I took no solace in correctly picking the Houston Texans to win their fifth game in a row Thursday night. Sure, I opened the week 1-0 both straight up and against the spread, but it’s with a heavy heart. If the Texans keep winning against the outright garbage teams on their schedule, Bill O’Brien will defy the gods and once again keep his job. It’s to combat this kind of travesty for which I created the Friday Afternoon Quarterback in the first place.
I like the Texans tonight in spite of Bill O'Brien. Texans 24, Dolphins 20 #HOUvsMIA #TNF
— Adam Greene (@TheFirstMan) October 25, 2018
The game did give us one one gift, the wildest pass completion to … well, whatever, we might ever see. Take a look.
WHAT THE HELL?!?!? pic.twitter.com/jpH2H4yFJ1
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 26, 2018
There’s no way to top that, so onto the Friday Afternoon Quarterback spread picks and locks for NFL Week 8.
Byes: Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday
Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars (+3.5, O/U: 43) in London
Funny that no one seems to care much what Jalen Ramsey says about anything now. Eagles 27, Jaguars 16
Related: NFL Betting Guide
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-8, O/U: 48.5)
The last time these two teams played the game ended in a tie, which, as the old saying goes, is like kissing your sister. If the Steelers and Browns end this one knotted up again, that sister should get a restraining order. Steelers 31, Browns 20
For the Pittsburgh crowd:
New #Browns and former #Steelers OC Todd Haley was asked abt Ben Roethlisberger today. Haley said all variety of nice things abt his former QB, then said, "I am sure he is preparing. He is probably working on his quarterback sneaks and such."
🤣🤣— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) October 25, 2018
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (-9.5, O/U: 53.5)
A month ago I picked the Broncos to upset the Chiefs in Mile High. They lost by four. I haven’t picked them since. Chiefs 38, Broncos 20
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions (-3, O/U: 49)
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks have had two weeks to prepare for this game and are 6-1 coming off the bye since his second year in the league. Seahawks 27, Lions 24
Baltimore Ravens at Carolina Panthers (+2.5, O/U: 44)
That is a far too friendly line for a Ravens team that hasn’t put consecutive weeks together yet and a Panthers team that just pulled off an epic, season-defining comeback. Panthers 23, Ravens 20
Ravens DC Don Martindale on Cam Newton: “We joked around with my wife, and I said, ‘I’ve been watching scary movies all week getting ready for Halloween just watching his tape.’”
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) October 25, 2018
New York Jets at Chicago Bears (-8, O/U: 45)
Khalil Mack has three total tackles and no sacks over the last two weeks. Last week, he was used more in pass defense than in the pass rush. It’s like Jon Gruden is still his coach. Bears 27, Jets 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5, O/U: 54.5)
After flirting with legitimate contention in September, the Bengals have joined me in The FAQ for a disastrous October. Let’s you and me right the ship this week, eh Cincy? Bengals 31, Buccaneers 27
Washington Redskins at New York Giants (PK, O/U: 42.5)
The Giants mystery only deepens, but it can’t be a good sign when you trade your best corner and best defensive tackle for scraps. Redskins 33, Giants 26
These 4-3 Texans are the only winning team left on the Redskins schedule.
Right now, Washington has the “easiest” remaining schedule in the @NFL.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 26, 2018
Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders (+3, O/U: 50.5)
The story out of Oakland this week is that Jon Gruden has lost the locker room. The big surprise there is that there’s still a locker room after he’s traded away half the team. Colts 30, Raiders 24
Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams (-9, O/U: 56.5)
This line has moved down half a point since it opened, showing that people have plenty of faith in Aaron Rodgers … keeping the game under 10 points. Rams 34, Packers 27
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (+1.5, O/U: 42)
Last week, NBC flexed out of a 49ers game in primetime. This week, I’d bet FOX would like to flex this game to Telemundo. Cardinals 20, 49ers 19
.@49ers are as “sloppy & careless” with the 🏈🏈🏈 as I have ever seen. These following 6 plays all occurred in the first 23 minutes of this contest. If there is 1 just 1 only 1 thing this TEAM needs to concentrate on the last 9 games : it’s ALL about the 🏈 #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/SkGJA1eOES
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 23, 2018
Sunday Night
New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings (PK, O/U: 52)
No danger of this one getting flexed, though we are in danger of seeing Kirk Cousins embarrass himself, his children and his children’s children in the end zone once again. Vikings 38, Saints 35
Monday Night
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (+14, O/U: 44)
I’m wary of big spreads, but the idea that the Bills could even stay within sniffing distance in primetime against the Patriots with Derek Anderson at quarterback is just ridiculous. Not only that, but LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory might not play. How is the over 44? I don’t see how they hit it unless the Patriots score 38 themselves. Patriots 27, Bills 6
Danny Amendola is the 4th WR this season to throw a TD pass (Odell Beckham, Albert Wilson, Emmanuel Sanders)
So…
NFL wide receivers have more TD passes this season (4) than the Buffalo Bills (3)
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 26, 2018
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 6-8
Against the spread: 7-7
Season
Straight up: 55-50-2
Against the spread: 50-57
