by sloppyvinyl | Oct 5, 2018 | SPORTS
Khabib-McGregor Will Happen
A super showdown between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229 is official after both fighters made weight at Friday’s morning weigh-ins.
Khabib Nurmagomedov (26-0, 10-0 MMA) looking to defend his UFC lightweight title for the first time would step on the scales at 155 lbs.
His challenger, Conor McGregor (21-3, 9-1 UFC) — making his first UFC appearance since November 2016 — would tip the scales at 154.5 lbs.
Tony Ferguson, who last fought at UFC 216 last October and is coming off knee injury, weighed in at 155 lbs.
Anthony Pettis, who last fought at UFC 223 when he submitted Michael Chiesa in Round 2, weighed in at 156 lbs.
The official weigh-ins are below.
UFC 229 Weigh-In Results
Khabib Nurmagomedov (155) vs Conor McGregor (154.5)
Tony Ferguson (155) vs Anthony Pettis (156)
Ovince Saint Preux (205.5) vs Dominick Reyes (204.5)
Derrick Lewis (265.5) vs Alexander Volkov (251)
Michelle Waterson (115) vs Felice Herrig (115.5)
Sergio Pettis (125) vs Jussier Da Silva (125.5)
Vicente Luque (170.5) vs Jalin Turner (169.5)
Tonya Evinger (136) vs Aspen Ladd (134.5)
Yana Kunitskaya (134.5) vs Lina Lansberg (135.5)
Alan Patrick Silva Alves (155.5) vs Scott Holtzman (155.5)
Gray Maynard (156) vs Nik Lentz (156)
Ryan LaFlare (171) vs Tony Martin (171)
Are you excited for UFC 229? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] RYU, HR BALL SPARK DODGERS TO GAME 1 WIN](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8067-2.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 5, 2018 | SPORTS
Dodgers Use Long Ball In Shutout Win Over Braves
Max Muncy and the Dodgers let their bats speak loud and clear to open their playoff journey.
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 6-0 on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium in Game 1 of the NLDS to take a 1-0 series lead.
The Dodgers hit three home runs in the Game 1 victory, with first baseman Max Muncy’s three-run homer being the big blow to break the game open early.
Hyun-Jin Ryu (1-0) picked up the victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers as he stifled the Atlanta Braves.
Ryun would allow four hits while striking out eight over seven scoreless innings for Los Angeles Dodgers.
Los Angeles would be out-hit 6-5 by the Atlanta Braves, but that number would result into little for Atlanta as they failed to get a runner to second base in all but two innings on Thursday night.
Dodgers fans wouldn’t have to wait long for the boys in blue to send one out of Dodger Stadium to begin Game 1.
Los Angeles’ Dodgers left-fielder Joc Pederson would get the scoring going with by hitting a lead-off home run on a 0-2 pitch by Mike Foltynewicz to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
The inning would end in disappointment, however, as the Dodgers stranded the bases loaded and also runners on the corners with no outs in the inning.
The Dodgers would make good of their missed opportunity in the first inning courtesy of a three-run homer by first baseman Max Muncy, who turned on a pitch over the plate by Foltynewicz in the second inning to give Los Angeles a 4-0 lead.
That would be all the runs needed for Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu. Making just his fourth career playoff start and first since 2014, Ryu would shutdown the Braves offense.
Dave Roberts’ Los Angeles Dodgers journey to the postseason was a eventful one, but they feel that they have put themselves in position to get back to the World Series.
The Atlanta Braves struggled vs left-handed starters this season, and those struggles continued on Thursday night in Los Angeles as they opened postseason play.
Atlanta would not get a man to second base until the fifth inning where they were kept off the board after catcher Kurt Suzuki flied out to end the inning.
Getting a rough start out of their ace Mike Foltynewicz (0-1) didn’t help, but Atlanta’s young stars that includes Ronald Acuna Jr. (0-for-4, 2 Ks), failed to make much of an impact in their first taste of the postseason.
Brian Snitker’s team won’t have much time to lick their wounds as three-time Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw awaits.
For the Los Angeles Dodgers, it’s another win that gets them closer to where they want to be, the World Series.
They acknowledge the path in getting there will be more daunting than a season ago where they had home-field advantage throughout the postseason, but there’s a swagger and energy in Los Angeles right now for a team that feels like they let a World Series title slip through their finger tips in 2017.
