All home favorites this week…
Saturday
Cardinals @ New Orleans(-7)
Gotta like the Saints at home to win, but I’m not so sure about this many points. The Saints did not finish the season looking good, and the Cardinals offense was pretty much on fire last week. Oh, yeah, but their defense failed to show up, and they’ll on the road at New Orleans. No, no, it’s still too many points, I have to take them.
Ravens @ Indianapolis(-6)
I hate the Colts so much for tanking it mid-game against the Jets that and it would be such awesome karmic retribution if they were to lose this game… but I don’t think they will. Flacco is hurt and I really don’t think the Ravens can have, what, 30 yards passing again and win. Give the points, but I’ll be rooting hard for the Ravens.
Sunday
Cowboys @ Minnesota(-2.5)
Everyone and their brother is taking the Cowboys, who have looked great twice in a row against… the Eagles, a team that has no idea what the phrase “running game” means. Meh. The Vikings will run, and have guys who can actually rush Romo without selling out to blitz like the Eagles. I’m giving the points.
Jets @ San Diego(-7)
I think the Chargers win this game because Revis can’t cover everybody, but I don’t like giving that many points, so I’ll take the Jets.
Saturday
Cardinals @ New Orleans(-7)
I love getting points. NO can’t rush without Grant who’s out. That’s a big factor in why they’ve been terrible on defense in the second half of the season. Also, the Saints have played pretty awful football in their past three games. I simply think they’re not as good as AZ right now. I like the Cardinals to win outright.
Ravens @ Indianapolis(-6)
The big question to me is the rust factor. Will not playing, essentially, 3 weeks in a row affect the Colts? I think it will, but the fact remains that the Ravens have terrible pass coverage. They won’t be able to penetrate the Indy D-Line. Lewis and Co. will get frustrated and will get touched for several 15 yarders. Not that Manning will need it. Colts roll. Give the points.
Sunday
Cowboys @ Minnesota(-2.5)
The Cowboys are the hot team, and I’m starting to think that Romo has figured out how to protect the ball. On the other side, I really think Favre is ready to fold. He’s going to see significant pressure and this game will be tight. He’ll take it on his own shoulders, forget about AP, and throw some picks. Take the points and the Cowboys.
Jets @ San Diego(-7)
The factor here is whether the Chargers can handle the Jets blitz. I fear huge gains from checkdowns to Sproles wide open in vacated LB spots. On the other side, the Chargers can’t stop the run, and that’s caused them to be in close games that maybe they shouldn’t have been in. Of course they won them… But yeah, 7 I hope is too much, so I’ll take the points. And hope the Jets win!