Slowly, very slowly, I’m gaining ground. In week 6 I went 7–7 and Al went 5–9, and in week 7 I went 7–5–1 and Al had another down week at 4–8–1. I’m only down seven games! For the season I’m still above even at 53–49–1 and Al’s blistering start has him at 60–42–1. I like the trend! If I gain an average of 2.5 games per week, I’ll catch Al in a mere three more weeks… ha, ha.
Sunday 1:00
Broncos @ Baltimore(-3)
What exactly do the Broncos have to do to get some respect? How are they underdogs, even on the road? I’m taking Denver.
Texans @ Buffalo(+3.5)
I think I’m like 0-7 on picking the Texans this year, so Al should just go against anything I pick. The Texans might have trouble offensively because while the Bills aren’t very good against the run, the Texans don’t run. Will it be windy? If the Texans have to run to win, I’m worried, since Steve Slaton has more fumbles lost than any NFL team this year. With Andre Johnson probable but hurt, putting even more pressure on the Houston ground game, I’m going to have to go with the Bills.
Browns @ Chicago(-13)
I have little doubt the Bears will win this. But will they blow the Browns out? I mean, they looked like complete ass last week against Cincinnati… but this it at home, and the Browns are simply horrific. Give the points.
Seahawks @ Dallas(-9.5)
I don’t know what to do with this one. The Cowboys have more talent, but it certainly seems like a lot of points. Can the Cowboys actually put together two big wins in a row? Well, since the Seahawks secondary is nicked up, and they’ve been pretty bad on the road over the last few years. OK, I’ll take Dallas.
Dolphins @ New Jersey Jets(-3)
Beating up on the Raiders is not impressive. Can the Jets stop the run? I’m not so sure. Mostly to riverside Al, I’m taking Miami.
Niners @ Indianapolis(-13)
Is there any reason to think the freight train that is the Colts will be derailed this week? Nothing that I can see.
Giants @ Philadelphia(+1)
This is the kind of game the Eagles blow because they forget to run the ball. I’ll give the point.
Rams @ Detroit(-4)
Here’s something I haven’t thought for a long, long time: the Lions are just better. Wow.
Sunday ~4:10
Raiders @ San Diego(-16.5)
Wow, that’s a lot of points. Apparently the logic is that the Chargers blew out the Chefs last week and the Raiders got blown out last week. But really, for the season, the Chargers haven’t been very good against the spread. I’m going to got a bit nutty and take the big pile of points…
Jaguars @ Tennessee(-3)
WTF? Didn’t these teams play a few weeks ago? Didn’t the Jags beat the Titans senseless? How is Tennessee favored here? Do people think Vince Young is the answer? Really? Unless he’s playing CB and/or safety, I don’t see how that’s going to help enough. Take the points.
Vikings @ Green Bay(-3)
You know, the Vikings should be a really dominant team. Yes, sure, they’ve only lost once, but they mostly haven’t been blowing folks away… except the Packers a few weeks ago. Well, this time the Vikings have a much worse secondary and the Packers o-line has looked better of late, so I’m going to be bold and lay the points.
Panthers @ Arizona(-10)
Carolina is horrific. Ten is kind of a lot, but the Cards defense might score ten all by itself, so I don’t think it’s too much.
MNF
Falcons @ New Orleans(-10.5)
The Saints got a scare last week and will be ready. The Falcons got embarrassed on the road and they’ll be up for a division game. Again, though, I think the Saints are just better, and they seem to play inspired at home, so I’ll give the big number again.