This article is part of our NFL Picks series.
Erickson couldn't handle success last week, falling from first place after a 2-11-1 showing. Pianowski is back on top, now by a six-game margin. We also had our first push of the year, by far the longest we've gone without one in the history of this column.
We all like the Bears this week, and I made them my best bet. Incidentally Pianowski and Payne have dueling best bets, Bills and Browns, respectively. It's odd because Payne is the Bills fan, apparently a self-hating one.
| Erickson | Pianowski | Liss | Payne | Del Don | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers -1 at Raiders | Raiders | Chargers | Raiders | Chargers | Chargers |
| Chiefs -3.5 at Titans | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Titans | Titans |
| Bills +3 at Browns | Browns | Bills | Bills | Browns | Browns |
| Cardinals +4.5 at Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Giants -2.5 at Jets | Jets | Jets | Giants | Jets | Jets |
| Falcons +13 at Saints | Saints | Falcons | Saints | Falcons | Falcons |
| Ravens -10 at Bengals | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Bengals | Ravens |
| Lions +2.5 at Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears |
| Dolphins +10.5 at Colts | Dolphins | Dolphins | Dolphins | Colts | Dolphins |
| Panthers +5 at Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Panthers | Panthers |
| Rams -3.5 at Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Rams | Rams | Steelers |
| Vikings +3 at Cowboys | Vikings | Cowboys | Cowboys | Vikings | Cowboys |
| Seahawks +6 at 49ers | Niners | Seahawks | 49ers | Seahawks | 49ers |
| Best Bet | Buccaneers | Bills | Bears | Browns | 49ers |
| Last week's Record | 2-11-1 | 9-4-1 | 7-6-1 | 10-3-1 | 8-5-1 |
| 2019 Record | 69-65-1 | 75-59-1 | 62-72-1 | 66-68-1 | 67-67-1 |
| Best Bet Record | 4-5 | 6-3 | 4-5 | 6-3 | 4-5 |
| Unanimous Pick Record | 10-8 | ||||
| Majority Pick Record |
Erickson couldn't handle success last week, falling from first place after a 2-11-1 showing. Pianowski is back on top, now by a six-game margin. We also had our first push of the year, by far the longest we've gone without one in the history of this column.
We all like the Bears this week, and I made them my best bet. Incidentally Pianowski and Payne have dueling best bets, Bills and Browns, respectively. It's odd because Payne is the Bills fan, apparently a self-hating one.
| Erickson | Pianowski | Liss | Payne | Del Don | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers -1 at Raiders | Raiders | Chargers | Raiders | Chargers | Chargers |
| Chiefs -3.5 at Titans | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Titans | Titans |
| Bills +3 at Browns | Browns | Bills | Bills | Browns | Browns |
| Cardinals +4.5 at Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Giants -2.5 at Jets | Jets | Jets | Giants | Jets | Jets |
| Falcons +13 at Saints | Saints | Falcons | Saints | Falcons | Falcons |
| Ravens -10 at Bengals | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Bengals | Ravens |
| Lions +2.5 at Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears | Bears |
| Dolphins +10.5 at Colts | Dolphins | Dolphins | Dolphins | Colts | Dolphins |
| Panthers +5 at Packers | Packers | Packers | Packers | Panthers | Panthers |
| Rams -3.5 at Steelers | Steelers | Steelers | Rams | Rams | Steelers |
| Vikings +3 at Cowboys | Vikings | Cowboys | Cowboys | Vikings | Cowboys |
| Seahawks +6 at 49ers | Niners | Seahawks | 49ers | Seahawks | 49ers |
| Best Bet | Buccaneers | Bills | Bears | Browns | 49ers |
| Last week's Record | 2-11-1 | 9-4-1 | 7-6-1 | 10-3-1 | 8-5-1 |
