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.
Sunday 1:00
Chefs @ Atlanta(-6)
Six is a pretty big number to put on Atlanta’s back, but if they stick with the running game, they should pull out a touchdown win.
Cardinals @ Washington(-3)
I really like the Redskins at home this week. The NFC East is loaded.
Texans @ Tennessee(-5)
The Titans had no worries last week despite losing young. They have a good defense and a running game. Roll on this week against the hapless Texans.
Raiders @ Buffalo(-9.5)
That’s a big number for Buffalo to cover. They can probably do it, and will likely win, but I can’t pass it up. The Raiders have thus far proven, especially with McFadden, that they have the tools to keep it close.
Buccaneers @ Chicago(-3)
The Bears have looked great early on, and their opportunistic D should have opportunities against Griese. But I don’t see them piling up enough points to win by more than 3. I’m taking the Bucs.
Panthers @ Minnesota(-3)
The Vikings have, on paper, a formidable defense and a fantastic running game. Maybe actually having a threat to pass might help. The Panthers have pulled their butts out of the fire twice now. I don’t think they can do it again. Vikings.
Bungles @ New Jersey Giants(-13)
The Bengals are just terrible and it goes back to offseason front-office nonsense. I’ll give the big number.
Dolphins @ New England(-13)
The Dolphins put up no fight last week against Arizona. That surprised me a little. I think New England will win big. Miami sucks.
Sunday ~4:10
Saints @ Denver(-5.5)
I don’t know if Denver is really as good as they showed, but the Saints are a big question mark to me. They don’t seem nearly as potent as they were offensively 2 years ago. I’ll give the points on an experimental basis.
Lions @ San Francisco(-4)
The Lions are bad, but San Fran has no business being favored over anyone. I’ll take the points. Go Calvin!
Rams @ Seattle(-10)
The Rams are a serious contender for worst team in the league. Look for the Seahawks to work out the kinks in their offense. They will roll big. Lay the points.
Browns @ Baltimore(-2.5)
I like Baltimore at home in this division battle. The Browns are pointing fingers at each other and the Ravens will be ready. Give the points.
Steelers @ Philadelphia(-3.5)
I think Philly is the best team in the league. They lost to the Cowboys, but I truly felt they dominated the game. Dallas has serious big-play capability, though. I digress. The Steelers, on the other hand, are proving to be the class of the AFC. At home though, I’m willing to give that 3.5. This should be a fun game.
Jaguars @ Indy(-5.5)
Both teams have major problems on the O-line. At full strength, Indy should cover this, but at this point, it’s a coin flip. Who can overcome the adversity better? I’ll take Indy at home.
Sunday Prime Time
Cowboys @ Green Bay(+3)
They Cowboys are waaaay better than Green Bay. This seems like a gift. It’s not cold in GB yet, is it?
MNF
Jets @ San Diego(-9.5)
Wow, 9.5? The Jets are not as good as people think. (Although I’m loving the extra press coverage!) And the Chargers have better personnel than their 0-2 record would lead one to believe. Still, I have to take those points.
Good luck!