Ugh, last week I had my first under-.500 week, and I went 6–8. Al, of course, continued to light it up and went 10–4. That makes me 33–29 for the season and Al a blistering 44–18 for the season. I have nothing to add to this complete beating, except that all two or three of you out there who read this should bet whatever Al says and you’ll clean up. Al is the NFL Pick God this season, that’s 71% against the spread. That’s insane.
Anyway, on to the picks…
Sunday 1:00
Bengals @ Baltimore(-8.5)
Wow, that’s a lot of points. The Bengals aren’t the Bungles this year! I like Baltimore to win this game, but not by that much, so I’ll take Cinci.
Browns @ Buffalo(-6)
Both of these teams are simply awful. I’m not sure the Bills are six points better than anyone, including the hapless Browns. Too many points for me.
Redskins @ Carolina(-4)
I think the Redskins are simply worse than the Panthers, records notwithstanding. Are they five points worse? On the road, I say yes. Carolina.
Steelers @ Lions(+10.5)
Stafford is hurt so Culpepper is probably going. The spread should be like 20; Pittsburgh should have no problem covering 10.5 with Daunte starting.
Cowboys @ Kansas City(+8)
I love when the Cowboys struggle. And, given how bad they’ve been late in the season for the last few years, well, I can hardly wait to see how this train wreck finishes up. On the other hand, they’re playing a team that fired its offensive coordinator in the preseason. Give the points.
Raiders @ New Jersey Giants(+15.5)
It appears Eli will play. We know the Giants can stop the run, so for Oakland to stay in this game, they’ll have to throw a lot. Hahahahaha… yeah. Giants by two TDs… at halftime. This could easily be 42-0 with only 21 scored by the Giants’ offense. This will be ugly, ugly, ugly…
Buccaneers @ Eagles(-15.5)
Another huge spread, and another team that fired it’s offensive coordinator in the preseason that still hasn’t won a game. Eagles win this easily, but I’m actually going to take the points because I think the Eagles will only win by two TDs. Yikes.
Vikings @ St. Louis(+10.5)
Another huge spread, and another well-deserved huge spread. Vikings cover this easily, as the Rams, bad enough with their starter in, will probably be playing Kyle Boller again. Ewww.
Sunday ~4:10
Falcons @ San Francisco(-2.5)
Toughest call of the week, I’ll probably be switching between three games in the later block and may just skip the 1:00 games completely, though if I need a laugh I might dial up the Raiders-Giants. Anyway, I’m not really sure here. Go with the home team since they don’t have to lay the full three.
Texans @ Cardinals(-5.5)
Well, OK, that was a nice win last week for Houston, but come on, it was the Raiders. I don’t think the Cardinals are really all that good, but at home against the Texans does not require a team to be. Arizona.
Patriots @ Denver(+3)
Intriguing because the Pats don’t have Fred Taylor and it’s not clear how they’ll be able to run the ball against a good run D without him. Can they win being one-dimensional? With Champ Bailey back there, I’m not sure. However, it’s the mentor vs. mentee thing that makes me think the Pats will pull it out, since Big Bad Bill tends to beat up on his proteges. New England.
Jaguars @ Seattle(-1)
Ahh, the Seabags and their 12th man. Can #12 stop the run? No? Even if they can, Garrard has looked really good lately. Hasselbeck is still iffy, and we know that Seattle can’t run. Yeah, I’ll take the point.
SNF
Colts @ Tennessee(+3.5)
Err, what? How is this spread so small? Someone clearly believes that the Titans have a recovery of some kind coming. Look, let’s lay it out: Tennessee cannot, simply cannot, defend the pass. Not even a little. Manning will throw for 400+ and many TDs here. Colts by two TDs or something like it.
MNF
Jets @ Dolphins(+2)
Rex Ryan’s team can stop the run. Miami can’t pass. Lay the measly two here; I thought the spread would be more like six. No brainer.