This author probably isn't the right guy to assure scar-tissue-filled Vikings fans they needn't worry about being 10-point favorites against a Broncos quarterback making his debut NFL road start.
The Vikings will be without Adam Thielen and Linval Joseph. Again. They'll be without Josh Kline and Anthony Harris as well. So there is the usual #itsacrazyleague concern.
And, oh yeah, the author is lacking lately in picking credibility. He's whiffed on the past two Vikings picks with guesses of a win at Kansas City and a loss at Dallas.
Also, last week's guesses overall weren't the greatest (4-8 overall/5-7 against the spread). But, hey, don't blame this fella. Blame the Falcons for beating the host Saints as 13 1/2-point underdogs. And the Dolphins for beating the host Colts as 11 1/2-point underdogs. And the Titans for beating the Chiefs as 6-point underdogs.
As for that Seahawks upset at San Francisco on Monday night, well, at least last week's Upset Special came through.
This week, there are five road favorites — Buffalo at Miami; Dallas at Detroit; New Orleans at Tampa Bay; New England at Philly; and Kansas City at the Chargers.
Take the Cowboys, Saints, Patriots (duh) and Chiefs. But this week's Upset Special has Miami's players winning a third straight game to continue thoroughly screwing up management's plans for tanking the season.
Here are this week's picks:
Broncos plus-10 at Vikings: Vikings 35, Broncos 14
Not going to overthink this one or compare it to the Great Buffalo Blunder of '18. Broncos quarterback Brandon Allen's second NFL start and road debut will be at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Vikings' defense. 'Nuff said.
Record picking Vikings games: 6-4
Jets plus-2 1/2 at Redskins: Redskins by 3
Texans plus-4 at Ravens: Ravens by 7
Jaguars plus-2 1/2 at Colts: Jaguars by 3
Cowboys minus-6 1/2 at Lions: Cowboys by 7
Falcons plus-4 at Panthers: Panthers by 7
Saints minus-5 1/2 at Buccaneers: Saints by 10
Cardinals plus-10 at 49ers: 49ers by 14
Patriots minus-3 1/2 at Eagles: Patriots by 10
Bengals plus-12 at Raiders: Raiders by 3
Bears plus-6 at Rams: Rams by 3
Chiefs minus-4 at Chargers: Chiefs by 6
UPSET SPECIAL
Bills minus-6 1/2 at Dolphins: Dolphins 28, Bills 23
Upset Special record: 4-6
Overall record / last week: 67-46 / 4-8
Vs. spread / last week: 51-61 / 5-7