FANTASY FURNACE

Another 3-2 week for our staff here last week bringing our season record to a pedestrian 11-9. Maybe now that the season is a quarter over it will get easier…we’ll see. Three games that we’ve included this week that look the most intriguing are the 49ers-Texans, Saints-Bears and the Packers-Lions. Here’s our take. and  all of our five best bets…

Home team in CAPS

Broncos over the COWBOYS- We’re not sold on the ‘Boys early dominance (2-0) at home this season. Besides playing in one of the weakest and most inept divisions this year, their “Win one-Lose one” style of competition will not fly against the more talent-laden Broncos who have won 15 regular season games in a row now. The Cowboys, and not many other teams, do not have that potent a secondary to keep Peyton from connecting often with his vast array of offensive weapons.

#18 Peyton Manning congratulates #87 Eric Decker after scoring a touchdown vs the Raiders in Denver on MNF 9/23/13 AP Photo/Jack Dempsey

49ERS over the Texans- The Texans lost their comfortable lead and ultimately the game to the Seahawks last week at home. They will now be travelling to Candlestick which is not an easy place to help turn your game around and Matt Schaub does need to turn his game around! Two major injuries for Houston loom large in DE J. J. Watt (groin) and LB Brian Cushing (concussion). The home crowd should also help Colin Kaepernick try and get back into his comfort zone.

Saints over the BEARS- Great matchup of two teams that are currently sitting on top of their respective divisions, in a season which is now a quarter over. We are still very impressed with the Saints defense which is ranked 6th in the league at the moment. Coming off their Monday night win, the Saints duo of Sean Payton and Drew Brees seem to be working on all cylinders. Too early in the season for the weather in the “windy city” to factor into this game as well.

PACKERS over the Lions- The Pack return to the welcome combines of Lambeau Field for a key divisional game with the offensive minded Lions after blowing their last game in Cincinnati vs the Bengals. In what should be a high-scoring affair, Aaron Rodgers enters this game undefeated against Detroit (8-0) for his career. He has posted 18 touchdowns against just 4 interceptions in those eight games. Wouldn’t be surprised is the final score is 38-24.

#12 Aaron Rodgers looks to make it 9-0 for his career vs the rival Lions on Sunday Photo: Corey Wilson/Press-Gazette

FALCONS over the Jets- Atlanta, who was ‘desperate’ for a win last week against the Patriots need this week’s victory even moreso before the Saints completely run away with the division. The Jets’ defense is ranked 2nd in the league which should help to keep this one close for most of the contest but if they’re on the field too long that edge would be eliminated. The absence of Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill won’t help the Jets’ cause either.