So, first, last week I went 8-4-2 and Al went 7-5-2; the two pushes were of course games that Al and I picked differently. For the season I’m 38-33-3 and Al is 41-30-3; man, Al, you’re tearing it up!
Now, comments on last week’s games. Obviously, the Steelers have some kind of juvenation machine, because Big Ben looked fantastic after weeks of looking crappy. I think the Jags just aren’t as good as before. And the Saints have nobody but themselves to blame for losing that game; they should have finished the first half up by 10 or 14. The absolutely most gut-wrenching game was the Colts and Texans—a game I watched almost all of. Hideous, just hideous. The Texans outplayed them for 56 minutes and then just freaking gave away the win. Made me ill—almost as ill as watching Michigan this year. Ugh, let’s just move on…
Sunday 1:00
Bears @ Atlanta(+3)
Chicago is starting to look more and more like they did two years ago. The Falcons are obviously much improved, but they still haven’t beaten anybody good yet, and the Bears are at least a little good, so I’ll give the points.
Raiders @ New Orleans(-7)
Oakland is a train wreck with the coaching situation, but something is seriously wrong in New Orleans as well. However, Colson and Shockey might both be back and that will be enough for the Saints to cover.
Panthers @ Tampa(-1.5)
Carolina is just plain better, I’m going with them.
Rams @ Washington(-13.5)
Have the Rams yet played within two TDs of anyone? And the Redskins are actually even decent—I would think they should cover this.
Bungles @ New Jersey Jets(-8.5)
Palmer is out, which means Cinci will have no offense; even the Jets should be able to pound them.
Lions @ Minnesota(-13)
I don’t think even the Vikings can mess this one up—I’m giving the points.
Dolphins @ Houston(-3)
OK, yes, the Texans have actually looked pretty good in both of the last two weeks, but they still lost both of those. The Dolphins are also looking better—and they’ve won. I think I’ll wait for the Texans to actually win one before I start giving points with them.
Ravens @ Indy(-4)
The Colts are living on borrowed time—they are just a hair away from being winless. I think even the Ravens will be able to move the ball on their hapless D, and look for Manning to have to run for his life—and watching Manning run is always good for a laugh. Anyway, I’m taking Baltimore and the points.
Sunday ~4:10
Jaguars @ Denver(-3.5)
One would think the Jags will just run like crazy, but they haven’t been running very well lately, and the Broncos D finally made an appearance last week, and I generally like the Broncos at home, so I’ll go with that.
Cowboys @ Arizona(+5)
If the Cowboys were an animal, right now they’re looking like some kind of animal that eats their own young. They looked so good early and now look like they’re trying to implode. Nonetheless, Dallas just has better talent. They’ll get after Warner and force some turnovers and the Cards won’t be able to stop the Barber/Jones tandem. Give the five.
Eagles @ San Francisco(+4.5)
Westbrook is out, I’m taking the Niners and the points.
Packers @ Seattle, pick
How on earth is this a “pick” game? The Seabags are cover-your-eyes horrible, and the Packers are at least average. Green Bay all the way.
SNF
Patriots @ San Diego(-5)
You’d think the Bolts would be a lot better, given their talent, but they just don’t have it together so far. I’m taking the road ‘dog and the points.
MNF
Giants @ Cleveland(+8.5)
The Browns are a mess (with Winslow possibly out) and the Giants seem to be firing on all cylinders. And all the press on politics (ooh, rich white stiff Notre Dame grad Brady Quinn is a Republican? Really?) isn’t good—the coach should be worried about football, not fivethirtyeight. Easy pick, give the points.
Sunday 1:00
Bears @ Atlanta(+3)
The Falcons have been beating the lesser teams but have had trouble with mediocre teams. I like the way the Falcons have handled the run, but I’m not sure they’ve been tested against a superior defense. I’m going to give the three points with a road favorite.
Raiders @ New Orleans(-7)
The Raiders are in utter turmoil. I’ll give the touchdown. Saints need to pick up some wins to keep pace.
Panthers @ Tampa(-1.5)
I’m wary about these road favorites between marginal teams. Sure, the Panthers have looked better, but Tampa isn’t awful. Ok, I will grit my teeth and give points again.
Rams @ Washington(-13.5)
Washington should roll over a hapless Rams team.
Bungles @ New Jersey Jets(-8.5)
The Bengals are in utter disarray. If the Jets put up 56 against the Cards, surely they can muster this kind of a spread in this game. I’ll give the points.
Lions @ Minnesota(-13)
Another awful team. When does Detroit play St. Louis? Anyway, the resurgent Vikings put up a big number here.
Dolphins @ Houston(-3)
Another road favorite. This time I’ll go with Houston who seems to keep games close. They might even pull this one out. Defensive line needs to get some pressure on Pennington.
Ravens @ Indy(-4)
Indy does not look good. I’m not sure how they pulled it out last week, but the Ravens defense isn’t that porous. I’ll take the points even if it is at Indy.
Sunday ~4:10
Jaguars @ Denver(-3.5)
Denver is a mystery to me. I think I get the Jags. They have some injuries on the O-Line which are preventing them from establishing the run game they want. Garrard will have to step up. I think their defense will handle anything Denver can muster. I really like the Jags.
Cowboys @ Arizona(+5)
Another road favorite, but this one seems a no-brainer. Despite the Cowboy attempts at self-immolation, I’ll give the 5 points against a directionless Arizona team.
Eagles @ San Francisco(+4.5)
Oh the mighty Eagles. What has happened? Yeah, Westbrook is out, but they’re going to need to absorb that. It’s a given! This is a must win for the Eagles who are in danger of being the doormats of the best division in the league. I’ll give the points.
Packers @ Seattle, pick
I actually like Seattle here. The Pack defense has looked just awful in the last two games. Rodgers has hurt more then helped them in this stretch as well. If he plays or not, that’s hurting the Packers. Plus it’s on the road.
SNF
Patriots @ San Diego(-5)
The Patriots are just not…good. I’m going with the Chargers who have the ability to put up a big number. The Pats won’t be able to hang offensively.
MNF
Giants @ Cleveland(+8.5)
The Giants should have no trouble rolling this team. They’ve just looked so great in every game they’ve played so far. The Browns don’t offer much on either side of the ball to make them a compelling opponent.
What an interesting week of road favorites! Makes thing so difficult.
Georgia Tech won a squeaker against the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb. Hmm.