Well folks, I’ve decided to resurrect the NFL predictions thread. I hope a few of you guys are interested by this. In case you haven’t been around for this before, Gazoo and I took turns predicting the outcomes of the weeks games like this. My main motivation was because I’m involved in an annual pool in which I’m challenged to pick 5 games against the spread every week. You’ve got to get all 5 right in order to win the pot. That has evolved into what because called my OMNI- picks in these parts. I’m going to chime in tomorrow with a final decision on who my OMNI picks will be this week. So far I’m having a terrible season both prognosticating and in my fantasy teams. I blame this on my lack of time and effort in research, partly as a symptom of my having moved apartments right at the season outset and my losing Internet access for the bulk of the first month of the season. Gazoo has been involved with a website called http://www.gridirontalk.com, I suggest you all check it out. I’m going to try and suck him back into here for the remainder of the season, and to rededicate myself to this. Hope you guys participate and enjoy this like people have in seasons past. Feel free to chime in with any disagreements, your own picks, your own OMNI- picks, or any football chatter you so choose.
Sunday’s Games
Miami @ ** Tennessee** 12:00pm (Tennessee -5.0)
I think that 5 point spread is a little deceiving. Most of those points are loaded for the homefield advantage. However, the 'Phins have had trouble with the O line, causing Ricky to slump and the QBs to take alot of hits. Those factors will be even more apparent against a talented D like the Titans. But lets remember that Griese looked pretty solid in his last outing against a good Colts D, and the rust should be wearing off. In the end it’s all going to come down to Ricky, and the Titans run D is one of the best. All that said, we can’t forget that the Miami D isn’t too shabby, and Eddie George isn’t going to dominate. McNair is the MVP so far IMHO, and his passing game will still be effective against a great secondary. One last point, Zach Thomas is iffy with a bad Groin, a huge loss for them. Don’t expect a shootout, and I think the Titans will win. I’m a little iffy about that spread, Tennessee is pretty nasty at home, but 5 points can be alot against a team like Miami. I’m going to guess that the annual Miami slide starts this week, but not very confidently. Final Score, Titans 23 - Miami 17.
Arizona @ Pittsburgh 12:00pm (Pittsburgh -7.5)
I was as stunned as the rest of you that Arizona was able to upset Cincy last week…read that sentence again. Considering that, and how awful the Steelers have looked lately, why is this a 7.5 point spread? I realize this game is at Ketchup Field, but lets be serious. The Cardinals have a better offense than the Steelers, flat out. The defenses aren’t equally matched, and the Steelers have an advantage, but not a 7.5 point one. Its gonna be chilly. Maddox has a serious case of happy feet, and it’s basically taken Plaxico out of the game. Take the Cardinals with the points in this one, I wouldn’t stake alot on the Cards winning it outright, though I think they will, but 7.5 points is a gift. Final score, Cardinals 27 - Steelers 23.
Chicago @ Detroit 12:00pm (Detroit -2.0)
Its been a dark, dark season for my Bears. It began for me on they day that they got Kordelled. From that point forward it was a only somewhat mitigated hatred that I had for this team. I wished them great misfortune as punishment for their idiotic choices to keep Shoop and add Kordell…can you imagine a worse offensive combo? Now my prayers have been partially answered knocking Kordell out, mercifully. Chandler most certainly isn’t a godsend with this miserable offensive line, but the resurgence of A-Train can give him a real good chance to be effective. On the other side of the ball, the D is improving with serious contributions from some young pups. Though I’d say the dominant factor in their gains is a direct result of the pressure taken off by a more effective and ball controlling offense. On the flipside, the Lions have a awful defense, especially against the run. A-Train looks to be in position for a very good day. Harrington has regressed and the Lions offense is very banged up. No running game and no deep passing game to speak of. All those factors make it strange to me that they are favored, even at home. Last week’s win was mainly inspired by Oakland’s charity and ineptitude. Bears win this one going away. Final Score, Bears 28 - Lions 10. Might be an OMNI- Pick.
Atlanta @ N.Y. Giants 12:00pm (N.Y. Giants -10.5)
Huge spread for an inconsistent team at home, but the Giants are against the wall. Atlanta has tons of problems, and they aren’t any healthier this week. Still no Vick, and as much as I’d love to see my boy Kittner blow up for a 300+ yard day, it probably won’t happen, its not clear to me who’s even starting, not that it matters. The Giants secondary isn’t dominating, but the pass rush can be. I expect this one to be a blow out, and the Giants probably won’t be forced into alot of turn overs, which has been their Achilles all season. Toomer, Tiki and Shockey will all have field days, while Strahan may choke on who ever the QB is. The 1-2 punch of the Falcons running game will probably allow them to score some points against a porous Giants run D, it won’t be nearly enough. Final Score, Giants 38 - Falcons 20.
