I’ve been struggling these past couple weeks, but I’m trying to mix my old and new algorithms to see if that works, because my teams I take first, without thinking, have ended up winning.  I’m putting some predictions into it, but on some of it, I’m using my head.

Lock Of The Week

Jets, 31, Titans, 24

Look, the Jets may have had some mid-season struggles, but we can all assume the cause was a banged up defense.  Look.  Darrelle Revis, Buster Skrine, Calvin Pryor and Antonio Cromartie were all hurt at one point.  That’s more then half the quality players on this defense, and practically the entire secondary.  They gave up a lot of passing TDs.  They can now more easily stop the pass with more, if not all of their secondary back.  The Jets are fine on weapons, just weren’t quite there health-wise.  If they had a perfectly healthy season, they might be challenging the Pats to the division.  Unfortunately Jets fans, that can’t be the case.

The Titans and their young QB Marcus Mariota is beginning to improve, but defense wins the game.  When its healthy, the Jets have a powerhouse defense.  Meanwhile, the Titans don’t have enough overall defensive weapons.  Jason McCourty is one, and they almost traded him!!!  Signing Brian Orakpo helped, but they still need more this off season.
Notable Locks: Broncos over Raiders, Chiefs over Chargers, Panthers over Falcons

Upset Of The Week

Ravens, 23, Seahawks, 7

Look, the Seahawks lost Jimmy Graham for the season a couple weeks ago.  They’ve struggled finding good wide receiver options.  Unless Thomas Rawls can carry them to a win, I don’t know what weapons Seattle has, with a good corner to guard their only other legitimate receiving weapon, Doug Baldwin.  So, this could be very difficult for Seattle, and injuries could begin to get to them, not necessarily bump them out of playoff contention, but hold them from getting too far in the playoffs.

The Ravens on the other hand, may be done with playoff hopes, but have potential to win some more game to prevent a foolish look when people look back on this season.  Young running backs Terrance West and Buck Allen, young receivers Kamar Aiken and Chris Givens, and young tight ends Maxx Williams and Crockett Gillmore, even with Joe Flacco, Matt Schaub, Justin Forsett, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Steve Smith Sr., and Dennis Pitta all mildly hurt or done for the year, it may be tough facing the Seattle D, but the youngsters have time to shine, and they might actually beat out a banged up Seattle offense without Marshawn Lynch and Jimmy Graham.
Notable Upsets: Rams over Lions, Dolphins over Giants

Other Games

Cardinals, 27, Vikings, 6
Eagles, 31, Bills, 14
Bengals, 31, Steelers, 27
Jaguars, 27, Colts, 21
Chiefs, 17, Chargers, 13
Bears, 24, Redskins, 16
Panthers, 21, Falcons, 10
Buccaneers, 34, Saints, 24
Rams, 34, Lions, 28
Browns, 38, 49ers, 21
Broncos, 41, Raiders, 3
Packers, 30, Cowboys, 28
Patriots, 27, Texans, 20
Dolphins, 17, Giants, 10

Team Of The Week

1. This team has been home to multiple famous QBs at one time or another.
2. This team has won their division without a tie for a 3rd straight year.
3. This team went to a super bowl in this decade.
4. This team was undefeated from at least Week 4.
5. This team was known for cheating at some point in their history.

What team is this?  Guess in comments.

Last Week: Vikings