Last week: 7-6-1 Season: 34-23-3
Al last week: 9-4-1 Al season: 32-25-3
Sunday, 1:00
Dolphins @ New England(-9.5)
That’s a lot of points, but the Dolphins are staggeringly bad. Pats.
Bucs @ New Orleans(-6.5)
Speaking of staggeringly bad, how about those Bucs? Yikes. Have to go with the Saints here.
Redskins @ New Jersey Giants(-4.5)
There’s something about both of these teams that disturbs me. Oh, yeah, it’s that I don’t trust either of them to do what I expect. There’s something about the Giants which worries me more, so I think I’ll take the points.
Bills @ Chicago(-10)
No way I’m picking against the Bears at home right now, even if it is a big spread.
Rams @ Green Bay(+3)
The Packers are really awful; St. Louis all the way.
Panthers @ Cleveland(+8)
The Browns are really bad, but I’m not ready to have Carolina give 8 on the road yet. Cleveland.
Titans @ Indy(-18)
Holy cow! Eighteen? That’s a college spread, like when Miami plays a 1-AA team. Err, well, I guess the Titans are the equivalent of a 1-AA team. I can’t give 18, though, no matter who’s involved, mostly because I think the Colts take this opportunity to hone their running game.
Vikings @ Detroit(+6.5)
In my head, I had this as Vikes by seven when I saw the matchup. Thus, thanks to that half-point, I have to take Minny.
Sunday, ~4:10
Chefs @ Arizona(+3.5)
I don’t see how this spread is only three and a half. KC for me.
Raiders @ San Francisco(-3.5)
I also don’t see how this spread is only three and a half. Yeah, I guess the Niners aren’t very good, but that’s a far cry from “worst in the league,” which describes Oakland well. Niners.
Jets @ Jacksonville(-7)
Jax has looked a little shaky lately, and I love the fight the Jets are showing. Take the points, cross fingers.
Cowboys @ Philly(-2)
I turn off the TV or change the channel now whenever “that player” is discussed, so I have no idea what’s supposed to happen here. Aren’t Westbrook and Stallworth both nicked up? Hmm, then I have to take Dallas here.
Sunday NBC
Steelers @ San Diego(-3.5)
Yes, the Chargers blew it late last week, but the Ravens are, I think, better than the Steelers right now, and this game is a homer for the Bolts, so I’ll give the points.
MNF
Ravens @ Denver(-4)
Uhh, this seems like kind of an odd spread. I’ll take the points.
Sunday, 1:00
Dolphins @ New England(-9.5)
The Pats looked very impressive last week dismantling the Bengals. The Dolphins are much worse than the Bengals. Give the points.
Bucs @ New Orleans(-6.5)
Ya think that maybe the QB is an important position? Saints.
Redskins @ New Jersey Giants(-4.5)
The Redskins have been hugely impressive two weeks in a row. I don’t think they can sustain it. That being said, the Giants are just killing themselves. I’m of the mind that the bye week really helps teams. Look for a healthy dose of Tiki Barber and less mistakes. Giants cover at home.
Bills @ Chicago(-10)
The Bears look awesome. I have to give the points here.
Rams @ Green Bay(+3)
Bulger put up huge numbers last week against an inferior team. I look for more of the same this week.
Panthers @ Cleveland(+8)
You have to love getting all these points. Cleveland has lost a lot of games, but they’ve kept all of them within a touchdown.
Titans @ Indy(-18)
This could be 30 to 0 by halftime. I’ll happily give this huge number.
Vikings @ Detroit(+6.5)
The Vikings have been shaky lately. This is just the right team for them to play to get back on track. Detroit has absolutely no pass defense — the big question is if the Minnesota defense can stop Detroit’s resurgent offense from keeping it close. Vikings.
Sunday, ~4:10
Chefs @ Arizona(+3.5)
The Chiefs looked great last week and Arizona will be starting a rookie. Chiefs.
Raiders @ San Francisco(-3.5)
The Raiders were soooo close to a win last week. They get one this week. I’ll take the points.
Jets @ Jacksonville(-7)
Jax has looked a little shaky lately, and I love the fight the Jets are showing. Take the points, cross fingers.
The Jets are playing above their capabilities. They have absolutely no running game. Jacksonville will destroy the Jets.
Cowboys @ Philly(-2)
Very interesting game. They’re evenly matched, but Philly has a couple of key injuries to Stallworth and Westbrook — but McNabb is healthy, and I think that makes most of the difference. The Eagles will win this one at home.
Sunday NBC
Steelers @ San Diego(-3.5)
I like the Steelers after the bye week. I’ll take the points.
MNF
Ravens @ Denver(-4)
Denver is at home and coming off a bye. The Ravens have lost a starting offensive lineman and have not won convincingly in their past couple of games. I like Denver a lot in this game. Should be a good one.