Colin racked up another winning week in Week 8, going 3-2 and moving to a distinguished 24-15-1 on the year. This week’s lines have been jumping all over the place, but Colin has cherry picked his five favorites from an NFL weekend loaded with marquee matchups to keep the money train rolling along the tracks. Are you sick of all he winning yet? Of course you’re not, that would be stupid.
Here are Colin’s Week 9 Blazin’ 5 plays:
- Packers at Patriots (-5) (SNF) – In what could be the final head-to-head matchup of the two premiere quarterbacks from this era, give Colin Brady and the Pats laying 5 at home in the Sunday night game. The Pats are traditionally a machine at Foxboro and are 4-0 this season. Tom Brady is a scary 16-3 in primetime home games since 2008.
Green Bay comes in with an 0-3 road record on the year, and their defense, which has allowed 39 or more points in the 4 of the last 5, should get steamrolled by a New England squad that’s 5-0 since Week 4 (NFL Best), ranks 1st in PPG (36.4), and 3rd in 3rd Down Conversion % (50.8). Colin wouldn’t have touched this at 7, but he loves it at 5. Take Brady over Rodgers and lay the points. 33-26, Pats.
2. Chargers (+1) at Seahawks – Colin likes the red hot Chargers getting a point on the road against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. The Bolts are undefeated in their last 4 games, while averaging 28.3 PPg, and allowing only 17.5 PPG with a +5 turnover differential during that stretch. L.A.’s 9.4 big plays per game (Rushes of 10+ YDS and Passes of 20+ YDS) is the most in the NFL. They’re also tied for 2nd fewest giveaways in the league (6).
Seattle comes in on a 2-game winning streak, but are 0-2 against teams with winning records so far this year (Bears and Rams). Take the Chargers, the point, and outright. 28-23, L.A.
3. Lions at Vikings (-5) – Colin loves Kirk Cousins and the Vikings laying 5 at home against the Lions in a bounce back game after getting dominated by the Saints in primetime. Minnesota’s defense hasn’t been as dominant as last season, but still ranks 1st in 3rd Down Conversion % allowed (25.6), and 5th in Rush YPG Allowed (91.8), and Red Zone TD % Allowed (42.6). The Lions only rushed for 34 yards against Seattle last week, and should struggle here.
Everyone is always ready to throw Kirk Cousins under the bus, but he’s 2nd in the NFL in Passing Yards (2,521), and 4th in Completion % (70.7). Minnesota covers and makes Matt Patricia sit up straight and show some respect. 32-21, Vikings.
4. Rams (-1) at Saints – The public likes the Saints, but Colin is on the Rams giving up a point at the Superdome. New Orleans is coming off an emotional “Minnesota Miracle” revenge game last week against the Vikings, and won’t be up to stopping the Rams’ juggernaut offense that ranks 1st in the NFL in Rush YPG (150.9), Offensive TD’s (28), and Big Plays – Rushes of 10+ YDS and Passes of 20+ YDS – with 75 total. They also ranks 3rd in PPG (33.0) and have a league-best +129 point differential.
Todd Gurley leads NFL in Rush Yards (800), Total Scrimmage YDS (1,151), Rush TDs (11), and Total Scrimmage TD’s (15). Defensively Aaron Donald leads the league with 10 sacks. Take the focused Rams to cover the 1. 30-27, L.A.
5. Titans (+5.5) at Cowboys – Tennessee getting 5.5 in Jerry’s World against The Boys is Colin’s favorite play of the week. The Titans’ 1st ranked Red Zone Defense (TD on 33% of opponent red zone trips) and 3rd ranked scoring defense (18 PPG allowed) should stall a Dak-led Dallas offense that’s been abysmal.
Overall, the Cowboys rank 28th in the league in Total YPG (320.0), and 29th in Pass YPG (183.1), and 3rd Down Conversion % (31.9). Dallas has only scored over 20 points in 2 of 7 games this season and they’ll struggle to separate here. Dallas wins, Titans cover. 26-23.
Make sure you download and subscribe to Colin’s Blazin’ 5 Podcast with RJ Bell at TheHerdNow.com,iHeart Radio, Google Play, or iTunes to find out what the wiseguys say about his Week 9 picks. Don’t miss it!