I have been flaky this week, but I’m going to plow through the predictions for tomorrow’s games quickly here. I may add a little extra context sometime later if I have time.
Sunday, Dec. 4
**MIAMI 5 Buffalo 35 **
This game feels like a good opportunity for an upset, but the Bills poor run defense and the decision to start Losman scares me away. I just don’t have the guts to pick it.
The Pick: Dolphins, Over
**PITTSBURGH 3 Cincinnati 41½ **
I think Cincy takes this one. Big Ben is not as close to 100% as they need him to be and the Bengals are playing much better than they were during that first matchup. We can look forward to CJ’s newest performace.
The Pick: Bengals, Over
**BALTIMORE 8½ Houston 37½ **
The Ravens simply should not be favored by nearly 9 points over anyone. I think the Texans have just enough to make a game of this and maybe sneak out a win.
The Pick: Texans, Under
**INDIANAPOLIS 15½ Tennessee 50½ **
The Colts have hit their stride, no question about it. Tennessee has some talent, but they can’t keep it close in the dome. They embarrassed Pittsburgh’s D….this week could get ugly.
The Pick: Colts, Under
**Jacksonville 2½ CLEVELAND 33 **
This just in, Fred Taylor is sitting out hurt again. Contain your surprise. I just have a hunch that the Leftwich injury will knock the Jags off their game this week. Gerrard can play, but I think he’ll need a week to gather himself first.
The Pick: Browns, Over
**N.Y. GIANTS 3 Dallas 41 **
The Cowboys just cut Peerless Price…things haven’t exactly worked out for him since leaving Buffalo, did they? I like the Giants, but I’d be lying if I said I were confident in that. These NFC East teams just create ways to lose games, we’ll see who gives it away first here. I don’t suppose a Bledsoe INT would surprise anyone.
The Pick: Giants, Over
**CHICAGO 7 Green Bay 30½ **
Bears, big time. And I’m hoping this is the final start of Favre’s streak. The Bears front 7 will be picking pieces of him out of their teeth.
The Pick: Bears, Over
**Minnesota 2 DETROIT 38 **
I haven’t quite figured this one out yet. Part of me thinks the Lions have one last gasp. Garcia is starting and Mooch is gone. They either win this one or they lose every game for the rest of the season. Still, the Vikes have been steadily solid and without any key mistakes they can keep putting pressure on the Bears. I’ll stick with the chalk here.
The Pick: Vikes, Under
**CAROLINA 3 Atlanta 43 **
Both teams are seriously flawed and those early predictions calling these two teams the ones to beat in the NFC have been totally debunked. The Panthers have devolved into a pathetic rushing team and the Falcons couldn’t stop a toddler. In the end I like Steve Smith to will a victory.
The Pick: Panthers, Under
**Tampa Bay 3½ NEW ORLEANS 38½ **
I think things are liable to get ugly as New Orleans stakes its claim to Reggie Bush. Big day for the Caddy.
The Pick: Bucs, Under
**Arizona 3 SAN FRANCISCO 44½ **
The 49ers are coming around slowly. I think they make a game of it at home and the D will show up, but Larry Fitzgerald is just too much.
The Pick: Cards, Over
**Washington 3 ST. LOUIS 45½ **
I think the Fitzpatrick show keeps going strong for one more week. I make this prediction primarily because it means that my pathetic fantasy QB situation is beyond salvaging.
The Pick: Rams, Under
**NEW ENGLAND 10 N.Y. Jets 41 **
The Pats are favored by 10? That’s got to be a typo. I’ll be the first to remind you that the Jets suck, but the Pats are running on fumes and limping into the playoffs. Worth remembering that this is a divisional clash too.
The Pick: Jets, Over
**Denver 1 KANSAS CITY 45 **
The Chiefs are going to get it done. The Chiefs always win at home in December and the Broncos can’t win there. The Chiefs are in a do or die situation and I’m still concerned about Plummer if the game is tight.
The Pick: Chiefs, Under
**SAN DIEGO 11 Oakland 50 **
I love the Chargers. Total fanboy pick here, I won’t lie to you. Still, I feel pretty good about giving away 11 to the imploding Raiders.
The Pick: Chargers, Over
Monday, Dec. 5
Seattle 4 PHILADELPHIA 41½
This spread should be bigger. If the Seahawks are the team to beat you’d expect a touchdown or more against a hapless squad without it’s starting QB. This could tell us something about how good the oddsmakers think the ‘Hawks are and that they really like Mike McMahon at home. Then again, it could just mean that there are an awful lot of irrational Philly gamblers. I’m going with the latter.
The Pick: Seahawks, Over
OMNI picks: Chargers, Colts, Bucs, Texans, Cincy