This article is part of our NFL Picks series.
This week, we all like the Browns and Cowboys, the latter of which happens to be DDD's best bet.
| Erickson | Pianowski | Liss | Stopa | Del Don | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks -5.5 at Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals | Seahawks | Seahawks |
| Vikings -1.5 at Redskins | Vikings | Redskins | Redskins | Vikings | Redskins |
| Packers +5 at Bears | Bears | Packers | Bears | Packers | Bears |
| Steelers -10 at Colts | Steelers | Colts | Colts | Steelers | Colts |
| Chargers +4 at Jaguars | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Jaguars | Chargers |
| Jets -2.5 at Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Jets |
| Bengals +5 at Titans | Bengals | Bengals | Bengals | Titans | Bengals |
| Saints -2.5 at Bills | Bills | Bills | Bills | Saints | Saints |
| Browns +12.5 at Lions | Browns | Browns | Browns | Browns | Browns |
| Texans +12 at Rams | Rams | Rams | Texans | Texans | Rams |
| Cowboys +3 at Falcons | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| Giants -1 at 49ers | Giants | 49ers | Giants | Giants | Giants |
| Patriots -7.5 at Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Patriots |
| Dolphins +9 at Panthers | Panthers | Dolphins | Dolphins | Panthers | Dolphins |
| Best Bet | Bengals | Bills | Redskins | Jaguars | Cowboys |
| Last Week's Record | 9-3-1 | 5-7-1 | 7-5-1 | 6-6-1 | 6-6-1 |
| 2017 Record | 62-65-5 | 71-56-5 | 65-62-5 | 61-66-5 | 50-77-5 |
| Best Bet Record | 4-5 | 5-4 | 7-2 | 4-3-2 | 5-4 |
| Unanimous Pick Record | 12-11-1 | ||||
| Majority Pick Record | 66-61-5 | ||||
| 2016 Record | 133-102-5 | 122-113-5 | 115-120-5 | 108-127-5 | 123-112-5 |
| 2015 Record | 134-114-8 | 120-128-8 | 114-134-8 | 127-121-8 | 121-127-8 |
| 2014 Record | 123-128-5 | 140-111-5 | 135-116-5 | 124-127-5 | 128-123-5 |
| 2013 Record | 132-114-10 | 118-128-10 | 123-123-10 |
This week, we all like the Browns and Cowboys, the latter of which happens to be DDD's best bet.
| Erickson | Pianowski | Liss | Stopa | Del Don | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks -5.5 at Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals | Seahawks | Seahawks |
| Vikings -1.5 at Redskins | Vikings | Redskins | Redskins | Vikings | Redskins |
| Packers +5 at Bears | Bears | Packers | Bears | Packers | Bears |
| Steelers -10 at Colts | Steelers | Colts | Colts | Steelers | Colts |
| Chargers +4 at Jaguars | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Jaguars | Chargers |
| Jets -2.5 at Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Jets |
| Bengals +5 at Titans | Bengals | Bengals | Bengals | Titans | Bengals |
| Saints -2.5 at Bills | Bills | Bills | Bills | Saints | Saints |
| Browns +12.5 at Lions | Browns | Browns | Browns | Browns | Browns |
| Texans +12 at Rams | Rams | Rams | Texans | Texans | Rams |
| Cowboys +3 at Falcons | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| Giants -1 at 49ers | Giants | 49ers | Giants | Giants | Giants |
| Patriots -7.5 at Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Patriots |
| Dolphins +9 at Panthers | Panthers | Dolphins | Dolphins | Panthers | Dolphins |
| Best Bet | Bengals | Bills | Redskins | Jaguars | Cowboys |
| Last Week's Record | 9-3-1 | 5-7-1 | 7-5-1 | 6-6-1 | 6-6-1 |
| 2017 Record | 62-65-5 | 71-56-5 | 65-62-5 | 61-66-5 | 50-77-5 |
| Best Bet Record | 4-5 | 5-4 | 7-2 | 4-3-2 | 5-4 |
| Unanimous Pick Record | 12-11-1 | ||||
| Majority Pick Record | 66-61-5 | ||||
| 2016 Record | 133-102-5 | 122-113-5 | 115-120-5 | 108-127-5 | 123-112-5 |
| 2015 Record | 134-114-8 | 120-128-8 | 114-134-8 | 127-121-8 | 121-127-8 |
| 2014 Record | 123-128-5 | 140-111-5 | 135-116-5 | 124-127-5 | 128-123-5 |
| 2013 Record | 132-114-10 | 118-128-10 | 123-123-10 | 111-135-10 | 128-118-10 |
