***SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY - MUCK 5 - WEEK 9***

***WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS***

Spot play here, as we have a well rested fiesty Redskin team coming off of their bye week facing the big bad undefeated champs on the road. I like the Skins to really get up for this game here and look to play spoiler combined with the Pats doing just enough to get the win and keep everyone healthy. 14 points is a HUGE cushion in the NFL, and I honestly don't even think the Redskins are THAT bad. This line is inflated after what the Pats just did to their division opponent last TNF, but when looking at that one closer, Dolphin's QB Ryan Tannehill helped them along on the scoreboard tremendously by just being his inept self. The Skins also get their deep threat at WR back in DeSean Jackson and along with their new stud TE Jordan Reed, I like these guys to hang around and actually make this one a game serving as the suprise of the day. In the words of Washington QB Kirk Cousins, "YOU LIKE THAT!" SKINS +14

***ST. LOUIS RAMS @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS***

Great game here as two very similar teams faceoff. We have two of the top RBs in the league facing off with the veteran Viking Adrian Peterson and the rookie Ram phenom Todd Gurley. Both teams have great young defenses but I like the Purple People Eaters at home today as I think the Minnesota defense is extremely underrated and will show today how dominant they can be by shutting down the Gurley-Mon and forcing QB Nick Foles to beat them, and he won't. Viking QB Teddy Bridgewater has so much speed at his disposal in his WR core and will do just enough to get the win at home today against a banged up Rams defense without their leading pass rushing DE Robert Quinn. VIKINGS -1

***TENNESEE TITANS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS***

The Titans have fired their coach Wisenhunt and will have new life with their rookie QB Marcus Mariotta coming back under center. This is a great spot for the kid to get back in the swing of things as we saw last week, the Saints have no defense. On the reverse side of things, the Titans defense isn't as bad as advertised and should slow down Drew Brees and the run/screen game more than the Giants did. That being said I like Mariotta to have himself a day against this secondary in the dome, his top WR target Kendall Wright is out with an injury. That being said look for rookie beast WR Dorial Green-Beckham to finally make his presence known in the NFL with more targets and a new scheme in place today. This kid is a freak of nature talent wise, and I like Tennesee to get some respect back today after getting beat up on in Houston last week. Taking the nice cushion here, TITANS +7

***OAKLAND RAIDERS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS***

DA RRRRRRAIIIIIIDAAAAAAZZZZZZZ are really stringing something special together this year aren't they? They look extremely promising and like they will be in the mix for years to come, maybe even this year as a wildcard, that remains to be seen. However today I like them to come back down to Earth a bit as they go on the road to PIttsburgh to face an uneasy Big Ben and the Steelers. PItt just got their fearless leader back last week as their undefeated rival came into their house and stole a win when Ben threw two (chalk it up to the rust) interceptions in the 4th quarter despite Pitt beating Cincy in every aspect all game long. You can tell how upset he was by this after the game taking full blame. That being said, these guys and this defense looks to be improving every week and I like their chances today at home again with Ben having that first game under his belt out of the way. I know they lost RB LeVeon Bell and yes that is HUGE, but they are good enough with DeAngelo Williams filling in and Ben has arguably the deadliest WR core in the game at his disposal. DA RRRRAAAAAIDAAAZZZZ are awesome this year and I may be one of their biggest supporters, but I think Big Ben takes Carr to school today and shows him it's still a big boys game and ya gotta earn your stripes. PITT rolls at home as they are itching to right the ship and Oakland looked great against the Jets who it's important to remember was in a big let-down spot. STEELERS -6

***GREEN BAY PACKERS @ CAROLINA PANTHERS***

Tisk Tisk Tisk, Panthers sitting at 7-0 with a top defense and still an underdawg against the visiting King franchise of the NFL, the Green Bay Packers. I know I was against these guys on Monday Night playing the spot for the Ponys but wow these guys really showed me something there. I chalk that win up to pure "Luck" and the Panthers more letting down in the fourth quarter after pure domination all game long rather than Colts QB Andrew Luck suddenly having success, (always remember: prevent defense just prevents you from winning). That being said these guys are off a short week after an overtime war in the rain with the Colts and I think they are still feeling the high after emerging victorious in that one. Riding that confidence today and again at home, I like them and coach Ron Rivera to really throw the kitchen sink at Rodgers and the Packers. Rodgers really struggles when on the road, and against very physical defenses like this one. Last week was the first time in I don't know how long since I have seen Aaron Rodgers frustrated and not smiling and laughing while playing as if the opposing defenses' effort amuses him and he thinks it's cute. He looked upset as he doesn't like to get hit, and these Cats will surely bring the hurt today. MLB Luke Kuechly is the best in the game and a straight up playmaker. This defense feeds off him and the newly emerged top CB Josh Norman who is looking like the best CB in the game this year, surely ProBowl bound after the first half of the season that he had. I like him to shutdown or eliminate an option every play for Rodgers, and the Panther LBs to stuff the power run game with big RB Eddie Lacy. Panther QB Cam Newton when all else fails just uses his size advantage and gets positive yardage, and this wears defenses down. Cam like most people, plays his best when his confidence is high because as we have seen he gets pretty moody when things aren't going his way. He can be a cancer to the team's emotions in that matter, but also in a positive effect when they are playing well and dominating like they are currently. They know they aren't expected to win this game and I think they take that as another slap in the face from the NFL world, and they will be out to prove that they are the better team here. I have heard people all week say that Rodgers and the Packers won't lose two in a row, now way....and all I have to say to that is- why not? PANTHERS +3