Week 7: Murphy's Pickem Robot 2.1 Unleashed, Intangibles Are Tangible

Ok, Sports Fans, Murphy's Pick'em Robot 2.0 isn't exactly measuring up to the expectations of the masses so it has been tweaked. Football is more than a game of just numbers, and I'm starting to come around to the fact that it can't be predicted that way. Numbers help but they are only half of the information the Robot needs to make accurate picks. So, starting in Week 7 the Pick'em Robot 2.1 is taking over. Now, the intangibles for each team in the NFL are being assigned a value and included in the calculations. Injuries, distractions and other factors that aren't found in the statistics but definitely matter in each game will now be represented. Let's see how it goes.


I'm doing all of this, of course, to try and have a higher percentage of correct predictions in NFL games, straight and against the spread. Hopefully, I can come up with a solid program that you all will want to use to make your picks. Here's hoping.


Here are the results for Week 6:


Straight: 7-7 (49-41)

ATS: 6-8 (45-45)

Over/Under: 5-9 (43-47)


Pretty mediocre, so let's see how the Robot 2.1 works out. On to Week 7.


Guaranteed Money Pick
Buffalo Bills @ Baltimore Ravens (-13)
Probably the worst team in the league right now visiting one of the best. The Bills trail the league in almost all offensive categories, and the Ravens defense is devastating. If there was a way to get negative points, the Bills would get it. 13 points seems like a lot to give but in this matchup it shouldn't be a problem. Take the Ravens in a blowout 30-0.


Too Close to Call Pick
Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos (-8.5)
Oakland just gave the 49ers their first win of the season, and Denver has one of the best teams on paper but finds ways to lose games. There's a lot of unpredictability in these two teams, and I think it will be a close one. I wouldn't bet on this game if I had a choice about it, but if I had to bet it I would take Oakland and the points. Denver wins but doesn't cover 24-20.


Genius Underdog Pick
St. Louis Rams @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
I'm not a huge fan of the Bucs. The Rams had a big win over San Diego last week, and I think they're gonna start to make a claim for the NFC West. You'll look like the smartest handicapper of your group if you take the Rams here. St. Louis wins by a touchdown, 21-14.

Not too much content this week because I in a bit of a rush. Here are all my picks for Week 7:

Game..................Straight......ATS.......O/U
Cle@ NO(-13)...........NO..............NO...........u43.5
Jax@ KC(-9).............KC...............KC............o37.5
Phi@ Ten(-3)............Ten.............Ten..........o42.5
Cin@ Atl(-3)..............Atl..............Atl............u42.5
Was@ Chi(-3)............Chi..............Was.........u40
Pit(-3)@ Mia..............Pit..............Mia..........u40.5
Stl@ TB(-3)................Stl..............Stl............u38
Buf@ Bal(-13).............Bal.............Bal...........u40
SF(-3)@ Car................SF.............SF............o35.5
Ari@ Sea(-6)..............Sea.............Sea..........o40
Oak@ Den(-8.5)........Den............Oak..........o41.5
NE@ SD(-2.5)............SD..............SD............u47.5
Min@ GB(-2.5)..........Min............Min..........u44
NYG@ Dal(-3)...........NYG...........NYG........u44.5

I hope the new adjustments to the program serve you all well. Good Luck with your plays!