It’s that ime again and this is a special week. There’s some great matchups including this one, so let’s get started. Favorite in caps.
BALTIMORE @ Houston 3 45
This should be an easy game for the Ravens. The line’s a little low so I’ll go with the Ravens to beat it. The Texans wee impressive last week against the Steelers, but I’m not ready to jump on this bandwagon yet. Ravens to win and cover.
INDY @ Cleveland 2 ½ 40 ½
Manning needs to look good in this game to enhance his chances during the off-season, personally I’m betting he ends up in Chicago. The Browns have actually started looking like they know what a football is, but it’s too little too late. Still, the games in Cleveland, and Manning always disappoints me in must win games. So I’m going to take the Browns to upset, and maybe also stay alive in the playoff hunt.
Minnesota @ NEW ORLEANS 7 49
The Saints need the win more than the Vikings, and shouldn’t have any trouble beating them. Saints win and cover.
Oakland @ MIAMI 1 ½ 43
This is a great match-up and I’m going to miss it; as I’ll be in route to the Niners game. But here’s what I expect to here on the radio. “Fielder hands off to Ricky Williams”. The Raiders run defense can be a bit shaky so I expect Miami to take full advantage of it, with an occasional toss by Fielder to keep the Raiders from stacking the box. Meanwhile, I expect Gannon to throw for another three hundred plus yard game. I half-heartedly want to pick he Raiders for this contest, but I’m going with he Dolphins to win and cover.
Seattle @ ATLANTA 9 ½ 45
I expect Vick will accomplish more with his arms than his legs this time. The Seahawks are pretty good at containing mobile cornerbacks, but that’s unimportant since the Seattle secondary is pretty weak. The spread is a little on the high side for any team, but if anyone’s going to pull it off this year it’ll be the Falcons. Falcons to win and cover.
Washington @ PHILLY 7 ½ 37 ½
It couldn’t be fun being a Redskins fan, and this week won’t be any different. Philly wins but I think the Skins will cover.
Carolina @ PITTSBURGH 8 ½ 39 1/2
This is pretty interesting. The Steelers got embarrassed last week, and the Panthers played like champions. Just goes to show you the accuracy of the phrase ‘any given Sunday’. The Panthers need to win this game, it’s the weakest opponent remain on their schedule. They’re banged up but I still expect them to pull this one out. Steelers get the W, Carolina covers.
JAX @ Cincinatti 3 42 ½
JAX to win and cover.
NY JETS @ Chicago 6 ½ 36 ½
Jets to win and cover.
San Diego @ BUFFALO 3 41 ½
The Chargers can’t catch a break lately. A game they really need to win and they get to go to Buffalo. I’d take the Chargers if they were at home, but I’ll give it to the home team. Bills win and cover.
**TAMPA BAY @ Detroit 8 ½ 37 ½ **
Well at least we won’t have to worry about overtime in this game. Bucs win and cover.
KC @ DENVER 3 ½ 46
The Chiefs are red-hot but they’re playing a Denver team that needs a win, in Denver. I don’t think this’ll be a cakewalk for the Broncos though. I expect it’ll come down to the wire with the Broncos pulling off some last second heroics, as they tend to do come crunch time. Broncos win, KC covers.
Dallas @ NYG 5 35 ½
The Cowboys nearly played spoilers last week, and I expect another inspired game from Dallas. The Giants haven’t impressed me all season, and I don’t expect them to start this game. Dallas in a major upset.
Green Bay @ SAN FRANCISCO 3 45
I had to do a double take when I saw that the Niners were favored in this game. The Niners need this game, and I’ll be there rooting them on. There will be much yelling and screaming and hysterics in the stands, and then there’s the crowd. The Niners are expecting to have Hearst and Barlow back in the line-up and I expect it’ll be important if the rain keeps up which it’s expected to do. Niners to win; the Pack to cover; Stuffy to suffer from a sore throat.
Arizona @ ST. LOUIS 11 43 1 /2
Boy I bet the crew at ESPN is ticked. Rams to win and cover.
New England @ TENN 2 43 ½
Let me think on this one. I’ll get back to you.
BTW, anybody got any ideas for a sign?
GO NINERS