Clayton Kershaw will take the ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLDS on Friday night vs Atlanta Braves right-hander Anibal Sanchez.
First pitch is scheduled for 9:37 pm/ET.
What are your thoughts on the Dodgers Game 1 victory? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] BRADY THROWS 500TH TOUCHDOWN IN PATRIOTS VICTORY](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8066-3.jpg?resize=600%2C410&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 5, 2018 | SPORTS
Brady Reaches 500-TD Milestone In Patriots Win
Tom Brady’s NFL career has been full of milestones he may not truly cherish given that there’s be so many.
A storybook career of a quarterback drafted with the 199th pick in the NFL Draft, Brady’s touchdown ball to Josh Gordon is one he’ll hang onto forever.
The New England Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 38-24 on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.
New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady would throw his 500th touchdown pass in a 341-yard, 3-TD pass night vs the Colts.
It was an adventure getting there for Brady, who’s playing in his 19th NFL season at age 41, but he and the Patriots will take it.
In addition to his 500th touchdown, third most all-time, Tom Brady broke Vinny Testaverde’s NFL record for touchdowns to a different receiver of 70 with his touchdown pass to Josh Gordon, the 71st different receiver to get a touchdown from Brady.
New England would finish with 440 total yards. Indianapolis would win the time of possession 32:26 to 27:34.
The New England Patriots (3-2) picked up where they left off last Sunday in a 38-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
New England would go to an up-tempo offense on a 12 play/75 yard touchdown drive to begin the game.
Tom Brady would hit wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson for a 1-yard touchdown to give New England a 7-0 first quarter lead.
Facing a team he has not had success against in his career, Andrew Luck’s night got off to a painful start as he was drilled by a combo of defensive end Trey Flowers and safety Patrick Chung on his first drop back of the game for a sack.
Indianapolis would go three and out on that drive and would come away with zero points on their next drive after kicker Adam Vinatieri’s 38-yard field goal attempt sailed off the left uprights late in the first quarter.
That would prove costly as New England’s lead would become 14-0 after a diving score from Tom Brady at the goal line early in the second quarter.
New England would get another touchdown from Tom Brady in the second quarter, a 6-yard touchdown pass to James White, as the Patriots took a 24-3 lead into the half vs a Colts team ravaged by injuries before and during the game.
After forcing a three-and-out against New England on New England’s first offensive drive and getting 33-yard punt return from Chester Rodgers — who finished the game with 8 catches for 66 receiving yards — Indianapolis would finally get in the endzone.
Starting the drive at New England’s 35-yard line, Andrew Luck would find tight-end Eric Ebron for a 14-yard touchdown pass to make it a 24-10 game at the 9:48 mark of the third quarter.
Indianapolis’ defense, carved up for much of the game by Tom Brady, would get a much needed gift. Patriots’ wide receiver Chris Hogan would have a pass bounce off his hands into the hands of safety Matthias Farley for a interception on New England’s ensuing drive.
New England’s second half would continue to be stagnated by turnovers as Rob Gronkowski’s dropped pass inside of the redzone that he popped up into the air after a hit turned into yet another interception for Indianapolis.
Indianapolis, stunning a large portion of the Gillette Stadium crowd, would make it a 24-17 game early in the fourth quarter after another Andrew Luck touchdown pass as New England’s lead to their own doing began to slip away from them.
Needing a drive to change the momentum of the game back in New England’s favor, Tom Brady would close in on his latest career milestone.
On a play where he had plenty of time in the pocket to throw, Brady, surveying the field, would launch a 34-yard touchdown pass to newly acquired wide receiver Josh Gordon to give him the 500th touchdown pass of his NFL career.
More importantly, it gave New England a 31-17 lead as Gordon managed to make a catch over double coverage in the endzone.
New England would have their turn at getting a self-inflicted wound from their opponent as Colts’ wide receiver Zach Pascal’s bobble of a Andrew Luck pass was deflected into the air for an interception by corner back Jonathan Jones.
That interception would result in a game sealing touchdown on New England’s next possession as rookie running back Sony Michel would score on a 34-yard touchdown run to make it a 38-17 game.
After New England’s 1-2 start, there was once again the typical chirping going on that the demise of the Patriots was near.
After two wins in a span of five days, New England is feeling good about themselves, but Bill Belichick certainly won’t go easy on his team after a sloppily played second half.
New England is hoping to get great things from Josh Gordon, who they traded for from the Cleveland Browns in September.
