Last week: 8-6
Overall: 54-47-1
My weekly efforts so far (9-7, 9-6-1, 5-9, 8-6, 8-6, 7-7, 8-6) reads like Dennis Erickson’s resume. Dom Capers would sell his soul to post those numbers, which is reason #3174 why I’d never wager on a team coached by him.
On to the picks!
Arizona at Dallas Even though the last 2 minutes of last Sunday’s Cowboys-Seahawks game is what caused the “permasmile” on my face, seeing Mrs. Doubtfire snap like that on his receivers coach was priceless. As far as this week’s game goes, take Dallas at your own risk. This is a team that has proven that they absolutely cannot close a team out (Washington, Giants, Seahawks), and Arizona plays hard every week. Pick: Cardinals +9 ½
Chicago at Detroit With a 4-3 record, the winner of this tilt is in the driver’s seat in the NFC North. Hey, before you laugh, I’ll remind some of you if the Patriots win this Sunday, they’ll be in the same boat. Pick: Lions –3 (How can you not like Crisp Garcia in his home debut?)
Cleveland at Houston If Vegas had the Browns giving points to the Texans I’d still pick the Browns. Houston is so terrible I’m convinced that a random group of Katrina refugees could beat them (too soon?). I mean, Houston attempted a grand total of 9 passes last week…and Carr was still sacked 5 times! Pick: Browns +1 ½
Green Bay at Cincinnati I’m still not sold on the Bengals. Yes, I’m aware that they easily could’ve been up 14-0 on the Steelers early last Sunday, which would’ve turned the whole game around. Whatever. The fact of the matter is they weren’t up 14-0, and their defense is exposed. The hardest thing for a team to do during the season is improve in stopping the run. Fortunately, Bronk got a call this week to fill in at RB for the Packers, so for this week, anyways, the Bengals get a reprieve on that one. Pick: Bengals –9 ½
Jacksonville at St Louis I'm enjoying the "Mike Martz Tying to Get Fired" phase, perhaps too much. He's taking the rest of the year to treat a bacterial infection in his heart, nobody thinks he'll actually coach the team next year, and he's secretly trying to call plays into the coach's booth? You've got to admire that! You know those are all deep passes to the tight end or QB draws with Jamie Martin. As for the actual game, with the injuries (as well as turmoil) the Rams have, and with Jacksonville's defense, this is a gimme for the Jags. Pick: Jaguars -3
Minnesota at Carolina This week, on a very special Love Boat, Captain Smoot and the gang get into all sorts of whacky adventures in the deep South. Actually, something clicked for the Vikings at halftime last week, and the team finally began playing up to their talent level. Of course, the threat of criminal charges usually inspires a team to behave, so you’ve got to consider that, too. Carolina wins, but as usual, fails to cover the spread. Pick: Vikings +8 ½
Oakland at Tennessee It only took Norv Turner 6 weeks to figure out that you need to be committed to the running game to win football games. LaMont Jordan had a breakout game, and I expect that to continue. Why? Moss is too gimpy to complain about not getting the ball enough. It’s that simple. Here’s another thing I find absolutely ludicrous: Since resurrecting his career in 2000, Kerry Collins has averaged nearly 16 interceptions per season. Through 6 games this year, he’s thrown only 1. Pick: Raiders –1 ½
Washington at NY Giants Do the Giants ever play road games? Seems like they’re home every week. Two quick reasons on why I’m taking the Giants this week:
1. Eli Manning is a different QB at home. Hey, he’s a Manning!
2. Washington just blew out one of the worst teams in the league, at home, and now must go on the road in a divisional game.
Speaking of that Redskins-49ers game, why were Mark Brunell, Clinton Portis and Santana Moss still in the game in the 4th quarter? The game was over by the start of the 2nd quarter, so what was Joe Gibbs thinking? Pick: Giants –2
Kansas City at San Diego A golden (gambling) opportunity availed itself on channel 706 last Sunday, when DirecTV aired the Chiefs-Dolphins game from Friday night. I know of at least one person I could’ve suckered into believing that was a live telecast. Pick: Chargers –6
Miami at New Orleans Nick Saban’s return to the LSU campus hasn’t exactly sent Baton Rougers to the box office. “Death Valley” is a cavern, and it appears as though it’s going to be quite empty. Oh, and the NFL is allowing the game to be broadcast locally, even though it’s nowhere near a sellout. It’s funny how they bend the rules for some things isn’t it? Pick: Saints –2 ½
Philadelphia at Denver Count me among those that are still unimpressed with the Eagles. You’ve got to run the ball, or at least attempt to, if you want to win. They thoroughly shut down “LT” last week, but still needed a great play on special teams, and the clock management skills of Marty Schottenheimer, to win that game. Pick: Broncos –3 ½
Tampa Bay at San Francisco The only interesting thing about this game is the line. Tampa, with Chris Simms at QB, is giving 11 points on the road. I hate this game. Pick: 49ers +11
Buffalo at New England Ok, I’ll say it: The AFC East is just as bad as the NFC North. Only difference between the two is New England has played the hard part of its schedule, and with cupcakes and gifts from the NFL (both Florida teams come to NE in December) remaining, the Patriots end record should be in the 10-6/11-5 area. Pick: Patriots –9 ½ (NE has won the last 3 games against by Buffalo by an average of 30 points)
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