| 2019 Record | 69-65-1 | 75-59-1 | 62-72-1 | 66-68-1 | 67-67-1 |
| Best Bet Record | 4-5 | 6-3 | 4-5 | 6-3 | 4-5 |
| Unanimous Pick Record | 10-8 | ||||
| Majority Pick Record | 65-69-1 | ||||
| 2018 Record | 125-122-9 | 134-113-9 | 141-106-9 | N/A | 120-127-9 |
| 2017 Record | 117-125-14 | 128-114-14 | 117-125-14 | N/A | 98-144-14 |
| 2016 Record | 140-111-5 | 130-121-5 | 123-128-5 | N/A | 132-119-5 |
| 2015 Record | 134-114-8 | 120-128-8 | 114-134-8 | N/A | 121-127-8 |
| 2014 Record | 123-128-5 | 140-111-5 | 135-116-5 | N/A | 128-123-5 |
| 2013 Record | 132-114-10 | 118-128-10 | 123-123-10 | N/A | 128-118-10 |
| 2012 Record | 110-140-6 | 125-125-6 | 121-129-6 | N/A | 123-127-6 |
| 2011 Record | 121-128-7 | 134-115-7 | 124-125-7 | N/A | 127-122-7 |
| 2010 Record | 129-122-5 | 134-117-5 | 126-125-5 | N/A | 134-117-5 |
| 2009 Record | 123-130-3 | 132-121-3 | 131-122-3 | N/A | 126-127-3 |
| 2008 Record | 132-114-10 | 128-118-10 | 124-122-10 | N/A | 130-116-10 |
| 2007 Record | 127-120 | 118-129 | 127-120 | N/A | 130-117 |
| 2006 Record | 118-129 | N/A | 139-108 | N/A | N/A |
| 2005 Record | 121-126 | N/A | 127-120 | N/A | N/A |
| 2004 Record | 124-124 | N/A | 130-118 | N/A | N/A |
| 2003 Record | 121-126 | 118-129 | 124-123 | N/A | N/A |
| 2002 Record | 113-136 | 123-126 | 141-108 | N/A | N/A |
| 2001 Record | 124-113 | 117-120 | 118-119 | N/A | N/A |
| 2000 Record | 123-117 | 134-106 | 141-99 | N/A | N/A |
This week we have one unanimous pick, the Bears. Last week, we lost with the Giants, but won with the Raiders, bringing our record to 10-8 on unanimous picks. We also went 7-6-1 on majority picks (three or more writers) to go 65-69-1 on the year. We were 26-21-1 on unanimous picks and 132-115-9 on majority picks in 2018.
| Writer | Comment |
|---|---|
| Erickson | Liss and I argued about this on the show, but I don't view the Bucs as a 2-6 team, but more like a 4-4 or even 5-3 team in terms of quality. I get that Jameis is a big negative in close games, but I don't think this will be a close game. I also feel good about the Saints and Raiders. |
| Pianowski | Cleveland's still getting line respect, which is adorable. |
| Liss | I like the Bears to bounce back at home against a one-dimensional Lions team. I also like the Chiefs (if Patrick Mahomes is back) and the Cowboys. |
| Payne | The Bills play down to the level of their competition, and this is only the second time I've gone against them. Can Tre White stop OBJ? We shall see. Think the Browns get their act together this week. |
| Del Don | It's not often Vegas gives away free money, but they'll be doing so Monday night if that line stays less than a touchdown. Seattle is traveling off an overtime game, whereas San Francisco enters with extra rest that's helped them get healthier and with a far superior resume this season. |
The players:
• Jeff Erickson: RotoWire Senior editor, 2001, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016 Staff Picks Champ. Writes the Weekly Rankings. Covers and roots for the Bengals.
• Scott Pianowski: Fantasy expert for Yahoo! Sports, and also contributes to Rotowire.com. 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2017 Staff Picks Champ. Roots for the Patriots.
• Chris Liss: RotoWire Managing Editor, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2018 Staff Picks Champ, 2003, 2004 co-champ. Writes East Coast Offense, Beating the Book and the Survivor column in addition to Staff Picks. Covers and roots for the Giants.
• Kevin Payne: Staff Writer, Writes our Waiver Wire column. Roots for the Bills.
• Dalton Del Don: Fantasy Expert for Yahoo! Sports, 2007 Staff Picks Champ. Roots for the 49ers.
