OK, so we both went 2-1 on Turkey Day. I guess the Eagles still do have some life left in ‘em, and the Cards really aren’t the same team on the road. Also a good FF day for me, since I started Westbrook.
Anyway, on to the rest of this week…
Sunday 1:00
Niners @ Buffalo(-7)
First game on the board, and it’s a tough one. The Niners have shown some signs of life lately, but west coast teams traveling east to bad weather and a 1:00 start haven’t impressed of late. I’ll give the points.
Ravens @ Cincinnati(+7)
I don’t see the Bungles getting more than a couple field goals here. Baltimore
Colts @ Cleveland(+4.5)
Indy is clearly on the rise, the Browns are still confused. Give the points.
Panthers @ Green Bay(-3)
I know the game is in Green Bay and all, but this seems to be the wrong team favored here—I was expecting a spread of +2, not -3. I’ll go with Carolina and the points here.
Dolphins @ St. Louis(+9)
Stephen Jackson may be back, but Bulger might not be. Rams are in a tailspin either way. That’s a lot of points but I see no reason to think the Dolphins won’t cover.
Saints @ Tampa(-4)
Useless trivia: in this matchup, the road team is 8-3 against the spread in the last 11 and the underdog is 9-4 against the spread in the last 13. Seems pretty good to me, I’ll take the Saints.
Giants @ Washington(+3.5)
Even with Burress out (moron), the Giants are the class of the league. I have the G-Men covering.
Sunday ~4:10
Falcons @ San Diego(-5)
Too many points. Even if Atlanta loses, they’ll make it a squeaker.
Broncos @ New Jersey Jets(-9)
WTF is wrong with Denver? How do you lose to the Raiders at home? Ugh. Jets run the ball 35 times between Jones and Washington, gain 250 on the ground, and cover.
Steelers @ New England(-1)
OK, so the key to the Steelers vs. the spread is Willie Parker. They say he’s most likely going to play this week, so on that basis I’m taking the Stillers.
Chefs @ Oakland(-3)
KC allowed the Bills like a bajillion yards of offense last week, so maybe even the Raiders can score on ‘em. I’ll give the points.
SNF
Bears @ Minnesota(-3.5)
The winner of this game will have a clear lead for the division, thus, Vikings lose.
MNF
Jaguars @ Houston(-3.5)
This is three points for home field plus a half-point for how awful Jax looked last week. I think I’m going to go with the Texans here.
Was in Las Vegas for the holidays. I went to the Las Vegas Invitational and watched Kentucky stumble through two victories against Kansas State and West Virginia. U-G-L-Y.
Sunday 1:00
Niners @ Buffalo(-7)
If the Niners want Singletary to keep his job, they’re going to have to win a game or two. This seems like an excellent opportunity. They’ll need some help from Buffalo. But I don’t think they’ll get enough. Buffalo will cover in the cold.
Ravens @ Cincinnati(+7)
Ocho Cinco will be back, I think, but it shouldn’t matter. The Ravens have their eye on a division title and need to keep pace with the Steelers. Give the points.
Colts @ Cleveland(+4.5)
The Colts should do fine against a poor Cleveland secondary. I’ll give the points.
Panthers @ Green Bay(-3)
The Pack have lost their best defender (Barnett) and there should be plenty of crossing patterns wide open. Their corners also got absolutely toasted last week in Dallas. On the other hand, the Panthers looked really bad against the Falcons. Both teams are painfully average. I guess I’ll take the points.
Dolphins @ St. Louis(+9)
The Dolphins cover. The Rams are playing out the string. Oh look, Haslett didn’t get his 6 wins…shock.
Saints @ Tampa(-4)
Tampa’s been playing serious defense. The Saints make lots of mistakes. I’m going to take the home team and give the points.
Giants @ Washington(+3.5)
The Giants will knock the Skins out of the playoffs in this game. Give the points.
Sunday ~4:10
Falcons @ San Diego(-5)
The Chargers need to get a fork stuck in them. They should be much better than they are. Norv Turner will be fired after losing this game. Falcons.
Broncos @ New Jersey Jets(-9)
The Jets should win, but that’s too many points. I’ll take the Broncos. Oh, and don’t believe the hype. I fear my Jets are reveling in their press clippings this week.
Steelers @ New England(-1)
New England is hot right now. I’m going to ride it. I’ll lay the point at home.
Chefs @ Oakland(-3)
Yeesh. I’m picking the Raiders. Need to go wash my fingertips after typing this.
SNF
Bears @ Minnesota(-3.5)
The Bears can be run on. Peterson can run. Minnesota will cover.
MNF
Jaguars @ Houston(-3.5)
Wow, the Texans favored. The Jags have looked so bad lately, I’m going to have to give the points.