If you were unaware, which I highly doubt, yesterday was officially Back To The Future Day. October 21st, 2015 is the day that Marty McFly and the Doc traveled to in Part II of the franchise, a day that proved to be important throughout the films.
Yesterday was all about reliving the films, examining how much of the future the filmmakers got right, and living in the past (or future, however you want to look at it).
With the successes of such prominent older NFL stars in 2015, it seems that this season is living in the past as well. Who would’ve thought that Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald, and Matt Hasselbeck would play such prominent roles this year? Certainly not Marty and the Doc.
Perhaps nobody lives more in the past than the hype surrounding Odell Beckham Jr. and whatever that catch was last season (a game that resulted in a loss mind you), but today is about the future. Today I play the role of Robert Zemeckis from the trilogy that we just celebrated as I predict the future.
I’m only predicting this weekend, not 30 years down the road, so my job is a little easier. Now climb on in to my DeLorean and hold on tight, we’re about to hit 88 miles per hour (hopefully with a Dez Bryant version) as we pick this week’s NFL matchups.
Thursday Night Football: Seattle Seahawks (2-4) At San Francisco 49ers (2-4)
Rewind two years and this would be one of the premier games of the week. The Seahawks are a long way away from the days of winning their only Super Bowl in franchise history. The offense can’t get it going, Marshawn has yet to reach Beast Mode, and the Legion of Boom has lost its luster. Seattle still has an incredible amount of talent on their roster, but they’re not clicking and it’s showing.
San Francisco actually looked like a real football team last Sunday, sort of. Colin Kaepernick managed to exorcise his Super Bowl XLVII demons by beating the Baltimore Ravens, and I think the Niners might be on to something here. There’s no question that they have talent at the offensive skill positions, and they tend to play very well against the Seahawks. Division games never go the way you think they will, and I think San Fran is going to shock some folks.
Prediction: Seahawks – 16, 49ERS – 23
London Game: Buffalo Bills (3-3) At Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)
I’ve never been there, but I really like London. That’s why I feel so badly about this. We’re sending them the Bills and the Jaguars to watch! Surely we can give them a better game.
The Bills have shown flashes of being for real this season, but they’ll be taking on Jacksonville without Tyrod Taylor AND Sammy Watkins. Amazingly, EJ Manuel kept the Bills in the game last week against Cincinnati, so I think he’s better than I’m giving him credit for (which isn’t much).
These Jaguars (as the British pronounce Jag-You-Ares) are going to be good in the next few years. I really, really like what they have on offense… they’re just a tad too young. They’re practically a London expansion team, but the Jaguars aren’t contenders yet.
Prediction: BILLS – 29, Jaguars – 27
Atlanta Falcons (5-1) At Tennessee Titans (1-4)
Atlanta may be 5-0, but it is a mirage I tell you, a mirage! They have four wins against the NFC East (a division that many people think is porous this season) and a win against the Houston Texans. It’s unimpressive. The Falcons do have the makings of a good team though, and I think they’re certainly good enough to beat the Titans.
Imagine being a Titans fan. It’s like football purgatory. They’re going to get waxed here. In the words of Forrest Gump, “That’s all I have to say about that.”
Prediction: FALCONS – 34, Titans – 10
Cleveland Browns (2-4) At St. Louis Rams (2-3)
This is going to be the ugliest thing that our eyes have ever seen (and I’m counting that horrendous play call that the Colts had last Sunday Night). Aside from how bad these two teams are, the uniform matchup is atrocious. I don’t even want to pick this. Are you really going to make me?
Fine. The Rams D is legit. Give me that and some dark sunglasses so I can hide myself from this.
Prediction: Browns – 17, RAMS – 21
Minnesota Vikings (3-2) At Detroit Lions (1-5)
The Vikings are starting to become who we all thought that they would this offseason. Mike Zimmer has quietly built a pretty intense defense over at the University of Minnesota’s stadium, but his prized quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has only tossed three touchdowns. Adrian Peterson hasn’t totally reincarnated his 2,000-yard self either, the Vikings are stagnant.
The Lions are just making a living (whether it’s winning or losing) off of controversial calls these days. They finally notched themselves a win last week against the Bears (and should have pulled one out in Seattle). I think they’ve got some positive momentum going their way and that Matthew Stafford is going to sling that rock 83 times as the Lions do this thing.
Prediction: Vikings – 13, LIONS – 28
New Orleans Saints (2-4) At Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
The most famous crazy call of all time actually was made by Sean Payton AGAINST the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Going with an onside kick to start the second half turned out to be the greatest decision he ever made, but he’s starting to recapture that magic with his current decision-making. Drew Brees and Co. looked a lot like the Saints of old last week down in the Superdome and you know what? I’m a believer.
