LOCKS OF THE WEEK
Scott Batchelor
49ers over Rams – I hate to make my for lock pick of the week the team playing my home team but…the Rams are just not good on the road. I am not afraid to call the win over the Seahawks a fluke. The Rams have no answer for a QB like Kaepernick; a guy who can beat you in the air and with his feet. Plus the Rams lost two huge offensive weapons last week when both Jake Long and Brian quick went down with season ending injuries, I see no way the Rams make this close. 49ers are not the Super Bowl team from two years ago, but they are still certainly better than the Rams.
Buzz Baumer
Seahawks over Raiders – The 0-7 Raiders travel to take on the 4-3 Seahawks. The Seahawks are coming off a win where they barely escaped with a victory against the Carolina Panthers in which they won 13-9. That was on the road. The Seahawks get to come back home to CenturyLink Field where they are 2-1. This is the first visit for rookie QB Derek Carr, and he will have to do some serious growing up to even and try to compete against the Seahawks. The Seahawks have been struggling as of late, but they will win this one easily at home.
Seahawks 27 – Raiders 14
Dan Buffa
Broncos over Patriots – I pick it this way because I see this game turning out one way. A pure shootout. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady know only one way to decide who reins superior in the winter and that’s firing touchdowns at an unusual pace. I think Manning gets the best of the Pats defense. A defense that allowed Geno Smith and the Jets to nearly steal a win two weeks ago. Peyton will fire 4 touchdowns and one interception and the Broncos defense will do just enough to throw Brady off that results in a Denver victory.
Denver 42 – Patriots 35
Ryan Leopando
Chiefs over Jets – The Jets are AWFUL, and they’re playing at Arrowhead. That’s all that needs to be said.
Chiefs 34 – Jets 13
Jeremy Karp
Chiefs over Jets – The Jets are a mess right now, and that itself is an understatement. The Chiefs, on the other hand, have been on a roll lately, beating rival San Diego and winning the Governor’s Cup against the Rams. Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles are a high-powered offensive tandem, and when they are in a groove, opposing defenses struggle to prepare. Whether it’s Vick or Geno Smith, the Jets offense has struggled to move the football. Look for Kansas City to continue their winning streak on Sunday against New York.
Nick Yahl
49ers over Rams – This is a home game for San Francisco and I see them getting the job done against a struggling and banged up Rams team. St. Louis lost its top WR last week in Brian Quick, LT Jake Long, and RG Rodger Saffold so I don’t see how they can come into a hostile environment like San Francisco and pull out the win. Let’s not forget what WR Anquan Boldin has done against the Rams in his career. Boldin has 104 catches for 1,420 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games. In those games the Niners are 12-4.
49ers 34 – Rams 13
Ryan Melosi
Seahawks over Raiders – Oakland is probably the worst team in the league. Seattle is probably the toughest place to play at. Raiders have no chance.
Billy Perry
Chiefs over Jets – Kansas City will beat the Jets for a couple of reasons. Those reasons are Michael Vick and Geno Smith. The Jets have a terrible QB situation. Neither QB can throw the ball with any consistency. The Jets have the worst passing offense in the NFL, averaging 179 yards per game. KC has the #1 pass defense in the NFL, allowing 195 yards per game through the air. Unless the Jets can develop the world’s greatest running game overnight or trade for Tom Brady by Sunday, the Chiefs are going to dominate them.
Chiefs 37 – Jets 13
Mick Lite
Chiefs over Jets – Playing at Arrowhead. Enough said.
Chiefs 38 – Jets 6
