New Orleans (-6 ½): @ Cincinnati: No clue why this line isn’t higher. New Orleans has a great pass defense, and Cincy QB Carson Palmer hasn’t shown he can throw the ball past 15 yards. I think this is the game we see the T.Ocho show start bitching and moaning. Meanwhile, New Orleans will be coolly efficient and will score-a lot. New Orleans.
Chicago (-4 ½) @ Detroit: Upset special, and Bears QB Jay Cutler is due for a stinker. Detroit.
San Francisco @ Green Bay (-8 ½): So the 49ers will be without all-world RB Frank Gore, and relying on QB Troy Smith to play on the road at Lambeau? Yeah, this line isn’t high enough. Look for Packers QB Aaron Rodgers to have a field day. Green Bay.
Denver @ Kansas City (-9): Will there or won’t there be a handshake at the end of this game? I think it could be high scoring like the last game, but then you realize that all this wind in Denver has to be making its way to KC-and only Denver can’t stop the run. I’m going with the gut on this one, and making a ‘Pops’ pick, as he was a huge Len Dawson fan. Kansas City.
Cleveland @ Miami (-4 ½): Screw it, I don’t see the Dolphins as good as they were last week at Oakland. My only giant concern with Cleveland is them starting Jake Delhomme-that’s the kind of QB that can keep both teams in the game, never a good thing. Cleveland.
Buffalo @ Minnesota (-5 ½): Buffalo has covered quite well lately, now they get to play in a dome. Minnesota will try and play ball control offense. With Favre? Interesting, but it worked last week. Buffalo WR Steve Johnson won’t have to blame God for the dropsies this week. Buffalo.
Washington @ NY Giants (-7): Line isn’t high enough. I’m going to put this out there, but this Washington team is something QB Donovan McNabb has already played with in most of his career in Philly-untalented at all the wrong spots. While the Giants may be hurt at WR, they could be getting healthy on the O-Line and have a hell of a pass rush. NY Giants.
Jacksonville @ Tennessee (-3): Can Kerry Collins make that much of a difference? Has Tennessee decided to give up on coach Jeff Fisher? Will the real Jaguars please stand up? How lucky have they been? Can Randy Moss feign an attempt at catching a pass? These are all the questions that just popped in my head. This game could be 10-9 or 42-34. I’ve been wrong on every Tennessee pick this year, or at least it seems like it. Jacksonville.
Oakland @ San Diego (-13): AFC West shootout. San Diego is making their yearly push for the division, Oakland is trying to remember how sweet things were looking 3 weeks ago. San Diego is getting healthier and just beat Indy on the road with 2 defensive TDs. Oakland goes back to Jason Campbell at QB. And they may be about to have a switch at RB. San Diego.
St. Louis (-3) @ Arizona: Does Arizona even care? It sure didn’t look like it at home on national TV last Monday, that’s for sure. I’m not even talking about QB Derek Anderson and that horrid press conference (coming to a Coors Light commercial near you, and soon), but his play is horrid. How, at the pro level, do you stare down receivers? St. Louis is a great story, flying below the radar while playing solid defense and special teams while letting QB Sam Bradford grow into his position. Bradford is about to be a very good player from this year to next. As for this week, St. Louis presses forward and goes for the kill because that’s how their coaching staff works. St. Louis.
Dallas @ Indianapolis (-5): Indy can’t stop the run. Dallas will be even better against the run without Marion Barber. It’s the old ‘addition by subtraction’ routine. Marion is no longer a Barbarian, barely averages over 2 yds/carry. Give the ball more to Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Indy’s cover 2 defense will honestly play Dallas’ passing game well. Dallas doesn’t have to worry about stopping the Colts running game-they don’t have one. So they can study the game film from what San Diego did, how the Patriots played Peyton Manning and tell their front 7 to go after the Colts QB. If I’m Indianapolis, I’m going to start getting worried that my QB is getting happy feet and that the Super Bowl hangover might truly be real. I’m scared, but what the hell-Dallas.
Carolina @ Seattle (-5): Carolina has a top-10 pass defense? Who knew? Seattle should be getting back WR big Mike Williams. Seattle plays different at home, like, better. Seattle.
Atlanta (-3) @ Tampa Bay: Atlanta could keep the 1 game lead between them and New Orleans with a win on the road. Tampa Bay hasn’t beaten anyone with a good record this year, kind of a classic ‘better than the worst’ team, maybe they even sneak into the playoffs. Tampa Bay has been getting better on defense, especially against the run, as of late. But I have faith in Falcons QB Matt Ryan. Other than the Sunday and Monday night games, this is the game to watch (if you’re at a bar or have the ticket). Atlanta.
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore (-3): Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger either has a broken bone in his foot or broke up scar tissue. Either way, he’s limping. Baltimore can still rush the passer, but they don’t cover it so well, even at home. Be prepared to hear, ad nauseam, the announcers try to blow MLB Ray Lewis and talk about Steelers LB James Harrison collecting fines like I do bobbleheads. This game could get chippy, but will be tight and low scoring. I just look back to earlier this season where Baltimore won at Pittsburgh in the last minute, but the Steelers were without Roethlisberger. Yup, it’s time to admit he does matter that much. Pittsburgh.
NY Jets @ New England (-3 ½): I’ve asked this question before-head or heart? You should never, and I do mean NEVER, ever, pick with your heart. I don’t care. I despise the week 2 SB champs, the Jets. I think this week new pretty boy QB Mark Sanchez gets exposed to how well he doesn’t play in the cold weather, and the forecast in Foxborough is stated to be chilly. Tom Brady will be going for his record 26th straight home win, and he usually doesn’t lose twice in the same season to a team. I’m pretty sure he’s been working with his WRs and TEs on hot routes all week. And we just learned that the Jets will be without defensive backfield captain Jim Leonhard who broke his leg in practice. That also means a new punt returner for the Jets. Something else for Belichick to exploit, maybe. New England.
----------------
Now playing: The Hold Steady - Lord, I'm Discouraged
via FoxyTunes
No comments:
Post a Comment