Mario Puig won last week at 9-6, with Jeff Erickson just behind at 8-7. Nick Whalen went 7-8 and leads the season standings at 45-45-3.
Puig and Whalen also hit their best bets.
The group's lone unanimous pick also hit last week, but majority picks went 3-12.
This week, the only unanimous pick is the Patriots (-7 at the Titans). Four other teams got four votes each.
Kevin Payne likes the Patriots so much he made them his best bet, while Scott Pianowski was the only writer to pick an underdog for his best bet (Giants +7 at Broncos).
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| MATCHUP | ERICKSON | PIANOWSKI | WHALEN | PAYNE | PUIG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers -5.5 at Bengals | Steelers | Bengals | Bengals | Steelers | Bengals |
| Rams -3 at Jaguars* | Jaguars | Jaguars | Rams | Jaguars | Jaguars |
| Saints +5.5 at Bears | Bears | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints |
| Dolphins +3 at Browns | Browns | Browns | Browns | Dolphins | Browns |
| Raiders +12 at Chiefs | Raiders | Chiefs | Chiefs | Raiders | Raiders |
| Eagles -2 at Vikings | Vikings | Eagles | Vikings | Eagles | Vikings |
| Panthers -1.5 at Jets | Jets | Jets | Panthers | Jets | Panthers |
| Patriots -7 at Titans | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots |
| Giants +7 at Broncos | Giants | Giants | Broncos | Giants | Broncos |
| Colts +1.5 at Chargers | Colts | Chargers | Colts | Colts | Colts |
| Packers -6.5 at Cardinals | Packers | Cardinals | Packers | Packers | Packers |
| Commanders -2 at Cowboys | Commanders | Cowboys | Cowboys | Commanders | Commanders |
| Falcons +2 at 49ers | Falcons | 49ers | 49ers | Falcons | Falcons |
| Buccaneers +5.5 at Lions | Lions | Buccaneers | Lions | Buccaneeers | Lions |
| Texans +3.5 at Seahawks | Seahawks | Texans | Texans | Seahawks | Texans |
| Best Bet | Seahawks | Giants | Chiefs | Patriots | Panthers |
| Last Week Record | 8-7 | 6-9 | 7-8 | 3-12 | 9-6 |
| 2025 Record | 36-54-3 | 37-53-3 | 45-45-3 | 35-55-3 | 36-54-3 |
| 2025 Best Bet Record | 2-4 | 1-5 | 4-2 | 1-5 | 4-2 |
| 2025 Unanimous Pick Record | 2-6-1 | ||||
| 2025 Majority Pick Record | 29-61-3 | ||||
| 2024 Record | 131-138-3 | 121-148-3 | 127-142-3 | 138-131-3 | N/A |
| 2023 Record | 133-131-8 | 125-139-8 | 129-135-8 | 140-124-8 | N/A |
| 2022 Record | 127-136-8 | 149-114-8 | 124-139-8 | 131-132-8 | N/A |
| 2021 Record | 129-140-3 | 134-135-3 | N/A | 145-124-3 | N/A |
| 2020 Record | 121-127-8 | 128-120-8 | N/A | 115-133-8 | N/A |
| 2019 Record | 126-124-6 | 140-110-6 | N/A | 127-123-6 | N/A |
| 2018 Record | 125-122-9 | 134-113-9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2017 Record | 117-125-14 | 128-114-14 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2016 Record | 140-111-5 | 130-121-5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2015 Record | 134-114-8 | 120-128-8 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2014 Record | 123-128-5 | 140-111-5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2013 Record | 132-114-10 | 118-128-10 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2012 Record | 110-140-6 | 125-125-6 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2011 Record | 121-128-7 | 134-115-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2010 Record | 129-122-5 | 134-117-5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2009 Record | 123-130-3 | 132-121-3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2008 Record | 132-114-10 | 128-118-10 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2007 Record | 127-120 | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2006 Record | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2005 Record | 121-126 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2004 Record | 124-124 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2003 Record | 121-126 | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2002 Record | 113-136 | 123-126 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2001 Record | 124-113 | 117-120 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2000 Record | 123-117 | 134-106 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| WRITER | COMMENT |
|---|---|
| Erickson | I wish it was still -3 for the Seahawks, but my own numbers put this at -5.5, under the notion that the Seahawks defense will feast on the Texans' offensive line. |
| Pianowski | The Giants aren't a punching bag and they'll have extra rest — while Denver just made the London trip. Grab the points. |
| Whalen | I know, I know. Taking the biggest favorite on the board is dicey, and the Raiders always find a way to play the Chiefs tough, but I love the way KC is trending, and the return of Rashee Rice will push that offense to another level. |
| Payne | Firing the head coach can sometimes rally a team, but I don't see that happening with the Titans. They're just plain bad and now Calvin Ridley is dinged up. Mike Vrabel returning to Tennessee probably gives the Patriots a little extra juice too. |
| Puig | The Jets' offense had a very narrow plausible pathway to viability in 2025 — one where it ran the ball, effectively, upward of 40 times per game, giving Justin Fields favorable field positioning and limiting his exposure as a passer. They've instead failed on all fronts. Carolina isn't good, but it at least has a coherent identity on offense. |
The players:
• Jeff Erickson: RotoWire Senior Editor, 2001, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016 Staff Picks champ. Writes the Weekly Rankings. Roots for the Bengals.
• Scott Pianowski: Fantasy expert for Yahoo! Sports, and also contributes to RotoWire. 2009, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022 Staff Picks champ. Roots for the Patriots.
• Nick Whalen: RotoWire Senior Media Analyst. Writes Beating the Book. Roots for the Jaguars.
• Kevin Payne: RotoWire Staff Writer, 2021 and 2023 Staff Picks champ. Roots for the Bills.
• Mario Puig: RotoWire Senior Football Writer. Writes the WR vs. CB Matchup Report. Roots for the Packers.
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