NFL Week 7 Macs Picks

NFL Week 7 – Mac’s Picks

Last week: A very lackluster 7-7. I’m the Hartford Whalers of prognostication.

Overall: 46-41-1

Detroit at Cleveland In the last 3 NFL drafts, the Lions have spent a 1st round draft pick on a WR, yet their leading WR is Kevin Johnson, a free agent originally expected to provide depth at the position. And people wonder why Joey Harrington Is struggling…In Cleveland, the Browns looked about as bad as you can possibly get last week. I don’t expect Dilfer to play as careless as that at home, though, which is why I’m taking the Browns. Pick: Browns –2 ½

Green Bay at Minnesota For a team this talented to be this bad, the Vikings have either quit on themselves, or weren’t that good in the first place. What the Bears did to them last week points to the latter. With the Packers, they’re coming off a bye week and even at 1-4, have enough of a veteran presence on that team to know that the season is far from over. Until Minnesota fires Mike Tice, I won’t take a team he’s associated with, even if it goes against the “home underdog” rule of gambling. Pick: Packers –2

Indianapolis at Houston I said it before the season: Dom Capers is the worst coach, perhaps in NFL history. His teams have finished 8-8 or better just one time in his entire career. At the same time, Art Shell hasn’t been able to get an interview for a head-coaching gig. Last week proved that even when the Colts spot their opponents a 17-point lead they can still cover a double-digit spread. With the Texans offense, that won’t be a concern. Pick: Colts –15

Kansas City at Miami This is actually a big for both teams. The Dolphins have a chance to pull to .500, which in the weak AFC East is huge. After watching Ricky Williams before and after the game on Sunday, it’s crystal clear why he’s playing football, and it has nothing to do with competitive desire. This is entirely about not wanting to cut a super-ball check for $8.6 million dollars. For Kansas City, with the way the Broncos are playing, they’ve got to win as many conference games on their schedule as they can to get in as a Wild Card. Pick: Chiefs +2

New Orleans at St. Louis It’s hard not to sympathize with the New Orleans Saints. It’d be easier if their owner wasn’t a total scumbag, but as far as the players go, you have to feel sorry for them. They’re living out of hotels and playing “home games” in their opponent’s stadium. Then their practice facility is taken over by athletes in the Special Olympics, and now comes word that in December, they’ll be evicted from the Alamodome, which is hosting a bridal show and the NCAA Women’s Volleyball tournament…St. Louis has had it’s fair share of adversity, too, which means this game might be halted at some point for a group hug. Pick: Saints +3

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati Last week I said that the Steelers could win without Ben Roethlisberger. Ok, I was wrong. You see, I forgot how terrible Tommy Maddox really is. My bad. For the Bengals, beating the Steelers will give them a 3-game lead in the division before Halloween. Seriously, look it up. When was the last time a Bengals team had a 3-game lead in their division before Halloween? Pick: Bengals (Marvin Lewis = NFL Coach of the Year)

San Diego at Philadelphia How good is LaDainian Tomlinson? He can run, catch and throw. Give him the ball, and just look…Sorry about that. The Chargers appear to have shaken off their early season funk, and are doing the smart thing on offense by putting the ball in LT’s hands as much as possible…I know I’m going to regret saying this, but Philadelphia just doesn’t impress, or even scare, me anymore. I have concerns about Terrell Owens going up against that bad Chargers secondary, but you know what, as long as the Eagles are going to ignore the ground game, I’m not convinced this team has what it takes to get to, or succeed in, the playoffs. There, I said it. Pick: Chargers +3 ½

San Francisco at Washington By trading Tim Rattay, the 49ers have essentially removed the training wheels on Alex Smith. It’s his show now, so get yourself a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the futility. His growing pains are going to be the stuff NFL Bloopers are made of…Washington has lost two tough road games in a row, so getting the 49ers right now will help stop the bleeding. Pick: Redskins –12 ½

Dallas at Seattle The national media is wary of both teams, and deservedly so. The Cowboys are 4-2, and in 1st place in the NFC East, but the Eagle game aside, have looked shaky. Plus, if Julius Jones is injured, it puts the game more into Drew Bledsoe’s hands, and that’s not going to be successful in the long run. For Seattle, they’re also 4-2, and in 1st place in what is generally regarded as a weak division. Obviously, I’m going to take Seattle, but blind loyalty isn’t the only reason.

For starters, the Seahawks have the #1-ranked offense in the NFL. And they’ve moved into this ranking with their starting WRs out with injuries. “But they’ve played the Texans (29th ranked defense), Rams (26th) and Falcons (25th) this year”, is what the skeptics would say. True, but they’ve also played (and moved the ball well against) the Jaguars (4th), Redskins (5th) and they blew out the Cardinals (15th).

With this game being played in Qwest Field, and the Seahawks getting solid production out of their WRs (did you know that Seahawk WRs have only 3 drops this year?) and Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks win a very tight game, and yes, they cover the spread. Pick: Seahawks –3 ½

Baltimore at Chicago If the Baltimore Ravens can make a veteran QB like Trent Dilfer play poorly, imagine what they’ll do to rookie QB Kyle Orton. Only trouble with that is, this week they’d have to do it on the road. And without All-Pro FS Ed Reed…For the Bears, beating the Vikings isn’t an impressive feat. But being able to dominate your opponent, any opponent, is something to hang your collective hats on. Pick: Bears

Buffalo at Oakland With Randy Moss on the mend, and your opponent ranking 30th in rush defense, a normal head coach would hand the ball to LaMont Jordan 25 times a game. You’d control the clock, wear down your opponent and come away with a much-needed win. Unfortunately, we’re talking about Norv Turner here, so anything can happen…The Bills haven’t won a road game this year, and I expect that trend to continue. Pick: Raiders –3

Denver at NY Giants The inability to win tough road games looks like another Manning family trait that Peyton and Eli share. I don’t know what he was thinking on some of those passes, but still, the Giants battled and had plenty of chances to win that game…Like Davy Jones, “I’m A Believer” now when it comes to the Denver Broncos. And yes, I fully expect that to bite me on the ass this week. Pick: Broncos +2


Tennessee at Arizona The Titans lost a tough one at home to the Bengals, but this isn’t a team I’d take lightly…For Arizona, I’m sure this one was circled on the calendar, with a great big “W” accompanying it. Not so fast, my friend. The Titans have an excellent pass rush, and keeping the QB upright isn’t something the Cardinal offensive line is known for. In the desert, I’m going with officer Fisher’s boys. Pick: Titans +3

NY Jets at Atlanta I expect a big game out of Curtis Martin this week, but if the Jets can’t get him going, it’s going to mean trouble for the Jets, who are playing without Kevin Mawae for the remainder of the season. If the Jets are forced to pass, the front four of the Falcons will get pressure, and make life miserable for Vinny Testaverde. Pick: Falcons –7