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7-1. Exactly the bounce-back week we needed. Only one college football pick missed and we went perfect for the NFL (something not a lot of people were able to say after all the upsets). We are all the way back. Let’s have a week. 🫡
Last Week Recap
| NFL | |
| Browns -2.5 | WIN |
| Patriots +6.5 | WIN |
| Cardinals/Bears o42.5 | WIN |
| Cowboys/Dolphins u49.5 | WIN |
| College Football | |
| Syracuse -3 | LOSS |
| Northwestern +6.5 | WIN |
| Georgia State/Utah State o59.5 | WIN |
| Troy/Duke u44.5 | WIN |
Like always, let’s start with the picks that didn’t turn out so well. In this week’s case, the one pick: Syracuse -3. In hindsight, taking the team starting a tight end at quarterback wasn’t the move. Lesson learned.
Now for everyone’s (and our) favorite part, the dubs. Starting off with our perfect NFL day, Joe Flacco and the Browns look incredible. Amari Cooper put up a Randy Moss stat line. This team is more than capable of making a run in the playoffs. The Patriots not only covered but went into Mile High and won on a Chad Ryland 50-yard field goal. Madness.
The Bears did enough in the first half to ensure that the over hit, thanks to a great run game performance and a multiple big-play day for Cole Kmet before his injury. Defenses shined in Miami (as we predicted) with a field goal-heavy day cashing the under.
Northwestern played at an unreal level defensively and did enough on the offense side led by Ben Bryant (an absolute dawg) to win the game outright. Troy and Duke both led a defensive game, which, as we all know, is great for the under. Georgia State’s massacre of the Aggies was enough for a point-heavy day. Over hits easily.
On to this week’s action.
New this Week
4 Possible Future Quarterbacks for the Atlanta Falcons
Several teams in the NFL seem a quarterback away from being a legitimate threat. One of the first ones that comes to mind is the Atlanta Falcons. Talk about a team stacked at skill positions that has used a lot of high-value draft capital on those positions. Desmond Ridder seems to have finally lost out on the starting job to Taylor Heinicke, but Discount Matt Damon isn’t the long-term answer either. Here are 4 realistic future quarterbacks that could help take Atlanta to the next level.
Justin Fields
There has been a lot of speculation about whether Justin Fields is capable of being a starting quarterback in the NFL starting with his rookie year. Despite the injuries and rough stretches, I have seen enough to know that he is a lot better than some of the other guys out there with starting roles. Good quarterback play is scarce, and Justin Fields is much more talented than the majority. A change of scenery, playing behind an impressive offensive line, and a plethora of talented playmakers sounds like exactly what Fields needs at this point of his career.
Kirk Cousins
If, for whatever reason, the Vikings decide to move on from Kirk Cousins, the Falcons should consider swooping in and bringing Kirko Chainz to ATL. Before his season-ending injury, Captain Kirk was playing at an MVP level. If they manage to get even half the level of production Kirk was pumping out, this current Falcons team turns into a division winner.
Gardner Minshew
In a year full of backup quarterbacks having to step up, few have done better than Gardner Minshew. Despite rookie starting QB Anthony Richardson going down in the first few games of the season, Shane Steichen’s Colts have found themselves in playoff contention. A big reason for that has been Gardner Minshew’s beyond-competent and confident play. He has been a guy that they can rely on to not only not be afraid to make the big throw on 3rd down but execute it well. The Falcons would improve immediately with a guy like that on the roster.
Jayden Daniels
If the Falcons are willing to go a different route and draft a quarterback instead of splashing cash on one in free agency or trading draft capital and personnel to acquire one, Jayden Daniels would be my pick. An electric playmaker and Heisman winner, he would pair very well with the current roster build of the Falcons. Another approach worth considering, is not only drafting Daniels but bringing in a veteran (perhaps a Minshew or Cousins?) that he can learn behind and develop under.
It’s not a blazing hot take to say that the Falcons are a quarterback away from being a division winner and playoff contender. In what is one of the weakest divisions in the league, the NFC South is wide open. Atlanta just has to make the right choice and get someone who can get the most out of the roster they have spent so much cash and draft capital on. Who are you taking if you’re Atlanta?
This Week’s Picks
Dog of the Week
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills: Especially after last week, we think it’s fair to say that the Patriots have proven they have a legitimate defense that puts them in positions to score. Now, offensively they don’t execute as well obviously, but that defense will always keep them in the game. In Belichick we trust.
Patriots +13
No. 3 Texas at No. 2 Washington: The Longhorns have had an incredible season and are 100% capable of winning this game and going to the Natty. But, time and time again, Penix and the Huskies have found ways to win games and prove their haters wrong. Whatever happens in Louisiana, it’ll be a close one. You can count on that.
Washington +4
OnlyOvers
Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants: As of right now, the Rams are one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC and a legitimate threat in the playoffs. The Rams’ front office deserves raises all around for drafting Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua in consecutive years. Stafford having himself a helluva year as well. Scorefest at MetLife incoming.
Over 44.5
No. 14 Arizona at No. 10 Oklahoma: Arizona is one of the hottest teams in the country, winning their last 6 games in the gauntlet that was the Pac-12. Noah Fifita put up incredible numbers over that stretch and has quietly become a contender for the Heisman next year. With or without Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma has enough talent to score and contribute to the point total too.
Over 59.5
Favorite of the Week
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield is playing some of the best football of his career. He is becoming a serious contender for Comeback Player of the Year. Honestly, this line seems a lot smaller than it should be. The last time these two teams played, the Bucs won easily. They’ve only gotten healthier and hotter. Not looking good for Derek Carr this week.
Buccaneers -2.5
No. 14 Arizona at No. 10 Oklahoma: Copy and paste on the above. Noah Fifita, a future Heisman contender, versus the Dillion Gabriel-less Sooners. Wildcats on top in this one.
Arizona -2.5
Shameful Under
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs: Both teams are coming off of offensive performances that they want to forget about. This Chiefs offense especially is lacking in offensive output and clear difference-makers. Expecting a conservative game full of defensive excellence in KC.
Under 44.5
No. 19 Oregon State at No. 16 Notre Dame: Don’t expect too much excitement in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Both teams are without their starting quarterbacks, as they opt out for the draft and hit the transfer portal. Hammer the under.
Under 41.5
Records
| Pick | Last Week | All-time |
|---|---|---|
| Dog of the Week | 2-0 | 11-7 |
| OnlyOvers | 2-0 | 6-11-1 |
| Favorite of the Week | 1-1 | 11-6-1 |
| Shameful Under | 2-0 | 11-7 |
| Overall | 7-1 | 39-31-2 |
| Sport | Last Week | All-time |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | 4-0 | 20-17-1 |
| NCAAF | 3-1 | 19-14-1 |
| Overall | 7-1 | 39-31-2 |
Appreciate you reading and supporting Fade Route this week. We’ll be coming at you every Thursday morning with some fresh takes and reliable picks.
As always, fade Vegas.
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