NFL Week 15

OK, so we suck, we both forgot the Thursday game. I would have taken the Chargers, probably up to like +10. Oh well.

Sunday 1:00
Buffalo @ Miami(-5)
For some odd reason, the Dolphins haven’t been as good at home. Letdown game after beating their division rival last week, too. Takin’ the Bills again.

Browns @ Cincinnati(-1)
The battle for Ohio, though I’m not sure the people in Ohio even care. I don’t like the Bungles to be favored against anyone. Cleveland.

Lions @ Tampa Bay(-4.5)
Detroit on the road? No way.

Jaguars @ Indianapolis(-4.5)
Wow, how about that, the Jags getting more than a field goal. I don’t see the Colts stopping the run, so I think the Jags can keep it close. This game is huge for the playoffs, so I like it to be close anyway.

Cardinals @ Carolina(-2.5)
This is the kind of game they show people in Hell to make sure they know they’re being eternally tortured. Panthers, I guess, since Arizona seems to be in a tailspin.

Saints @ Baltimore(-1)
Wild. I have to tell you, I was not impressed with the Ravens defense late against the Texans. If they have to go to OT to hold off Houston, I’ll happily take that point. The Baltimore D was looking downright old, even if they did get a pick to win it, they looked gassed giving up two 95+ yard drives in a row in the 4th. The Saints should be able to take advantage of that.

Eagles @ New Jersey Giants(-3)
Hunh? Someone in Vegas clearly knows something I don’t, because the wrong team is favored here. I mean, yes, if the Giants can hold on to the ball and get the run going, they can be competitive here, but that seems iffy. I hate this pick, because when the spread is the wrong way, that usually means something is up. Grr. No, I’m sticking with Philly here.

Chiefs @ St. Louis(-1.5)
Matt Cassel for MVP, right? I mean, how lost did their offense look last week without him? Cassel is still listed as “questionable” and frankly, I can’t imagine playing football that soon after losing an appendix. Without him, they have no shot. Rams.

Redskins @ Dallas(-7)
Sexy Rexy at QB! Woo hoo! Give the points. Give ten, easy.

Texans @ Tennessee(-1)
Super Mario is done for the season, so the Texans normally tepid pass rush will be even worse. We know they absolutely cannot cover anybody at all anyway, and with unlimited time to throw? This is going to be ugly. In fact, with Aaron Rodgers out, I just picked up Collins for my fantasy team, as he’s likely to have a huge day. Titans.

Sunday ~4:10
Falcons @ Seattle(+6)
Atlanta isn’t flashy, but they are incredibly solid. In some sense you’d say they don’t need this game, but they’re incredible at home and so they really want home field for the playoffs—they’ll be up for this game and win by at least at TD.

Jest @ Pittsburgh(-4.5)
So, Gang Green has sucked against good teams, and their offense has looked horrible lately, and… oh, great, a road game against the Steelers. Yeah, that should go well. Give the points, of course. Strangely, Rex Ryan seems to have cut down on all the yapping. Funny, that. Keep your mouth shut, Rex, and take your beating.

Broncos @ Oakland(-7.5)
Ahh, Tim Tebow gets the start for a team on a death march. Awful, awful. And it’s not like the Raiders won’t be up for the hated Broncos. This could get ugly. Raiders all the way.

SNF
Packers @ New England(-14)
Another team that would like home field would be the Pats. If the Steeler win, which they should, the Pats will know they need this game to keep ahead for home field. Without Rodgers, the Packers have no chance at all. Give the huge number.

MNF
Bears @ Vikings(+7.5)
I so love the idea of outdoor football in December in my hometown, just the the old Met when I was a kid. Unfortunately, it’s supposed to warm up there and might even be in the 20s, but they say 50% chance of snow. Tarvaris Jackson in the snow… the possibilities for turnovers are mind-boggling. Plus, the Bears actually play in the cold, and the Vikings don’t. Give the points, no problem.

Bowls, Part I

I think there are 35 bowls this year, so if I go in three stages, thats 11 or 12 each time. I’ll ease into it with the first 11 bowls.

12/18, New Mexico, BYU vs. UTEP(+11.5)
The Cougars have at least played some decent teams, like, ever, which the Miners have not. Give the points.

12/18, Humanitarian: Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State(+1.5)
The Huskies seem to always be able to run the ball, so I’ll take NIU.

12/18, New Orleans: Ohio vs. Troy(-2)
The Bobcats have never won a bowl game, whereas Troy has won a couple in recent memory. Give the points.

12/21, St. Petersburg: Southern Miss vs. Louisville(-3)
Totally underwhelmed by the entire Big East this year. I think I’ll pick against all of them. Go Golden Eagles!

12/22, Las Vegas: Utah vs. Boise State(-17)
Wow, that’s a lot of points! I know the Broncos will be ticked off that they’re in this bowl. Will it be a letdown, or will they run it up to show that they’re actually still good? And will anybody see this game? I say that’s too many points and will take the Utes.

12/23, Poinsettia: Navy vs. San Diego State(-4.5)
Sure, it’s a home game for the Aztecs, but they’ve not been to a bowl in forever. Take the Midshipmen and the points.

12/24, Hawaii: Hawaii vs. Tulsa(+10)
I don’t see this as a blowout. I like the Warriors to win, but that’s too many points. Take the over, too.

12/26, Little Caesars: Florida International vs. Toledo(-1.5)
The Rockets were actually decent this year, so I’m going to give the points.

12/27, Independence: Air Force vs. Georgia Tech(+3)
Oh, look, another ACC team I can pick against. Look, I’ll be rooting for the Jackets, but I don’t think they win this one. There might even be like five or six passes thrown in the entire game!

12/28: Champs Sports: West Virginia vs. NC State(+3)
I wasn’t particularly impressed by the ACC this year, to be honest, but they’re still better than the Big East. I will take the points.

12/28: Insight: Missouri vs. Iowa(+1)
Now this is a bowl game! Really not sure who to go with here, but in my defense, Vegas doesn’t appear to know, either. Mizzou finished the season really well, and Iowa fell off the map. However, the Hawkeyes will have time to heal and they are well-coached, which matters with all this time to prepare. Still, the Tigers are probably the better team overall. I want to pick Iowa here but I just can’t do it, I have to take Missouri.