OK, so I messed up the record two weeks ago, Al actually had 5 right, not 4. Not that it matters, though, because last week I stunk it up and went 4-9 and dropped below .500 for the season, while Al went a respectable 7-8. Al’s lead is huge and growing, 68-47-1 to 57-58-1. Ugh.
I’ll just get on with the picks then, shall I?
Sunday 1pm
Redskins at Falcons(-10)
Washington continues to be a train wreck. While the Falcons showed last week they still can’t quite hang with the big boys, they should have no trouble with the Redskins; give the points.
Cardinals at Bears(-3)
Two inconsistent teams and Vegas has no idea what to do… home team by three. I hate the way the Cardinals play on the road, so I’ll give the three.
Ravens at Bengals(+3)
Rematch games are always tricky. You know Baltimore wants a pound of flesh for the last meeting and they sure looked good last week. However, I’m not sure about giving three on the road. Well, when you’re behind like I am, you gotta take chances—I’ll give the points.
Texans at Colts(-9)
Lots of people seem high on the Texans right now, and they’ve earned a bit of respect on the current streak. However, don’t think for a second the Colts don’t know this, and that they won’t be ready. The Texans have a horrible history against the Colts and I expect them to rip the heart out of all of us once again. However, getting blown out will not be a heartbreaker—the Texans will lose this one in some horrible way, just like the Sage Rosenfels game last year… but I don’t think they’ll get blown out, so I’m taking the points.
Chiefs at Jaguars(-6.5)
The Jags are reeling right now—they seem like they should be a lot better. KC sucks, too, but I’m not sure the Jags should be laying almost a TD against anybody right now.
Packers at Buccaneers(+10)
Tampa cannot, just cannot, defend the pass at all. The Packers’ offensive line is shaky, but in this game they most certainly don’t have to be solid for them to have a big day. Huge blowout here.
Dolphins at Patriots(-10.5)
Man, that’s a lot of points. On the other hand, facing the Pats when they’ve had two weeks to prepare and get people healthy is not good. Plus, after being torched the first time they faced the wildcat—don’t think the Pats have forgotten about that—the Pats have handled it pretty easily since. I don’t like giving this many, but I think I have to.
4pm
Panthers at Saints(-14)
The Panthers are just simply awful. Look, they can give the Saints’ offense the week off and still win by 14. Jake “Pick” Delhomme will probably throw enough picks returned for TDs that Brees can sit this one out, and I don’t think that Brees will sit this one out. The Saints are on a mission to lock up home field for the playoffs and they want to keep the Vikings at bay for that spot. They’ll roll huge.
Lions at Seahawks(-10)
If you can’t beat the Rams at home, you just straight-up suck, badly. Give the ten.
Chargers at Giants(-4.5)
Well, this is getting down to put up or shut up time for these two teams. When the rubber meets the road, you can always count on one thing: the Chargers are coached by Norv Turner. I’m taking the G-men.
Titans at 49ers(-4.5)
I think Tennessee caught the Jags napping last week. That won’t happen this week; the Niners gave the Colts a real game and they know they’re better than Tennessee. They’ll handle them by a TD.
SNF
Cowboys at Eagles(-3)
Yes, yes, the Cowboys have won a couple in a row and now everybody’s drooling over them. Well, let’s seem them do it on the road. Iggles.
MNF
Steelers at Broncos(+3)
In general, I like teams coming off the bye. Guys get healthy and coaches have an extra week of film to look at and plan against. Tomlin is no dummy and he’ll follow the Ravens’ blueprint from last week: get after Orton hard and go vertical. Denver is still a good team, so I expect them to respond, but I think the Steelers will pull it out… by about a field goal. Argh. I would give this without thought at 2 and I’d probably take it if it were 4. Argh. OK, I’ll take the Stillers coming off the bye.