Sunday, Dec. 18
**Pittsburgh 3½ MINNESOTA 40½ **
This game is going to be one to be concerned with if you’re me. A Viking win puts the Bears in a tight spot and reverses what looked to be a runaway. A Steelers win goes a long way to slamming the door on the Chargers. I’m with the consensus that says the Vikes are mostly a mirage. They’ve certainly improved, but you can’t deny that the quality of opponents has been weak over this run and they’ve been very fortunate with turnovers and lucky bounces. The Steelers looked impressive in their steamrolling of the Bears, but you must note that it happened against a Bears D missing a couple key guys against the run. I’m not sure that the Steelers are quite back, but I think they are good enough to tarnish the Vikes this week.
Incidentally, is anyone else miffed with this whole Sex Boat fiasco? Why is this news? Are these guys really sex offenders? It nothing different than what happens at thousands of Bachelor parties across the country and it occurred on a chartered boat, which is at least slightly private. I don’t hear that the girls involved were being charged with anything, not that they should be, and Culpepper is getting a sex offense charge for getting a lapdance! Total bullshit.
**INDIANAPOLIS 7½ San Diego 52 **
Here’s the game of the week. Another game that has me in the middle, I’m rooting for the Colts to go undefeated. I’d love to shut up all those inexplicably bitter Pats fans who constantly hate on Peyton and the Colts, and I’m eager to make those lame Dolphins irrelevant again…especially after ’85. Also, to no ones surprise, I’d love to see the Chargers find a way to get into the playoffs so we can see more LT. I’m leaning towards the Colts because even with a win here the Chargers are still a long shot. From an analysis standpoint it’s tough to pick against the Colts. All the match-ups favor them and LT is dinged up and hasn’t had a big game in a while. The only caveat is that the Colts might rest some guys and the Chargers desperation could get them over the hump. Still, I can’t bring myself to pick them.
The Pick: Colts, Over
**JACKSONVILLE 16 San Francisco 37 **
The Jags probably shouldn’t be a 16 point fave with a backup QB under center. Even if it is the 49ers desperately trying to roll over and get Bush. How much is it going to suck to the the Niners and get the 2nd pick and a choice between Leinart and Young…after just drafting a QB last year #1 overall? They almost have to trade it don’t they? Maybe to the Bears? The Jags didn’t exactly blow out the Cards, Titans, or Browns over the last month, so I’m not ready to start giving them 2 TDs+.
The Pick: Niners, Under
**Seattle 7 TENNESSEE 45 **
This game should probably be the 16 point spread. The Seahawks seem intent on proving a point this year. They beat the Eagles by 42 on the road, why should we expect the Titans to keep it close?
The Pick: Seahawks, Over
**Arizona 2 HOUSTON 42½ **
Hmm, I really don’t want to see Bush in Houston. I don’t know why, but something about it just bothers me. I suppose I’ll be curious to see who’s coaching them next year before getting too bent out of shape, but I’d rather see him in SF. Then again Houston is better than Green Bay. Normally I’d be leaning towards taking the Texans here since they have a decent RB and should be able to move the ball at home, but after that FG attempt last week I’m never picking them again. The Cards are a much better team than their record indicates and I find myself wishing for the day when the Cards are a dominant team. It’s getting boring always knowing they’ll suck.
The Pick: Cards, Over
**MIAMI 9 N.Y. Jets 35 **
Wow, who’d have expected to see the ‘Phins as a 9 point fave this season? Gus Frerotte as a 9 point fave even! Well, I have to agree. CuMar is done, the Jets simply have nothing to offer. They are simply the worst team in the league this year, regardless of record. Herm Edwards is in over his head. Miami might rush for 250 yards this week. If you’ve got this game on in your area this week, my sympathies.
