Sunday, Oct. 16
**DALLAS 3½ NY Giants 47 **
This game could be a shootout, but I think that Dallas’s D at home will contain the Giants offense enough to get the W. For all the hype Eli’s been getting, Bledsoe has been even better. If Jones is out of the game, I reserve the right to flip-flop.
The pick: Cowboys, Over
**DETROIT 1 Carolina 41½ **
Tough game to call. I’m inclined to take the Panthers here, the odds of Harrington and Co having another big game against a solid D is slim, but the Lions have been a different team at home. Also, both Foster and Davis are dinged up and questionable. If they are depleted a RB, it creates a totally different dynamic.
The pick: Lions, Under
**Atlanta 5½ NEW ORLEANS 43½ **
The Saints were getting stomped on and now they are without my boy Deuce? Things are liable to get ugly with this nasty Falcons D. Doesn’t matter that it’s a “home” game.
The pick: Falcons, Under
**CHICAGO 3 Minnesota 37½ **
Sex Cruise! Woo hoo! Am I the only one who doesn’t get the outrage? So a bunch of rich, young men chartered a couple boats, had some girls come along, clothing was removed, one or two people may have had some sex….and this is disgusting thing? Seriously? With the outrage you’d think these guys were burning crosses or something. I suppose if it were in Vegas it’s be okay. Also, have you seen Minnesota women…I’m more than a little jealous. There’s way too much Swedish and Norwegian blood up there, my brain just about exploded.
The pick: Bears, Under
**KANSAS CITY 5½ Washington 43 **
This game will pivot on if Willie Roaf plays or not. If he does, they should win at home. If not, the Redskins D wins the day. Either way, I’m taking those points.
The pick: Redskins, Under
**Cincinnati 3 TENNESSEE 45 **
Another road test for the Bengals. If they win this one I’m going to say they are for real. I think the Titans in Tennessee is a real test. Hope to see T.J. Houshmandzadeh back in the game. I think in the end the Titans will be outmanned on defense.
The pick: Bengals, Over
**PITTSBURGH 3 Jacksonville 34 **
Big Ben probably won’t play, Hines Ward is iffy as well. Though, the Jags have been less than impressive on the road don’t stop the run very well. That’s usually enough for the Steelers to get a win at home. Don’t think that I’m not nervous pinning my hopes on Chaz Batch……
The pick: Steelers, Under
**BALTIMORE 6 Cleveland 34½ **
I think the Ravens are imploding, and last week was an indicator. I don’t care that it’s the Browns on the road. They looked solid against the Bears and Dilfer made enough plays to get it done. The Bears D is better than the Ravens right now, and I see no reason to expect anything from the Ravens O. 6 points is a gift.
The pick: Browns, Under
TAMPA BAY 4½ Miami 35
Ricky is back! Not that it really matters, the rookie has finally managed to entrench himself and be successful. The Bucs have been all over the place, and I’m conscious of Shibbs feelings if I pick them. The Phins have been crap on the road and the Bucs solid at home. Cadillac is expected to play so that could be the difference.
The pick: Bucs, Over [sub]Sorry Shibb[/sub]
**DENVER 3 New England 47 **
The bruised Pats got a big win last week against the odds, I was impressed. However, they are still a little banged up and now have to go into Mile High where home field has mattered. Of course there’s the Plummer factor, but I am going to hold my nose and take a drink anyways.
The pick: Broncos, Under
**BUFFALO 3 NY Jets 32½ **
J-E-T-S, Jets Jets Jets………um, never mind. The trend continues! The Jets Suck! The Jets have to go on the road and play a team that isn’t missing its no. 1 RB. Kelly Holcomb is better than Losman and better than Vinny, and I’m just giddy that the Bills are my fantasy D this weekend.
The pick: Bills, Over
**San Diego 2 OAKLAND 50½ **
The Chargers played well last week, but now they have to go on the road following a Monday night game. This is usually a deadly combo for a team, but one upside is that it’s a short trip to a town they know well. Things certainly get rough in the Black Hole, but a guy like LT can quiet a crowd in a hurry. Tough game to pick, especially with the Raiders coming off a bye week. Still, I have been impressed with the way SD has played over the last few weeks, they’ve looked like a team with a purpose.
The pick: Chargers, Over
**SEATTLE 9 Houston 46 **
This feels like a no brainer.
The pick: Seahawks, Under
Monday, Oct. 17
**INDIANAPOLIS 13½ St. Louis 51½ **
Am I the only one that thinks the Rams will get a bounce from Martz being gone? I think Indy’s going to get the win here, so the debate is whether they’ll win by 2 TDs or not. The Rams D has been non-existent this season and they go on the road. It’s still a dome, but it’s not enough to give you an expectation of a turnaround. This line has been creeping upwards all week, so the popular choice must be a Colts cover. I’m not willing to buck the trend.
The pick: Colts, Under
And now for a quick bonus game!
Saturday, Oct. 15
usc 12 NOTRE DAME
This is going to be a fun game to watch, I’m tempted to make the trip over to South Bend to tailgate. A bunch of my friends all are going to the game and are booking a Hummer Limo to drive them to a from the game. Tickets are out of my price range on Stubhub, but it might be fun to go tailgate and see if I get lucky with a scalper. We’ll see, it’ll mean I get virtually zero sleep all weekend, but it is the game of the year……Hmmm. Anyways, who’s gonna win? Well, I’ll tell you right now that it shouldn’t be a 12 point spread. The Trojans have been beatable on the road and the Irish can play D better than the Pac10. Reggie Bush is a little dinged up, but White isn’t a big drop off if he needs to miss some snaps. Count me as one guy who believes that Charlie Weis getting an extra week to prepare will have an impact. So far Notre Dame has played the tougher schedule and has been tested, so stats might not tell the whole story. USC loves the spotlight and tends to get better when the media is in a frenzy, but the rabid fans will be giving the Irish a boost all game long. I’m looking forward to watching this puppy, that’s for sure.
The pick: Fighting Irish….but I think USC still gets the W straight up.