The good news is that last week I picked up two games on Al. The bad news is that I’m getting even further away from breaking even, as I went 6-8—meaning Al went 4-10. We suck, or at least we sure did last week. Al still leads for the season, I’m 48-51-3 and Al is 51-48-3. I was happy to see my Texans win a second game in a row, but beating the Lions by only a TD is kind of a dubious honor. And I always love seeing the Cowboys self-destruct, and that was in full swing last week as well. The Bills are clearly better than I thought, and I have no idea what the hell is going on with the Saints.
Anyway, on to this week’s picks…
Sunday 1:00
Raiders @ Baltimore(-7)
Oakland is 2-4 and Baltimore is 3-3, and it’s in Baltimore. Is that worth 7 points? Meh, I don’t like either one of these teams, but I think Oakland is still bad enough that even the punchless Ravens can cover this… maybe. Possibly. I hope. Ugh…
Cardinals @ Carolina(-4)
This is one of those “which version of each team will show up” kind of games. I think if this game were in Arizona, I’d go with the Cards. But it isn’t, so I’ll take the Panthers.
Buccaneers @ Dallas(-2)
Did I mention that it just warms my heart to see Dallas implode? While the bickering and finger-pointing is great theater, the real issue here is that the Cowboys are really banged up and Tampa appears to be putting it together. I like getting points here.
Redskins @ Detroit(+7.5)
If the Texans are seven points better than the Lions, Washington is certainly ten points better, even on the road. Were I in a suicide pool, this would be the game this week.
Bills @ Miami(+1)
This seems wrong to me, as Buffalo appears to be the real deal, and Miami, while improved, is still not in the top half of the league. I’ll certainly give the one point.
Rams @ New England(-7.5)
St. Louis has been a great story the last couple weeks, but I still don’t believe in them. I’ll give the points.
Chargers(-3) vs. Saints @ London
I have no idea what to do with this one—both of these teams should be better than they are. On a hunch that the Saints might be better than people think without Bush, I’m going to take the points.
Chefs @ New Jersey Jest(-14)
KC is absolutely hopeless, but WTF is up with the Jest? Should be a good week for Thomas Jones, but I just cannot give that many points when Gang Green is so inconsistent. I could see the Jets winning by 20, but I can see them honking this game, too. I’ll take the two TDs.
Falcons @ Philadelphia(-9)
OK, they’re saying Westbrook is back, but I still don’t think he’s 100% and if the Eagles have shown me anything this year, it’s that they’ve been overrated by the pundits. Eagles win but don’t cover this big a number.
Sunday ~4:10
Browns @ Jacksonville(-7)
Hmm, I think I’ve seen this situation before: Cleveland is 2-4 and Jax is 3-3, and it’s in Jacksonville. Is that worth 7 points? I’m not that surprised the Browns are down this year compared to last year, but the Jags puzzle me—they should be better than they are. I have to think they’ll start to turn it around eventually, but seven seems like too many against a Browns team that does still have some weapons.
Bungles @ Houston(-9.5)
Look, the Texans should win this game and probably will. But they have yet to beat anybody this badly, and I’m not giving a huge number like this until they do.
Giants @ Pittsburgh(-2.5)
If Parker were going to play, I’d give this. But I don’t think he’s supposed to, so I’ll take the points.
Seahawks @ San Francisco(-5.5)
Seattle on the road? Horrific. I’m taking the Niners.
MNF
Colts @ Tennessee(-4)
Man, that seems way too low. They’re just begging you to take the Titans here, which makes me worried. Oh, wait, the Colts can’t stop the run, and Tennessee leads the NFL in rushing. Uhh, yeah, give the points.