Al and I did our Thursday night pick over IM on Thursday afternoon; we both took the Cowboys. I still have to get used to these non-Thanksgiving Thursday games. At least I have NFLN at home in HD.
Also, I’m on a roll, baby! I went 9-7 in Week 11 and an electric 12-4 last week. That makes me 87-68-7 for the season—nearly 20 games over .500! (I’m sure I’ve just cursed my picks for this week.) Al’s really not far behind, having gone 8-8 in Week 11 and 9-7 in Week 12, for a season record of 83-71-8. Still close.
So, here we go for this week:
Sunday 1:00
Falcons @ St. Louis(-3)
OK, so Bulger is out. I hate Gus, I’m actually taking the points.
Bills @ Washington(-5.5)
I’m surprised this is 5.5; I was expecting this to be the generic “we have no idea, so home team by 3” spread. Will the Redskins rally, or have their heads completely out of the game? Since they have no realistic shot at the playoffs, I have a hard time imagining that they’d be able to convince themselves that football really mattered this week. Or maybe they’ll be really prepared because they threw themselves into football to keep their mind off it. I don’t know. I guess if I thought the spread should be -3, I have to take the points. <shrug>
Lions @ Minnesota(-4)
The Vikings are great against the run, but Detroit isn’t really looking to run. Of course, the Lions completely blow on the road. OK, I’ll take the Vikings, but the spread should be 2.
Texans @ Tennessee(-4)
I don’t usually do this, but I’m actually picking the Texans. They are now doomed.
Jaguars @ Indianapolis(-6.5)
Man, I hope I can get something else to be on everyone else’s calendar Sunday just so I can watch this game. Indy’s in danger of losing the division! Still no Marvin, Freeny is gone, and the Jags are playing as well as they’re capable, I think. It’s all leaning Jacksonville—so I have to take the Colts. Whee!
Jest @ Miami(-1)
This is too funny, the Dolphins being favored. Oh, what the hell, I’ll take the point.
Chargers @ Kansas City(+6)
How do you lose at home to the Raiders? Disgusting, I’m going with the Bolts all the way here.
Seahawks @ Philly(-3)
I hate to raise any alarm here, but the favored team is two games worse by record. I’m taking the points. Plus, I get brutalized whenever I pick against the Seabags.
Niners @ Carolina(-3)
OK, so there are certain things even I don’t want to see in high def. This would be one of them. I like the Niners here since they at least have a prayer of being able to run the ball and because this game is a coin flip, so I like getting points.
Sunday 4:10±5
Browns @ Arizona(-1)
I looked at this like four times, and it’s right, the Cards really are favored by a point. That scares me—what do the bookies know that I don’t? This seems blindingly obvious, which is never good. I already zigged once with the Colts, so I’m sticking with the Browns here.
Bucs @ New Orleans(-3)
What’s this with the better record teams being underdogs? Oh, Garcia is out. Well, that makes it more complicated. Yeah, OK, I’ll give the points.
Broncos @ Oakland(-3.5)
The Broncos looked kind of better lately, except for that whole kicking to Hester thing. I’ll go with Denver here.
Giants @ Chicago(+1.5)
Speaking of Hester, I think the Giants will know not to kick to him. Manning has been a disaster lately but the Bears will not be able to pass and also are on a backup RB. I have to think the Giants win this.
Sunday NBC
Bengals @ Pittsburgh(-7)
Assuming this game is played is something other than a mud pit, the Steelers should cover this.
MNF
Patriots @ Baltimore(+20)
If there’s one thing we know, it’s that the Raves suck, and suck hard. They won’t pull a Philly and keep it close. Blowout city here.