Inside the Lines: Who to Take and Not Take This Weekend in College and Pro Football Action

NO vs. ATL
NO +6
The only thing that can help the NFL’s worst defense is a struggling offense. The Falcons have not scored over 23 points in their last 10 games after they did so in each of their first five. Their season has gone exactly as the offense has, down in flames. The Saints can score some points but they often haven’t been able to win the shootouts. If the Falcons can’t break down the Saints defense then New Orleans has a great shot to stay in it and possibly win.

JAC vs. HOU
JAC +6.5
This game means nothing for Houston. They are locked into the four seed so I don’t expect them to play to hard and maybe rest some guys. Jacksonville is a young team and would be looking for a win to end the year on a positive note and carry momentum into next season. The Jaguars are tenth in the NFL in points per game so they can score on Houston’s great defense.

DET vs. CHI
DET +1
The Lions are my pick to win this one. The Bears are without Alshon Jeffery on offense so the passing options are once again limited for Chicago. The Lions have played well the last two weeks and the team is rallying hard to try and save coach Jim Caldwell’s job. A win will bring them to 7-9 and even though it’s a disappointing finish, I saw a third place finish coming behind a more talented Vikings and Packers teams and with the Lions losing a lot to free agency. Changes could be coming in Chicago too but the Lions want the win more and get it.

STL vs. SF
STL -3
The Rams have won three straight games coming into this one. Star RB Todd Gurley is unlikely to play but the Rams still have more talent in this game. The 49ers need a lot of help all around after almost the entire team left in the off-season. The team has gotten beat down lately losing to the Browns, Lions, and Bengals with McCarron starting and all of the losses coming by double digits. The Rams defensive line is too much for the 49ers to handle and is going to be the x-factor in this one.

MIN vs. GB
MIN +3
These two teams looked like total opposites last week. The Packers were hard to watch as they got beat by the Cardinals 38-0 before the Packers scored late to make it 38-8. The Cardinals recorded nine sacks in a one sided slugfest. Green Bay has been staggering. The Vikings were my surprise pick coming into the NFL season. Bridgewater has not had the season I was expecting, but Peterson and the defense has led them to the playoffs. They might be playing their best football of the season right now, losing at Arizona by only three and then winning the last two 38-17 and 49-17. Minnesota is a team to not take likely and I think they get home field advantage in the first round by going into Lambeau and upsetting Green Bay.

NCAAF Last Week: 1-6
NFL Last Week: 2-3
NCAAF Season: 41-31
NFL Season: 47-31

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