OK, last week I went 8-6-1 (the Carolina-Chicago game was a push) and Al went 7-7-1, meaning we’re tied at 17-13-1. Still in the black, as it were. I also managed to win in FF—thank you, Brandon Marshall, now stay the f*ck out of jail, dimwit. Since we were away avoiding the hurricane, I didn’t see very many games, which is too bad, as it looked like I missed some good ones. I did manage to catch the Monday night game, which was a hoot, but the wrong team won. I also caught the end of the Sunday night game, and I still think that the Browns’ decision to go for the field goal late was stupid. Yeah, sure, it was 4th and 7, but the three points did them no good whatsoever. Look, Romeo, this ain’t college football, where you get some kind of twisted credit for containing margin of victory. Three points do you no good, stop being a pansy and go for it late in the game. Ugh.
Anyway, this week is pretty much all home favorites.
Sunday 1:00
Chefs @ Atlanta(-6)
The Falcons got a reality check last week but man, KC sucks. Give the points.
Cardinals @ Washington(-3)
Meh, I don’t like either one of these teams. Obviously, neither does Vegas, with the generic “we know nothing, so home team by three” spread. Coin says heads, so that’s Redskins.
Texans @ Tennessee(-5)
Kerry Collins actually makes the Titans better and the Texans always play like crap against them. Give the points.
Raiders @ Buffalo(-9.5)
Urgh. Man, that’s a lot of points. I guess, though, that the Bills have actually looked good, haven’t they? Toughest pick on the board for me, because I don’t see Buffalo losing, but 10 seems like a lot—I’d be a lot happier with 8. Ahh, screw it, I’ll take the Bills.
Buccaneers @ Chicago(-3)
Something about the way the Bears lost last week has me thinking Tampa here. Oh, wait, for some bizarre reason, the Bucs are apparently starting Griese again this week. Against the Bears rush, that seems… odd. I’m taking the Bears.
Panthers @ Minnesota(-3)
Aww, come on, Carolina is 2-0 and the Vikings are 0-2 and Minnesota is favored? They think Gus Frerotte is the answer? (Today’s imponderable: why did the Vikings not sign anybody at QB? Why is Byron Leftwich not starting for the Vikings? No, he’s not great, but he’s clearly better than either Jackson or Frerotte.) Hell, yeah, I’ll take the points.
Bungles @ New Jersey Giants(-13)
That’s an awful lot of points, but Cincinnati is a complete train wreck. That porous offensive line will have its lunch handed to them by the G-Men. Giants win big, big enough to cover.
Dolphins @ New England(-13)
Miami is also awful, but I just don’t see the Patriots blowing people out. They’ll win, but I don’t think they’ll cover this. I’ll take the Dolphins and the 13.
Sunday ~4:10
Saints @ Denver(-5.5)
Frankly, I’m surprised the spread is this small, because right now the the Broncos’ offense looks fantastic, and the New Orleans defense looks more than a little suspect. This should be a shootout (the over/under is 52 and I’m inclined to take the over), but I see Denver covering this.
Lions @ San Francisco(-4)
Hard to believe the Niners are favored over anyone. Oh, but it’s the Lions on the road… yech. I’m going with the home team.
Rams @ Seattle(-10)
St. Louis is hopelessly bad, but I’m not sure the Seabags are ten points better than anyone. They win but fail to cover this.
Browns @ Baltimore(-2.5)
Cleveland is 0-2 but they’ve lost to legit good teams, whereas we still really don’t know what’s up with the Ravens. I’ll take these points.
Steelers @ Philadelphia(-3.5)
I’m looking forward to this game, it should be a showcase. I think these are both teams which can contend for their respective conference crowns. Too bad the Iggles are in the same division as Dallas. My problem is that when i saw this game on the board, I thought Philly by a field goal… so if the spread was 2.5, I was going to give the points. I guess with 3.5, though, I have to take them. Go Steelers!
Jaguars @ Indy(-5.5)
Jacksonville has to right the ship eventually. With Sanders out, even the Jaguars have to be smart enough to just run the ball down the Colts’ throat. I’ll take the points.
Sunday Prime Time
Cowboys @ Green Bay(+3)
The Cowboys have looked great. The Packers have looked very good, but come on, how much credit should you get for beating up the Lions? I’m actually kind of surprised the spread isn’t bigger. I’m going to be pulling for the Packers, but I’m picking the Cowboys.
MNF
Jets @ San Diego(-9.5)
Something is seriously wrong with the Chargers. Yeah, that was a blown call, but you know what? Don’t be in a situation where you have to get all the calls right to win. Or stop the freakin’ two-point conversion. The Bolts look like they’re on the verge of turning inward and finger-pointing at each other, and I don’t see Norv righting the ship. So, in a break with tradition, I’m going with Gang Green here.