Last week: 6-6-2 Season: 40-29-5
Al last week: 7-5-2 Al season: 39-30-5
Sunday 1:00
Bengals @ Tampa(+5.5)
I don’t know, I keep hearing how the Bucs really aren’t that bad. I think they are, and Cinci is coming off a bye.
Giants @ Atlanta(-3)
I think so far i’ve picked every Giants game this season wrong, so just do the opposite of what I do here and you’re set. So, Falcons off a bye, Giants off an easy-looking win… I’m thinking it’s a tie in my head, so I’ll take the points.
Titans @ Washington(-10.5)
I actually watched a fair amount of the Titans-Colts game, and the Titans didn’t look nearly as bad as they were supposed to be… but that was against the Colts run D, which (a) is weak, and (b) took the game off. Redskins cover.
Texans @ Dallas(-13)
Man, that’s a truckload of points. If the Texans had any defense whatsoever, I’d say that’s too many. However, with the T.O. factor, I’m going way out on a limb here and saying the Texans keep it just a smidge closer than this.
Carolina @ Baltimore(-3)
Toughest game on the board. The Ravens sure looked like crap last week, but a lot of teams look like crap at Denver in the regular season. The Panthers have the Steve Smith thing going, which makes them better, but they haven’t exactly been tearing it up, either. I dunno, I just can’t get too excited about the Baltimore offense. Panthers.
Bills @ Detroit(+1)
The Lions have to win one eventually… but I’m sure whenever that happens, it’ll be an upset and I won’t have picked it. Buffalo.
Seahawks @ St. Louis(+3)
A lot of people have been down on Seattle because of the utter beating they took at the hands of the Bears. But the Bears are really good! Ahh, but Alexander is still out and they’re still the Seabags on the road. Go Rams!
Eagles @ New Orleans(+3)
The Saints have been a nice story so far this season, but I think the Iggles are just better.
Sunday ~4:10
Dolphins @ New Jersey Jest(-2.5)
Hmm, Miami has no offense and the Jets have no defense. To borrow a line, the stoppable force meets the moveable object. Despite the beatdown last week, I’m picking the Jets again.
Chefs @ Pittsburgh(-7)
How is a team with not just the crappy record of the Steelers, but a team that’s really just looked bad, favored by a TD? Maybe they win, but not by 7.
Chargers @ San Francisco(+10)
The Bolts might not be the best team in the AFC right now, but they might be by the end of the season, and the Niners are going nowhere. Give the points.
Sunday NBC
Raiders @ Denver(-15)
Here’s how bad the Raiders are: the Broncos don’t even average 15 points a game, but that’s the spread. And you know what? There is no way I’m picking Oakland on the road.
MNF
Bears @ Arizona(+10.5)
The Bears have been lighting up bad teams like Christmas trees this year. And, hey, here’s another bad team. Chicago covers.
Sunday 1:00
Bengals @ Tampa(+5.5)
Tampa flat out stinks, they’re starting a rookie from the MAC, and Gruden is a jerk. Shall I continue? Ok. Brooks has definitely lost a step, and the Bengals are coming off a bye after a nasty loss — the taste of which they’ll want to wipe away. Give the points.
Giants @ Atlanta(-3)
The Giants have much ballyhooed Ends because of their ability to get to the quarterback. Let’s see what happens when they have to play assignment football. My prediction is that Strahan will be embarrassed. Falcons.
Titans @ Washington(-10.5)
I think last week was an aberration for the Titans. They are really bad and Washington needs a win to keep pace in their division. Redskins cover.
Texans @ Dallas(-13)
Gosh, that’s a lot of points. I’ve got to take them against a Cowboys team that’s turned into a circus. I don’t really know why people would think that this wasn’t going to happen. I think Jones’ rationale, assuming he thinks at all, is that they’ve had flamboyant personalities before and won. I think he forgets that the whole source of that success was the Herschel Walker trade. Eh, whatever. Go Texans!
Carolina @ Baltimore(-3)
Carolina has been playing a little better, but the Ravens defense is really really good, and the Carolina defense isn’t near as good as Denver’s. Ravens cover.
Bills @ Detroit(+1)
This looks like a perfect time for Detroit to get their first win. I’ll give the point!
Seahawks @ St. Louis(+3)
Only 3 points, eh? I think they’ll beat the Rams in a shootout, maybe by only 3. Seahawks.
Eagles @ New Orleans(+3)
The Eagles are a much better team than the Saints. They should roll.
Sunday ~4:10
Dolphins @ New Jersey Jest(-2.5)
The Jets have absolutely no running game. Hopefully they’ll protect Pennington enough to pull out a win against the hated Dolphins at home. Jets.
Chefs @ Pittsburgh(-7)
I’ve been picking the Steelers all season. I have not done well. Of course, now that I pick against them, they’ll score a bunch. Whatever, I think the Chiefs and 7 is the right pick, so I’ll make it.
Chargers @ San Francisco(+10)
This could be a lot more than 10. The Chargers will shut them down and score at least two touches to cover this spread.
Sunday NBC
Raiders @ Denver(-15)
Man, it is really tempting to take that 15 points. But not only is Oakland bad, they are banging up the drums of the circus again. What an incredibly ugly crop Al Davis has sown this year. Denver.
MNF
Bears @ Arizona(+10.5)
The Bears are rolling over everyone. Is Leinart’s strong showing last week making people believers? I just don’t buy it. Chicago is the favorite for the superbowl this year and with good reason. Bears roll.