NFL Predictions Week 5

In My Humble Opinion
1

Man, am I late getting this one posted? Here’s a link to last weeks picks. Last week I went 10-4 in the confidence league. I think I went either 9-5, or 11-3 in my last thread, I’m pretty sure my flip a coin pick differed. Anyway, on to this weeks games.

Oct. 10 Miami
10 a.m. at New England

Favorite: New England, 13, 34 ½

Do I really need to write anything about this game? Lets see, I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that the Patriots will lose and the Dolphins will win the same weekend. Neither appears likely anytime soon. Take the Pats to beat the spread.

**Oct. 10 Cleveland
10 a.m. at Pittsburgh **
Favorite: Pittsburgh, 6, 37

The favorites like Pittsburgh. Other than a good performance against Oakland a couple of weeks ago Pittsburgh has appeared up and down to me. There record says otherwise though. Still, I think I’m going to be contrary and take the Browns to upset, over.
Oct. 10 Oakland
10 a.m. at Indianapolis
Favorite: Indianapolis, 9 ½, 52

If Oakland had more targets for Collins I’d pick them to pull off an upset here. As it is, I think Oakland beats that spread.

Oct. 10 Detroit
10 a.m. at Atlanta

Favorite: Atlanta, 7, 41

If I were more risk taking, I’d think of looking at a Detroit upset. Not that I think Detroit is that good, although they’re improving nicely; it’s I don’t think Atlanta is as good as there record suggests. I’m thinking Atlanta can extend to 5-0 at home, take the over.

Oct. 10 Tampa Bay
10 a.m. at New Orleans

Favorite: New Orleans, 3 36 ½

Tampa Bay has no offence so they lose this one. New Orleans will beat that spread.

Oct. 10 New York-blue group
10 a.m. at Dallas

Favorite: Dallas, 3 ½ 37 ½

This is my coin flip pick of the week. Giants. I’d take the over here too.

Oct. 10 Minnesota
10 a.m. at Houston

Favorite: Minnesota, 4 1/2, 49 ½

Minnesota will outshine the Texans in this match-up.

Oct. 10 Buffalo
1:05 p.m. at New York Green Eggs

I so want to take Buffalo in this game but they’re pretty banged up. I did take them in my confidence league. Still the Jets are off to a 3-0 start, and you have to jump on the band-wagon sometime. So Jets to win, Buffalo to cover.

Oct. 10 Jacksonville
1:05 p.m. at San Diego

Favorite: Jacksonville, 3, 36 ½

I’ll take Jacksonville, with San Diego keeping it pretty close. I’d take the over in this one too.

Oct. 10 Carolina
1:15 p.m. at Denver

Favorite: Denver, 5 ½, 38

I said earlier this year that Carolina was a known element now, it appears now that that was a vast understatement. Look for a solid predictable performance from Denver and a win to go with it. I’d say under.

Oct. 10 St. Louis
1:15 p.m. at Seattle
Favorite: Seattle, 7, 43 ½

I suspect these teams will split their contests both winning at home. St. Louis is not the greatest show on turf anymore, but in their dome they get a big advantage with the crowd noise. I typed all that just to say something. Seattle wins and covers.

Oct. 10 Arizona
1:15 p.m. at San Fran.
Favorite: San Francisco, 1, 36 ½

Before I comment on this game, let’s review what I said last week about both teams. Both teams did the complete opposite. This week San Francisco gets it’s first win. If they don’t they’ll join Miami on my “do not pick until they win one” list. Niners by a touch; take the over.

Oct. 10 Baltimore
5:35 p.m. at Washington
Favorite: Mixed, Mixed

I couldn’t have said it better. I think this one is a wash, the teams are pretty equal. I’ve already used my flip a coin, so I’ve pulled out my darts. Washington wins at home.

Oct. 11 Tennessee
6:05 p.m. at Green Bay

Favorite: Green Bay, 3, 43 ½

I’m not sure why Green Bay is favored here. I had assumed that McNair was still out but I just checked and he’s expected to play. Because of that I’m going to take the Titans. Yes I know it’s not a good idea to pick against Green Bay on Monday night, but that little mythology stops this game. Take the over.

2

Anyone making predictions besides me this week?

3

The last time Scary Kerry played Indianpolis, he pitched a perfect game (158.3 passer rating) in a romp as Big Blue steamrolled the hapless Colts.

However, by that reasoning, Jeff Garcia and the Browns should have beaten the Giants handily two weeks ago.

I have no picks.

