FANTASY FURNACE

We had a monstrous week going 4-1 faltering  only to the imploding Atlanta Falcons on the last play of the game. The four wins now bring our season record to a respectable 15-10 entering week #6. We’ll need our two underdog selections (Browns & Saints) to come through in order to repeat week 5’s success. Here are this week’s Best Bets…

Home team in CAPS

BROWNS over the Lions- To say that the Browns have been on a proverbial roll would be an understatemnt as they have won their last three games. In other words they are undefeated since Trent Richardson was traded following the Browns 14-6 loss to the Ravens back in week #2. Cleveland is coming into this week’s contest with a full 10 days rest vs a Lions team that will not only have Calvin Johnson be a game-time decision but also one that gives up just under 400 yards of offense a game.  That’s a lot of real estate! Sticking with the Brownies…

JETS over the Steelers- The winless Steelers come into Met Life Stadium on Sunday to face the AFC offensive player of the week in Geno Smith as well as the team with the league’s second best defense. No easy task for Pittsburgh with their decimated offensive line that has allowed Big Ben Roethlisberger to be sacked 15 times in four games. Pulling out that last second 30-28 win over the Falcons last week, these 3-2 Jets look like they’re for real.

#7 Rookie Geno Smith unleashes one of his 3 touchdown passes (no INTs) vs the Falcons last week. Photo:Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TEXANS over the Rams- After two wins over the Chargers and the Titans in weeks one and two, the Texans, and in particular QB Matt Schaub, has regressed as they lost their next three, while getting pummled by the 49ers last week 34-3.  If Schaub can stop throwing his now famous Pick Sixes, and the Texans defense can step it up for this Sunday’s home game, they should be able to beat a Rams team that is not very good.

49ERS over the Cardinals- The Niners have come-on over their last two games, scoring a combined 69 points while only giving up 14. QB Colin Kaepernick has settled down following two shaky starts against the Seahawks and the Colts, both losses. We’re expecting a huge game from veteran TE Vernon Davis, RB Frank Gore, and the Niners D who will contain Carson Palmer and make him struggle to remain upright. ‘Blowout alert’ in this one…

Saints over the PATRIOTS- Never like to pick against the Pats, (we did it earlier this season and took the loss…) but the Saints are too good a team to just lay down and be manhandled up in Foxboro. As this post is going to publishing, TE Rob Gronkowski still had not been cleared for Sunday’s game and even if he plays it might be in a limited role. Meantime the Saints have beaten their last three opponents by a total of 53 points (24-21-and 8) and have a more cohesive unit than the Patriots especially on defense. When New England played against two good defensive teams this season in the Jets and Bengals, they were only able to put up 13 and 6 points respectively; not your typical Patriots offensive output. The Saints in a close one..

Saints Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan has brought a new passion to the league’s 6th ranked defense. Photo: Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports