I went 9-5 last week but Al didn’t make picks for entirely legit medical reasons. We’ll have to sort out what to do with my wonderful +4 week later on. So, without further ado, here are this week’s picks.
Sunday 1:00
Broncos @ Atlanta(-6.5)
OK, so the Broncos managed to win on the road last week in what was an epic display of tackling ineptitude by both teams. And the Falcons are, I think, more than a bit better than the Browns. I’m giving the points here.
Lions @ Carolina(-14.5)
The scariest thing about the Lions is that their remaining schedule is tougher than what they’ve faced so far. I love that some people think that Culpepper will help them—too funny. Oh, yeah, Panthers cover.
Bears @ Green Bay(-3.5)
Amazing that the Packers are favored—this must mean that Vegas thinks Rex Grossman is starting. Ah, but Clayton just reported that Orton is starting. Thus, I’m taking the points.
Texans @ Indianapolis(-9)
The Colts are getting healthier and the Texans are going to start Sage Rosenfels again. Once again, I’m picking the favorite to cover.
Saints @ Kansas City(+5)
Brees should easily throw for 400 against the Chefs, and I’m giving the points yet again.
Raiders @ Miami(-10.5)
Oakland is hopelessly bad, but then the Dolphins haven’t been blowing teams out, either. But the Raiders might never get the ball past midfield. Again, the favorite covers.
Ravens @ New Jersey Giants(-7)
I see a lot of field goals here, and that’s good because I have the Giants’ kicker on my FF team. More to the point, I like Baltimore to keep it close; I’m thinking 12-9 or 12-6, so I will actually take the points.
Eagles @ Cincinnati(+9)
Philly is really not that good against good teams, but they light it up against bad teams, and the Bungles are a bad team. They’ll cover.
Sunday ~4:10
Rams @ San Francisco(-6.5)
Both of these teams are 2-7; this is sure to be a ratings winner. Seems like too many points in what should be a horrific game, so I’ll take ‘em.
Cardinals @ Seattle(+3)
The Seabags actually showed some life last week, and they’re much better at home. But the spread is only three, so I’m taking the Cards.
Titans @ Jacksonville(+3)
Not only is Tennessee 9-0, but they’re 8-1 against the spread. I don’t see the Jags breaking that trend, either.
Chargers @ Pittsburgh(-5)
Big Ben is vulnerable to being rushed, but San Diego has no pass rush. Really, though, the Steelers go as Willie Parker goes, and I think he’s actually supposed to go this week. Stillers.
SNF
Cowboys @ Washington(+1)
Portis is out, and it looks like Santana Moss is also out. I hate taking the Cowboys, but I’m not sure how the Redskins will move the ball. I have to go with Dallas here.
MNF
Browns @ Buffalo(-5)
I have no idea what to do with this game. The Bills appear to have imploded, Cleveland has no defense at all… it’s two sides of ugly. I guess that it’s too many points in a game where both teams are awful. Meh, I hate that pick. On the other hand, I’m not any happier picking the Bills. OK, take the points.
Sunday 1:00
Broncos @ Atlanta(-6.5)
This is a touchdown game from what I’ve seen of Atlanta lately. I’ll give the points.
Lions @ Carolina(-14.5)
The desperation of hiring retired quarterbacks. Draft someone! I’ll give the points to the hapless lions.
Bears @ Green Bay(-3.5)
Green Bay is getting too much credit. They won’t be able to run against the Bears and Rodgers hasn’t been playing well of late. I’ll take the Bears on the road, even with Grossman. Oh, and the Packers’ best linebacker is out for the year.
Texans @ Indianapolis(-9)
The Colts are winning, but they rarely cover this year. I’ll take the points. Come on Texans, you’ve got some fight left!
Saints @ Kansas City(+5)
The Chiefs are bad, but their last four games were decided by only a few points. I’ll take the points and hope they beat the spread again.
Raiders @ Miami(-10.5)
That’s a lot of points but the Raiders have been super super terrible since beating the Jets. I’ll give the points.
Ravens @ New Jersey Giants(-7)
I believe the Ravens may end up representing the AFC. They’re defense is very strong and they’ve put up more points this year than in recent memory. Watch out! I’ll take the points.
Eagles @ Cincinnati(+9)
I actually think Cincinnati is getting better, but 9 seems a reasonable number for a 1 and 8 team. I’ll take the Eagles.
Sunday ~4:10
Rams @ San Francisco(-6.5)
The Niners will win this going away. Singletary has them drinking the Kool Aid, while Haslett is starting to lose his team. Jacksen is out again and Bulger is in the midst of a QB controversy — he got pulled last week. Yeah, I like the Niners.
Cardinals @ Seattle(+3)
The Cardinals are looking like a contender all of a sudden. They can’t afford to backslide against the death-spiral Seahawks. I’ll give the points.
Titans @ Jacksonville(+3)
The Jags are such a disappointment this year. They’ve got good pieces, but nothing is working. The Titans should be able to handle their running attack and they’re certainly 3 points better on offense. Titans.
Chargers @ Pittsburgh(-5)
The Steelers aren’t very good, but the Chargers, as the Jags, are among the biggest disappointments in the league. But with the Broncos, of all teams, only one team ahead of them in the standings, they’ll end up going to the playoffs. Look to the Chargers to keep it close. I’ll take the points.
SNF
Cowboys @ Washington(+1)
This is such a media game. Sheesh. I wonder how big an affect Romo will have. I think he’ll try to make too much happen and give D’Angelo Hall a pick six. You heard it here first. I’ll take the Redskins +1 in Big D.
MNF
Browns @ Buffalo(-5)
The Bills have lost 3 straight and the Browns just beat the Jags convincingly. I’ll take the points.
I think you missed Minnesota vs. Tampa Bay (-5).
It’s already 10 to 3, but I would have taken the Vikings. I guess we can void this one.
Oops, yeah, I missed one. I realized that at about 6:00 ET, so it was a bit late to do anything about it. With five points I probably would have taken the Vikings, too, but I’m not sure. Oh well, we’ll just have to have missed that game. Dammit, sorry.