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After two straight weeks of winning records, I seem
to be making a push back towards the green, and we'll
see, as will the Steelers, if there's still a chance
for a salvaged season. Pay special attention, as I feel
a big week fluttering in the wings.
Gimmie-Games
Rams
over the Raiders
Jaguars over the Titans
Broncos over the Cardinals
Cowboys over the Falcons
Bengals over the Colts
Thursday:
San
Francisco 49ers (+11) @ Seattle Seahawks: I just
don't trust the Seahawks anymore. After playing very
poorly for at least 40 minutes of the Bronco game, and
then losing to the Cardinals, I think Frank Gore will
give the Hawk defense fits, if not enough to win in
Seattle, at least enough to cover the 11 point spread.
Saturday:
Dallas
Cowboys (-3) @ Atlanta Falcons: This is where the
Cowboys reassert themselves as an NFC powerhouse. Last
weeks loss to the Saints was demoralizing enough to
light a fire under Parcells' ass and get the rest of
the Cowboys back out of the Never Never Land dream world
of NFC Champs that everyone has been predicting. They'll
actually play this week, and physical freaks (Like TO
on offense and Demarcus Ware on defense) will slang
the Falcons from the playoff picture
Sunday:
Cleveland
Browns at Baltimore Ravens (-10.5): It's all
up to the Ravens here. Cleveland won't be able to do
donkey turd against the Ravens defense, that's a given,
10 points at the very most. So, it's up to Steve McNair,
and more likely, Jamal Lewis, to get the spread covered.
I loved the way Lewis was running last week, so I'll
take the Ravens to cover at home.
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (-4.5): The
roar in Detroit has been pathetic lately, making me
think the Raiders will have some competition for that
top pick. Jon Kitna hasn't shown anything to sway the
Lions from taking Brady Quinn if they win the spot,
and Green Bay has proven they can hog tie lesser teams.
I'm not sure many squads are lesser than the Packers,
but without Kevin Jones, you can bet the Lions are.
Jacksonville
Jaguars (-3) at Tennessee Titans: The Titans sure
have impressed me, none more than Vincent Young. Kid
is legit. But, the Jaguars are in the hunt for the playoffs,
and sooner or later, even this stellar ROY candidate
will have a tough game running the show for these young
Titans. But the last few weeks from Vince have shown
me that the Titans aren't very far away from the playoffs.
Houston
Texans at New England Patriots (-11): I don't
know if the Texans are talented enough to take advantage
of the Patriot short-comings, so I have to take New
England, Tom Brady, and the rest of the Patriots in
a rebound performance against Houston.
New
York Jets at Minnesota Vikings (-3): Honestly,
if I didn't pick every stinking game, I'd stay away
from this one. The Vikings have disappointed all year
while the Jets have just struggled lately. Minnesota
still has a good running attack, something the Jets
can't manage to stop. That fact alone has me taking
the Vikes at home. But I still think Brad Johnson is
holding this team back. Hell, I can throw farther than
Brad.
Miami
Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (even): My first instinct
was to take the Dolphins, because their defense has
been filthy, and JP doesn't play well against solid
defensive squads. Then I realized that the Dolphins
only have Sammy Morris at RB, while the Bills have McGahee
and Anthony Thomas, plus a score from anywhere guy in
WR Lee Evans. So, after further review, I'd like to
reverse the call, and go with the home team.
Pittsburgh
Steelers (-2) at Carolina Panthers: I've lost all
hope in the Panthers and still think the Steelers have
a pulse. Fast Willie Parker came correct last week,
and the Panthers' defense hasn't shown me anything lately
that would make me think Willie won't hound the cats
in Carolina. Big Ben is back to his old self, and the
Steelers defense will only make plays if Chris Weinke
is QBing for Carolina. Take Pittsburgh in a big road
win.
Washington
Redskins (+10.5) at New Orleans Saints: It's tough
to jump off the Saints' big win over Dallas last week,
but a let down against a sub par Redskin team is on
the Horizon. I just feel it. Everyone has been playing
perfect football for New Orleans, but they're bound
to have an off game. Ladell Betts is a down hill, rough
and tumble runner. He'll keep the Redskins close, and
Jason Campbell will make a big play late to help the
Redskins cover.
Tampa
Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears (-13): I really
don't like the Bears (-13) against anyone but the offensively
challenged Buccaneers or the Oakland "Terrible"
Raiders. As the schedule staggers into week 15, the
Bucs come to Chicago. That can only mean one thing.
A low scoring, painful to watch, Chicago 17-3 (or shutout)
win. Either way, I'll take home the victory.
Denver
Broncos (-1) at Arizona Cardinals: I know things
haven't been great for the Broncos, and Arizona beat
the Seahawks last week, but this game shouldn't be close
to even. With Cutler struggling, the Broncos are still
a touchdown better than Arizona, just wait and see.
Philadelphia
Eagles (+6) at New York Giants: Like I said last
week, I have a funny feeling, that even without Donovan
McNabb, the Eagles might just sneak their way into the
playoffs. What's the first order of business to make
that dream a reality? An enormous win over the Giants
in New York. And, oh yes, it's possible. Jeff Garcia
can pick apart a porous Giant defense, (yeah - I said
it), and Eli Manning will find trouble in an Eagles
secondary that's starting to step up and make plays.
Only Tiki stands in the way of an Eagle victory. Stay
tuned.
St.
Louis Rams (+2) at Oakland Raiders: How in God's
good name did some bunch of know-nothings come up with
this spread? I often hate betting with the public, or
at least it makes me worry, but I'd like to slap the
mental munchkins that make up the 20% of the betting
population that took Oakland. Steven Jackson and the
Rams' receiving corps will obliterate any Raider hope
for victory. Sure, lightening strikes, but it sure as
hell never makes an appearance in Oakland.
Kansas
City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (-8): The common
consensus seems to be that San Diego doesn't really
need this game, and if you look at it in a comparison
fashion, yes, the Chiefs need this win more than San
Diego. But the Chargers have Shawn Merriman back, and
that's that. That guy won't make life easy on Trent
Green. The Chiefs back to back losses to Cleveland and
then Baltimore may have doomed their playoff hopes.
I don't think they have the firepower in the passing
game to keep San Diego honest.
Monday:
Cincinnati
Bengals (+3.5) at Indianapolis Colts: This will
be the last game in the streak of losses for the Colts.
But this week, on Monday Night Football, Chad Johnson
will pull out the disappearing football trick as his
end zone dance, not once, but twice, as his need-to-win
Bengals hobble the Colts in Indy. This should be a great
game, but the improving Bengal defense should be the
difference, as Indy doesn't look like they cans stop
Rudi Johnson or Carson Palmer, and definitely not Chad
Johnson.
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