Colin went 2-3 last week, which brings his overall standing to a very middle-of-the-road 21-21-3. It’s always a wild ride with Cowherd’s picks – sometimes he’s spot on, other times, well, not so much. Let’s see what he has in store for us this time around as he tries to improve that .500 record!
Blazing 5 Picks for Week 10:
- 49ers at Jaguars – Jacksonville +3
- Lions at Chargers – Detroit -3
- Giants at Cowboys – Dallas -17.5
- Commanders at Seahawks – Seattle -6.5
- Broncos at Bills – Denver +7
Blazing 5 Picks for Week 18:
- Falcons vs Saints: Atlanta Falcons (+3)
- Seahawks vs Cardinals: Arizona Cardinals (+3)
- Bears vs Packers: Chicago Bears (+3)
- Eagles vs Giants: New York Giants (+5.5)
- Bills vs Dolphins: Buffalo Bills (-2.5)
For Week 18 of the NFL, Colin Cowherd’s “Blazin’ Five” picks are:
- Falcons vs Saints
- Pick: Atlanta Falcons (+3)
- Prediction: Falcons win 24-23.
- Rationale: Atlanta’s strong defense recently, including leading the league in sacks, and the Saints’ inability to defend the run and potential absence of Alvin Kamara.
- Seahawks vs Cardinals
- Pick: Arizona Cardinals (+3)
- Prediction: Cardinals win 27-24.
- Rationale: Seattle’s declining defense, Kyler Murray’s improving performance, and Arizona’s motivation to win.
- Bears vs Packers
- Pick: Chicago Bears (+3)
- Prediction: Bears win 28-27.
- Rationale: Chicago’s strong defense and offensive improvement, Green Bay’s defensive struggles, and the Packers’ recent unconvincing wins.
- Eagles vs Giants
- Pick: New York Giants (+5.5)
- Prediction: Giants win 27-26.
- Rationale: Tyrod Taylor’s mistake-free play, the Giants’ recent decent performance, and the Eagles’ poor defense since week eight.
- Bills vs Dolphins
- Pick: Buffalo Bills (-2.5)
- Prediction: Bills win 33-27.
- Rationale: Buffalo’s dominance over Miami, Josh Allen’s exceptional performance against the Dolphins, and Miami’s struggles against top teams.
49ers at Jaguars – Jacksonville +3
Jacksonville’s performance this season has caught many by surprise, and Cowherd believes this trend will continue. The Jaguars, coming off a bye and playing at home, are seen as underdogs, but with Trevor Lawrence showing remarkable growth and their NFC record standing strong, Cowherd sees value in Jacksonville. He highlights their improved defense and the 49ers’ shaky quarterback situation as key factors. Cowherd predicts a close contest but leans towards the Jaguars, forecasting a 27-24 victory.
Lions at Chargers – Detroit -3
Cowherd is particularly enthusiastic about this pick. He points out the Lions’ unexpected defensive prowess and their solid road record. The Chargers, on the other hand, have struggled against stronger teams and are missing key players, which Cowherd sees as a significant disadvantage. He believes Detroit’s balanced offense and improved defense will carry them to a win, predicting a final score of 30-24 in favor of the Lions.
Giants at Cowboys – Dallas -17.5
In an unusual move, Cowherd opts for the heavily favored Cowboys despite the large spread. He cites Dallas’ impressive record following losses and their ability to dominate weaker teams. With the Giants’ offense struggling significantly and key players missing, Cowherd doesn’t see them keeping up with the Cowboys. He predicts a dominant Dallas win, 40-10, emphasizing their home-field advantage and overall team strength.
Commanders at Seahawks – Seattle -6.5
Ignoring the Seahawks’ recent loss to Baltimore, Cowherd focuses on their overall solid home performance and a rejuvenated pass rush. He notes the Commanders’ struggles, particularly their vulnerable offensive line and weakened defense. Believing that Seattle will bounce back strongly, Cowherd predicts a 30-20 victory for the Seahawks, emphasizing their home-field advantage and the overall cohesiveness of Pete Carroll’s team.
Broncos at Bills – Denver +7
Cowherd views this as an upset pick, favoring the underdog Broncos against a Buffalo team he perceives as weakened by injuries. He highlights Denver’s improved running game and defense, along with Russell Wilson’s effective role as a complementary player. Cowherd acknowledges Buffalo’s struggles in recent games, predicting a close contest but ultimately siding with Denver in a narrow 27-26 win.