The Pick: Miami, Under
**Carolina 9½ NEW ORLEANS 40½ **
Steven Davis is done for the year, perhaps for the career. Lemme just float this idea, Texans draft Bush and trade Davis to Carolina for Dan Morgan…hmm. I think everyone would be happy. Anyways, the Saints benched Brooks and but Bouman is a fair replacement. He had a few quality appearances in Minnesota in the past and might actually be an improvement for the Saints. If he plays mistake free and is better able to get the ball to the Saints talented WRs they could actually be productive on offense. Still, it wouldn’t be enough against a formidable Panther team on both sides of the ball.
The Pick: Panthers, Over
**WASHINGTON 2½ Dallas 35 **
Tough game to call. The NFC East has given gamblers fits this season and as a group they’ve found more ways to lose and win games in the final seconds than any other in memory. Between the killer INTs, missed and made FGs, fumbles, penalties and various strangeness you have to assume that something unpredictable will happen here. The Cowboys are a little more talented but they are in Washington. Bledsoe has declined over the tail end of the season….but Brunell has plummeted. Both defenses are playing pretty well and I expect points to be at a premium. I think Gibbs overly conservative play could be his undoing this week.
The Pick: Cowboys, Over
**Cincinnati 8½ DETROIT 44 **
I hope the Chad Johnson show gets back from hiatus this week, I’ve missed him. This game should be a tune up for the Bengals, stay healthy and iron out some issues. Get everyone some reps and lock up the division. The one risk I see is if Kevin Jones gets rolling against the Cincy run defense. Unlikely, but that’s about the only way I can see the Lions keeping it remotely close.
The Pick: Bengals, Under
**OAKLAND 3 Cleveland 40 **
Collins is back under center which put this game back in play. neuroman, does this mean I win our bet? I like the Browns to get this game out from under the haphazard Raiders. Cleveland’s defense is really bad, and they could very well get trampled in this one, but my gut tells me that the Raider run defense is the bigger white elephant. I’m guessing there’ll big a big game from Droughns and a Cleveland W, leading to Al Davis’ head exploding.
The Pick: Browns, Under
**ST. LOUIS 3 Philadelphia 42½ **
Whew, both teams are having an ugly year. Things just keep getting worse for the Eagles, seriously strange stuff going on in Philly. I’m sick of that city and the constant media attention. I don’t care if it’s TO, McNabb, the fans, Iverson or what, just go away. Philadelphia…it’s Boston Lite! Nonetheless, they’ll probably get this game. For all the shit the Eagles have put up with, the defense has been pretty steady. Given the prep time, I don’t think the rookie QB will survive the Eagles blitz.
The Pick: Eagles, Under
**Atlanta 3 CHICAGO 31 **
Does this game scare the shit out of me? You better believe it. Injuries are mounting for the defense and if Hillenmeyer and Mike Brown don’t play it’ll be much tougher to contain Vick while still stopping the running attack. The loss of Brown was the key to the Steelers success last week, and it could be huge again here. The weather is supposed to be in the low single digits tomorrow night and that really favors the defense. Vick and Dunn will be slowed down and those dome WRs should get a case of alligator arms. The Bears success is all going to come down to Thomas Jones. He needs to have a huge game against this porous Falcon run D. It’s the first really big game in the new stadium, and I’m going to hope for a big success.
The Pick: Bears, Under
Monday, Dec. 19
Green Bay 3 BALTIMORE 33
Don’t you just love these crappy late season MNF games? There’s probably 8 decent games this week that would have been perfect MNF choices, and at least 4 that are must see TV. You telling me you couldn’t predict that Cowboys-Redskins or Chargers-Colts would be exciting games back in July? No one expected these team to be better than average this year, just stupid. As for the actual game, there’s not much interesting to discuss. Favre will probably throw 2 back breaking INTs. Gado will play well enough to keep it close. Boller will suck enthusiastically. The Ravens D will keep them close and it’ll probably end on a missed FG. I want to eliminate any chance of the Packers getting Bush, so I’ll pick them.
The Pick: Packers, Over
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