Dr. Jekyll, meet Mr. Hyde on the NFL gridiron

Steve Brownlee

This Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde business in the NFL is enough to make your head spin.

Well, maybe not yours, but mine for sure.

Even looking in the rearview mirror a couple days after these games were played, I’m trying to figure out how the New York Giants picked up their lifeless bodies and beat Cleveland.

You know, those Browns that bamboozled Dallas a week earlier.

Or how New Orleans scored just 12 points in a 15-12 loss to Philadelphia, which supposedly had its defense laid to waste for two weeks before that.

Howe about Denver dumping Tampa at the Bucs’ stadium, and the Rams beating the mighty San Francisco 49ers.

Don’t even get me started with the Washington Commanders rolling all over Cincinnati on Monday night, then holding on for the win.

It’s like, do you expect two Dr. Jekylls to show up and sit at an outdoor cafe in London, sipping tea with their pinkies in the air?

Or will it be two Mr. Hydes ripping each other to shreds until there’s only a pile of steaming carcasses left in their wake?

Apparently, I’m showing my true colors, since following a 12-4 opening weekend, I’ve gone 7-9 each of the past two weeks.

Definitely, indubitably, only use my picks for their entertainment value. Or maybe as a tax shelter — you can declare my advice as a loss on next year’s windfall profits gains, or something like that.

Anywho, let’s take a look at this week’s picks:

—————

Today, 8:15 p.m.

Dallas at New York Giants — This was a slam-dunk, sure-thing at the beginning of the season. Not so much anymore. However, my loyalty to the “law” of reverse momentum says Dallas should be a much hungrier bunch, and the Giants will be fat and happy with the win over the Browns. Cowboys, 27-24.

—————

Sunday, 1 p.m.

New Orleans at Atlanta — What I was hearing is that New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr thrives when he doesn’t face much pass-rush pressure, and that was what the Eagles put on him Sunday.

From what I’m seeing, the Falcons don’t seem to have much in the way of pass rushers, though they have an All-Pro in free safety Earl Thomas, who will shine in defending receivers.

On a hunch, I’ll take the Saints, 31-29.

—————

Cincinnati at Carolina — Another slam dunk, though I look my reverse momentum philosophy in going with the favorite, as odd as that sounds. Bengals, 32-27.

—————

Los Angeles Rams at Chicago — The Rams are being called a bottom-five defense, and that’s when they have some players who are now missing. Just what a rookie QB like Caleb Williams needs. Bears, 34-30.

—————

Minnesota at Green Bay — I don’t know, my online source is not saying the Vikings have a good defense, they’re saying Minnesota has the BEST defense in the NFL — just ask San Francisco and Houston.

However, the Packers are easily a top-10 defending bunch, too, and leading the league in turnover ratio and most turnovers caused.

As I’m not sure if a No. 1 defense translates specifically into stopping the run, I’ll go with my hunch and take the Packers, 20-16.

—————

Jacksonville at Houston — These two teams were outscored by a combined total of 64 points last week. But while Houston seemed to have to eat humble pie in Minnesota, the Jaguars looked just plain humbeld in Buffalo on Monday night. Give me the Texans, 33-27.

—————

Pittsburgh at Indianapolis — OK, I’ll admit I wasn’t too sure about the Justin Fields-Russell Wilson experiment in Pittsburgh. But the ex-Bears QB sure looks good in black and gold, and I see nothing in Indy that will prevent that from continuing. Steelers, 24-17.

—————

Denver at New York Jets — Since Aaron Rodgers really didn’t get to play last year, is he still on board with trying to rub Denver coach Sean Payton’s nose in the comments he said about this time last year that his O-coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, as being worse than a disaster when he was in Denver? Me thinks so. Jets, 30-25.

—————

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay — Oooh, I’m seeing that Tampa has a leaky rushing defense, something the Eagles should be prime to take advantage of with Saquon Barkley leading the way. Eagles, 26-20.

—————

Sunday, 4 p.m.

Washington at Arizona — Something tells me the Monday night upset was more a product of a Cincinnati dud than a Washington resurgence. Then I see how bad Arizona’s defense is. Hmm … OK, give me the Commanders, 34-29.

—————

New England at San Francisco — The Patriots are already regressing to being the team you want to face when you’re struggling. And San Fran is certainly struggling. 49ers, 27-21.

—————

Kansas City at Los Angeles Chargers — Without Justin Herbert, how is Jim Harbaugh going to run circles around Andy Reid & Co. He isn’t. Chiefs, 30-23.

—————

Cleveland at Las Vegas — Well, Vegas was embarrassed by losing at home to Carolina, stinkin’ Carolina, by two touchdowns.

At least the Browns lost to … oh, wait … I forgot, just about as stinkin’ New York Giants at home, by oh, OK, only two field goals.

I’m reading that Cleveland may have to go without reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, though his latest was “day to day.” Good enough for me, Browns, 19-12.

—————

Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Buffalo at Baltimore — The Bills are humming like a fine-tuned engine. So are the Ravens, but only on a part-time basis. Bills, 35-26.

—————

Monday, 7:30 p.m.

Tennessee at Miami — Wow, Miami is down to its third-string QB, while Tennessee at least has … Will Levis?

Would he be able to beat out the Dolphins’ third-string QB the way he’s played so far?

Well, OK, maybe he could. And if he couldn’t, Miami’s “D” may make him look that way. Titans, 31-27.

—————

Monday, 8:15 p.m.

Seattle at Detroit — Aah, the one we’ve been waiting for. Detroit is starting to get that Kansas City swagger, where they can pull out a lot of wins it looks like they have no business getting.

On that account, and only that account, I’ll take the Lions, 28-26.

—————

Last week — 7-9, 44 percent. Season — 26-22, 54 percent.

Steve Brownlee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 552. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.