On a night where the New England Patriots welcomes back wide receiver Julian Edelman (7 catches, 57 yards) there were glimpses of what New England’s offense could become this season.
The Patriots defense, maligned after two tough weeks on the road in Weeks 2 and 3, looked strong throughout the game.
The only negatives to takeaway for the unit was their inability to not capitalize on Luck’s questionable decision making.
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots will have 10 days to prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs in Foxborough as that will mark the end of a three-game homestand.
Indianapolis (1-4) had been in all three of their previous losses to start the season, but greatly undermanned on the road vs a good football team was too much to overcome.
Andrew Luck and the Colts offense turned in a lackluster outing minus top pass catcher T.Y. Hilton as well as tight-end Jack Doyle. A bright spot for Indianapolis’ offense was Eric Ebron, who finished with a game-high 9 receptions for 105 receiving yards and 2 TDs.
Luck in his past two games has 121 pass attempts, a scary number for a guy coming off of a serious right shoulder injury that sidelined him for all of 2017.
For a team that ranks near the bottom of the NFL in rushing yards, Indianapolis Colts’ head coach Frank Reich will have his hands full lowering that number for Luck.
Indianapolis will have 10 days to prepare for a visit to East Rutherford to take on the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
What are your thoughts on New England’s 38-24 win vs the Indianapolis Colts? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] MIKE MOUSTAKAS WALK-OFF GIVES BREWERS 1-0 SERIES LEAD](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8065-1.jpg?resize=600%2C389&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 5, 2018 | SPORTS
Brewers Trip Up Rockies In Walk-Off Fashion
For a Brewers team lacking in postseason experience, Mike Moustakas is one of the few who is not a stranger to the thrills of the MLB postseason.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Colorado Rockies 3-2 in 10 innings on Thursday at Miller Park in Game 1 of the NLDS to take a 1-0 series lead.
Mike Moustakas would play the role of hero as the his two-out RBI single in the tenth inning helped the Brewers avoid tumbling out of the gate to begin the NLDS.
Moustakas, who was apart of the Kansas City Royals championship team from 2015 season, was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers back in late July.
Milwaukee acquired the slugging first baseman hoping to add to a team that already had Moustakas’s former teammate and also MLB world champion Lorenzo Cain on it for moments like Thursday night.
The hit was Moustakas’ only of the game as he finished the game 1-for-4 with a RBI.
Joakim Soria (1-0) would pick up the win out of the bullpen as he pitched a scoreless tenth inning.
Adam Ottavino (0-1), who gave up a run on Tuesday in the NL Wildcard, would be stuck with a loss after giving up the walk-off hit to Moustakas in extras.
Christian Yelich, continuing his amazing 2018 into the postseason, went 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs and a walk as he blasted a home run in Milwaukee’s victory.
In Milwaukee’s first playoff appearance since 2011 season in which they last won the NL Central before this year, the Brewers bullpen stymied a potent Colorado Rockies offense.
Milwaukee Brewers’ right-hander Brandon Woodruff would get the start the for Game 1 and would look stellar in a unusual spot.
The reliever would allow one base runner in three innings while striking out three in a scoreless start. He would be relieved after 48 pitches by Corbin Burnes, who would throw two scoreless innings for Milwaukee.
After failing to get a run on the board against Colorado Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela in the first two innings, the team would breakthrough in the third.
Milwaukee Brewers’ right fielder Christian Yelich sent a first pitch changeup out of Miller Park for a two-run home run in the third inning to put the Brewers out in front 2-0.
Antonio Senzatela would allow two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter over five innings of work.
Bud Black’s team would get their first runner to second base in the sixth inning thanks to a walk followed by a steal by pinch-hitter Ryan McMahon, but that runner would be stranded after reliever Milwaukee Brewers’ reliever Corey Knebel retired DJ LeMahieu to end the inning.
While Milwaukee’s offense threatened with runners in the sixth and seventh inning and loaded the bases in the eighth, they would fail to score vs Colorado’s stellar bullpen.
After reliever Josh Hader pitched two dominant innings for the Brewers, reliever Jeremy Jeffress would come in to close out the ninth inning.
He would run into trouble as singles by Gerardo Parra and Matt Holiday to begin the inning gave a Rockies offense limited to one hit through eight innings signs of life.
