I am not having a good season; last week I went 6-7 and am now 30-29-1 for the season, while Al went 7-6 and is 34-25-1 for the season–nice work, Al! On the plus side, I’m 4-0 in fantasy, so there is at least some compensation.
Without further ado, the picks…
Sunday 1:00
Titans @ Baltimore(+3)
I loved Trey Wingo’s comment on this on NFL live: “You may want to hide the women and children for this one.” I rate this as this week’s “game most likely to produce multiple season-ending injuries.” I can’t wait to see this one. Oh, and I think the Titans will prevail—both the Ravens and the Steelers gave everything they had last week and the Titans will just have a little more in the tank here.
Seahawks @ New Jersey Giants(-8)
Seattle is terrible, particularly on the road. Even without Plax, the Giants cover this.
Redskins @ Philly(-6)
Ugh, worst possible outcome; Westbrook will play, but clearly isn’t 100%. I think Philly might just pull this game out, but I don’t see them blowing out the Redskins, who seem be finding their rhythm. So I’ll take the points.
Chargers @ Miami(-6.5)
The Bolts do seem to have it together now, so I’ll go with San Diego here.
Bears @ Detroit(+3.5)
The Lions play the Rams sometime this year, right? That could easily be the first win for the victor of that game. I’m taking Chicago.
Falcons @ Green Bay(-4)
Man, this “game time decision” thing for Rogers is a pain. I’m going to guess that even if he’s healthy he won’t be completely effective and the Packers are #26 against the run, so I’ll take Atlanta and the points.
Colts @ Houston(+3.5)
I have to say, I was really surprised at how well the Texans played last week against the Jags. But the Colts are coming off a bye, so I’m giving the points and going with Indy.
Chiefs @ Carolina(-10)
I was impressed with KC last week, but that was a divisional game at home. Even though it’s a big number, with the game in Charlotte I’m taking the Panthers.
Sunday ~4:10
Bucs @ Denver(-3)
Well, the Broncos looked horrible last week, but I do not trust the Bucs, so I will again take Denver.
Bills @ Arizona(-1)
Oh, come on, man, give Buffalo a little love! They’ll win this game.
Patriots @ San Francisco(+3.5)
I don’t see New England having the same kind of awful week two weeks in a row, especially with a bye in there. I’ll go with the Pats.
Bungles @ Dallas(-16.5)
That is just a truckload of points. I have to take them.
SNF
Steelers @ Jacksonville(-5)
If you’re a fan in the stands in a Steelers jersey, there’s a reasonable chance they’ll pull you out and make you play running back. I have the Jags here.
MNF
Vikings @ New Orleans(-3.5)
I don’t understand why Minnesota’s defense isn’t better—they have the personnel to be great, and they’re merely OK. And the Saints offense is on fire; I will give the points.
How was your vacation, Al? Where’d you go? Did you get your Strahan jersey?
Sunday 1:00
Titans @ Baltimore(+3)
Baltimore has played pretty well the past couple of weeks, but as good as their defense is, I think the Titans D is a little better. Plus Collins isn’t making any mistakes and Flacco is bound to. I’m going to give the points and take the Titans.
Seahawks @ New Jersey Giants(-8)
If you’re a fan in the stands in a Seahawks jersey, there’s a reasonable chance they’ll pull you out and make you play receiver. I have the Giants here.
Redskins @ Philly(-6)
The Redskins are good and Philly somehow lost last week. I don’t think it will happen again. I think they’ll cover at home.
Chargers @ Miami(-6.5)
How does Miami travel to Arizona, get pounded, and then play the Patriots and dominate? Life in the NFL, I guess. I’ll go with talent, and the Chargers have much more. I’ll give the points.
Bears @ Detroit(+3.5)
The Bears are playing really well with a couple of big wins already. Detroit is…not. They will get hammered by the Bears.
Falcons @ Green Bay(-4)
Green Bay has spent a long time cultivating Rogers for the lead role. He’s played well, and I don’t think they can get that kind of production out of, essentially, they’re second backup. I really don’t want to take the road dog Falcons, but I don’t think GB’s defense is enough to get them over a 4 point win.
Colts @ Houston(+3.5)
This is a chance for the Colts to get healthy after a disastrous season start. I’ll take the Colts.
Chiefs @ Carolina(-10)
Can the Chiefs back up last weeks win with another? No way. I’ll take the Panthers at home.
Sunday ~4:10
Bucs @ Denver(-3)
I’m just not sold on the Broncos. They didn’t cover in NO and got hammered by KC after the 3-0 start. I’ll take Tampay and the points.
Bills @ Arizona(-1)
What is this about? The Cardinals travel to NY and get totally spanked by the Jets (56 point!) and now they travel all the way back to Buffalo, a better team than the Jets, and they’re favored?!? What? Bills, please.
Patriots @ San Francisco(+3.5)
I wouldn’t want to be the team playing the Patriots this week. Then again, maybe I would! Are the Pats really all built on Brady, or was it more than that? I think it was more and I was predicting the Pats to come back to earth this year, but back to earth and getting beat by SF are two different things. I’ll give the points.
Bungles @ Dallas(-16.5)
The Bengals are a train wreck, and Dallas absolutely must win. We’ll find out how big a distraction this latest TO thing is, or if it’s just a media hype thing. I think Dallas rolls big. If they don’t, this TO thing is going to be a total circus.
SNF
Steelers @ Jacksonville(-5)
The Steelers are looking more and more ordinary, as is Big Ben. Jacksonville will win, but that 5 points is a bit unnerving. I’ll give it anyway.
MNF
Vikings @ New Orleans(-3.5)
For some reason I keep picking the Vikings. I think it’s a vain attempt to cling to my flawed handicapping at the beginning of the year. I can’t help it. The Vikings should be better! Just hand it off! I’ll take the points.
We went up to North Carolina and took a trip on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. http://www.gsmr.com. It was lots of fun and Link had a great time. There are pics on my Flikr!
And yes, I got the jersey. Wearing it now, in fact, considering the Jets have a bye. Thanks! And good luck!