WINNER$ – NFL WEEK 8

Good start to the column, went 2-1 in the picks last week and easily hit the suicide play.  Marcus Mariota and James White proved to be fantasy flames again, not so much for Cameron Meredith and Hunter Henry who were both lame. To clarify, the fantasy sleepers category is only for players outside the top-10 in positional rankings with the hope of getting you the best value for your daily fantasy league.

It was also a nice rebound week for the local teams who both won AND covered. The Giants are on a bye this week after their trip across the pond so they will not be included in the picks.

Meanwhile, the Jets play a precarious game on the road against the Browns, who are hungry for their first win of the season. For the sheer sake of not tempting fate, I won’t be picking the Jets game this week, because I really think there is a legit chance they lose in Cleveland on Sunday, but the game itself is a true toss-up, with the Browns going off as a three-point home dog.

This is a game GangGreen can’t lose, and if they do, let the rebuild begin.

Here are the numbers….

Week 7 Recap:

Giants -2.5 (Win)
Jets -1 (Win)
Vikings -2.5 (Loss)

Week 7 Record: 2-1

2016 Season Record: 2-1

Week 8 NFL WINNER$:

PATRIOTS -6 at Bills

The Pats are 27-3 against the Bills in Buffalo since 2001. That’s a staggering W-L record for a road divisional opponent. Buffalo shutout a Tom Brady-less New England back in week 4, and the Evil Empire is out for revenge. Patriots pile it on and cover the number easily. This is my best-bet of the week.

SAINTS +3 vs. Seahawks

Russell Wilson is averaging just 5.5 yards per carry this season. To put that in perspective, his first 4 seasons in the NFL, Wilson averaged 30.6, 33.7, 53.1 and 34.6 yards per game. He is clearly banged up, and without his legs, the Seahawks have an average offense with an inconsistent passing game. The Saints are tough in their building, and i’ll bite on the home dog with the west-coast road team traveling to the eastern time zone.

VIKINGS -4 at Bears

I might ride the Vikings ATS every week for the rest of the season. I like their defense and their schedule that much. After a week where the offensive line was exposed in Philly against a feisty Eagles D, the Bears front seven won’t pose nearly as tough a challenge. Regardless who is under center for Chicago, they will have issues with the Vikings talented and well-coached defensive unit. The Purple People Eaters bounce back on Monday night.

Suicide Pick of the Week:

BRONCOS over Chargers

Two Thursdays ago, Denver was upset by a Chargers team that was finding their form. San Diego has now won two straight after another upset in Atlanta against the Falcons on Sunday. So all signs point to the Chargers right? Wrong. This Broncos team is finally starting to find it’s form on both sides of the ball, and they get DeMarcus Ware back to add to an already formidable front seven. Losing C.J. Anderson isn’t ideal, but Devontae Booker has been running well in his rookie year so the Broncos running game shouldn’t be lacking. Denver takes care of business at home.

**The Vikings are another acceptable suicide play if the Broncos have already been used.

Fantasy Flames:

Trevor Siemian, QB, Broncos

Ty Montgomery, RB, Packers

Michael Thomas, WR, Saints

Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals (He’s baaaaaack)

Good luck, see ya next week!