Back to the top of the order for Colorado, center fielder Charlie Blackmon would continue Colorado’s frantic rally. Blackmon would hit a RBI single to trim Milwaukee’s lead to 2-1.
Third baseman Nolan Arenado would tie the game at 2-2 with a RBI sac fly as the Rockies capitalized on a fielding error by shortstop Orlando Arcia.
Jeffress would recover to retire the next two Rockies batters to end the inning, but damage had been down vs a bullpen that looked strong for eight innings.
Looking to avoid a major setback to begin the series, Mike Moustakas would deliver.
With fans in the crowd chanting his name, the Milwaukee Brewers first baseman would hit the game-winning RBI single off reliever Adam Ottavino on a 0-2 fastball to give the Brewers a dramatic walk-off victory.
Milwaukee Brewers’ skipper Craig Counsell’s decision to go with one of his better relievers out of the bullpen to begin Game 1 didn’t backfire, but unexpectedly having to pull Josh Hader in the eighth inning for a pinch-hitter did.
Still, Counsell and Brewers will take a game they nearly coughed up as they own the 1-0 series edge.
Colorado got a strong outing out of Antonio Senzatela, marking a second straight strong outing by a Colorado Rockies starting pitcher, but the offense was absent for all but the ninth inning on Thursday.
It’s the third consecutive game where the Rockies have been held to two runs or less dating back to Monday’s NL West Tiebreaker game.
Colorado is a combined with 2-for-20 with RISP and batting 19-for-110 (.172) as a team in that span, numbers that have to change to avoid falling into a 0-2 series hole vs Milwaukee tomorrow.
Jhoulys Chacin will take the ball for the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 looking to help Milwaukee to a 2-0 series lead as he’ll face Colorado Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson on Friday.
First pitch for Game 2 is scheduled for 4:15 pm/ET at Miller Park.
What are your thoughts on Game 1 of the NLDS between the Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] MCGREGOR LATE FOR PRESS CONFERENCE; KHABIB WALKS OUT EARLY](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8058-1-3.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 4, 2018 | SPORTS
Many fight fans buying a ticket to see Conor McGregor create a spectacle with Khabib Nurmagomedov less than two days away from the UFC’s mega-event were left disappointed.
Conor McGregor would show up late to the UFC 229 pre-fight press conference, which was scheduled to begin at 6 pm/ET.
Appearing irked by his rival’s no show to the press conference at Park Theater in Las Vegas, Nurmagomedov would make his stay an early one at the event.
After around 15 or so minutes of answering questions, Khabib Nurmagomedov would rise from his seat and walk out of the press conference after answering a question from a media member.
He would leave the press conference to a chorus of boos as he held his title belt high over his head to the crowd.
McGregor, fashionably late, would enter the fray moments later to cheers from a mostly pro-McGregor crowd. When asked if he was in his opponent’s head, McGregor shifted his focus to wanting to inflict punishment on the UFC lightweight champion.
“Where’s he at? He sprinted out of here. It’s clear as day (that I am in his head),” McGregor said. “Again I don’t really care about his mentality or what he’s thinking. I do not give a ****. I am ruthless here … I am coming to put a hole in this man’s skull. Dent my knuckle into his orbital bone and that’s what I am going to do (on Saturday).”
The two fighters met face to face at a press conference closed to the public at the Radio City Music Hall two weeks ago to promote their fight … and Conor McGregor’s new whiskey.
McGregor verbally assaulted his bitter rival Nurmagomedov throughout, with the most memorable line being, “If you got off that bus you would be dead and I would be in a jail cell.”
The UFC announced the fight back in early August at a special UFC 25th Anniversary event during a video package which highlighted the turmoil and rivalry the two fighters had developed with one another.
Dana White has said in numerous interviews that he expects close to 3 million PPV buys for UFC 229.
The event will take place at the T-Mobile Arena starting at 10 pm/ET live on PPV.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is listed by the Las Vegas Superbook as a -155 favorite for Saturday night’s UFC lightweight title fight while Conor McGregor is a +125 underdog.
Who will win at UFC 229? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] NFL WEEK 5 PICKS: CHIEFS STAY PERFECT](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/img_8052-1-1.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Oct 4, 2018 | SPORTS
Kansas City Will Hold Off Jacksonville At Arrowhead
Week 4 Results: 10-5
Record This Season: 35-28
Coming into Week 5 I’ve asked myself this question, how can this week’s games top last week’s games?
