Wormy Pix Pick of the Week (4)

[WormyPix]

All 3 of my plays looked like snoozers early, then became squeezers instead! Wins are wins (except for lowly DAL who got shutdown in 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] half), so I will gladly accept a 2-1 wk.

POW 3-0, Teasers 0-2, Overall 7-7

ARI (-6 ½ @ -115) has a chance to start 4-0, & more importantly 2-0 in their div. STL can be a scrappy team, but rarely @ ARI. Foles has been serviceable thus far, but STL’s “O” has really stumbled since their Wk 1 upset of SEA, recording a TOTAL of 16 pts vs PIT & WAS. If Jeff Fisher thought PIT & WAS’ “D”s were troubling, the TO-happy Cards “D” should look insurmountable. STL’s oline is overmatched here, which means Gurley & Mason should have difficulty running. And STL needs to run well in order to score here, because ARI’s secondary might be the best in the league. ARI’s “O” doesn’t need to be talked to, as most know the surging play of the once-has-been trio of Palmer, Chris Johnson & Fitzgerald. Which leads into the fantastic coaching of Bruce Arians. This guy simply takes throw-aways (to also include LaMarr Woodley & Mathieu on “D”) & puts them in positions to succeed. RB Ellington returns, but will likely play in a limited role as he returns from a sprained PCL. But that’s just one more weapon @ Arians’ disposal. Prized offseason acquisition Iupati looks to start his 1[SUP]st[/SUP] gm of the yr, which should improve ARI’s run gm. STL is 0-4 ATS vs ARI, & have lost the last 3 by a combined 43 pts. To say Arians is comfortable against Fisher is an understatement. Palmer has also won his last 9 starts. The only concern here is all the action that’s on ARI so far. But I feel Arians keeps his team focused (another strength of his) in an important div gm.

STL 16
ARI 31
6 Units

GL to all & comments are most welcome.

 

[WormyPix]

Honorable Mentions:

1 Unit BUF/NYG Over 45 ½: Riding the trend of Thurs night hm team going Over the following wk. And these 2 teams support this trend by being awful against the pass & very good against the run. BUF amazingly boasts the #3 “O” in the land, & NY is avg 27 ppg thus far themselves. However, it may rain if Hurricane Joaquin hits NY. I also have ½ Unit on NYG +5½. BUF is historically bad off beating MIA.

1 Unit CIN -4: KC is not a bad team, but they are off a short wk w/back to back rd gms. That’s not a lot of rest or planning against the surging Bengals. KC’s “D” will make it tough sledding early but I believe they get worn down towards the end as they try to play catch-up to Dalton & co, who have been en fuego.

1 Unit CLE +7 ½: Phew, ugly looking pick here, but SD will be w/out their starting LT, LG & C! And RG Fluker is questionable! Rivers could potentially be commanding 4 new olinemen. CLE’s front 7 has looked pedestrian @ best so far, but even they should be able to take advantage of this. Benjamin & now Barnidge provide enough spark to cover the #, as SD is known to play up to their competition.

1 Unit DEN -6 ½: DEN is back @ hm, while MIN is once again on the rd. Both teams struggled to open the yr, but have since vastly improved on “O”. Kubiak has gone back to Peyton’s old “O”, while AP has gotten his gm legs back in helping balance MIN. And that’s the problem here. I feel DEN’s “D” under Wade Phillips will bottle up AP & force Bridgewater into long passing situations where DEN’s opportunistic secondary, led by Harris & Talib, to cash in. I wasn’t impressed w/Bridgewater last yr, & he has done nothing to change that this season. Charles Johnson has not been a factor, but he is out this gm, allowing DEN’s secondary to freelance even more. This was almost my POW, but Mike Zimmer’s apparent success over Peyton made me skittish.

 

[United]

i like the slate Wormy Pix. Who's starting at the qb for Cleveland?

 

[ActionMan]

Solid card. GL!

 

[Gravy]

i like the slate Wormy Pix. Who's starting at the qb for Cleveland?

Josh McCown is starting Sunday for the Browns

 

[Gravy]

Honorable Mentions:

1 Unit BUF/NYG Over 45 ½: Riding the trend of Thurs night hm team going Over the following wk. And these 2 teams support this trend by being awful against the pass & very good against the run. BUF amazingly boasts the #3 “O” in the land, & NY is avg 27 ppg thus far themselves. However, it may rain if Hurricane Joaquin hits NY. I also have ½ Unit on NYG +5½. BUF is historically bad off beating MIA.

1 Unit CIN -4: KC is not a bad team, but they are off a short wk w/back to back rd gms. That’s not a lot of rest or planning against the surging Bengals. KC’s “D” will make it tough sledding early but I believe they get worn down towards the end as they try to play catch-up to Dalton & co, who have been en fuego.

1 Unit CLE +7 ½: Phew, ugly looking pick here, but SD will be w/out their starting LT, LG & C! And RG Fluker is questionable! Rivers could potentially be commanding 4 new olinemen. CLE’s front 7 has looked pedestrian @ best so far, but even they should be able to take advantage of this. Benjamin & now Barnidge provide enough spark to cover the #, as SD is known to play up to their competition.

1 Unit DEN -6 ½: DEN is back @ hm, while MIN is once again on the rd. Both teams struggled to open the yr, but have since vastly improved on “O”. Kubiak has gone back to Peyton’s old “O”, while AP has gotten his gm legs back in helping balance MIN. And that’s the problem here. I feel DEN’s “D” under Wade Phillips will bottle up AP & force Bridgewater into long passing situations where DEN’s opportunistic secondary, led by Harris & Talib, to cash in. I wasn’t impressed w/Bridgewater last yr, & he has done nothing to change that this season. Charles Johnson has not been a factor, but he is out this gm, allowing DEN’s secondary to freelance even more. This was almost my POW, but Mike Zimmer’s apparent success over Peyton made me skittish.

Wormy,This might shock you on this bit I agree with you on your Browns pick this week but Im holding my nose as this team is in shambles as the organzation has no clue worse than the Raiders IMO.Like your picks this weeka lot and i will chime in with mine probably Sunday morning.

 

[indiana]

W/pix..........good looking card........lov Arz and NYG Ov..........BOL with all your action this week...........indy

 

[WormyPix]

Gravy, as written, SD's oline is complete patchwork. They'll likely win, but I fully expect CLE to keep this close. CLE disgusts you prob as much as MIA disgusts me! I actually think they beat NYJ too, sadly, so that Philbin can keep up the torture longer. Also thanks for giving United the inside scoops on QB!

Action Man, BOL to you as well!

Indy, don't those look terrific? BOL to the both of us!

 

[WormyPix]

Two fluke plays doomed ARI, unfortunately. Fumble on opening kickoff, then a crazy, David Tyree type INT by STL in the endzone was the difference. Just somehow these things happen, & it's impossible to cap for them. Gotta lick the wounds & try again next wk.

Very disappointing losses today. DEN also allowed MIN to keep their gm close when their "D" did a great job against AP. NYG "D" did a terrific job against an unmotivated BUF "O". The MIA hangover for BUF continues, even w/new coaching staff.

Hope everyone else did better.

 

[United]

To many FG's for Zona.

 

[WormyPix]

Agreed, STL "D" did a great job against Palmer. CJ ran well though. But if not for that opening fumble, I think the whole complexion of the gm would've changed. So it is.