Jumping in again to keep my hand in. I’m also disappointed that there has not been as much participation here this year. Wonder what the cause is?
Sunday Games
Baltimore @ Houston 12:00pm (Baltimore by 3)
I’m taking several underdogs and roaddogs today. Here’s the first underdog pick. I think I’m getting a soft spot for this Houston team, which is impairing my judgement.
Texans 21-19
Carolina @ Pittsburgh 12:00pm (Pittsburgh by 8½)
Roaddog number 1 here. I think Maddox has just lost it. Carolina can play brutal defense and you have to think that their big win against the Bungles last week, plus Pittsburgh’s bizarre loss to the Texans last week, might result in a Panthers road win. However I think if Maddox falters and Stewart is brought in as a reliever early enough then the Steelers will win.
Panthers 17-14
Indianapolis @ Cleveland 12:00pm (Indianapolis by 2½)
Couch sucks at home, and the Browns have been winning on luck. The Colts should rebound against the Browns, and the weather is favorable for this.
Colts 27-21
Jacksonville @ Cincinnati 12:00pm (Jacksonville by 3)
I have a slight inclination that the Bengals might win this game. But statistically that’s just not the way to go when the Bengals are involved. And the temperature is going to get up near 50 today.
Jags 25-21
Minnesota @ New Orleans 12:00pm (New Orleans by 7)
Saints should win this one going away. Which is not something I want to happen, but it’s still the way to bet.
Saints 35-24
N.Y. Jets @ Chicago 12:00pm (N.Y. Jets by 6½)
Chicago is just fighting for a good draft pick now. The Jets need to win out to have a prayer at the playoffs, plus get some help. I think the Chadster can do it for them.
Jets 24-17
Oakland @ Miami 12:00pm (Miami by 1½)
This was going to be one of my road dog picks. But they just lost another defensive back, Charles Woodson IIRC is inactive. So I’ve waffled over to Miami. Expect Fiedler to set up the Raiders defense and Ricky to rumble.
Dolphins 31-28
San Diego @ Buffalo 12:00pm (Buffalo by 3)
The Chargers are actually better designed for cold weather than the Bills. Bledsoe has struggled lately. I think Tomlinson will be the deciding factor here. Might be a good week to have him on your fantasy team.
Chargers 26-21
Seattle @ Atlanta 12:00pm (Atlanta by 10)
I expect Atlanta to come back with a vengence against a Seattle squad which has struggled on the road. If they can contain Shaun Alexander they should win in a walk. But just to hedge my bets I’ll take the Hawks ATS.
Falcons 30-21
Tampa Bay @ Detroit 12:00pm (Tampa Bay by 8½)
As always, I’m nervous when my boys take the field. But there’s no reason to pick against them this week, other than perhaps complacency or the strange Texans/Steelers game last week. And the Lions are hurting in their running game, which should be the most likely way the Bucs would lose. If they can avoid TwilightZoneesque turnovers, this should be a winner. Late news here: Lynch is out with a neck strain for the Bucs, but Stewart is also out for the Lions.
Bucs 28-10
Washington @ Philadelphia 12:00pm (Philadelphia by 7½)
Another very easy pick, at least on the surface. The only doubt I have about this is that you figure at some point the Eagles will melt down against someone they should beat easily. That and my friend, who is the luckiest person I know, is at this game as a hidden Redskins fan. He’s not going to cheer out loud, but he’ll want the Eagles to lose, and that may be enough.
Eagles 35-7
Kansas City @ Denver 3:05pm (Denver by 3½)
Denver just seems to be melting down for the past several weeks. Shanahan seems to have forgotten how to get his team to win. And the Chiefs are as set as any team to spoil seasons. Chiefs win and Broncos miss the playoffs.
Chiefs 30-24
Dallas @ N.Y. Giants 3:15pm (N.Y. Giants by 5)
Another one where the home team should win but could lose, just because that’s the way these go sometimes. The Giants have a very good pass defense, so if the Cowboys are to win they’ll have to win it on the ground. Don’t think it will happen.
Giants 20-10
Green Bay @ San Francisco 3:15pm (San Francisco by 3)
This game is going to be played on a very sloppy field. The Packers have looked very beatable for the past four weeks. Homefield should do the trick for the 49ers.
SF 27-17
Arizona @ St. Louis 7:30pm (St. Louis by 11)
Bulger will be the difference in this game. I expect him to be the starter next year. Cardinals should have no chance in this game, but the 11 point spread is a bit of an insult.
Rams 30-21
Monday Night Football
New England @ Tennessee 8:00pm (Tennessee by 2)
Gotta take the Patsies here, but I’m not putting many confidence points on it. I like them in the stretch run, plus I expect the Titans and Colts to swap places every week atop the AFC south.
Patriots 24-21