Welcome to the weekly show where The Intermission's very own Jamie Goldman brings you his takes of the week for the NFL season.
GOLDIE’S GUARANTEE
Baltimore Ravens (4-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-3-1)
Vegas Picks: BAL -9.5
Goldie’s Take: Ravens win 31-14
Poor, poor Carson Wentz. For the second straight season he’s playing on a team plagued with injuries. Wentz is a good quarterback, but you cannot expect him to win when he’s got lawn furniture surrounding him in the huddle. Super bowl contenders Baltimore Ravens come into Philly and smack them in the mouth this weekend. Ravens by a million.
Goldie’s Upset of the Week
LA Rams (4-1) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-3)
Vegas Picks: LAR -3
Goldie’s take: 49ers Win 23-17
UPSET ALERT! Yes, the Niners are beat up. Yes, the Niners just got smacked by an average Miami Dolphins team, but they’re back at home this weekend. Divisional rivals come to town. Sunday Night Football. Kyle Shanahan knows this is a must win for his Niners, as they cannot drop to 2-4. I believe Shanahan is a great coach, and great coaches bounce back after losses like the one the Niners had last weekend. Nothing against the rams, but I don’t see the Niners losing this one.
Houston Texans (1-4) @ Tennessee Titans (4-0)
Vegas Picks: TEN -3.5
Goldie’s Take: Titans Win 24-20
Tennessee is coming off a huge win on Tuesday night against the Bills. Although the short practice week may affect them, I have the Titans winning this divisional matchup in a close one but staying hot, and remaining undefeated.
Chicago Bears (4-1) @ Carolina Panthers (3-2)
Vegas Picks: CAR -1.5
Goldie’s Take: Bears Win 27- 17
Carolina has done a good job of staying competitive since losing star running back Christian McCaffrey to injury. They have won some games against some weaker teams, but I think Nick Foles and the red hot Bears pose too much of a threat this week. I like the defenses in this game to keep it low scoring but in the end the Bears pull away with this one
Detroit Lions (1-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)
Vegas Picks: DET -3
Goldie’s Take: Jaguars Win 30-24
Other than getting smacked by division rival Green Bay Packers in week 2, the Lions have kept every game they’ve played close.I believe the same thing will be true with this one, but in the end, I’m making this one a venue call. Home team Jaguars take this one in a close high scoring affair.
Atlanta Falcons (0-5) @ Minnesota Vikings (1-4)
Vegas Picks: MIN -4
Goldie’s Take: Vikings win 34-28
Both of these teams came into this season with high hopes. Both teams have greatly underperformed expectations. Honestly though, what happened to Atlanta? Just a few years ago they led 28-3 in the Super Bowl. They’ve been irrelevant ever since. They need to restart. This isn’t the week they turn it around. A Dalvin Cookless Vikings team scrapes out of this one with a win. Yes, Atlanta is just that bad.
Washington Football Team (1-4) @ New York Giants (0-5)
Vegas Picks: NYG -3
Goldie’s Take: Giants Win 17-12
These two teams are in the basement of what is by far the worst division in football. I am envisioning a boring game with a lot of field goals and punts. I do think the Giants finally get in the win column this week, at the hands of a team that is in the state of flux right now. Washington can’t even figure out a team name, let alone a win.
Cleveland Browns (4-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-0)
Vegas Picks: PIT -3.5
Goldies Take: Steelers Win 24-23
In what is arguably the best game of the weekend both these teams get a true test to see where they stack up. Since the return of Big Ben the Steelers have been firing on all cylinders. Cleveland is also off to their best season start in what seems like decades. I picture this game being an absolute dog fight between two divisional rivals but the more experienced veteranness of the Steelers put them over the top this Sunday.
Cincinnati Bengals (1-3-1) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
Vegas Picks: IND -7.5
Goldie’s Take: Colts Win 20-16
Joe Burrow has been sacked more than any other QB in football so far this season. This is a combination of the fact that he’s a rookie who needs to get the ball off quicker, and the fact that his O line simply isn’t very good. I do think the Bengals D keeps them in this one but at the end of the day veteran QB Phillip Rivers has some tricks up his sleeve and the Colts win this tight low scoring affair.
Green Bay Packers (4-0) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)
Vegas Picks: GB -1
Goldie’s Take: Packers Win 31-27
Rodgers v Brady. For the first time an NFC QB matchup. Two star studded teams with super bowl aspirations. I think this is going to be an instant classic. Both teams want to prove they’re more legit then the other. I think this is an absolute toss up but the Packers seem to have some sort of mojo going on right now. Aaron Rodgers continues to have MVP-like numbers in this one, and the Packers win in a close one.
New York Jets (0-5) @ Miami Dolphins (2-3)
Vegas Picks: MIA -9.5
Goldie’s Take: Dolphins Win 35-10
The Jets have been nothing short of a dumpster fire since Adam Gase took over. By cutting star running back Leveon Bell earlier this week; it’s clear the Jets are in rebuild mode. The Dolphins on the other hand looked very strong last Sunday pummelling the defending NFC Champs 43-17. I think the Fins carry that momentum into this weekend, and put on another murder show. The Dolphins will get the pleasure of getting Adam Gase fired again, after how badly they slaughter the Jets this Sunday.
Denver Broncos (1-3) @ New England Patriots (2-2)
Vegas Picks: NE -9.5
Goldie’s Take: Pats Win 28-13
Drew Lock and Cam Newton are both set to return this weekend for their respective teams. When Cam Newton is on the field for New England, they look like a well oiled machine. Bill Belichick will have a field day this Sunday with an inexperienced Drew Lock at the helm for the Broncos. Pats will have full control of this one, and win by multiple scores.
Kansas City Chiefs (4-1) @ Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Vegas Picks: KC -4.5
Goldie’s Take: Chiefs Win 31-26
Both of these teams are coming off losses last week, and look to get back to their winning ways. I think this will be a great Monday Night Football game between two well coached teams, but in my short time doing this, I’ve learned to never bet against Patrick Mahomes. Especially coming off a loss. This man is known for his comebacks, and I predict the offense will be flowing Monday night for the Chiefs. KC wins a close one in Buffalo.
Arizona Cardinals (3-2) @ Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
Vegas Picks: ARI -1
Goldie’s Take: Cowboys Win 23-20
Monday Night will be the first start in a Cowboys uniform for Andy Dalton. I think he comes out with a chip on his shoulder, and gets the cowboys back to .500. He has proven last week that he is a competent NFL QB who can win tight games. I think this is the best team Dalton has ever quarterbacked. I think it’s going to work with Dalton in the big D. Both teams go to .500 after this week.