OK, first a standings update. Week 2 I went 6-9-1, Al went 7-8-1. Week 3 I went 8-6-2, Al went 7-5-3. I know, that looks silly that Al has one less tie, but it’s because I just couldn’t leave well enough alone and had to pick the over/under instead of against the spread, and the spread was a push but I got the o/u wrong. Grr. So, total records: I’m 22-21-5 and Al is 24-18-6. That’s a great start, Al.
Random thoughts from Week 3:
* Philly should never, ever, ever, throw back to those unis ever again. They were almost as ugly as the Lions defense!
* The Texans didn’t beat the Colts, but they played them tough and made a game out of it. They’re respectable this year, maybe? Wild.
* I cannot figure out Denver’s problem in the red zone. They’re moving the ball between the 20s, but then look perplexed when they get close. Odd.
* How good is Dallas? How bad are the Bears? I can’t decide which of those is more responsible for that game.
* How much must it suck to be a Mets fan right now? Oh, wait, wrong sport…
Anyway, the picks…
Sunday 1:00
Ravens @ Cleveland(+4.5)
Baltimore isn’t exactly overwhelming, but they’re better than the Browns, right? Right. Are they five points better on the road? I have to think so, I’ll give the points.
Bears @ Detroit(+3)
I’m taking the points. Griese’s not exactly a worldbeater.
Packers @ Vikings(+2)
How is this spread only two? Packers large.
Texans @ Atlanta(+2.5)
It may curse them, but I’m finally going to pick the Texans; the Falcons ache.
Jets @ Buffalo(+3.5)
The Bills will be starting their backup QB; I’m giving the points.
Raiders @ Miami(-4)
You know, I don’t see the Dolphins as being favored against anyone, even at home. Oh, wait, Culpepper is starting, isn’t he? And the Raiders are especially awful on the road. OK, I’ll give the points.
Rams @ Dallas(-13)
No Stephen Jackson means Dallas will play zone all night, and the Rams have no defense. That’s an awful lot of points, but how can Dallas not cruise here? Cowboys.
Sunday, 4:10±5
Seahawks @ San Francisco(+1.5)
Both Gore and Alexander are “probable.” Very helpful. Coin flip game here… uhh, Niners at home, I think.
Bucs @ Carolina(-3)
I keep picking against Tampa and I keep getting hosed. I’m taking the points.
Broncos @ Colts(-9.5)
Something is horribly wrong with Denver, and the Colts have really had their number the last few years. I’ll give these.
Chefs @ San Diego(-12.5)
Too many points, even against the hapless Chefs. The Bolts are bickering and pointing fingers. No team is so talented than Norv can’t screw it up. I’ll take the big bag of points.
Steelers @ Arizona(+6)
Yeah, sure, whatever. Six doesn’t seem like much in this matchup, I’ll gladly pick Pittsburgh here.
Sunday NBC
Eagles @ New Jersey Giants(+3)
Two wildly inconsistent teams. I’m really hoping McNabb is back so I’ll give the points.
MNF
Patriots @ Cincinnati(+7.5)
I see no reason to think the Bengals can contain the scoring machine that is the Patriots offense. Give the points.
Sunday 1:00
Ravens @ Cleveland(+4.5)
The Ravens have a lot of injuries, but then again, Cleveland just got spanked by the Raiders. I figure the other Ryan will be able to come up with a similar defensive gameplan. Give the points.
Bears @ Detroit(+3)
The Bears will either rally around this change or fold like a chambermaid. I say they get some big plays on defense and Hester breaks one. They cover.
Packers @ Vikings(+2)
The Packers seem for real, I certainly can’t justify pickign the Vikings — especially with their starting QB out (although that might not be a bad thing).
Texans @ Atlanta(+2.5)
What an interesting game with Schaub coming back home. The Texans certainly seem like the better team. Harrington did pretty well last week and the Falcons might have won had D-Hall not totally melted down. Bottom line, though, Grady Jackson is out so they should just run Davis up the middle all day. Give the points.
Jets @ Buffalo(+3.5)
The Jets are sooo mediocre, but the Bills are bad. I’ll give the points.
Raiders @ Miami(-4)
I like this matchup. Miami has some key injuries on defense and the Raiders defense is pretty darn good. I’m going to take these points!
Rams @ Dallas(-13)
Stephen Jackson is out. I think that’s the only relevant piece of info. Dallas should roll big.
Sunday, 4:10±5
Seahawks @ San Francisco(+1.5)
I think I like the Seahawks to win this one and that’s not enough points to tempt me to the other side.
Bucs @ Carolina(-3)
Carolina is pretty awful. They had their hands full with the Falcons and the Bucs are much better. I’ll take the points.
Broncos @ Colts(-9.5)
This is too many points. Let’s make it two weeks in a row against the Colts.
Chefs @ San Diego(-12.5)
The Bolts have to get their shit together at some point. This seems like a great weak to get healthy. I’ll give the bucket o’ points.
Steelers @ Arizona(+6)
So I can take Big Ben in my fantasy league or stick with Manning. Gosh it’s very tempting. Pittsburgh has to roll here, right? Give the points…but I think I’m keeping Manning.
Sunday NBC
Eagles @ New Jersey Giants(+3)
Not sure about McNabb, but I think Westbrook is hurt. And maybe the Giants have turned a corner. They had a stirring victory last week against the not-all-that-terrible Redskins. Aw heck, I’ll go ahead and take them at home with the points.
MNF
Patriots @ Cincinnati(+7.5)
The Patriots are so so good. I have to keep going with them. Eventually the spreads will start looking like college games and then we’ll have to think about these picks.
And the Mets ain’t out of it yet!
Good luck.
Well, ok. The Mets are out of it now.