NFL Picks: Blood and Guts Edition (Week 4)

Photo courtesy of Pro Football Talk

The Seahawks somehow survived the "illogical if Peyton Manning wasn't at QB" backdoor cover that the Broncos pulled off, by winning the game in overtime by a touchdown, saving everyone who expected them to cover the 5 point spread.

Of course the Giants messed with me twice this week. After prematurely expecting the nonsense Giants victory that they seem to pull out of their hat at will, I gave up on them last week against Houston. So, naturally, they won.

Then on Thursday night, I made my pick on Twitter (@WilliamBotchway) as always:

My pick for tonight's game: WASHINGTON PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM (-3) over Giants. I know the Giants are going to troll me and win.
— William Botchway (@WilliamBotchway) September 26, 2014

What did the Giants proceed to do? Troll me and win? But of course.

UPSET ALERT next to games in which I think the underdog will win outright, not just cover. Home team in CAPS.

STEVE SMITH, SR. (-3) over Panthers.

I want to make sure that whatever team I go to, they’re going to get the best, in shape 35-year-old guy they can get. If that happens to run through Bank of America Stadium, put your goggles on cause there’s going to be blood and guts everywhere.

This is what Steve Smith said upon being released by Carolina. Now, this game is in Baltimore, but the fact remains: Steve Smith is going to obliterate his former team this week. DeAngelo Williams needs more than goggles: a HazMat suit is more like it. And unless he has enough for the entire team, it doesn't matter.

I feel bad that I just traded him away in fantasy football, but it was for the better.

BEARS (+2) over Packers. The 2-1 Bears are home to the 1-2 Packers, and are 2 point underdogs. Compound this with the fact that close divisional matchups tend to lean more towards the home team, and you've got a recipe for "what the hell is up with this line?" I must thank the public for loving the Packers to an irrational degree. UPSET ALERT.

J.J. WATT (-3) over Bills. And this week's "I'm going with the home team/force of nature because I don't know what else to do" winner: J.J. Watt.

COLTS (-7.5) over Clipboard Jesus. This line could not be high enough. As much as I don't like the Colts or their defense, anything goes with Charlie Whitehurst at QB. His hair is beautiful, but his on-field play...not so much.

JETS (+1.5) over Lions. Okay, what? They Jets should be favored by one or two points here. The Lions are a lot worse on the road, and will have a lot of their offensive success stifled by the Jets' killer run defense. UPSET ALERT.

Dolphins (-3.5) over "RAIDERS" (Game Played in London). The fact that there's talk of Ryan Tannehill being benched is ridiculous. He's still a very young quarterback, and has been fine overall throughout his career. I love me some Matt Moore, but Tannehill should be the starter without any question, even if Miami winds up losing this game against a pitiful Raiders team.

Hold on, I'm still trying to find a way to describe exactly how angry Steve Smith is going to play today. I would be very much afraid if I were in that stadium.

Buccaneers (+7.5) over STEELERS. I've lost hope on the Bucs somewhat, but I'm (I can't believe I'm about to say this) rolling with Mike Glennon.

Blake Bortles (+13) over CHARGERS. The Jags actually have some promise now that Bortles is their starting QB. This is a lot of points for any team to be laying, so give me the Jags for the fourth straight week.

TEDDY TIME (+3) over Falcons. The Vikings are going to shock a lot of people with Bridgewater at the helm. No, they won't make the playoffs because it hurts to be without Adrian Peterson, but he gives this offense, and in turn, this team, a real chance to compete week in and week out. UPSET ALERT.

What are the chances that Steve Smith gets ejected from today's game in the second quarter?

49ERS (-4) over Eagles. It's not panic time yet in San Francisco. Not yet.

Saints (-3) over COWBOYS. Drew Brees is going to throw for 450 yards...

In the first quarter.

Patriots (-3) over CHIEFS. I refuse to take the Chiefs because I still don't think they are that good.

#FreeBillSimmons

Last Week: 7-9

This Week: 0-1

Season: 17-31