Stafford has continued his ways of controlling the offense unlike in the past. A win at home sounds great to tell the NFL “Hey, the Lions are here and they aren’t leaving anytime soon.”

Panthers 19 Lions 27

San Francisco 49ers VS Indianapolis Colts

Call it faith in Brissett’s showing of his capabilities. I’m picking a Colts win here. While the 49ers haven’t been flat in their last two games, they are still 0-4. Maybe I pick them here if they were playing in San Fran but they are in Colts’ territory. It’s also the weekend that Manning was given his statue. Think this team and crowd have something more to cheer and play for than just a win this week if you ask me…

49ers 21 Colts 26

Tennessee Titans VS Miami Dolphins

Well this one really depends on how well Matt Cassel plays in place for Mariota. I say just well enough. Why? Do you trust Cutler to win this game? I certainly don’t. Both teams got pummeled last week but at least the Titans have a consistent running game to rely on and help Cassel. Can’t say the same for Cutler.

Titans 16 Dolphins 7

Los Angeles Chargers VS New York Giants

Oh boy. Two winless teams. Yet both are pretty competitive. I thought the Giants could get their first win last week. Close but no cigar. They get it this week because they are playing the Bad Luck Chargers. And maybe the Giants will roll with the rookie RB instead who has played well enough to deserve more snaps.

Chargers 23 Giants 24

UPSET OF THE WEEK!!!!

Arizona Cardinals VS Philadelphia Eagles

Would love to pick the Cardinals here. In fact, I think I will! Upset! I strongly believe the Eagles are the better team here. And there isn’t a reason to believe that Palmer will have a swivel on his head all day. But with how well the veteran has been playing the last couple weeks, I think that is enough to slice up Philadelphia’s secondary to a win. Looking for a career game by J.J. Nelson as well who I think can step up here as the team focuses on Fitzgerald.

Cardinals 27 Eagles 20

Jacksonville Jaguars VS Pittsburgh Steelers

This just feels like another “Steelers play down to their opponents” game. Gross. But, they are in Heinz field where Roethlisberger always lights it up. Don’t it being any different here. The other thing going for Pittsburgh? Jacksonville is 2-2. So technically they aren’t bad and the curse shouldn’t apply, right?

Jaguars 17 Steelers 28

Seattle Seahawks VS Los Angeles Rams

So…not going with the Seahawks here. ‘Lotta Hawks fans probably believe their team should be given more of a chance after last Sunday night’s 48-16 routing. You know that’s cool and all. BUT IT WAS THE COLTS! Meanwhile, the Rams beat an NFC favorite in Dallas and Jared Goff had a “Sophomore growth” game. Plus the Rams are 3-1 in the last 4 of these matchups. You really think I’m picking Seattle here? Nope.

Seahawks 24 Rams 31

Baltimore Ravens VS Oakland Raiders

Many pundits are asking the wrong question. Can EJ Manuel win a game for the Raiders? Well. Maybe. But here is the real question. Can JOE FLACCO win a game for the Ravens? After 4 weeks, it doesn’t look like it at all. He has missed open receivers and been inaccurate downfield which is uncharacteristic of him. Think the back-issue is a bigger problem than the organization is letting on. Thus why I pick the Raiders here. Hard to pick a Ravens team that doesn’t seem to know what the word “offense” is. Someone get them a dictionary.

Ravens 10 Raiders 17

Green Bay Packers VS Dallas Cowboys

You know. I got a lot of butthurt comments by Cowboys fans when I picked them to win the Divisional game last year. I expect to get more butthurt comments again because I am going with Green Bay. I don’t think Dallas is a bad team but I don’t think they are all that good either. I initially thought going into this season that they would finish 9-7. They are looking the part so far. Same goes for the Packers who I thought would return to the NFC Championship. Starting 4-1 on the season would certainly make it look that way. They’ll only get more dangerous when they get healthier and players come back as the season continues. Shootout between Rodgers and Prescott sounds like fun.

Packers 38 Cowboys 34

Kansas City Chiefs VS Houston Texans

No upset here. The Chiefs have identified themselves as the best team in the league and Smith has made his case so far as to why Mahomes should be on the bench for more than just this year. On the other hand, Watson has turned out to be a great investment so far. Here is his time to shine on Sunday Night Football against the only undefeated team in the League. Here…We…GO!

Chiefs 31 Texans 20

Minnesota Vikings VS Chicago Bears

Trubisky is starting! And that’s about the only reason you should watch this game. I think, after Cook going down, I would pick against the Vikings with probably 25 of the 32 teams. Chicago is one of those 7, unfortunately. Not sure how well the Vikings offense is going to perform with both the starting QB and RB down. However, I do believe the Vikings will become Purple People eaters on Monday night and eat Trubisky, a QB who never started a full season of college games, alive. Good luck with that one Windy City fans.

Vikings 16 Bears 3