Mac’s Picks split last week and is now 4-2 on the season. Back-to-back Thursdays for Al Michaels at MetLife Stadium as the Giants take the national stage.
Dallas Cowboys (1-2) at New York Giants (1-2)
Thursday 8:15 Amazon Prime Video
This has all the makings of an upset. The Giants are pumped after their week 3 victory in Cleveland. They are gunning for revenge after getting blown out and embarrassed in last season’s opening 40-0 loss to these same Cowboys. Defensively, they are struggling against the run (23rd in the league), but the Cowboys can’t run the ball (30th in the league). On the flip side, the Cowboys can’t stop the run either, ranking dead last at 187 yards per game, while Devin Singletary has been quietly successful with 255 all-purpose yards replacing the legendary Saquon Barkley.
Off the field, how ‘bout them Cowboys? Jerry Jones was back in the news last week for an off-the-cuff comment about an unidentified player’s “measurables”. Micah Parsons, who finished 3rd in last season’s NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year voting, took the team to task after last week’s loss saying the defense is getting “smacked in the face”. Of course, when a young player, who hasn’t yet won the Lombardi, calls out his teammates, he leaves himself open to criticism. Filling that void, former Cowboys Hall of Fame DE DeMarcus Ware questioned Parsons leadership.
All of which makes it look like, sound like and feel like an upset, but don’t believe everything you see, hear and feel.
Mac’s Pick – Cowboys 31 Giants 17
Denver Broncos (1-2) at New York Jets (2-1)
Sunday 1p CBS
This had all the makings of a blow-out before the Broncos delivered a shocking 26-7 win over previously unbeaten Tampa Bay last week. Suddenly, you are thinking that perhaps Sean Payton remembers how to coach, and Bo Nix is ready for this opportunity. After delivering 4 interceptions in the Broncos’ opening losses to Seattle and Pittsburgh, Nix completed 69.4% of his passes, threw for 216 yards, ran for 47 yards plus a TD, while playing mistake free football against the Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, this will be the most low-key game that Aaron Rodgers has played in a New York Jets uniform. It’s his first game at MetLife that is not in prime time, it’s a traditional 1p start, and they are currently more than a TD favorite. IF you are a long-time Jets fan, this has all the makings of a trap game before the Jets head to London next week to face the surprisingly undefeated Minnesota Vikings. Are these your father’s Jets?
Aaron Rodgers is not just the Jets QB; he is their moral compass. He’ll have the Jets ready, and they should deliver on the promise of a relatively easy victory.
Mac’s Pick – Jets 31 Broncos 10
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Disclaimer: Mac’s Picks is written for entertainment purposes only. “Mac” is not a professional prognosticator and doesn’t claim to be able to able to predict the future, nor help you win enough money to pay off previous gambling debts. Use this information at your own risk.
