Month: October 2005

Sunday, 1:00
Bears @ Detroit(3)
Didn’t the Bears already pummel the Lions this year? This is a coin flip, spread should be zero, so I’ll take the points.

Cardinals @ Dallas(9)
The Cowboys really need a win given how tough their division is, especially given last week’s game. I think this is a statement game and Parcells’ boys cover.

Packers @ Cincinnati(9)
Not exactly a statement game, but I think the Bengals are nine points better even in an offhand remark kind of way.

Vikings @ Carolina(8)
No way do the Vikings get it together two games in a row, especially not on the road against a rested Panthers team. They’ll get blown out.

Raiders(1) @ Tennessee
No more picking the Titans for me.

Jaguars(3) @ St. Louis
OK, so the punchless Saints couldn’t get to Jamie Martin, but I bet the Jags can, and will cover.

Redskins @ New Jersey NFC(2.5)
Well, just to be contrarian, I’ll take the Skins.

Browns @ Houston(2)
Have any of these line-setters actually watched a Texans game? Seriously, there are IAA teams with better offensive lines. I can’t believe ANYONE actually gets points against the Texans, I have to take them.

Sunday, ~4:10
Chefs @ San Diego(6)
If the Bolts don’t win this one, they’ll win the “best team not in the playoffs” award this year. They simply have to win this game. I think they can, but by six? Man, that’s tough.

Dolphins @ San Ant, err, New Orl, err, the Saints(2.5)
Is Joe Horn back for the Saints? Does it matter? I really have no clue. It’s a pick-’em game, but the home team Saints only have to give 2.5 instead of 3. That’s as good a reason as any, I guess. Saints.

Bucs(11) @ San Francisco
And the Niners are starting Ken Dorsey, yikes. Nothing leads me to believe the Niners can stay in this game at all.

Eagles @ Denver(3.5)
I never pick the Eagles right this year. I dunno, they seem to be living on borrowed time. Broncos.

ESPN
Bills @ New England(9)
Too many points. Even if the Pats win, they’ll do just enough to do so. They’re really thinking about next week and trying to get healthy, they won’t blow anyone out.

MNF
Ravens @ Pittsburgh(10.5)
IIRC, there’s some bad blood between these teams–I don’t see why the Steelers wouldn’t run it up a little, and I certainly can’t see how Baltimore could stop them.

Friday
Chefs @ Miami(1.5)
I have exactly no idea. I guess if it’s a coin toss, I’ll take the points. (Note: I sent this pick off to a buddy on Thursday. Really.)

Sunday, 1:00
Detroit @ Cleveland(3)
I’m testing out a new rule here: no NFC North teams on the road outside the division.

Packers(1.5) @ Minnesota
Farve is usually horrible in the BaggieDome, but is there any more of a train wreck than the Vikings right now? I’ll give the points.

Colts(15.5) @ Houston
Well, if the answer to the above question is “yes,” it’s the Texans. Indy rolls–Carr sacked eight or nine times, easy.

Saints @ St. Louis(3)
Bugler is still out, right? Saints.

Steelers @ Cincinnati(1)
OK, so the Bengals have this flashy record, but Big Ben is back and the Bengals haven’t exactly been beating up on the league’s elite. I’ll take the Stillers.

Chargers @ Philadelphia(3.5)
I don’t see how the Iggles hold the ball long enough to keep LT from running all over them.

Niners @ Washington(13)
Hmm, rookie Alex Smith on the road against a real defense. Uhh, give the points.

Sunday, ~4:10
Cowboys @ Seattle(4)
Seabags at home. I’d be happier if the spread were 2, though, as I wouldn’t be too surprised if it was only by a field goal. Oh, wait, I think Julius Jones it out–4 should be safe.

Ravens @ Chicago(1)
Wow, this could be the worst-quaterbacked game of the year–two horrible passers against two good defenses. I think the Bears are slightly less sad.

Bills @ Oakland(3)
Moss is out, the Bills lead their division, and the Raiders are favored? Whatever, I’ll gladly take those points–Bills win outright.

Broncos @ New Jersey NFC(2)
Fascinating. I dunno, the Broncos really have looked good since that opening week debacle. I like them getting points.

Titans @ Arizona(4)
Uhh, wow. No idea yet again. OK, I’ll make something up: I see the Titans handing off a lot and that working enough to keep it within a FG. It’s not like the Cards actually have a home field advantage. What I really want to know is: What’s the over/under on attendance for this game, 10,000? 8,000?

MNF
Jest @ Atlanta(7)
Vick and Dunn are healthy. Is anyone on the Jets healthy? Anyone who matters? No? Falcons.

OK, since my blog has been so inactive because I’m really busy this semester, I’m now posting my weekly picks there, for public ridicule.

Sunday, 1:00
Falcons(5.5) @ San Ant, err, the Saints
It sure looked to me like the Saints gave up last week, and have decided they have an excuse for any losses they take. Can’t be good. Assuming Vick plays (which I thought last week, too), Falcons cover.

Panthers(1) @ Detroit
How’s it only 1? Seriously, just because the Lions ran it up a little on Baltimore, they really shouldn’t be confused for a good team.

Bengals(3) @ Tennessee
Still no Houshmandzadeh, but watching the Titans last week, I have to say, they’re not very good. Bengals bounce back.

Browns @ Baltimore(6)
Ugh. Are the Ravens actually six points better than anyone? I’m thinking no.

Jaguars @ Pittsburgh(3)
Hmm. The last I saw, Tommy Maddox is starting at QB. Jags.

Dolphins @ Tampa(3.5)
The return of Ricky Williams, and of Cadillac, right? I think with Cadillac, they can cover this.

Vikings @ Chicago(3)
Seriously, how does Mike Tice still have a job? I really want to know. I mean, this would be like me keeping my job after not showing up for my own classes for a whole semester. Bears.

Giants @ Dallas(3)
Hunh? I get points here? Yay. Go G-Men!

Redskins @ Kansas City(5.5)
Kansas City needs this win really, really badly. But the Redskins seem to keep every game close, and I’m hoping they can bottle up the KC offense enough to keep it close.

Sunday, 4:15
Patriots @ Denver(3)
I get burned every time I pick against the Pats, so I’m stopping

Jest @ Buffalo(3)
Despite Vinny’s fine performance last week, the Bills looked rejuvenated with the change in QB. I’ll take the Bills.

Chargers(2) @ Oakland
San Diego will bounce back after last week and will take it to the inferior Raiders.

Sunday ESPN
Texans @ Seattle(9)
Texans on the road? Ugly. A national audience gets to see the worst pass-blocking line in the NFL.

MNF
Rams @ Indy(13.5)
Again, I see no reason to believe that the Colts won’t run it up at least that much on a horribly inferior team.