Well, I was horrible last week and went 7-9 while Al was excellent at 10-6; for the season I’m now 24-22-1 and Al is 27-19-1. Hopefully I can catch up a bit this week…
Sunday 1:00
Falcons @ Carolina(-7)
This is the most interesting spread on the board. I’m going to take the points on the idea that the Panthers haven’t blown out anybody and no matter who wins this, I see this as being close.
Broncos @ Kansas City(+9.5)
The Chefs are hopeless, Denver all the way. Hey, which Missouri team will win a game first, the Chiefs or the Rams? They couldn’t both go 0-16, could they? Probably not, but whoever loses first to either of them will be hating practice the following week…
Niners @ New Orleans(-5.5)
San Francisco is better than I thought, but beating the Seahawks and the Lions really doesn’t say all that much. Go Drew Brees!
Cardinals @ New Jersey Jest(-1)
I will take Arizona on the theory that Al will take his Jets.
Vikings @ Tennessee(-3)
I watched most of the Vikings game last week and they actually looked decent. The Titans are, however, for real. I’m going with Tennessee
Packers @ Tampa Bay(-1)
Wrong team favored, I’m going with Green Bay.
Texans @ Jacksonville(-7.5)
This is a joke, kind of like the Houston front office. I’ll easily give the points.
Browns @ Cincinnati(-3.5)
My, how the mighty have fallen—the Browns were obviously a one-hit wonder. I’m even taking the Bengals here!
Sunday 4:05
Chargers @ Oakland(+7.5)
I was traveling this week and really didn’t see any sports news. Does Kiffin still have this job? If so, I can easily imagine Al Davis firing him during the game this week if the Chargers get a lead, which they will. I’ll give the points and take the Bolts.
Bills @ St. Louis(+8.5)
Have the Rams played within ten points of anyone? No? I’ll take Buffalo.
Redskins @ Dallas(-11.5)
The Cowboys are good and will win big, but the spread seems just a little bit too big, as I was thinking Dallas by ten. I’m going to take Washington and hope they can keep it respectable.
SNF
Eagles @ Chicago(+3)
The Bears are a lot better than last year, but they’re not within a field goal of Philly.
MNF
Ravens @ Pittsburgh(-5)
The Steelers have played three low-scoring games in a row, and this one doesn’t exactly figure to be anything like an arena game, either. Therefore, five is too many points, and I’ll take them.
Al emailed me this:
I’m going to be on vacation, so here are my picks. Lines from USA today. Please post them in your comments for me when you get your picks up. Thanks!
1pm
ATL at CAR -7
It’s at Carolina and they’re giving up a full touchdown, but that’s probably right. I think this is a tossup, because the success Atlanta has had running the ball. But the Falcons have lost big to a mediocre team and beaten two bad teams. Carolina is a mediocre team, so I’ll give the points.
DEN at KC +9
Rivalry and home dog be damned. Denver has proven they’re a good team and KC has proven they’re looking to challenge for the cellar of the NFL. I have to give up the 9 points and take the Broncos, even though my experimental pick of Denver didn’t come through last week.
SF at NO -5.5
The Niners haven’t been super terrible, but that’s mostly predicated on their beating of Seattle. Is that really all that impressive? The Saints have 2 losses, but I think the Redskins and the Broncos are proving to be above average. 5.5 isn’t too big to drop. I’ll give the points.
ARI at NYJ -1
Jets favored against a mediocre team at home. Such a classic trap game. Favre is hurt and may not start for the first time in his career (of course he *will*, but whatever). Plus, the Jets leading receiver is Chansi Stuckey. Gimpy Favre and Stuckey vs. Warner and Fitzgerald. I know which one I’m picking. I’m sorry Gang Green. I love you, but based on what I’ve been seeing on the field, I’m taking the point.
MIN at TEN -3
Only 3 at home? That’s pretty high praise considering Tennessee has been pretty strong going 3-0. I think it’s justified. I still contend the Vikings have good lines on both sides of the ball and perhaps the best back in the game. I think they win this going away. I’ll take the 3 points.
GB at TB -1
I think Green Bay is superior on both sides of the ball. If Tampa tries to win like they did last week, by throwing 67 times, they will lose badly. GB has great DBs. They’ll have to do it on the ground, but that might be trouble if GB puts up points like they’ve proven they can. I like the Packers.
HOU at JAX -7.5
Houston will continue to lose. If the Jags can establish the run game, which will be tough since their line is so depleted, they will have no trouble winning this game. They don’t, however, seem like they can put anybody away big, so I’ll take the points.
CLE at CIN -3.5
Bengals favored? Points please.
SD at OAK +7.5
The Chargers proved last week they’ve figured things out and Oakland is no better than the Jets. Chargers roll. Give the points.
BUF at SL +8.5
St. Louis, right now, looks to be the worst team in the league. Buffalo is impressing the heck out of everyone. This should be 10 points. I’ll give 8.5 no problem.
WAS at DAL -11.5
Big NFC East rivalry. Dallas is clearly the favorite here, but the question mark is how deep the division is. I think Washington is a pretty good team and will hang with the Cowboys. They’re every bit as good as GB who lost by 11 to the Cowboys last week. I’ll take the 11.5 points.
PHI at CHI +3
Westbrook is out, so that makes things dicey for Philly. Plus, Chicago has looked stronger than expected. But Philly, I believe is the best team in the league. That 3 points is nonsense. They’ll win by at least a touchdown. I’ll give the points.
BAL at PIT -5
Baltimore played strong to beat the Browns last week. Pittsburgh got beaten by a great time. At home, against a division rival, even at this early date, Pittsburgh can’t lose this game. They’ll handle Baltimore who simply won’t have the ability to answer offensively against Pittsburgh.
Did you enjoy the debate? I thought it was ok, but ultimately, I came out with the same feelings I had before watching it, so I guess I didn’t learn anything.
Good luck.