| 2012 Record | 110-140-6 | 125-125-6 | 121-129-6 | 143-107-6 | 123-127-6 |
| 2011 Record | 121-128-7 | 134-115-7 | 124-125-7 | 123-126-7 | 127-122-7 |
| 2010 Record | 129-122-5 | 134-117-5 | 126-125-5 | 136-115-5 | 134-117-5 |
| 2009 Record | 123-130-3 | 132-121-3 | 131-122-3 | 130-123-3 | 126-127-3 |
| 2008 Record | 132-114-10 | 128-118-10 | 124-122-10 | 125-121-10 | 130-116-10 |
| 2007 Record | 127-120 | 118-129 | 127-120 | N/A | 130-117 |
| 2006 Record | 118-129 | N/A | 139-108 | N/A | N/A |
| 2005 Record | 121-126 | N/A | 127-120 | N/A | N/A |
| 2004 Record | 124-124 | N/A | 130-118 | N/A | N/A |
| 2003 Record | 121-126 | 118-129 | 124-123 | N/A | N/A |
| 2002 Record | 113-136 | 123-126 | 141-108 | N/A | N/A |
| 2001 Record | 124-113 | 117-120 | 118-119 | N/A | N/A |
| 2000 Record | 123-117 | 134-106 | 141-99 | N/A | N/A |
Unanimous/Majority Picks
This week we have two unanimous picks: the Browns and Cowboys. Last week we were 1-0 on unanimous picks, winning with the Colts to put us at 12-11-1 on the season. We went 8-4-1 on majority picks (three or more writers) to bring our season record to 66-61-5. Last year we went 27-22-2 on unanimous picks and 138-124-5 on majority picks.
Comments:
| Writer | Comment |
|---|---|
| Erickson | Last week, the Bengals were particularly poorly matched against the Jaguars, and then A.J. Green's manifestation of "I don't know karate, but I do know crazy" essentially ended the game. I hate to be so bullish on them given recent form, but the Titans are a much better set-up for them. That they're getting more than three points makes it easy. |
| Pianowski | Buffalo has a legitimate home-field advantage, and the Saints generally aren't the same team on the road, though this New Orleans team might be better suited to travel well. But with Buffalo at home catching points, who cares? I realize the Bills aren't as sexy in the metrics, but I do think they're a well-coached team that doesn't beat itself, and in today's NFL, that gets you ahead of a lot of teams. Granted, New Orleans has turned its team around, too, but I'd take Buffalo as a home dog against most opponents. |
| Liss | I like the Redskins at home getting points after their big win in Seattle. I also like the Bills getting points at home against a dome team and the Cowboys getting the full three (with or without Zeke Elliott) against the hapless Falcons. |
| Stopa | The most trustworthy unit in the entire NFL right now may well be the Jaguars defense. There are studs at every level of the D, and I just can't see how San Diego will score (unless Bortles pukes on himself, but the D is so good that he's always playing in hitter's counts). I actually think Jacksonville is a sneaky Super Bowl pick. |
| Del Don | I'm going back to Dallas as my best bet for the second straight week, though I wish there was more clarity about Ezekiel Elliott and Dez Bryant's statuses at this point in the week. This game should be more like a pick 'em, so I'll happily take three points and the better team. |
The players:
• Jeff Erickson: RotoWire Senior editor, 2001, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016 Staff Picks Champ. Writes the Weekly Rankings. Covers and roots for the Bengals.
• Scott Pianowski: Fantasy expert for Yahoo! Sports, and also contributes to Rotowire.com. 2009, 2011 and 2014 Staff Picks Champ. Roots for the Patriots.
• Chris Liss: RotoWire Managing Editor, 2000, 2002, 2006 Staff Picks Champ, 2003, 2004 co-champ. Writes East Coast Offense, Beating the Book and the Survivor column in addition to Staff Picks. Covers and roots for the Giants.
• Mark Stopa: Staff Writer, 2010, 2012 Staff Picks Champ, Writes Run 'N' Shoot. Roots for the Bills.
• Dalton Del Don: Fantasy Expert for Yahoo! Sports, 2007 Staff Picks Champ. Roots for the 49ers.