It’s a tough task given what transpired in Week 4. In Week 4 we had three overtime games including a crazy 45-42 shootout between the Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns.
Nine games were decided by seven points or less. Did I mention the homage shown to Dragon Ball Z with a fusion touchdown celebration in Oakland? You can’t make this stuff up.
We’ll go out on a limb and say that Week 5 will be decent. The week will be headlined by the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars showdown at Arrowhead.
Let’s also not forget that a NFC Championship rematch in Philly between the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings is also on the menu for football fans.
Before then, we’ll take a look at each matchup and who I think will come out on top. Here are my predictions for Week 5 of the 2018 NFL regular season.
*Drum roll please*
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots
Want to remember the last time the Indianapolis Colts have beaten the New England Patriots? November 15th, 2009.
The infamous “4th and 2” game where Bill Belichick finally came to grips that his defense was no longer dominant as was the case in the early 2000s.
Peyton Manning and the Colts turned a Bill Belichick gamble into a 35-34 come-from-behind win at Lucas Oil Stadium. Since then, the Colts have gone 0-7 vs New England with Andrew Luck losing five of those games. That continues on Thursday night vs a Patriots defense that turns it on suddenly when playing at home.
Prediction: New England Patriots 35 Indianapolis Colts 20
Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills
The Tennessee Titans aren’t a dominant team by any stretch, and that may cost them even on Sunday vs a Buffalo Bills team that has the second worst point differential in the NFL at -56.
Leaning on the Titans to win this one means leaning on a team that appears comfortable playing in close games.
While that’s a scary aspect going on the road, the Titans are playing with a self-belief and swagger about themselves that seems to be a direct result of first-year head coach Mike Vrabel.
Prediction: Tennessee Titans 20 Buffalo Bills 14
Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals
The Miami Dolphins still showed they have a ways to go before catching the New England Patriots in the AFC East this past Sunday. In front of them is a Cincinnati Bengals team that’s likely excited to be back home.
Defensively, the Bengals have slipped, but the Miami Dolphins aren’t an offensive powerhouse and their offense has to prove it can score on the road. Look for Geno Atkins and company to bounce back with a solid defensive showing vs Miami.
Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals 31 Miami Dolphins 17
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens look like a team on a mission in 2018. The Ravens have a +58 point differential, 2nd in the NFL. They’ll be facing a Cleveland Browns team, albeit much improved, that they’ve gone 17-2 against with Joe Flacco under center.
The Browns offensive line will have trouble protecting Baker Mayfield in what could be a miserable day for the rookie.
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 27 Cleveland Browns 10
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Despite posting 34 TDs to 6 INTs with a 109.4 Passer Rating in his career vs the Detroit Lions, six of Rodgers’ 13 career wins vs Detroit have been decided by seven points or less.
Rodgers is still hobbled and not looking like himself as he’s coming off statistically his most inefficient game of the season. The positive?
Detroit’s defense is susceptible to getting burned off play action. Committing extra resources as they failed to slow down Ezekiel Elliot last week, they allowed one of the worst ranked pass offenses to have success against them.
Prediction: Green Bay Packers 28 Detroit Lions 20
Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs offense has looked ordinary over the past six quarters, scoring a grand total of 30 points. Patrick Mahomes passed his first true test vs a Denver Broncos team that looked determined to end his record-setting run.
It’s a completely different test he’ll face vs a stingy Jacksonville Jaguars defense allowing only 14.0 PPG and 259.3 yards per game, both 1st in the NFL. While it would seem unlikely that Kansas City lights up the scoreboard on Jacksonville, let’s not forget what a creative mind like Kyle Shanahan cooked up vs this defense last season.
The 49ers scored 37 offensive points in a 44-33 win in Week 16 last year vs the Jaguars and we’ve even seen the team give up their share of big plays when they faced the Steelers in the AFC Divisional Round last season. Don’t think a mad genius like Andy Reid’s got a plan to exploit this team as well?
Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 31 Jacksonville Jaguars 20
Denver Broncos at New York Jets
Since winning in Week 1 48-17 at Ford Field vs the Detroit Lions, Gang Green has scored a grand total of 39 points (13 PPG). Sam Darnold is the least of New York’s problem’s, but an offense devoid of a real playmaker to open the offense up (Where has Robby Anderson gone this season?) is leading to anemic results for Todd Bowles’ team.
