Mike’s Picks

Starting Bankroll: $4,660

Buffalo Bills (pick ’em) over Philadelphia Eagles for $110

The Philadelphia Eagles find ways to lose. They have 3 of the greatest running backs in the NFL today, and their #3 back, Darren Sproles, has been carrying the team during their wins. And their most expensive #1, DeMarco Murray, cares so much more about personal statistics than he does about his team winning, that he thinks he is worthy enough to go over Coach Chip Kelly’s head straight to ownership to have them make sure DeMarco gets to play with the ball. I can’t say that I didn’t predict fireworks , because I wrote about the likelihood of Demario Murray getting pouty all the way back in my Week 1 outlook. Yes, I am a genius. And I also wrote about how Chip Kelly decimated a potentially great team in the offseason. Although the Eagles are tied for first place, it is in the joke of the NFC East, where every team has a losing record. It’s not just about how terrible the Eagles are. It’s also about how there have been some signs of life under Rex Ryan’s Buffalo Bills recently. The struggling Eagles are facing the resurgent Bills at the wrong time. Plus, add into the mix of how much LeSean McCoy wants to ram the football down Chip Kelly’s throat, and this is going to be a fun game to watch. McCoy has been waiting for this game since the day Chip Kelly let him go. It will be interesting to see what kind of defense Chip Kelly throws on the field, because Shady is going to tear it up.

Washington Redskins (+155) over Chicago Bears for $100

What is happening in Washington?  Washington is tied for the lead in a crappy division with a losing record. They are playing for the division title. And what is happening in Chicago?  They beat the Green Bay Packers one week, then lose to the San Francisco 49ers the next week. Basically, they bring it when they play good teams, and lose to terrible teams.  Washington qualifies as terrible, but getting value in this game, I’ll take my chances with Chicago folding to Washington in the first half.

Indianapolis Colts (+110) over Jacksonville Jaguars for $100

The Matt Hasselbeck Colts are finding ways to win.  Who would have thought that a 40 year old backup quarterback would have more success than a Number 1 pick who had brought this same team to the playoffs?  Doesn’t matter.  They’re playing the Jacksonville Jaguars.  No doubt, Blake Bortles has been playing well, but it won’t be well enough for the Jags to win.

Miami Dolphins (+110) over New York Giants for $100

Miami Dolphins aren’t good.  But they’re playing a team in the NFC East.  Any team getting value against a team in the NFC East is a bet worth taking.  Even though the Giants turn it on in December and figure out ways to get into the playoffs, they still have a few weeks to blow easy games and make Week 17 exciting.

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Joel’s Picks