Seattle @ Washington 12:00pm (Washington +3.0)
I don’t think this game is going to be much fun for anyone to watch, and the pundits have probably given the home team a little too much credit once again. The Seahawks have a very effective defense and are able to get to the QB. anyone who’s watched any of the NFL TV experts, has seen how poorly the Redskins protect the QB. As good as Laverneous has been (which I admit I underestimated at the outset of the season), he won’t be able to run wild against Seattle if Ramsey is on his back. Plus it’s a secondary that will challenge him. On the other side of the ball, the Seahawks won’t have a easy path since the Redskins can D up. Alexander has been consistent and effective all season, and thats the major weakness of the 'Skin D. Koren Robinson is likely to start, but the Redskins secondary is still one of the best. However, with all the time they’ll spend on the field and playing run support, they won’t shift the balance here. I hate 3 point spreads, but I’m feeling pretty good about the Seahawks here. Final Score, Seahawks 27 - Redskins 12. Another possibility of an OMNI- pick.
Tampa Bay @ Carolina 12:00pm (Carolina +3.5)
Stephen Davis is listed as Questionable for this one, and the reports state that he hasn’t been practicing. Odds are good that Foster will get alot of the work in this one. Too bad since Tampa struggles against a power runner. Foster is very good, but he isn’t the straight ahead guy that Davis is. Could be a big advantage for Tampa here. Tampa is very dinged up on both sides of the ball, most of those guys will probably be on the field, but the cumulative effect could be an issue, especially in a big divisional road tilt. Don’t think that Fox hasn’t been telling his team that this game could put the divisional title out of reach, even though they’ve lost 2 of the last 3. Last weeks loss was a bad one, and we’ll see how this team responds. Tampa has managed to lose to bad teams and beat decent ones lately, which is confounding. Frankly I think that they have their back against the wall, and still being the Champs, I expect them to step up this week. It’ll be another low scoring affair, and I expect the Bucs to win. However, 3.5 pts could be a factor. I wouldn’t stake money on this one. Final Score, Bucs 17 - Panthers 14.
Indianapolis @ Jacksonville 12:00pm (Jacksonville +6.0)
The Colts are coming together, and statistically speaking the Jags shouldn’t be able to do much to stop them. The Jags however are pretty nasty against the Run, and could take Edge out of the gameplan. That very likely could be of interest to fantasy owners such as myself, but I’m not sure it’s much of an advantage for them to make Peyton throw even more. I’m thinking Indy feels pretty good about its chances with a passing attack against Jax. Offensively the Jags have been nothing to sneeze at, and the match up against the developing Indy D could be alot of fun to watch. Taylor’s groin seems to be doing just fine, which shocked more people than the fact that Quincy Carter can indeed play QB. Its a gambler friendly 6 point spread, which means I’m going to take advantage. these are usually the choices that reach up and bite me in the ass, so we’ll see if I make it a OMNI- pick. Final Score, Colts 31 - Jags 20.
Houston @ Cincinnati 12:00pm (Cincinnati -5.5)
Had I not seen last weeks outcomes, I’d have gone into this game with the same opinion as I did the Cincy - Arizona game. All indications point to Cincy being dominant, except for the fact that last week Kitna played like the Kitna of old, and Houston played like a vintage Parcells coached team last week. The Texan’s might just have themselves a serious RB in Davis, and with a occasionally stingy D could cause trouble for anyone. Dillon is probably out for this game, but I’m not sure thats such a tragedy considering how Rudi Johnson looks. Both teams are nursing alot of injuries at key spots, and it’s unclear as of yet which ones will be effective and which won’t. I’m a little surprised that the spread isn’t closer in this one but I can’t say its enough to sway my opinion. I highly doubt that I’ll be hanging money on either of these teams soon, so take this for what its worth. Final Score, Bengals 27 - Texans 20.
