I’d like to dedicate this entry to my friend Stephanie Davis who was tragically killed this weekend on her way to a party. Stephanie was one of the most genuinely nice and happy people I’d ever have the pleasure of getting to know. She deserved a much better fate. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
0-1 Thursday Night
8-8 Last Week 92-83 Season
3-1 Last Week 26-21 Bold
CHIEFS +6 over Broncos
I can’t pick Denver to beat anyone on the road by over a touchdown. If Kansas City can get a couple quick scores early, they should keep this close (at least for the whole game.
14.5 + Raiders over STEELERS
Oakland’s defense is one of the most underrated units in the league. If they can come out ready to play, then this game should be A LOT closer against a struggling Steelers team.
Texans -1 over JAGUARS
What a difference a few weeks makes. Gary Kubiak has gone from a coach of the year candidate in my opinion to someone who deserves to be fired. I think the Texans offense is too much for Jacksonville to handle but must admit that I’m picking this one with my head against my guts which are leaning with Jacksonville.
Titans +6.5 over COLTS
It’s about time for a confession. I’ve underrated Indianapolis all season- mainly because I feel like they have been maximizing their potential as a football team and playing up to it while better teams have allowed stupid mistakes to beat them. The Colts have demonstrated remarkable resilience and have had some truly impressive comebacks so far this season. They are not, nor will they at any point this season be a dominating team that can blow teams out by many touchdowns. Still, Indianapolis plays 60 minutes of good football every game, which so far has been enough for a perfect regular season.
DOLPHINS +6 over Patriots
I think New England won’t be able to handle the coaching, running game, or crowd in Miami. Chad Henne deserves a lot more credit for his play this season, and a high-profile win over New England to tighten up the AFC East race should help out. Also, don’t look now, but there seems to be a growing population of the sports community that agreed what I said before the last game between these teams when I introduced my “Belichick lost his touch” theory. The fact is that Belichick used to win games by playing to the opposing team’s weaknesses but now tries to win on his terms. It’s not working.
Eagles -6 over FALCONS
Losing Matt Ryan is a very steep challenge for Mike Mularkey this weekend. I don’t think the Falcons will be able to keep up with Philly. The Falcons’ playoffs hopes will take a serious downturn with a loss this weekend… and Michael Vick deserves nothing less than a Standing Ovation.
BENGALS -13 over Lions
Even on a short week, I don’t think they can make this line high enough. Detroit’s defense is not going to slow down a Bengals team that can do wonders for their chances at a bye week with a win. I just can’t see Detroit keeping this close.
PANTHERS -5 over Buccaneers
I think the Panthers are the better team, as long as their playcalling doesn’t cripple them. They’ve needed to replace Jake Delhomme all season. Failing to do so has probably (hopefully) cost John Fox his job and in turn makes him one of the favorites to take over the Giants’ defensive coordinator position assuming Bill Sheridan is fired.
REDSKINS +10.5 over Saints
This line has shot in the Saints favor after their dismantling of the Patriots on Monday night. They face a Redskins team that has had fourth quarter leads in back to back games on the road against divisional rivals who happen to be playoff contenders. This could be a shocking upset, but it should be a close win for the Saints.
Rams +10 over BEARS
This was actually a bold pick for Chicago when I was initially going over the games, but the more I think about this matchup, the more I like St. Louis’s chance to double their win total on the season. The Bears could come out flying, but this is a team that has lost six of seven and hasn’t beaten a Top 31 team in over 2 months… I’ll take the points, thank you.
Chargers -14 over BROWNS
As much as I hate picking road teams to win by at least two touchdowns, I’ll make an exception in this one. How many points will the Chargers score? 40?
49ers +1 over SEAHAWKS
If San Francisco can take control of this game early, (barring an Arizona upset of the Vikings) the 49ers can become the hands down favorite to take back the NFC West, restore order to the Madden and Super Bowl loser curses, and make my preseason predictions one heck of a lot more appealing for me to brag.
GIANTS +3.5 over Cowboys
Now that the Giants are finally getting a spread that is anywhere from 4-7 points high, I feel they are due to dominate the Cowboys. Remember, this is the same team that started 5-0 and has since outplayed Arizona, San Diego, and Atlanta. They didn’t show up on Thursday, but they are not a team that can be taken lightly. I love the D-Line shakeup by replacing Fred Robbins and Osi Umenyiora with Chris Canty (a former Cowboy) and Matthias Kiwanuka and really hope that Osi takes opportunity of more rest for his knee to be as effective as he once was on the pass rush. Luckily the Giants enough depth to make this switch.
Vikings -4 over CARDINALS
I think the Vikings are so much better than Arizona. Favre has been playing at a truly astonishing level all season. I don’t think Arizona is good enough to keep up with them. I think Arizona may make two or three of the longest plays from scrimmage but expect Minnesota to make about 10 of the 15 longest. I expect consistent success on offense from the Vikings.
Ravens +3.5 over PACKERS
In a game that would do wonders for my defense of Baltimore and the Giants’ playoff hopes. I’m amazed by how well an easy stretch of the schedule can turn the non-believers into believers about a football team. It worked for Dallas and now it is working for Green Bay. I think Baltimore will take the crowd out early and win this by about 10.
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