Last week: 6-6-1 Season: 51-43-6
Al last week: 4-8-1 Al season: 46-48-6
Sunday 1:00
Jaguars @ Philly(-7)
Two teams with consistency issues coming off bad losses. A recipe for disaster, my coin says Philly.
Falcons @ Cincinnati(-3.5)
I think something is seriously wrong with the Bengals. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s just not right. Take the points.
Cardinals @ Green Bay(-4)
Arizona looked like they were still shell-shocked last week. Favre covers.
Texans @ Tennessee(-3)
Well, the Texans now have as many wins as they had all of last season. But I can’t imagine they’ll look good two weeks in a row. Titans.
Seahawks @ Kansas City(-6)
Seneca Wallace and no Alexander on the road in Arrowhead? Uhh, yeah, give the points.
Bucs @ New Jersey Giants(-9)
The Giants are pretty good, but Tampa’s been staying close to people and that’s just too many points. Plus, it’s not a divisional game.
Ravens @ New Orleans(-2)
Policy until further notice: Take the Saints at home this year.
Niners @ Chicago(-16)
Huge spread, but given how SF has been playing lately, I’d be surprised if the Bears’ D didn’t cover this by themselves.
Sunday ~4:10
Rams @ San Diego(-10)
Too rich for my blood; that’s just a pile of points! St. Louis.
Jets @ Cleveland(-2)
Err, how are the Browns favored? They suck. Take the points, all the way.
Colts @ Denver(-3)
Fascinating game. Will the Broncos’ great D be able to stop Manning and co.? Can the Denver offense do… anything? Vegas has no idea either, obviously, with the generic “home team by 3” spread. In general, I’m with the Broncos at home.
Steelers @ Oakland(+9)
I think with Batch, who has actually looked better lately than Big Ben, Pittsburgh covers.
Sunday NBC
Cowboys @ Carolina(-5.5)
I’m worried about this game, because it seems clear to me that the Cowboys are a train wreck, yet that’s always when they kill me. Dammit, I’m still picking the Panthers.
MNF
Patriots @ Minnesota(+2)
Vikings are showing signs of life, I’m actually going to take the points. That and I haven’t picked enough underdogs this week.
Sunday 1:00
Jaguars @ Philly(-7)
The Eagles should be hungry for a win after last week’s heartbreaker in Tampa. The Jaguars, meanwhile, look awful. I guess they’ve had some injuries that have caused more problems for the defense than expected. I’ll give the points.
Falcons @ Cincinnati(-3.5)
Cincinnati has an awful run defense and the Falcons are the best rushing team in the league. Then again, the Bengals are still averaging 21 points a game. With injuries on the defensive line, the Falcons may not be able to get to Palmer in time. The question becomes, can the Falcons score enough to keep up? I think Vick makes up the difference. Falcons.
Cardinals @ Green Bay(-4)
The Cards are in absolute disarray. How is it that Green isn’t fired yet? You’ve got to fire him after the Packers beat them this week. Oh, and Warner is doing anti-stem cell ads to counter those by Michael J. Fox. Nice. Still, Green Bay isn’t good enough to beat anyone by more than a field goal. I’ll take the points, probably because I’m insane.
Texans @ Tennessee(-3)
The Texans offensive line has been playing better. They’re defense is awful, but Carr should be able to light up the Texans. I’ll take the points.
Seahawks @ Kansas City(-6)
At KC, with KC playing well — Huard has figured something out — and the Seahawks suffering with injuries on both sides of the ball, including losing their QB, I have to stop my ineffective string of picking Seattle and go with the Chiefs. Give the points.
Bucs @ New Jersey Giants(-9)
The Bucks have been playing much better of late — not great, mind you — but they’ve been keeping games close. This is just too many points, even though the Giants are the superior team.
Ravens @ New Orleans(-2)
I guess I believe that NO is for real. I have to go with the Saints at home with this small of a spread.
Niners @ Chicago(-16)
Holy Christmas. That’s a lot of points. I can’t possibly give that number, can I? Yeah, I guess I can. Grossman should have plenty of opportunities to correct his mistakes of last week. Look for the Bears to light it up.
Sunday ~4:10
Rams @ San Diego(-10)
Now here’s a game that seems like too many points. The Rams have been in every game they’ve played this year. Plus the distractions and injuries on the SD defense should really help Bulger. I really like the Rams, maybe even to win.
Jets @ Cleveland(-2)
Strange. I guess the public feels that Cleveland firing their OC (ex-Giant Carthon) will actually improve the Browns performance. We’ll see. I’ll happily take Gang Green with a great chance to win on the road.
Colts @ Denver(-3)
Gosh, this seems difficult. Great defense vs. an offense that is really hitting its stride. The Colts, though, have a LONG injury list. Wow. I’m impressed they can still field a team, and most of it is on defense. I guess the question is, can Denver’s offense score more against a cipher defense than the Colts can score against a great defense? I don’t think they can.
Steelers @ Oakland(+9)
Ya know, maybe the Steelers aren’t good enough to be giving 9 points. And Oakland has a little bit of confidence after a win, plus the return of Jerry Porter. Oh, who am I kidding. I have to give these points.
Sunday NBC
Cowboys @ Carolina(-5.5)
Carolina is going to rip the Cowboys. With a poor offensive line, the Cowboys won’t be able to protect Romo. This will be an ugly game with the Carolina defense scoring at list one touchdown.
MNF
Patriots @ Minnesota(+2)
At Minnesota, plus two points…gosh. I really thought that the Pats were vulnerable this year, but they keep winning. These seem like pretty evenly matched teams, but I have to give the Pats the edge with Brady and the intangibles. I’ll give the two points.