Go Big Blue! I think the G-Men have a real chance to win, but I’m very worried that the Jets are in for a trap game loss to the defensively minded Billies.

4

Hmm, not sure why I’m in here again, the last time I tried this it was my most stinging disappointment since the time I went to the apiary to look at gorillas. I would like to assure the readers at home that while I may seem perfectly willing to embarrass myself publicly by posting my predictions I am not foolish enough to wager money on them. I may be an idiot but I do try not to blither.

**Oct. 10 Miami
10 a.m. at New England **

Favorite: New England, 13, 34 ½

Can the Dolphins go from 17-0 to 0-16 in 22 short years? Maybe not but they wont win today. I’m tempted to think the Pats know this is a slam dunk game and play down to the point that they wont cover but nah, Pats.

**Oct. 10 Cleveland
10 a.m. at Pittsburgh **

Favorite: Pittsburgh, 6, 37

Heated rivalry, playing for a share of first place the Browns overcome their road woes today. I know their offence hasn’t exactly proved themselves after the loss of Winslow and the shake ups on the line but given who the Steelers wins have come from this year I’m a little surprised by the 6 point spread. Browns.

**Oct. 10 Oakland
10 a.m. at Indianapolis **

Favorite: Indianapolis, 9 ½, 52

I’m becoming more enamored with the George Costanza “Every impulse I’ve had in my life is wrong” school of football prognostication. Even though the Colts pass D sucks and if Collins can avoid costly errors the Raider receiving corps should keep this game close I’m taking Indy. Colts.

**Oct. 10 Detroit
10 a.m. at Atlanta **

Favorite: Atlanta, 7, 41

Unless I again forget to bring bromo to “Greasy Pete’s” all you can eat chilli night this game will be this weeks upset special. Lions.

**Oct. 10 Tampa Bay
10 a.m. at New Orleans **

Favorite: New Orleans, 3 36 ½

What’s happened to the Bucs this year? I’m not sure but I expect it to happen again this week. Saints.

**Oct. 10 New York-blue group
10 a.m. at Dallas **

Favorite: Dallas, 3 ½ 37 ½

Dallas is at home and coming off a bye, it’s enough. Cowboys.
**Oct. 10 Minnesota
10 a.m. at Houston **

Favorite: Minnesota, 4 1/2, 49 ½

I must be channeling GWB from the first debate,….Uhhh,….Texans.

Oct. 10 Buffalo
1:05 p.m. at New York Jets

Favorite: NYJ, 7

I have a stinking suspicion the Bills win here, not sure why or what it stinks of but I’ll go with it. Bills.

**Oct. 10 Jacksonville
1:05 p.m. at San Diego **

Favorite: Jacksonville, 3, 36 ½

I don’t lay cash on sports but this is a game that tempts my wallet. Jags.
**Oct. 10 Carolina
1:15 p.m. at Denver **

Favorite: Denver, 5 ½, 38

Denver has shown some trouble beating the spread this year, look for that to continue. Panthers.

**Oct. 10 St. Louis
1:15 p.m. at Seattle **
Favorite: Seattle, 7, 43 ½

Seatle looks good this year, I hope I don’t curse them by pointing to them as a probable match up fpr N.E. in the AFC title game this year. Seahawks.
**Oct. 10 Arizona
1:15 p.m. at San Fran. **
Favorite: San Francisco, 1, 36 ½

49er’s favored? Cards.

**Oct. 10 Baltimore
5:35 p.m. at Washington **
Favorite: Mixed

I’d love to see the Skins take this one, I just don’t think I will. Ravens.

**Oct. 11 Tennessee
6:05 p.m. at Green Bay **

Favorite: Green Bay, 3, 43 ½

Nothing to do with the game at hand but with Favres backup Doug Pederson out for the year is there any chance they bring back preseason bust Tim Couch and if they don’t will Tim be on anyone’s roster this year? Titans.

5

Final Detroit 17, Atlanta 10

That’ll teach me to go with my first mind.

6

Who da man?

7

Clearly not Ahman Green.

Jimmy Johnson made an interesting point before the game, talking about Tiki Barber’s ball handling:

“Speaking about Barber, sometimes coaches assume too much about veteran players. It always made me cringe when I heard assistant coaches say after a game, ‘I didn’t fumble. I didn’t throw that interception.’ Coughlin’s instructions to Barber about how to hold onto the ball correctly, to continue to teach, shows me a lot. Are you listening, Ahman Green?”

Sorry, just revelling in the glory that is Big Blue while it lasts.