Hello! Welcome back to another edition of the Picks Six. Last week, we had some good (both Overs), some bad (Nick Chubb running out at the 1yd line…), and an 11-2 record in the Full English section! Pretty good. This week, there are genuinely the most games for a while where I’m scratching my head saying “I really don’t know which way I think this will go.” This is a dangerous position to be in, because I could either be perfect or awful due to these toss ups. I’m concerned, but excited. Let’s go. 6 sections, lots of picks and tips, have fun and enjoy.
The 1st & Goal from the 1yd Line. (Season Record: 6-2)
The Packers tried their best to make us sweat a little on this one last weekend, but managed to repel the surprisingly stubborn Jake Luton and the surprisingly stout Jacksonville defense in the end. We’re on a bit of a roll here in this section – so let’s keep it going!
After a brief one week break… We’re back to picking against the Jets gang!! It’s too easy – but how can you go against it? Justin Herbert has been great in his rookie season, and the Jets have been nothing short of abysmal almost from start to finish. The Chargers aren’t the most normal or reliable of teams – every game with them involved seems to have some weird quirk or another – but they’re more than talented enough to beat New York here. LA Chargers to win.
The 45yd Field Goal (Season Record 1-7)
CURSE YOU, NICK CHUBB. Running out at the ONE YARD LINE? This failure to cover Browns -3.5 ruined many people’s Sundays – not just mine – and also ruined my 2-0 bid in this category last weekend. Fortunately, Alvin Kamara was on hand to FINALLY drag us to a win!! The Saints -10.0 would not be denied, even with a somewhat concerning injury to Drew Brees.
Anyway – finally – we’re on the board. This week, there are quite a few tight games across the board. I like TWO very slight underdogs. They are listed below:
Packers to win (@Colts)
I’m really unsure why the Colts are favoured here. Yep, they’re riding high off a nice win against the Titans, but their offense hasn’t really been electric this season. They’re relying on their defense to hold the opposition close and allow Rivers and his RBs (mainly) to slowly chip their way down the field. This week, Aaron Rodgers (who WILL have Davante Adams active) comes to town to try and tear down their castle walls. For me, that Packers offense is good enough to breach the Colts’ D. It is a toss up, but I’m leaning Cheese-Head. Packers to win.
Bengals to win (@Washington)
Joe Burrow is a big time player. He’s had an up and down first season in terms of results, but has shown more than enough to get the Cincinnati faithful excited about their future with Joey B as the face of the franchise. Conversely, Washington still seem to be struggling to find their identity. Yes, it’s great to see Alex Smith back starting games. I’m delighted he’s back healthy. However, it does also show that the Football Team are on their third starting QB of the season, and haven’t yet found the stability they would have hoped under first year head coach Ron Rivera. I’m riding the Bengals this weekend, largely because I trust Cincy’s QB, and don’t trust most of Washington’s team at all. Bengals to win.
The Hail Mary Touchdown Treble
(Season Record 0-2, Individual TD Picks 1-6)
This is my longshot from half field. Unlikely, but you never know. A Touchdown scorers Treble.
AB, Ruggs & Andrews all failed to find the endzone last week – frustrating and annoying! This week, we’re riding some Tight Ends to success…
Jonnu Smith (Titans, @ Ravens) – The Ravens HAVE to load the box to stop Derrick Henry. This opens up play action. Smith is very athletic and a great red zone target. I see it.
Austin Hooper (Browns, vs Eagles) – This is the riskiest leg here, based on the weather and Cleveland leaning on the run, but Baker sure loves a TE target in the end zone. We saw Harrison Bryant catch two from Mayfield a few weeks ago, and Hooper is an elite receiver when given targets. Let’s ride it.
Taysom Hill (Saints, vs Falcons) – The Joker of week 11. You think Sean Payton is going to start his mobile QB and not have a couple QB runs scripted in the game plan for the red zone? No chance. Gimme Taysom to score (and probably throw for another couple too!).
£5 on this treble pays £140 depending on your bookmaker.
The Overs (Season Record: 5-4-1)
2-0!! We went 2-0!! The “Hail Murray” may have stolen the headlines, but Bills vs Cardinals was always guaranteed points, and TB12 on a bounce back against the Panthers didn’t let us down either. It’s nice when both the tips win!! This week…
Over 50.0 (Falcons @ Saints) – THIS is maybe the most intriguing game of the week. I was BUZZING to see Jameis Winston turned loose in Sean Payton’s offense… until they announced he wasn’t starting!? And… Taysom Hill IS?! It’s some strange voodoo down in NOLA… but maybe it might work?! I think Hill has shown enough in flashes to suggest he could be an interesting offensive weapon – best believe I’m starting him in multiple fantasy leagues this weekend – and the Falcons LOVE scoring and conceding points. I have no idea what to expect from Taysom, but I expect points from these two teams.
