Every so often, losing isn’t a bad thing. It builds character, humility, resilience. Some of the great stories in relativelky recent Boston sports history have come after backbreaking defeats, like the 2004 Red Sox and the 2011 Bruins. In the case of the Sox, they bounced back from a crushing Game 7 loss in 2003 (and a 3-0 American League Championship Series deficit in 2004) to win the World Series. The Bruins blew a 3-0 series lead in 2010 and rebounded to win the Stanley Cup a year later.
The point: defeats can be productive.
To wit:
OK, so we had a bad week. It feels like everyone did. But often, in defeat, there comes knowledge. The sins come not in making the mistakes, but rather in failing to learn from them. We here at Pick It and Stick It believe that Week 6 of the 2022 NFL season will make us better in the long run, which is really what this game is all about. And in Week 7, one of the many story lines here in New England concerns William Stephen Belichick, who could overtake the great George Halas (above) and move into sole possession of second place on the all-time list for NFL coaching victories behind Don Shula, aka Fish Lips.
And yes, Bill Belichick, too, has had his ass kicked, at least metaphorically.
This week, we’re expecting a strong response. If not, well, it might be time for drastic measures.
But to the games…
Last week: 5-9.
Season to date: 47-44-3.
(Odds courtesy of our friends at DraftKings.)
New Orleans (+2) at Arizona (Thursday night)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 13: Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium on December 13, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 30-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Know what the hardest part of this NFL season is? There’s a lot of mediocrity (or worse) out there, which can make every game a coin flip. Felger and Murray both like the Cardinals, which is a hardly a bad pick given the return of DeAndre Hopkins (above) and the fact that Arizona is at home. Me? I think the Saints are the better team, but really … who the hell knows? This is a perfect game for Thursday night. Both teams suck. And blow. Pick: Arizona.
NY Giants (+3) at Jacksonville
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 16: Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants looks on prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium on October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Given the relative absence of a star other than Saquon Barkley, we’ve decided that the face of the Giants remains Brian Daboll, the lovable elf who has led the Giants to a 5-1 record thus far. Like all elves, Daboll can be frightening when he’s angry and clearly possesses at least some magical, mysterious quality. The Giants, after all, are improved, but they’re not this good. I actually like Jacksonville here. Murray and Felger have overruled me again. Pick: New York.
Cleveland (+6) at Baltimore
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 16: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
It’s not often that the three of us fully agree on anything, but this game feels like a horrible matchup for the Browns, who possess a dreadful run defense and now go on the road to face a Baltimore team coming off a loss. Baltimore’s weakness on defense is against the pass, but the Browns can’t throw. We all like Baltimore in a rout. Pick: Baltimore.
Detroit (+7) at Dallas
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 11: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at AT&T Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Remember the early weeks of this season when Murray was singing the praises of the Lions? Well pardon the expression, but light dawns over Marble-head. The Cowboys are coming off a tough, physical loss at Philadelphia on Sunday – but they showed some grit and the Dallas defense is legit. Dak Prescott is back. If you think Lions QB Jared Goff melted in the face of pressure against the Patriots, wait until the Cowboys start battering him. It’s unanimous. Pick: Dallas.
Tampa Bay (-11) at Carolina
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks to the locker room after being defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-18 at Acrisure Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Suddenly, the above photo of You Know Who seems terribly appropriate. He seems very lonely. That photo of Brady with his former teammates at Robert Kraft’s wedding? Brady was smiling. Know why? He was where he belonged. Felger likes the Bucs here, but the reeling Bucs lost at Pittsburgh last week and Carolina has a good defense. This game has 10-3 written all over it. Murray and I like the points. Pick: Carolina.
Atlanta (+6.5) at Cincinnati
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hugs Marcus Mariota #1 of the Atlanta Falcons after Atlanta’s 28-14 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
We’ve poked an awful lot of fun at Marcus Mariota in this space this year, but last week he beat the great Jimmy Garoppolo in Atlanta’s upset of the Niners. Remember when the Pats had a quarterback room that included Brady, Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett? They all lost last week. And in embarrassing fashion. I like Cincinnati to cover this week. The two nitwits don’t. Pick: Atlanta.