Cleveland @ Kansas City 12:00pm (Kansas City -9.5)
How good is KC? Thats the million dollar question. Holmes is a super stud, and I’m kicking myself for not having more faith in his healing during my fantasy drafts. I love 9.5 point spreads, just big enough to seem big, but that half point makes a huge difference when you get down to insurance field goals. To make things worse, or better depending on your point of view, William Green is riding the leather sofa this week. KC is even at home after a bye week…couldn’t be much juicier than that. The Browns are the lowest scoring team in the league so far, third lowest yardage totals, and are making another QB change. Get this, to make it all worse, Butch Davis benched leading WR Kevin Johnson. This one will probably be a drubbing. Final Score, Chiefs 30 - Browns 6.
Minnesota @ San Diego 3:05pm (San Diego +5.5)
Flutie Flakes at the helm! Who’da thunk it? What are the odds that he makes the difference, gets David Boston involved, and takes the pressure of LT? I’d say they are pretty long. Especially when you have outscore a explosive offense against one of the leagues worst Ds. Again, they seem to be giving alot of dap to the home team with this spread. Frankly this one is more lopsided on paper than the KC game. I can’t imagine that playing on grass in beautiful weather is going to hamper the Vikes here. However, and its a big however, the Vikes have just been slaughters by the run lately. Tough to say if its correctable, or if this defense has been solved. If its a chronic issue, the Bolts have one of the best weapons to exploit it. Because of that fact, I’m not going to stake money on this one unless I get desperate. Final Score, Vikes 35 - Chargers 23.
Buffalo @ Dallas 3:15pm (Dallas -4.0)
This one will probably be a battle of the running games. Hambrick and Henry are both getting into a good rhythm. The Bills have gotten pasted in their last two road games, and the Dallas team is solid in all phases of the game. The Bills secondary will probably be able to make a few plays to contain Quincy Carter, but I don’t think it’ll be enough to keep that offense off the field. Parcells also knows Bledsoe well, and will probably have some success in scheming a gameplan against him. Belichick was successful in doing so last season in their match ups, I wager that Parcells will have something up his sleeve this time. The glimmer of hope is the return of Moulds, but Dallas is too strong against the pass. Final Score, Cowboys 24 - Bills 17.
N.Y. Jets @ Oakland 3:15pm (Oakland +3.0)
[Boomer] J-E-T-S, Jets Jets Jets at Th’ Raaaaaiders. [/Boomer] Why is it that these teams seem to play so damn often. Maybe its just me. The Raiders look really really ugly. and the Jets seem to look better when you watch them play, but the results just aren’t there. The Raiders are only getting there here, and thats probably the balance of the home field. How’s this situation suit you, the Raiders QB depth chart reads like this: QB 3 MIRER, Rick | 17 Martin, Tee | 00 JOHNSON, Rob. Wow…U-G-L-Y. Just how Rice and Brown envisioned their swan song. On the flipside, the Jets played pretty competitively against a decent Giants squad last week and have been consistently close against just about everyone. They tend to play alot better at home, but things could be a little different now that Pennington is getting back up to speed. Final Score, Jets 24 - Raiders 13.
Sunday Night Football
Baltimore @ St. Louis 7:30pm (St. Louis -7.0)
This should be a great game to watch. A very nice match up for primetime for a change. You think Faulk is excited to get back against the Raven’s D? I’m not sure I consider him a force of nature any more, but when determined he can be as effective as anyone. The fact that this game is in the dome is huge, because it really takes away the strengths of the Ravens team. The D won’t be as dominating when the Rams can stretch the field and Lewis won’t be able to be as crushing on turf. Then again, the Rams haven’t exactly been very successful against strong teams this year. The injuries and Warner situation didn’t help matters, but they haven’t exactly played a murders row this season so far. This is a very tough game to call, and I’m not really sure where to go with it. I have a feeling that this will be a sloppy game with alot of mistakes on both sides. Those mistakes will keep it closer and lower scoring than expected. Final Score, Rams 21 - Ravens 17.
Monday Night Football
Philadelphia @ Green Bay 8:00pm (Green Bay -4.5)
Both of these teams are surging back to where they expected to be at the outset of the season. Yet, both teams present major problems at weak areas for the other team. The Pack has struggled on defense this year, especially against the run which could be a real plus for the Eagles offense. The Packers have run the ball well, but its the major strength of the Eagles to stop it. Green Bay hasn’t really proved that it can run against a stout front 7, so I see no reason to expect Ahman Green to take the pressure off Favre. The Eagles secondary is average, so it could go either way there. I don’t expect Philly to be too rattled by playing in Lambeau at night, but one should never bet against Favre at home on Monday. Should be a close game, and one I won’t be wagering on. Final Score, Packers 27 - Eagles 20. (you should know that I had the Eagles scoring 23, and flip flopped a few times before settling on this)