The Colts are a thread away from completely unraveling this season. That thread might have been Chuck Pagano’s call on 4th and 3 last week. This team is about to quit mentally.
Prediction: SAINTS – 30, Colts – 27
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) At Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)
If your hopes and dreams rest on the arm of Landry Jones you are not exactly in an envious spot. The Steelers are hopeful that Mr. Jones can get things going this week as Michael, Mike… whatever he wants to be called, Vick is just not cooking with gas anymore. Landry is about to throw some Martavis and Antonio on the grill and cook up a nice game.
The Chiefs are a disaster. When they beat the Texans in Week 1 the sky seemed to be the limit, but the loss of Jamaal Charles has left them in a state of complete grossness. Their offense actually hurts my eyes. It is that bad. Yuck.
Prediction: STEELERS – 22, Chiefs – 14
Houston Texans (2-4) At Miami Dolphins (2-3)
The mighty Texans have now beaten the Buccaneers and the Jaguars! Yay! Somebody bust out the participation ribbons, I need 53 for these warriors! Seriously Texans, good luck the rest of the way.
Dan Campbell has this Dolphins team believing, and that makes a team really dangerous. He has them angry and frustrated and wondering if he’s the heir to Campbell’s Soup. He’s going to have them in the winner’s circle on Sunday, book it.
Prediction: Texans – 17, DOLPHINS – 25
New York Jets (4-1) At New England Patriots (5-0)
This game is very, very interesting. The Jets are a long way removed from the days of the butt fumble, and they’re actually rolling right now. I love their offense, which amazingly is quarterbacked by Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Brandon Marshall is dominating all over the field right now. This game is Revis’ chance to prove that he is better than the Pats, but he’ll have to stop Tom Brady to do it.
The Patriots cannot be stopped right now. A lot of people, myself included, predicted them dropping the Jedi Force on the Colts last week… a game in which Indianapolis competed down to the wire. We were all a week early. Belichick, Brady, and the bunch have all ahd to hear about how the Jets have a chance in this game. They don’t like that.
Prediction: Jets – 23, PATRIOTS – 51
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) At Washington Redskins (2-4)
If you feel like laughing on Sunday then tune into this monstrosity. The Buccaneers and Redskins… might as well be the first graders versus the kindergarteners. Give me the Bucs, in what will actually be a high-scoring game.
Prediction: BUCCANEERS – 38, Redskins – 33
Oakland Raiders (2-3) At San Diego Chargers (2-4)
Both of these teams are coming off games that they should have won. The Raiders held on tight against the Broncos two weeks ago, and the Chargers almost took the Packers to overtime.
The Chiefs have volunteered to be the AFC West sacrificial lamb, but whoever loses this game is going to be in a tough spot moving towards the second half of the season. With that much on the line I wouldn’t bet against Philip Rivers.
Prediction: Raiders – 19, CHARGERS – 32
Dallas Cowboys (2-3) At New York Giants (3-3)
Remember when Eli Manning threw it away on third and goal down near the Dallas end zone? If it were possible to set a video as a ringtone, that would be mine. The Giants blew their Week 1 game against the Cowboys and they know it.
The Cowboys will have a new face at quarterback (Matt Cassel), left guard (La’el Collins), and in the running back rotation (Christine Michael). Did I mention that Rolando McClain will be there? Oh and Greg Hardy. Don’t’ forget Randy Gregory is coming back. Do you think that you and I should suit up? We’re good? We’re good.
We’re good. The Cowboys are going to take back the NFC East on Sunday. Our favorite quarterback Elisha Manning is going to make an appearance under the bodies of many Cowboy defenders. Get your jersey out, make some queso, and save me a seat on the couch. We’re going to have fun on Sunday.
Prediction: COWBOYS – 22, Giants – 10
Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) At Carolina Panthers (5-0)
It felt terrible rooting for the Eagles last week. I’m talking ridiculously terrible. I might have caught a fever. As a result I am going ALL-IN on the Panthers this week. I might buy a Cam Newton jersey and everything.
The Eagles should buy a Cam jersey as well though; because that’s the only way they’re going to get their hands on one. This is going to be an exclamation point on what is an MVP-type season for the former Heisman Winner and Number One Overall Pick. Fly, Superman, Fly.
Prediction: Eagles – 15, PANTHERS – 33
Monday Night Football: Baltimore Ravens (1-5) At Arizona Cardinals (4-2)
Battle of the birds is always fun, isn’t it? Not to mention that the Cardinals Nest or whatever they’re calling the site of last year’s Super Bowl is a spectacular place to have a primetime game.
The Ravens are a dumpster fire, it’s actually kind of sad. The Cardinals are going to get back on track after losing to the Steelers this week. Bruce Arians is going to have them in tip-top shape.
Prediction: Ravens – 16, CARDINALS – 42
