![['Journal Pioneer NFL columnist John Turner.']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/john-turner.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=format%2Ccompress%2Cenhance)
Being a New York Giants’ fan, The Freak is very happy that Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett continue to operate and coach the Dallas Cowboys.
Jones, who has that important “I know best” attitude, continues to make personnel decisions for his team that backfire, which is wonderful for all the other NFC teams.
Garrett, on the other hand, has been coaching this team for over eight years, and his decision-making and play-calling is questioned every game. A number of times it has cost the Cowboys wins, and with the so-called “Jerry talent” on paper their record should be better than what it actually is. The Freak is sure that Jerry will have another great draft in his mind and will endorse Garrett, once again, at the end of the season.
One thing we can be guaranteed is that the Cowboys will, once again, be mediocre next season. Go Jerry!
Sure thing
Kansas City is home to Arizona, and that’s all you need to know. The Cardinals don’t have an offence that can stay with the Chiefs, even to halftime. Get your Chiefs’ players in on your fantasy team as this will be a blowout.
The Packers have lost last two games on the road to the Patriots and Rams, and need some good home cooking to turn this season around. Miami isn’t a good cold-weather road team, and goes against a desperate Green Bay team. Rodgers and the Pack are back to their winning ways for at least one week.
The Chargers have won five in a row while Oakland got hammered by a bad 49ers’ team in its last game. Oakland will play better at home, but it won’t be enough to beat the solid Chargers.
The Los Angeles Rams’ defence will have a sour taste in its mouth after losing to the Saints. Aaron Donald, for some reason, didn’t show up last week when they needed him. He will show up this week, and be in the Seattle backfield all day. The Rams beat the ‘Hawks in sunny L.A.
Don’t mortgage the house picks
New Orleans has looked like the best team in football the past month, and maybe this is a trap game in Cincy. The Freak would pick an upset here if AJ Green was playing as the Bengals can score with him in the lineup. It will be close, but the Saints find a way to win a cold-weather outdoor game.
Tennessee pulled the upset in Big D, and heads home to face the Patriots. Although the Titans’ D is in the top five in the league, I don’t think they are a good enough team offensively to beat New England, even at home.
The Bears are home to the Lions in an NFC North battle. Chicago is winning with its defence as quarterback Mitch Trubisky is very inconsistent, just like the Lions. Detroit looked lost in Minnesota, and it will continue in Chicago.
Buffalo travels to the Big Apple to play the Jets in an AFC East yawner. Funny how New York thought Sam Darnold was the next Joe Montana when he was winning, and now he’s playing bad he’s the next Mark Sanchez. Good old New York! However, Darnold is out and Josh McCown is in, which makes the Jets a better team than the Bills. Take Gang Green.
A Cowboys and Eagles’ matchup is always a big NFC East divisional game. Philly is coming off a bye, and Dallas has the short week. The Freak hates the Cowboys on the road, even with everything else equal. Well, it’s not. The Eagles and their fans are rocking after thumping the hated Cowboys.
Flip a coin
Washington is really banged up on the offensive line, and faces a pretty good pass rush with JPP, who has eight sacks this season. The Bucs can’t stop anyone, but can score some points. Washington can protect Alex Smith, and that means a Tampa win.
This is the ugliest Monday night game in the history of the NFL. It involves the lowest winning percentage teams after Nov. 1st to play on Monday night. The 49ers are at home and the Giants’ offensive line couldn’t block the 200-pound Freak! San Fran wins with its third-string quarterback.
Indy can score some points, and its defence is improving. The Jags are a major disappointment after starting the season well. Andrew Luck or Blake Bortles, who will make more plays in the fourth quarter? The Freak’s money is on Luck, and the Colts win late.
Upset special
The Freak isn’t convinced the Falcons can win back-to-back cold-weather outdoor games.
Cleveland has nothing to lose and with an extra week for new interim coach Gregg Williams, the Browns should be much better.
Cleveland pulls off the big upset in the Dog Pound.
John Turner is a Summerside school teacher and coaches youth football. His column appears every Saturday during the NFL season. Feel free to e-mail questions and comments to [email protected].
