In our weekly #PickFive feature the Sports Ramble staff makes NFL picks for the upcoming week. Five games are chosen by our editors, but our writers can swap out an upset pick instead of the final game. For more information on our contributors, and to see their sexy mugs, check our Week Two picks here.
This weeks games are: Texans @ Vikings, Giants @ Packers, Bengals @ Cowboys, Falcons @ Broncos, and Bills @ Rams
Erik Ritland (Sports Ramble founder and podcast host)
Record: 11-9
Vikings
I'm done picking against the Vikings until further notice. Super Bowl, homeboy.
Packers
The Giants are improved from last year, but they showed last week against the Vikings that they just aren't that good, especially defensively. If the score gets too high, though - and it could since the Packer defense isn't great either - Eli could win a shootout.
Bengals
Broncos
I want to pick the Falcons, as they're a fun team, but the Broncos defense shouldn't have too difficult of a time containing them.
Rams
I like both the Rams and the Bills, and they're both teams on the rise. I give the edge to the Rams only because they're at home.
Mike Coenen (Co-host of the Sports Ramble Podcast)
Record: 10-10
Vikings
The Vikings won't be as impressive this week against the Texans as they were on Monday night. They'll win but it won't be as easy. The offense will struggle, winning in a low scoring, defensive yawner of a game.
Packers
Things won't get any easier for the Giants going on the road against a rested Packer squad. Beckham behaves himself this week, but he won't be good enough to make a difference. Packer's offense lights it up and buries the fading Giants.
Bengals
Dak Prescott has been good, but he has not gone against a defense as good as the Bengals'. Dak will look like a rookie on Sunday and will throw that first interception, maybe two. The Bengals are a Super Bowl contender, and will play like one in Jerry world. Tony Romo has been all but forgotten. No so after Sunday.
Broncos
Matty Ice is absolutely killing it this year, but it's been against the likes of such pathetic defenses as the Saints and Bucs. On Sunday he will try to be good against the Denver Broncos, and I don't see it happening. The Broncos will frustrate and beat up the Falcons offense all day long en route to a comfortable win.
Rams
The Rams just might be for real, and I love the fact they are back playing under the California sun where they belong. Meanwhile, the Bills come into Los Angeles riding high after their big win over the Patriots and an injured third-string quarterback. But there's just no way the Ryan brothers are capable of stringing three wins in a row together. I do, however, believe that Jeff Fisher is capable of winning four games in a row, and will do so on Sunday. Rams by a touchdown to go 4-1.
Mike Emms (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 9-11
Vikings
The Vikings have been battle tested more than the Texans and they play at home. Without J.J. Watt and Brian Cushing the Texans defense is a bit less formidable.
Packers
Expect this one being a high scoring game, Giants strength is its receivers and I just don't think the Packers secondary can hold down the fort.
Cowboys
If Tyler Eifert was healthy I'd take the Bengals. Andy Dalton doesn't seem comfortable with receivers not named AJ Green. Losing Jones and San has hurt the Bengals offense more than anticipated and Tyler Eifert injury has made it all the worse.
Broncos
If Tremor Siemian plays I take the Broncos, otherwise I like the Falcons. Julio Jones won't put up 300 receiving yards against the Broncos, but I do think he is the best receiver in the NFL and will make enough of an impact if Broncos don't have competent quarterback play.
Rams
Rams are hot, I like them to beat the mediocre East Coast team that's forced to travel three time zones west.
Chip Matthews (Sports Ramble blog and podcast contributor)
Record: 12-8
Vikings
The Texans fancy themselves as a power run team. The problem with that is they aren't very good at it. They are fifth in the league in rush attempts and 11th in rushing yards. Because of that I'm taking the Vikings and their impressive defense.
Packers
The Packers are coming off a bye and the Giants coming off being embarrassed by the Vikings. The Giants also aren't as good as they think they are.
Cowboys
This game will be a toss up.
Falcons
Falcons hand the Broncos their first loss of the season. I expect another solid performance out of Julio Jones, who hung 300 yards up last week.
Rams
James Keller (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 12-8
Vikings, Packers, Bengals, Broncos, Rams
John Morton (Sports Ramble contributor and co-host of the Fully Alive podcast)
Record: 14-6
Vikings, Packers, Cowboys, Falcons, Rams
Marshall Nystrom (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 11-9
Vikings, Packers, Cowboys, Broncos, Rams
Rico Lopez (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 12-8
Vikings, Giants, Bengals, Falcons, Rams
Evelyn Moreno (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 12-8
Vikings, Packers, Bengals, Broncos, Rams
This weeks games are: Texans @ Vikings, Giants @ Packers, Bengals @ Cowboys, Falcons @ Broncos, and Bills @ Rams
Erik Ritland (Sports Ramble founder and podcast host)
Record: 11-9
Vikings
I'm done picking against the Vikings until further notice. Super Bowl, homeboy.
