I have to admit to a certain lack of enthusiasm about the season at this point…
Sunday 1:00
Bills @ Cincinnati(-5)
Buffalo may have only one win, but they’re great against the spread. They’ll keep it close, so I’ll take the points.
Lions @ Dallas(-6.5)
Look, if the Lions can’t beat the Bills, I don’t see them beating the Cowboys… that is, if the Cowboys actually show up.
Cardinals @ Kansas City(-8)
I don’t know what happened last week in Denver, but you can be sure the Chiefs got read the riot act after that one. Plus, it’s the Cardinals on the road. Give the points.
Texans @ New Jersey Jets(-7)
Unbelievably ugly loss for the Texans last week. I think that broke their will, I don’t think they show up this week.
Browns @ Jacksonville(-2)
Strangely, the Jags have it going on. Nobody will be there to see it, but I think they cover.
Raiders @ Pittsburgh(-7.5)
I don’t think the Raiders will win, but for some reason I’m thinking they keep it to a TD or less.
Ravens @ Carolina(+11.5)
This could get ugly very early on. The Ravens’ defense could probably win by a couple TDs. I’d give 13.5 without batting an eyelash, and I might give as much as 17. Baltimore all the way.
Packers @ Minnesota(+3)
The Vikings are in a tailspin and the Packers will want to stick it to them… and I don’t think the Vikings can stop them.
Redskins @ Tennessee(-7)
They paid how much money to re-sign McNabb? Because he’s putting up such great numbers? I don’t know, though, if a Titans team with no healthy QB should by laying a TD to anyone. I think I’ll take the points.
Sunday ~4:10
Falcons @ St. Louis(+3)
This is an important game for Atlanta, because they need to show they can beat a decent team on the road, and the Rams are a decent team, at least at home. I have absolutely no idea… Rams?
Seahawks @ New Orleans(-12)
Seems like too many points for two horribly inconsistent teams. I’ll take those points.
Colts @ New England(-4)
I don’t like this game one bit. The Colts can’t run the ball at all, and being one-dimensional against the Pats is never good. But what Pats are these? Certainly not the dominating defense of old. However, this is the Colts on the road on grass. I like Brady’s bunch to cover.
SNF
Giants @ Philly(-3)
WTF was that last week? The Giants, I mean. Completely didn’t show up at all. I think they’ll show up this week, but I’m not sure that’ll matter. I don’t think Vick will go nuts like last week, and the Eagles’ defense isn’t going to be great against the Giants, but I still like the Eagles to win.
MNF
Broncos @ San Diego(-9.5)
It appears to be the second half of the season, meaning the Chargers will almost certainly win, especially at home. But will they win by a lot? Not sure with Gates still being a question mark. Denver has to be pretty confident going in after last week. I say they keep it closer than 10.
Looks like you skipped the Tampa Bay game!
Sunday 1:00
Bills @ Cincinnati(-5)
I think Buffalo will win this outright. The Bengals loss last week was a killer. They won’t be able to manage this number. I’ll be sick if they win by 2 field goals! Bills.
Lions @ Dallas(-6.5)
Egads. What a crazy matchup. If this was played last week, the spread would have been much lower! But now we have to assume the Cowboys are what they are on paper, right? Fine. Cowboys.
Cardinals @ Kansas City(-8)
KC has not been playing well. They are terrible against the pass and they’ve given up big numbers on the ground the past couple of weeks. Wells is back for Arizona and they have a fantastic pass rush. I like the Cardinals to keep this close. Take the points.
Texans @ New Jersey Jets(-7)
Houston has a weird habit of winning games when everyone thinks they’re done. Happened last year when they won their last four games. The Jets aren’t consistent enough to put together big numbers on offense and their D will have their hands full with Foster. I think the Jests cheese it out as they always seem to do, but the spread is too high. I’ll take the points and Houston.
Browns @ Jacksonville(-2)
This is a pretty difficult game. The Browns are good against the run, but not great with pass defense. I like their line play much better than that of Jax. So I guess I’ll go with the Browns.
Raiders @ Pittsburgh(-7.5)
Just like last week, remember the Steelers are missing 2 starters on the O-Line. They couldn’t run last week and they won’t run this week on an impressive Oakland line. Raiders may win this outright. I’ll take the points.
Ravens @ Carolina(+11.5)
Carolina is terrible. Made a huge mistake picking them last week. Yeah, sure, it’s a big number, but the Ravens really have to cover this.
Packers @ Minnesota(+3)
The Packers are starting to show the form that caused me to pick them to win it all this year. They’ll step up to bury their division rival. Green Bay.
Redskins @ Tennessee(-7)
The Titans won’t have their A game in this contest. I don’t know if the Redskins can take advantage, but I believe they’ll keep it closer than a touchdown. Take Washington.
Sunday ~4:10
Falcons @ St. Louis(+3)
Breather alert for the Falcons who have trouble on the road anyway. I like the Rams!
Seahawks @ New Orleans(-12)
Crazy high spread. I guess Bush is back? I’ll take the Seahawks and the points.
Buccaneers @ San Francisco (-3.5)
Tampa is the better team, but they’re on the road and they have to play the Falcons and the Ravens. I don’t think they’ll take the Niners and their Heismann QB seriously. Give the points, Niners.
Colts @ New England(-4)
Love the Colts getting points. New England can be passed against. This should be a fun game. I’lll take Peyton and the points.
SNF
Giants @ Philly(-3)
What a great matchup! A great pass rush against what looks like the current MVP of the league (yeah, I said it). The Giants won’t be able to run against the Eagles defense, so they’ll have to rely on Eli with Manningham and Nicks since Smith is out. I prefer Jackson and Maclin with their downfield speed. I like the Eagles.
MNF
Broncos @ San Diego(-9.5)
It’s a lot of points, but Denver has one of the worst defenses in the NFL, both pass and run. This will be a shootout. I’m taking the Chargers in such a content. Give the points.
Somehow I forgot the Tampa-SF game. I’ll take the points and the Bucs, who appear to be on a mission this year.