2023 NFL Pick ‘Em Week 5

Two good weeks in a row, maybe this means I have turned things around. I picked nine correctly last week, which was good for second place behind Sean, who had ten. The standings are close. We have Sean in first with 33 points, Jon next at 31, followed by Gideon at 30. I am in fourth with 29, and Jason is in last with 28. 

Underdog Special: Houston Texans (+1.5)
I looked smart last week taking the Ravens. This week is a tough one since I only picked four underdogs. I could take the Jets, since they played well, and their defense should keep them in any game. The Saints? Eh, not sure about them. The Titans let me down a few weeks ago. And Houston? I suppose if they play like they did against the Steelers, it should be an easy win for them, but how often do we see a team look good one week, then get crushed by a bad team the next? I just have no faith in the Falcons scoring touchdowns, so the Texans should be able to manage a win here, or at the very least, lose a close game. 
Underdog Special Record: 1-3 (-$5.19)

Steelers Prediction: The Steelers play well against Lamar Jackson. But I have a feeling this ends up being the game they get beat by LJ’s passing ability. The offense cannot score, so the game ends up like 24-3. Ugh.
Steelers Prediction Record: 1-3

Okay, I have seen enough. Matt Canada needs to go. I was on the “be patient” train last year, and not quite ready to place blame solely on the OC just yet. I still do not believe the Steelers struggles are all his fault, but as the OC, he is a big part of it (for example, if the o-line is not doing a good job giving KP enough time, then he needs to figure out ways to work around that).

Once he is fired, they need to begin the search for a new Offensive Coordinator. Aaron Rodgers suggested Big Ben. That seems like an odd choice. I mean, would Ben even want the job? I am not going to say he could not do the job, it just seems like a weird suggestion. Fans are already starting to get behind it, and I think maybe we should be a little cautious about this idea.

I would consider going in a different direction: Kliff Kingsbury. Yes, the failed Cardinals coach. He is at USC as an offensive analyst, I think. I am sure he would jump at the chance to get back to coaching in the NFL. He made his name as a guy who could develop QBs. Maybe he could help with Kenny Pickett.

Here is another name that might sound crazy. Tyson Helton, the head coach at Western Kentucky. He was the OC at Tennessee, and before that he was with his brother at USC as a QB Coach. He helped develop Sam Darnold. But you know a name that is even more intriguing to me, especially if you want a young coordinator? Zach Kittley.

Zach was the OC at Western Kentucky (and before that he was at Houston Baptist, he brought Bailey Zappe to WKU when he left Houston Baptist. He quickly turned HBU’s offense around, and did the same thing for the Hilltoppers. He is only 32, and I feel like he probably brings a different mindset to the passing game. He is currently at Texas Tech, and I am going to bet money that we hear his name in a few years as either an OC somewhere big, or as a head coach. Why not be the team that gives him a big chance? What can it hurt?