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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
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    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
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    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
    • Saying Goodbye to Dixie
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    • My Reaction to Adrian Peterson and The Cycle of Abuse
    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
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    • The Commodification of NFL Players
    • Digging Deeper: Why Josh Freeman Failed with the Buccaneers
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  • The Eye in the Sky
    • The Eye in the Sky: The St. Louis Rams Should Commit to Sam Bradford for 2014
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why the Cardinals Struggle Against Tight Ends
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Redskins vs. Cowboys (Week Six) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Panthers vs. Cardinals (Week Five) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Colts vs. Seahawks (Week Five)
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  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
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Week Five NFL Picks (2013)

By: Matt Harmon

Buffalo Bills (2-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-2)
Matchup to Watch: Kiko Alonso vs. Jordan Cameron
  • These are two young players who have really broken out and come on strong to start the season. Alonso is a rookie linebacker the Bills chose in the second round of April’s draft. Alonso asserted himself as a starter almost immediately and has played well so far, particularly in coverage, snagging four interceptions. Jordan Cameron has emerged as a top five tight end for the Browns this season under the guidance of the tight end whispers, Norv Turner and Rob Chudskinski. Cameron has great hands and ridiculous athleticism, but his best work has come in the red zone where as long as the ball has been close to him, he has caught it for a score. The Bills will need Alonso to be a part of the equation to shut down Cameron, and maybe even come up with another one of those big plays. 
My Pick: Browns
  • It is well documented I hate the quality of football that gets put out on Thursday night, but this week I think this game is rather straight forward to pick. The Browns are at home, and while that is always a great situation for the Thursday night games I bet playing in front of what is surely a reinvigorated Browns fan base will be good for this team. The Browns are also playing better football right now, even though both teams won last week. The Bills defense is way to beat up and I bet Cleveland moves the ball on them with some ease, and on the other side of the field, I do not think E.J. Manuel or his injured running backs will find much room against a top five Cleveland defense. 


Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) at Tennessee Titans (3-1)
Matchup to Watch: Kendall Wright vs. Dunta Robinson
  • Dunta Robinson fell off in Atlanta last year, and things have not been much better since coming to Kansas City in the offseason. Robinson has been the Chiefs slot corner this season and he has been torched repeatedly week in an week out; a rare weak spot on this defense. Kendall was known as a big play threat coming out of Baylor, but he has mostly developed into a dependable slot receiver with a low YPC average. Ryan Fitzpatrick is not afraid to pull the trigger, and if I were him, I would try to hit Wright on some big plays from the slot against the struggling Robinson.
My Pick: Chiefs
  • Both of these teams have been surprisingly impressive thus far in the season. However, with Jake Locker out, and Ryan Fitzpatrick in for the Titans, I trust the Chiefs to limit mistakes and turnovers more. Taking road teams in evenly matched games is always a risk, but I’ll roll with the Chiefs this week.
  


Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at Miami Dolphins (3-1)
Matchup to Watch: Dion Jordan vs. Eugene Monroe
  • Baltimore will get a good first look at their new left tackle when they travel to Miami. Star pass rusher, Cameron Wake, may not play and that means the ultra-athletic rookie, Dion Jordan, could do battle with Monroe. Athletic players with great speed were just the type to give Bryant McKinnie a ton of trouble, so the Ravens will be hoping Monroe can hold down the impressive rookie to a very quiet outing. 
My Pick: Dolphins
  • I am really having trouble buying into the Ravens offense right now, and I doubt Monroe solves everything in one week. Their running game is not a strength right now, and the lack of weapons in the passing game is really holding back Joe Flacco. I worry about Ryan Tannehill against a defense that seems to only be getting better, but the Dolphins are at home and I think they win here.
  


Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) at St. Louis Rams (1-3)
Matchup to Watch: Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Rams front seven
  • The Jags organization seems to view MJD as part of their long-term plan, but he has not exactly done much this year to warrant that kind of confidence. He has a shot to turn that around against a Rams defense that has been utterly pathetic against the run, despite a ton of talent at linebacker and along the defensive line. If it doesn’t happen for Jones-Drew this week, well it probably won’t ever happen for him. 
My Pick: Rams
  • I think my readers know just how disgusted I am with this Rams team that I projected big things for. With that being sad, they are at home, playing the Jaguars, so they will sneak out a win here.  
  


New England Patriots (4-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)
Matchup to Watch: Tyler Eifert vs. Patriots linebackers
  • With Andy Dalton consistently zeroed in on A.J. Green, Eifert hasn’t exactly had the chance to light the world on fire or anything. This week against the Patriots we will probably see Bill Belichick throw out a similar defensive game pan to the one that helped shut down Julio Jones last week. Of course, we all know how that opened things up for Tony Gonzalez against the Patriots heavy, slower linebackers. This could be the rookie tight end’s coming out party. 
My Pick: Patriots
  • I think the Patriots are the better team, and I am not really feeling good about the Bengals right now after their loss to the Browns last week. This game is pretty close to a toss up.   
  


Seattle Seahawks (4-0) at Indianapolis Colts (3-1)
Matchup to Watch: Andrew Luck vs. Earl Thomas
  • This is a sweet matchup of two of the best young players at their respective positions. Thomas is the best safety in the NFL today, and has a knack for baiting quarterbacks into mistakes and turning them into big plays. Luck has been much more efficient this year than he was in his stellar rookie season, and it will be interesting to see if he can get a big play by Thomas, or if he hands him one. 
My Pick: Colts
  • The Colts have to feel confident that they can take the game plan the Texans used to put Seattle on their heels last week and finish the job. Seattle is not the same team on the road, and they have to lose one of these road games eventually.  
  