Denver is coming off a short week but they’re a team playing with a lot of confidence and swagger. Case Keenum finally throws a touchdown pass again after not throwing one in each of the past three weeks.
Prediction: Denver Broncos 24 New York Jets 8
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite being heavily inconsistent, Pittsburgh’s offense can still be considered high-powered. Atlanta’s offense since Week 2 has been just that, averaging 34.6 PPG. The problem? Their defense due to a various number of injuries have turned into one of the NFL’s worst units.
Pittsburgh’s porous defense has led to the Steelers abandoning the run in two games this season. Given how much help that defense needs, don’t be surprised if an early emphasis is on running the ball no matter what the score indicates.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 42 Atlanta Falcons 38
New York Giants at Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have won their last seven home games at Bank of America Stadium. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner has not been shy about creating offensive gameplans designed to get running back Christian McCaffrey going.
In the Panthers three games this season McCaffrey has 68 total touches and just had a career-high 28 carries in a 31-21 Week 3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He’ll be licking his chops to face a Giants defense that was gashed by Alvin Kamara for 181 yards from scrimmage and 3 TDs in Week 4.
Prediction: Carolina Panthers 24 New York Giants 10
Oakland Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers haven’t been what we expected defensively but that’s not a surprise considering star defensive end Joey Bosa (foot) has not played yet to begin this season. The Chargers have the fourth fewest sacks in the NFL this season (8) a season after being tied for 5th in the NFL in sacks with 43.
The Oakland Raiders finally put together a fourth quarter not sullied by miscues and failures, but they still aren’t getting after the quarterback. The Raiders are tied for last in the NFL in sacks with 5, something that won’t get the job done vs a Chargers offense averaging 27.8 PPG.
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 34 Oakland Raiders 27
Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles
The Minnesota Vikings have far bigger issues to worry about then avenging a NFC Championship loss from last season vs the Philadelphia Eagles.
Minnesota has dropped two consecutive games that would’ve been three had linebacker Clay Matthews not been flagged for roughing the passer in a 29-29 tie back in Week 2 vs the Green Bay Packers.
Against Philly, the challenge is once again creating enough time for Kirk Cousins to deliver the ball with a clean pocket. That’s a challenge that doesn’t seem likely to be answered.
Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 31. Minnesota Vikings 20
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
The David Johnson we’ve seen up until this point has been unrecognizable from what we saw in 2016. It’s hurting Arizona’s offense not having a reliant run game, particularly when you have a porous offensive line trying to protect a rookie quarterback.
Against San Francisco, it doesn’t matter who’s at quarterback, head coach Kyle Shanahan hits the right buttons. The 49ers came up short last week on the road but showed they’re a team that’s going to fight on even without starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo — who tore his ACL Week 3 — for the rest of the season.
Prediction: San Francisco 49ers 28 Arizona Cardinals 16
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks defense exceeded expectations with a defense marking out as one of the best through the first month of the season. That defense is expected to take a hit with All-Pro safety Earl Thomas out for the rest of the season (leg).
It’s a rough spot for Wilson and the Seahawks having to return home to face arguably the best offense in the NFL in the Los Angeles Rams, who had 10 days prepare.
At the end of the day, Los Angeles has far too much firepower and ways to create points for Seattle to keep this close.
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 37 Seattle Seahawks 24
Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans
The Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans have truly moved in different directions at quarterback since the last time these two teams played.
Now at the helm are Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson. Each with high hopes and big expectations. Watson seemingly has bigger ones these days considering who he’s throwing the ball to.
DeAndre Hopkins continues to be a model of consistency to begin 2018 as he has 30 receptions, 443 receiving yards and 2 TDs to begin the season. His excellent start continues vs a Cowboys defense that’s given up big plays over the past two weeks.
Prediction: Houston Texans 23 Dallas Cowboys 16
Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints
If Washington’s defense wanted an opportunity to prove themselves as being elite, this is the type of game that serves as a barometer.
New Orleans scores and scores, especially at home. Drew Brees is 201 passing yards away from breaking Peyton Manning’s yardage mark and becoming the NFL’s all-time leading passer.
He’ll get that done vs a Redskins defense surrendering only 187.3 passing yards per game and give the Saints the win. Keep your eye on Michael Thomas’ matchup with Josh Norman in this one.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints 27 Washington Redskins 16
What are your thoughts on this week’s NFL Week 5 slate? Leave your comments below!
