GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - Welcome to Week 9 of the NFL season.
This week, my Green Bay Packers host the Detroit Lions in a battle for first place in the NFC North. Affectionately currently known as the best division in football.
The Lions will always hold a special place in my football memories, allow me to explain:
The year was 1994. January. Playoffs. I was a teenager unfamiliar with the Packers being in the playoffs. You see, other than a fluke appearance in the strike-shortened 1982 season, the Packers went 19 years without a postseason berth.
The playoffs were for Joe Montana, Phil Simms, and teams like the Buffalo Bills, those poor Buffalo Bills.
Anyway, it was a new era. The Packers had their new GM, coach, Minister of Defense, and that young quarterback named Favre.
In the 1993 season, the Packers actually made the playoffs thanks to a 9-7 regular season record. The town was abuzz. For many fans, myself included, this was the first time experiencing the Green and Gold in the postseason.
Their first game was a wildcard matchup at the Pontiac Silverdome against the division-winning Lions and their friend Barry Sanders.
The Packers entered the contest as underdogs. The Packers played much of the game like they deserved to be the underdogs.
They were down ten points in the third quarter, thanks to a pick-six that Favre guy threw.
Then, things all turned around. Favre to Sharpe for a 28-yard touchdown. George Teague with a 101 interception return. And then, one of those plays that will stick with you forever. It was one of those plays that would turn football from a like to a love, from a hobby to a passion.
Down three points with a minute to go, the gunslinger did his thing. He started rolling left, the announcer pleading with him to run for the first down. Instead, Favre loads the cannon and throws completely across his body, a cardinal sin for quarterbacks, and finds wide-open Sterling Sharpe for the game-winning score.
I just had goosebumps running down my right arm just writing about it 30 years later.
Those Lions are back on top of the division and set for another battle with my beloved Packers. I won't expect a football core memory-level experience, but I'm sure hoping for another great game.
Quick apology to my diehard Lions fan friend Jimmy P. for putting him through what was likely a traumatic memory. Jimmy P. proudly wore a Herman Moore jersey when other Lions fans wore paper bags over their face. He would always have optimism for next season, even when Matt Millen was guiding the ship. Jim deserves to enjoy this time, just hopefully not ultimately at the expense of the Packers.
Spoiler alert: I don't pick games with my heart, and sadly, I'm picking the Lions in this one. Let's get to the rest of the picks!
Daily Fantasy Sleepers (11 Hits, 6 Misses, 6 Average)
RB Devin Singletary, New York Giants: $6,100 (FanDuel) / $6,100 (DraftKings)
Devin Singletary took a far back seat to Tyrone Tracy on the Giants depth chart. This week, Tracy remains in concussion protocol after slamming his head on the turf in last week's loss to the Steelers.
The Giants held Malik Nabers out for two weeks when he recently had a concussion. I think they'll follow a similar protocol and not rush a promising young talent back from a head injury.
That means Singletary is back in the starting lineup, and this week, he'll face a Commanders defense known for giving up way too many rushing yards.
RB Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos: $6,000 (FanDuel) / $6,200 (DraftKings)
Broncos running back Javonte Williams is touching the ball enough that good things are bound to happen. He had 21 touches last week against the Panthers and 17 touches (for 111 yards and two scores) the week before against the Saints.
Sure, the Ravens have a better defense than the Panthers or Saints, but a consistent volume of touches still makes Williams a strong play this week.
WR Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills: $6,100 (FanDuel) / $5,900 (DraftKings)
Last week, I picked Bills rookie receiver Keon Coleman; this week, give me another Bills receiver, Khalil Shakir.
I'm smitten with this Bills offense and what it will do against a Dolphins defense known for giving up its fair share of yards.
Shakir had ten targets last week. A similar number this week will produce a top-tier fantasy result.
Spread Advantages (10-6)
Detroit Lions -3.5 @ Green Bay Packers
Last week, both the Lions and Packers played bend-but-don't-break defense. The Lions won in a blowout against the Titans, but they actually gave up a boatload of rushing and passing yards along the way.
Meanwhile, the Packers allowed more than 300 passing yards by Trevor Lawrence (eyes popping out emoji) in a game, and they were lucky to escape with a victory.
This week, the Lions offensive weapons will outmatch the Packers defense, while the Packers offense won't be able to keep pace.
A big day from Jahmyr Gibbs is on the way in a Lions victory my system has by more than a touchdown.
Buffalo Bills -6.0 vs. Miami Dolphins
Rarely will I pick the same team two weeks in a row, but I really think I'm on to something with these Bills. They are one of the more complete teams in the entire league right now.
Josh Allen figured out what to do with some of his new weapons, and the defense is playing good football. The Bills are favored by six, but my system has this more like a nine-point victory for the streaking team from Buffalo.
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