Packers
The Giants are improved from last year, but they showed last week against the Vikings that they just aren't that good, especially defensively. If the score gets too high, though - and it could since the Packer defense isn't great either - Eli could win a shootout.
Bengals
Broncos
I want to pick the Falcons, as they're a fun team, but the Broncos defense shouldn't have too difficult of a time containing them.
Rams
I like both the Rams and the Bills, and they're both teams on the rise. I give the edge to the Rams only because they're at home.
Mike Coenen (Co-host of the Sports Ramble Podcast)
Record: 10-10
Vikings
The Vikings won't be as impressive this week against the Texans as they were on Monday night. They'll win but it won't be as easy. The offense will struggle, winning in a low scoring, defensive yawner of a game.
Packers
Things won't get any easier for the Giants going on the road against a rested Packer squad. Beckham behaves himself this week, but he won't be good enough to make a difference. Packer's offense lights it up and buries the fading Giants.
Bengals
Dak Prescott has been good, but he has not gone against a defense as good as the Bengals'. Dak will look like a rookie on Sunday and will throw that first interception, maybe two. The Bengals are a Super Bowl contender, and will play like one in Jerry world. Tony Romo has been all but forgotten. No so after Sunday.
Broncos
Matty Ice is absolutely killing it this year, but it's been against the likes of such pathetic defenses as the Saints and Bucs. On Sunday he will try to be good against the Denver Broncos, and I don't see it happening. The Broncos will frustrate and beat up the Falcons offense all day long en route to a comfortable win.
Rams
The Rams just might be for real, and I love the fact they are back playing under the California sun where they belong. Meanwhile, the Bills come into Los Angeles riding high after their big win over the Patriots and an injured third-string quarterback. But there's just no way the Ryan brothers are capable of stringing three wins in a row together. I do, however, believe that Jeff Fisher is capable of winning four games in a row, and will do so on Sunday. Rams by a touchdown to go 4-1.
Mike Emms (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 9-11
Vikings
The Vikings have been battle tested more than the Texans and they play at home. Without J.J. Watt and Brian Cushing the Texans defense is a bit less formidable.
Packers
Expect this one being a high scoring game, Giants strength is its receivers and I just don't think the Packers secondary can hold down the fort.
Cowboys
If Tyler Eifert was healthy I'd take the Bengals. Andy Dalton doesn't seem comfortable with receivers not named AJ Green. Losing Jones and San has hurt the Bengals offense more than anticipated and Tyler Eifert injury has made it all the worse.
Broncos
If Tremor Siemian plays I take the Broncos, otherwise I like the Falcons. Julio Jones won't put up 300 receiving yards against the Broncos, but I do think he is the best receiver in the NFL and will make enough of an impact if Broncos don't have competent quarterback play.
Rams
Rams are hot, I like them to beat the mediocre East Coast team that's forced to travel three time zones west.
Chip Matthews (Sports Ramble blog and podcast contributor)
Record: 12-8
Vikings
The Texans fancy themselves as a power run team. The problem with that is they aren't very good at it. They are fifth in the league in rush attempts and 11th in rushing yards. Because of that I'm taking the Vikings and their impressive defense.
Packers
The Packers are coming off a bye and the Giants coming off being embarrassed by the Vikings. The Giants also aren't as good as they think they are.
Cowboys
This game will be a toss up.
Falcons
Falcons hand the Broncos their first loss of the season. I expect another solid performance out of Julio Jones, who hung 300 yards up last week.
Rams
James Keller (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 12-8
Vikings, Packers, Bengals, Broncos, Rams
John Morton (Sports Ramble contributor and co-host of the Fully Alive podcast)
Record: 14-6
Vikings, Packers, Cowboys, Falcons, Rams
Marshall Nystrom (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 11-9
Vikings, Packers, Cowboys, Broncos, Rams
Rico Lopez (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 12-8
Vikings, Giants, Bengals, Falcons, Rams
Evelyn Moreno (Sports Ramble contributor)
Record: 12-8
Vikings, Packers, Bengals, Broncos, Rams
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