Yikes, just got up…
Sunday 1:00
Buccaneers @ New Orleans(-7.5)
Saints.
Bungles @ Baltimore(-9.5)
Ravens.
Panthers @ Atlanta(-14.5)
Falcons win, but is that too many points? Nah, the Panthers are awful…
Steelers @ Cleveland(+6)
Not even a full TD? OK, Stillers.
Vikings @ Detroit(-3.5)
Wow, Lions actually favored. However, they have no Calvin Johnson, and AP is supposed to be able to go. I’ll take the points.
Raiders @ Kansas City(-4)
The Chefs have nothing to play for and will rest guys. Take the points.
Bills @ New Jersey Jets(-1.5)
Bills rock against the spread, and Panthers have the #1 pick locked up, so they’ll cover.
Dolphins @ New England(-6)
Pats don’t care, and Miami is great on the road. Take the points.
Sunday 4:00ish
Giants @ Washington(+4)
The boys in blue need a win to have even a shot at the playoffs. They’ll cover.
Cowboys @ Philly(-3)
Why would the Eagles risk Vick or Jackson or really, anybody, in this meaningless game? Cowboys.
Titans @ Indy(-9.5)
The Colts are better, but that seems like too many points. I’ll take a chance and take them.
Bears @ Green Bay(-10.5)
Chicago has nothing to play for, the Packers do. Good enough for me to give the points.
Jaguars @ Houston(-3.5)
Jacksonville has an outside shot at a playoff spot, and the Texans are done. Plus, Andre Johnson is out. Horrific. Take the points.
Chargers @ Denver(+3.5)
Game means nothing to either team, but Denver has been playing like they care, and the Chargers haven’t.
Cardinals @ San Francisco(-6)
Oh! New coach in San Fran! So far this season that’s meant that the team wins. Plus, Arizona is stone-cold awful on the road. I will give the points.
SNF
Rams @ Seattle(+3)
Woo hoo! Opening for the worst playoff team—possibly ever—up for grabs. Gotta like the Rams here going against most likely a backup QB.
Al’s picks via email:
Tampa Bay at New Orleans -7.5
The Bucs are good at beating the spread. I expect they’ll continue to do so. Take the points.
Cincinnati at Baltimore -9.5
Cincinnati seems to care even though they’ve had no season the past couple of weeks. Look to them to keep it close. Take the points.
Carolina at Atlanta -14.5
The Falcons won’t cover this, even though Carolina is awful. They’re probably still wondering if they’re any good after losing to the Saints.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland +6
Again I think the spread is too high. At Cleveland, the Browns will muster a way to
Minnesota at Detroit -3.5
Hey, Webb is the answer in Minnesota! I’ll take the Vikings and the points.
Oakland at Kansas City -4
I assume KC will rest a bunch of starters. Oakland.
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets -1.5
The Jets don’t care…in fact, depending on how things shake out they may *want* to lose to take on KC instead of Indy. So I’ll take the Bills.
Miami at New England -6
New England has proven they want to win these games. Patriots. Give the points.
N.Y. Giants at Washington +4
For some reason I’ll take a gamble and take the Giants. I know they can score when they want to. It’s just the mistakes…oh god the mistakes. Whatever, give the points.
Dallas at Philadelphia -3
Philly has nothing to play for here. Dallas.
Tennessee at Indianapolis -9.5
Indy wants to win this, but I just don’t think they have the weapons. Meanwhile, this may be the biggest game of the year for Tennessee. They’ll play hard. I’ll take the points.
Chicago at Green Bay -10.5
Green Bay is playing lights out right now. Give the points.
Jacksonville at Houston -3.5
I like the Texans. They’ll want to ensure Kubiak keeps his job. Oh, and Garrard is out.
San Diego at Denver +3.5
Denver is playing great right now and the Chargers are all boo hoo. Take the points and the Broncos.
Arizona at San Francisco -6
The Niners are done and without a coach (although they’re happy he’s gone). I’ll take the points and the Cardinals.
St. Louis at Seattle +3
They both need a win. St. Louis is the better team. I’ll give the three points, even though Seattle is at home.