Detroit Lions (3-1) at Green Bay Packers (1-2)
Matchup to Watch: Clay Matthews vs. Riley Reiff
  • Reiff, the second year offensive tackle, has played very well to start the season at the left tackle of an offensive line that many believed would be a weak link on this team. The Lions left tackle faces his biggest test this week when dynamite pass rusher, Clay Matthews, will be lining up against him 
My Pick: Packers  
  • I really like the product the Lions are putting on the field, but the Packers are well rested coming off a bye week and I bet they are ready to prove they are still an elite team.  
  


New Orleans Saints (4-0) at Chicago Bears (3-1)
Matchup to Watch: Bears defensive line vs. Saints offensive line
  • These two units have both vastly underperformed this season. Drew Brees has received some of the worst pass protection of his career, not that his play has suffered as a consequence. The Bears defensive line was very poor in terms of rushing the passer, Julius Peppers has declined, and last week without Henry Melton they were hopeless against the run. It will be interesting to see which unit rises to the occasion in this matchup. 
My Pick: Bears
  • I think the Bears bounce back on their home turf this week. The Saints are probably the better team, but I doubt Chicago plays that poorly two weeks in a row. 
  


Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) at New York Giants (0-4)
Matchup to Watch: Hakeem Nicks vs. Cary Williams
  • Nicks has not played well this season, along with most of his team. Whether it is an issue of health, or his mind is on his contract, I am not sure, but his play needs to pick up. He and the Giants offense have a great opportunity to get well going against Cary Williams and an Eagles secondary that is one of the weaker units in football. 
My Pick: Giants
  • It is hard to pick the giants given how terrible they have played thus far, but its not like they are going to go 0-16. They have a great chance to finally get some offense going against the dreadful Eagles stop unit.      



Carolina Panthers (1-2) at Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
Matchup to Watch: Greg Hardy vs. Bradley Sowell
  • In the wake of the Levi Brown trade, 2012 undrafted free agent, Bradley Sowell, will be appointed to start at left tackle for the Cardinals. Sowell was with Bruce Arians in Indy last season, so he at least knows what he is getting himself into. I just hope Sowell knows what he is getting himself into with the beastly Greg Hardy coming to town on Sunday. Look for Carson Palmer to spend a ton of time on his back. 
My Pick: Panthers
  • Given the mismatch I just highlighted above, and extending to the entire Carolina defensive line vs. the Cardinals offensive line, I just cannot imagine Arizona being able to establish much on offense. I will take the Panthers in a low scoring affair. 
  


Denver Broncos (4-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-2)
Matchup to Watch: Julius Thomas vs. Sean Lee/Bruce Carter/Ernie Sims
  • Sean Lee is a great player, but the reborn Antonio Gates tortured him and fellow linebacker Bruce Carter, in pass coverage last week. There are even some reports that Bruce Carter could lose playing time to Ernie Sims. Gross. Whoever plays for the Cowboys needs to step up with Julius Thomas coming to town. I am sure the Cowboys will focus on trying (key word) to stop the Broncos receivers, but that will leave a ton of room for Thomas to torch these linebackers. 
My Pick: Broncos
  • This game does not feel like a given, but how can you realistically pick against the Broncos right now?
  


Houston Texans (2-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-2)
Matchup to Watch: Vernon Davis vs. Brian Cushing
  • I think it is pretty well established by now that Davis is the only pass catcher on the 49ers roster that NFL teams should fear. Davis is questionable to play in this game, but if he suits up he needs to have a big day against this Houston defense. Brian Cushing and company will look to shut him down and make San Francisco’s other mediocre players beat them. 
My Pick: 49ers
  • These teams feel somewhat evenly matched, and I am going with the Niners because they are at home. There is a ton of bad mojo around the Texans right now, and if they lose this game, we could be looking at a potential tail spin.  
  


San Diego Chargers (2-2) at Oakland Raiders (1-3)
Matchup to Watch: Denarius Moore vs. Derek Cox
  • Cox has been pretty dreadful since singing with the Chargers, which surprises no one. Moore produced despite playing with the skittish Matt Flynn last week, and he could go off with Terrelle Pryor back facing this San Diego secondary.  
My Pick: Chargers
  • This game will be played at a very weird time, 11:59 pm EST, thanks to Major League Baseball. It will be interesting to see how many east coasters stay up to watch this one. Anyways, I think the Chargers pull out a win behind another great Phillip Rivers performance, but I bet this one is close. 
  


New York Jets (2-2) at Atlanta Falcons (1-3)
Matchup to Watch: Antwan Barnes vs. Lamar Holmes
  • It looks like Holmes will have to start at left tackle after yet another Sam Baker injury, and we all know how that usually ends. Antwan Barnes seems to come up with these random good seasons every other year before completely falling off and cutting cut by another team. Well, it looks like he is in one of his “on” years, and he will probably have a good game against Holmes. 
My Pick: Falcons 
  • Yes, the Jets have the better record, but does anyone really believe they are the better team than the Falcons right now? Geno Smith has played pretty poorly on the road, and I don’t see that changing in the Georgia Dome

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