Just three weeks left…better start picking boldly if you want any chance at catching the soon-to-be five-time champ*. Here are three bold picks recommended by our staff:
BROWNS (7-6) over Bengals (8-4-1)
Big chance to steal a point from STB5TC here. It will, however, first require that you get past the following, Manziel-related trepidations:
In my weakness, tragically, I have not been able to get past them. AH, IF ONLY I HAD THE STRENGTH! But that’s why this presents such a golden opportunity to a picker with a stronger constitution than my own.
Dolphins (7-6) over PATRIOTS (10-3)
This is a no-brainer if you’re looking to go anti-grain and pick up a point. You know everyone else is going Pats. The Dolphins won the first matchup and Brady really struggled with their vaunted pass rush. Their backs are against the wall, that’s for sure. If they lose, the Pats clinch the division and their chance at the wildcard virtually disappears. And we all know what happens when you put a Dolphin’s back against the wall: It flops to the ground and writhes in agony as the breath rapidly escapes its body. That would be very frightening/traumatizing to go up against†.
Redskins (3-10) over GIANTS (4-9)
The possible return of RGIII is not convincing enough on its own. “Oh, the guy with three different chicken attributes‡ might come back? Great,” you’re probably saying to yourself, quite sarcastically.
Until…you read…THIS.
Corner, turned. A new-found commitment to extra work on the practice field always = improvement on Sunday. You might fear that the improvement might come in the way of him punting very often and very prematurely. And yes, that seems to be a very real possibility, which is why I’m picking the Giants. But consider this: It might…just…work.
*Foregone conclusion. Chance of catching STB5TC is actually 0% but trying to encourage participation/website hits.
†Keep in mind that, despite what appears to be a friendly recommendation by STB5TC, you will in fact be penalized a point for picking the Dolphins, resulting in a two-point swing for STB5TC.
‡Legs; cowardice; runs-around-like-one-with-head-cut-off
McManus Picks 