Over whatever the line is (Lions @ Panthers) – So at the time of writing, this game is “off the board,” which makes including it in my picks very difficult. Anyway – whatever the line is – I like the over. Matt Stafford is confirmed to be playing, looks like Teddy Bridgewater will be also. Both QBs are having good years, and both defenses are fairly suspect. I’d envisage the line being somewhere around the 50 mark, maybe a little below, but I like that. Detroit tried their best to let Washington steal one last week, and even without DeAndre Swift AND Kenny Golladay, they should have enough weapons (I’m looking at you both, TJ Hockenson and Marvin Jones…) to push this total up and over.
(SECRET PICK – I refuse to bet Unders on principle, but the weather is supposed to be bad in Cleveland again this weekend… so Under 47.5 Eagles @ Browns feels like a great pick. BUT life’s too short to bet the under. It really is)
The Parlay (Complete Parlays 0-5, Correct Legs 14-10-1)
3-2 last week… would’ve been 4-1 if not for, y’know… Nick Chubb… The Seahawks laying an egg vs the Rams was a surprise but softened the Chubb blow a bit. Anyway, the parlay…
Browns -3.0 (vs Eagles) – I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW. But yes – we’re back on the Browns. No Myles Garrett is a bit annoying, but the rest of that defense has stepped up in recent weeks, and the two-headed monster of Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the run game should be enough to dominate a subpar Philly team. Don’t be surprised if Baker looks good with play action after the run’s been established too. Browns please.
Bengals +1.0 (@ Washington) – As previously mentioned, I believe in Joseph Burrow. I don’t believe in Washington. It’s really that simple. I’m surprised that the Bengals are the underdogs, though I guess the lack of Joe Mixon contributes to that. Washington are the team that just refuse to die; they’re down 14 at half time every week, and end up coming back. This week, I think Burrow will want to outshine Chase Young – a battle of the 1 & 2 picks from last year’s draft – and light the Football Team up. Tee Higgins looks set to play which helps as well. Gimme the Bengals.
Titans +5.0 (@ Ravens) – Lamar needs a bounce back… but I don’t think this is the team he wants to face. The Titans are coming off a mini bye (haven’t played since last Thursday), and completely bamboozled the Ravens in the playoffs last year. There may also be no Calais Campbell for the Ravens run defense, which leaves so much opportunity for Derrick Henry to really start rumbling. The Ravens may well find a way to get some revenge for last year and win this one, but I think Tennessee will keep it close regardless. Take the Titans and the points.
Dolphins -4.0 (@ Broncos) – If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Dolphins are roooooooooolling. Now, has Tua played in altitude before? I dunno. Are the Broncos still bang average at best? Absolutely. Brian Flores is putting together a “Coach of the Year” season resume, and the Dolphins should be 7-3 after Sunday.
Chargers -9.5 (vs Jets) – We’ve already touched on this;I like the Chargers… So, let’s not waste time. Despite the fact that last time out, Joe Flacco pushed the Patriots close… and the Chargers seem incapable of winning a game in normal fashion… which makes this is perhaps the secretly riskiest pick in the parlay this week. That said, it’s still the Jets. They’re 0-9. Justin Herbert wants to come out and make headlines for something other than his haircut. Believe in LA this week.
£10 on this Parlay pays around £270 depending on your bookmaker.
The Full English (Season Record: 48-18)
A nice 11-2 again last week pushes the season record to a (even if I say so myself) respectable 48-18. A little over 72%. Decent all things considered.
Here’s the week 11 slate:
Falcons @ Saints – Saints (This is the weirdest game of the week. Who knows what Taysom is going to do, but I believe the Saints are a good enough team to win without Drew Brees).
Bengals @ Football Team – Bengals
Lions @ Panthers – Panthers
Patriots @ Texans – Texans (I think this might be a “Deshaun Watson” game. Texans would be better off if they lost, but Deshaun ain’t up for tanking)
Eagles @ Browns – Browns
Steelers @ Jaguars – Steelers (10-0, perfect season alert, not sure if they make it to 16 wins, but they’ll add a 10th this weekend.
Titans @ Ravens – Titans
Dolphins @ Broncos – Dolphins
Jets @ Chargers – Chargers
Cowboys @ Vikings – Vikings (But I wouldn’t be surprised if there WAS a little upset here… the cowboys are due for a bounce back and are not as bad as their record suggests they are)
Packers @ Colts – Packers
Chiefs @ Raiders – Chiefs (they’re just too good)
Rams @ Buccaneers – Buccaneers
Week 12
Moving forward, week 12 gives us BOTH Thanksgiving Football AND NO BYE WEEKS! A full slate for our feast. I will endeavour to be back with a Thanksgiving Special (three interesting games!) before Thursday, and then the regular column for next weekend.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts. As always, I’m @callumjdsquires on Twitter & Instagram. Enjoy week 11! Stay safe, stay healthy.
Callum Squires is an English writer, former NCAA athlete and Miami Dolphins fan.