Sunday 1:00
Lions @ Buffalo(-2)
Hey, how about that, the Bills are favored. I mean, it’s at home against the Lions, but still. Unfortunately, this is a bad matchup for the Bills, who are good against the run but last in the league in giving up… TD passes. I have the Lions here.
Jets @ Cleveland(+3)
Gang Green is living on borrowed time right now, and the Browns are hot. I’ll take the three and hope they can keep it close.
Panthers @ Tampa Bay(-7)
Carolina is in a dead heat with Arizona for that “worst QB situation in the league” award. Bucs cover this.
Bengals @ Indianapolis(-7)
Awesome when the Colts lose. First, it’s just generally great when they lose. Second, it depresses the spread for the next week. Indy at home is a lock here.
Titans @ Miami, pick
Yeah, I don’t think Chad Pennington off the bench is the answer. I like not having to give the points when I pick Tennessee here.
Vikings @ Bears(+1)
Minnesota is imploding badly. Now, the Bears are awful and simply cannot protect Cutler, and the Vikings have a pass rush, but the Vikings are horrific on the road and will find a way to lose this.
Texans @ Jacksonville(-1)
The real culprit in last weeks’ loss to the Chargers was the Texans’ secondary, or lack thereof. However, they sure got a lot of help from the refs; that was the single worst intentional grounding call I’ve ever seen. The tight end was right there! Totally ludicrous, and of course that’s not a reviewable call. Ugly. Anyway, the Texans’ other problem is that Andre is hurt and has been for most of the season. Owen Daniels is still out, Schaub is banged up (though playing)… I just don’t see it. And that’s why I’m picking the Texans, because they seem to go against what I expect.
Sunday ~4:10
Chiefs @ Denver(+1)
The Broncos are awful, but the Chiefs have been pretty bad on the road and are struggling. Look KC to rebound here.
Rams @ San Francisco(-5.5)
I know that the Rams are much better at home and the Niners are playing better, but I still like the Rams here getting almost a TD. I’ll take the points.
Seahawks @ Arizona(-3)
The sad part of this is that some team from this horrible division will get to go to the playoffs. Both of these teams are awful, but I think the Cards are worse, unable to hold a lead against the lowly Vikings. I’ll take the Seabags on the road, but only because they’re getting points.
Cowboys @ New Jersey Giants(-14)
Wow, that’s a truckload of points. Of course, the Giants have been lighting it up lately, and Dallas is a train wreck, which is fantastic—couldn’t happen to a nicer team & owner. This feels like too many points to give in an NFL game, but then this is Jon Kitna on the road. Yeah, OK, give the two TDs. Yikes.
SNF
Patriots @ Pittsburgh(-4.5)
The Pats have been doing it this year with smoke and mirrors, whereas I think the Stillers are the real deal, at least on grass. I think they’ll cover this at home.
MNF
Eagles @ Washington(+3)
WTF was all that nonsense from Shanahan? I think he’s actually an average coach without Elway, and the Skins have no answer for Vick. Iggles.
Lions @ Buffalo(-2)
Stafford is out. They’re probably feeling sorry for themselves after losing a tough game. How can they get up for the Bills? All that being said, I can’t pick a winless squad. Lions.
Jets @ Cleveland(+3)
The Browns can’t throw the ball. The Jets will go single coverage and load up the box. I like Hillis, but he won’t get anything. It will be up to the Browns D to score and that might be enough against a Jets team that has real issues on offense. It might be, but I don’t think it will. Jets.
Panthers @ Tampa Bay(-7)
The Bucs are legit, but they’re too inexperienced to be this favored. I don’t think they can cover this number, even though Carolina is crap. Take the Panthers and the points.
Bengals @ Indianapolis(-7)
Colts win but don’t cover. Palmer throws up all sorts of crazy numbers after the game has been decided. It will happen again. I’ll take the points and the Bungles.
Titans @ Miami, pick
Tennessee has a solid team and now they have a deep threat. Miami switched their quarterback and not because Henne is hurt. There will be no “circle the wagons” mentality here. I like the Titans on the road.
Vikings @ Bears(+1)
The Bears may be the worst team in the league because they have the worst O-line (well, North of Dallas anyway). The Vikings seem to have discovered their pass rush last week, so I’m taking Minnesota.
Texans @ Jacksonville(-1)
The Texans are riddled with injuries and Garrard is playing really well right now. Coupled with the human bowling ball, it seems Jax will roll. Not so fast! Del Rio may be the worst coach in the league. I have no confidence in him or their game plan coming off a bye. Both teams need a win, but the Texans will want it more. I’m taking Houston.
Sunday ~4:10
Chiefs @ Denver(+1)
Denver has no running game which will makes it difficult for them to score in the red zone. The Chiefs have a better defense and awesome special teams. I don’t like picking this game, but I’ll take Kansas City.
Rams @ San Francisco(-5.5)
The Niners can’t be favored by more than 3 in this game. That’s just shady. I’m taking the Rams.
Seahawks @ Arizona(-3)
Arizona favored, eh? The Seahawks looked so hapless last week, that must be the reason. Hasselbeck will be back and Seattle has the better pass rush. I’ll take the Seahawks on the road.
Cowboys @ New Jersey Giants(-14)
Give the points. I think they get that much just by showing up. The rest of the Cowboys have given up just like their O-Line since the beginning of the year. Firing Philips won’t make a difference considering Garrett was calling the plays already. Give the points. Giants.
SNF
Patriots @ Pittsburgh(-4.5)
Reasons I like the Pats: Brady absolutely owns the Steelers. Belicheck had his foot up the teams’ ass all week after that embarrassing dismantling at the hands of the Browns. The Steelers will have 2 starting o-linemen out due to injury. Part of the reason the Pats lost last week is because they were looking at this game. I love New England here. Gimme the points.
MNF
Eagles @ Washington(+3)
The Redskins came into Philly early in the year and won the game. Things are different now. All sorts of turmoil on the Washington side, plus the Eagles have discovered how potent a threat McCoy is. As long as Vick doesn’t throw it to DeAngelo Hall, they should win. I’ll give the points and take the Philly on the road.
Forgot about the game tonight. I have the dolphins at home -2, despite having a third string qb in there.
D’oh. I had the Bears, but it’s a little late now to take credit for it. Grr.