Abbreviated Week 7 Preview

Week 7 Picks

Vikings +6 over STEELERS

An undefeated team getting 6 points? I liked the Steelers in this game all week but cannot imagine that Winfield is worth this many points against a Pittsburgh team that is this much worse than last year. Of course, as I write this, I also realize that I’m banking on Brad Childress to defeat Vegas. Ugh.

Why shouldn’t you take the Vikings? Minnesota is coming off of two very physical games and travelling to Pittsburgh exactly one week before the legendary Favre returns to Lambeau game. Do you think losing this game will make the Vikings sweat at all? Stay away from this game, but once again: I’m not ready to lay six points against an undefeated team.

BUCCANEERS +16 over Patriots (OU 45)

I’m not ready to trust Tom Brady this season in laying 16 points. I think the Patriots are going to score, a lot. Sixteen points in Old England though? This should be the game that the Tampa Bay running game finally gets going. The key word in this pick is OVER.

Chargers -6 over CHIEFS

It’s easy to forget how close the Chargers came to losing to the Raiders in Week 1 and being 1-4 right now. The Chiefs are coming off of a win and looking as good as they’ve looked all season. This game comes down to whether or not you believe that the Chargers were anything close to what we thought they’d be in the preseason. I do. Lay the six and the Norv Turner handicap.

TEXANS -3 over 49ers

In a big statement game for both teams. I love that my breakout pick is stuck with Crabtree’s debut. It made sense since the preseason. This is Houston’s chance to go over .500. They’re definitely good enough to do this on the road. HOW BOUT THEM TEXANS???

Packers -9 over BROWNS

I think the Packers are so much better than the Browns. I’m thrilled that the line has risen from a suspiciously low opening spread. I’m terrified of this as a trap game, so avoiding this as a bold pick. I am having a lot of trouble imagining any way that the Browns can outplay the Packers. This should be a blowout. Don’t let me down Aaron.

RAMS +15 over Colts (OU 45.5)

A chance to take 15 points and pick against the Colts again, this time picking the worst team in football? Hell yeah! Spags has the St. Louis defense ready for the #1 team on ESPN.com and the best quarterback I’ve seen in my lifetime. Don’t let this game fool you that the Rams are any better than the #32 team on ESPN… but they may very well show up to play.

Jets -7 over RAIDERS

Mark Sanchez really needs this game to stay in the media’s good graces. What franchise would know better about an undefeated start vanishing than the team that once lost eight consecutive games after starting 8-0? The Raiders big day was last week against Philadelphia- Cable got off from his assault chargers. I like New York here.

PANTHERS -7 over Bills

Last year I learned the hard way never to knowingly put money on Ryan Fitzpatrick. Take out Marvin Lewis and throw in Dick Jauron? Carolina wins this one easy and is all the sudden back to respectability at .500.

COWBOYS -4 over Falcons

This is a textbook battle of great talent with terrible coaching vs. great coaching with lackluster talent., made all the more exciting that each quarterback has two four letter names. The home team usually manages to find a way to win in these games. Dallas’s defense is really good at keying in to stop the run early, not to mention the Cowboys had yet to lose to an otherwise defeated team until the Saints beat my beloved Giants last week. This game is going to be on Matt Ryan’s shoulders. He’s good, but he’s not all the way there yet. This is Atlanta’s “come down to earth” game.

BENGALS PK over Bears

This one goes to the home team. I do think the Bears are a better and more complete team, but I like Cincy to come away with this one. Look for 3 passing touchdowns from Carson Palmer.

Saints -7 over DOLPHINS

Do I think the Wildcat will have success over New Orleans? Absolutely. New Orleans’s offense is really, really good though. I’ll take the Saints’ talent advantage over Miami’s slight coaching advantage any day. If the Saints demolish the Dolphins in this one, they become the clear team to beat right now.

GIANTS -7 over Cardinals

Two years ago the Giants lost regular season games against the Cowboys (twice), Packers, Redskins, Vikings, and Patriots to finish 10-6. They beat the Redskins once in the regular season and beat every other team (besides the 8-8 Vikings who didn’t make the playoffs) on their road to winning the Super Bowl. Last year the 12-4 Giants had beaten every team who won in the Divisional playoffs (Ravens, Steelers, Eagles, Cardinals) and didn’t win a game in the playoffs. This is my consolation after last week.

Let’s look at this game. Boldin’s hurt, even though Chad Ocho Cinco reports that he will suit up to play, and the Giants are hungry for a big win after getting embarrassed. Six out of seven days in a week, Coughlin is the best coach in football. If the Giants can get going early, this is going to be a long day for Arizona fans. I’m expecting Brandon Jacobs to rack up 150 yards and at least one, maybe two touchdowns in a blowout.

Eagles -7 over REDSKINS

Preseason, I really liked Washington to win this game in an upset. Both teams are coming off humiliating losses to the cellar of the AFC West. I think the Eagles take this one to Washington. I’m really curious to see what Sherman Lewis can do with the Redskins’ offense after being there only two weeks. They do say that sometimes a fresh set of eyes are best.

Part II of the Rankings is almost ready. III and IV will come out this week.

Last Week: 8-6

Season: 48-42

Bold Picks

Last Week 2-2

Season 12-12

Note: I am on a nine game losing streak in picking the Sunday and Monday Night games.