Green Bay (-5.5) at Washington)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 16: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is pursued by Sheldon Rankins #98 of the New York Jets during a game at Lambeau Field on October 16, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Jets defeated the Packers 27-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
So I’ve noticed another pattern here. As surely as Murray picks the Falcons every week, Felger picks against his beloved Packers, who are in turmoil. And you know what? This week, I agree with him. The Commanders absolutely smell, but Taylor Heinicke takes over at quarterback this week for the injured Carson Wentz. Green Bay has to play better at some point – right? – but Murray gets overruled on this won. Check back with us on the Packers next week. Pick: Washington.
Indianapolis (+2.5) at Tennessee
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 16: Alec Pierce #14 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass for the game winning touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
OK, so we all have our woobies. Mine happens to be Indianapolis – and I’m really not sure why. The Colts feel like the classic 9-8 or 8-9 team, but I’m starting to feel like they’re putting it together because, well, they haven’t lost in two weeks. Which means they’re due. Felger and Murray both know this, which makes me an idiot. Thankfully, I’ve been outvoted. Pick: Tennessee.
NY Jets (+1.5) at Denver
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 09: Head coach Robert Saleh of the New York Jets looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Edward Diller/Getty Images)
With all the love that Brian Daboll has been getting in New York, we thought it only fair to mention Robert Saleh, the Jets coach who currently has his team at 4-2. (Not a misprint.) Don’t look now, but New York is 9-3 this football season (Giants are 5-1) and the Jets are 3-0 since Zach Wilson returned while allowing fewer than 16 points per game. Denver’s offense reeks and Russell Wilson looks cashed. Somehow, Felger is foolishly standing by his preseason pick of the Broncos. Pick: New York.
Houston (+7) at Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 02: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders meets with an official in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
Hard to know what’s happening in that photo above because neither guy looks like he has an idea. And in the case of Josh McDaniels, it’s never a good thing when you share a facial expression with an official. I still happen to think that Davis Mills could be a good quarterback with a real team, so I’m picking the Texans. Murray and Felger are on the Raiders coming off a bye. Pick: Las Vegas.
Kansas City (-3) at San Francisco
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 19: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts late in the game against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Travis Kelce? T-O-O-L. But the guy can play. The Chiefs lost to the Bills at home last week and should bounce back, but the Niners are 2-0 at home this year and coming off a bad loss. Hard to make a bad pick in this game, but Felger and I are on the Niners while Murray is with KC, probably just because he hates Garoppolo. But I don’t. Pick: San Francisco.
Seattle (+6) at LA Chargers
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 16: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks and Geno Smith #7 celebrate a win against the Arizona Cardinals as they walk off the at Lumen Field on October 16, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
Fact: Bill Belichick parted ways with Tom Brady and got it wrong. Pete Carroll parted ways with Russell Wilson and got it right. If there’s a better comeback story in the NFL this year than Geno Smith, we’ve yet to see it. The Seahawks are every bit as real as the Patriots and Smith ranks third in the NFL in passer rating. (Re-read that sentence.) Seattle is just 1-2 on the road and the Chargers are the better team, but take the points. Pick: Seattle.
Pittsburgh (+7) at Miami (Sunday night)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins is sacked by defensive tackle Josh Tupou #68 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2nd quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 29, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Well, the last time we saw Tua Tagovailoa, we all remember what happened. (See above photo.) That game started Miami’s current three-game losing streak and erased a 3-0 start. Incredibly, Felger and Murray and picking the Steelers, who suck. I’m going with the Dolphins to get back on track, at home, because everybody is forgetting how good Miami looked when Tua was behind center. Pick: Pittsburgh.
Chicago (+8) at New England (Monday night)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Tyquan Thornton #11 of the New England Patriots after Thornton’s touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Two questions: first, who is playing quarterback for the Patriots? And second, does it matter? The answers, in order: No idea – and no. Fine, the Bears defense might be decent. But their offense absolutely blows. We’re willing to bet that the Patriots defense will outscore the Bears this week because Bill Belichick will have Justin Fields’ head spinning like a roulette wheel. It’s unanimous. Pick: New England.
