Winning Picks Expected for Most AFC Teams
Trevor Phipps
Now that we have reached the NFL Season’s halfway mark, I think it is fair to say that the Broncos have exceeded expectations.
That’s good news. The bad news is that they definitely are not the playoff-worthy team their fans hoped for during the offseason.
The Broncos seem to succeed in shining from time to time, but their dominant wins have only occurred against less-than-mediocre teams or ones that are riddled with injuries. Still, the Broncos’ defense is stellar and making at becoming the best in the league.
The offense, on the other hand, could still use some work. During the game against the New Orleans Saints, the Broncos scored more points than they had all season, and it looked like they figured out how to move the ball on the ground.
But even though the Broncos do look stellar at times, I just don’t think they have what it takes to defeat top notch teams. And unfortunately for Broncos fans, that’s what they face in the next two weeks, as they square off against the Ravens and then the Chiefs, both on the road. This could get ugly.
When the season first started, the Ravens definitely didn’t look like the team they were last year. But after playing six matches they were 4-2 and in second place in the AFC North.
It seems as if QB Lamar Jackson and company have started to figure things out. And even though the Ravens don’t look as good as they did last year, I think they will be too much for the Broncos.
I do think though, that the Broncos’ defense will put a hamper on the Ravens’ Jackson-led offense. But, unless the Broncos’ offense completely comes out of nowhere this week, the Ravens D will most likely eat them up. Just look at what Vegas says…
Vegas Line: Ravens by 10.5
Trevor’s Pick: Baltimore Ravens 21, Denver Broncos 9
Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns Sunday 11 a.m.
After destroying the Broncos in Week 7, I think the Chargers have started to figure out how to stay on top. They struggled at first, but I knew that coach Jim Harbaugh would eventually decipher the Chargers’ success code.
The Browns this year just haven’t got things together yet even though they seemed to have a decent team last year. Let’s face it, with a five-game losing streak after picking up a win in Week 1, I just don’t think they will be able to keep up with Harbaugh’s offense.
I think that the Chargers could quickly become another sleeper team to watch in the AFC. However, the Browns probably should just realize that this isn’t their year.
Vegas Line: Browns by 3.5
Trevor’s Pick: Los Angeles Chargers 28, Cleveland Browns 19
Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals 11 a.m. Sunday
As I expected, the Raiders just haven’t really shown up and relayed the message that they mean business. They have come up with a couple of wins, but then they have lost by large margins to mediocre teams.
But even though the Raiders look bad, the Bengals probably win my award for being 2024’s most disappointing team. Going into the season, many thought that the Bengals led by QB Joe Burrows would be a Super Bowl contender. But I doubt many sports experts say that now.
The Bengals have struggled all season and they should make this one close. But, I am going against Vegas on this one once again and I am going to say that the Raiders come out of nowhere with a big upset.
Vegas Line: Bengals by 7
Trevor’s Pick: Las Vegas Raiders 31, Cincinnati Bengals 28
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs Monday 6:15 p.m.
Well, anyone who has read my NFL predictions for the last two seasons know that I am wrong quite a bit. When I said before the season started that the Chiefs would struggle at first, that is a good example of this.
The Chiefs have exceeded expectations and I don’t think anyone thought that they would still be undefeated after Week 7. But here they are and the way they have been playing (even though they have barely squeaked by in quite a few games), they look like they won’t be losing any time soon.
The Buccaneers look good on paper this year, but after seeing them play the Broncos I just don’t think they have what it takes to beat a stellar team like the Chiefs. And add the fact that the Chiefs are at home, I don’t think the Bucs stand a chance.
Vegas Line: Chiefs by 7.5
Trevor’s Pick: Kansas City Chiefs 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24
Other Games to Watch
Houston Texans at New York Jets Thursday 6:15 p.m.
The Texans have really come out of nowhere this season and shown that they can win games. And even though the Jets have struggled, it is hard to count out their veteran QB Aaron Rodgers. I do think this will be a good close game to watch on Halloween Night.
Vegas Line: Jets by 1.5
Trevor’s Pick: Houston Texans 34, New York Jets 30
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers Sunday 2:25 p.m.
This division rivalry match is always fun to watch and this year the entire NFC North is on fire with winning records. The Lions and the Packers have both played well so far this season and this one will probably be a toss-up.
Vegas Line: Packers by 1.5
Trevor’s Pick: Detroit Lions 37, Green Bay Packers 35
