Gazoo, I’m honored. Thanks. Wish it had been a week ago though, the pot was up to 3 large after rolling for a few weeks, but 3 guys won last week. Of course not me.
OK, after the last few weeks I’m tempted to make a new rule for myself…don’t pick divisional games. But this week that yanks 7 possible games out of the running, so it probably won’t work. Lets see what it looks like.
Jaguars at Titans (Titans by 3)
OK, first off its a divisional game. Second I’m shocked there’s a line on this game cause George is questionable. Third the Titan’s are my white whale as I’ve said before. I wouldn’t bet on this game with Gazoo’s money. If I had to, I’d pick the Jags to cover and win because of Tennessee’s completely decimated secondary vs Jimmy Smith.
Ravens at Steelers (Steelers by 2)
Need I say it? Divisional game! I’m convinced neither one of these teams are as good as hyped. The Raven’s still have no O, and the Steelers are Kordelled…just wait, he’ll kill them eventually, and this defense could be the one to do it. I’d bet the offenses combine for 3 points. I’d pick the Ravens winning 3-0 if I wasn’t certain that both defenses will score, or set up easy field goals often in this game. Again, if forced I’d pick the Ravens to win and cover because Stover is better. Could be the ugliest game of the year. Doesn’t matter, I’m not touching it.
Panthers at Dolphins (Dolphins by 10) OMNI
Hmm, the Dolphins could kill these guys. Ten points is alot to ask of Feidler but the D and Lamar will both score often. I have to agree with Gazoo on this one, I think I’m going to jump all over it. Although the trend this year has been that two-digit spreads don’t cover. The Panthers won’t run or throw much, and they might finish the game with a time of possesion under 15 minutes. 17-0 looks like a realistic score. I’m in.
Cowboys at Giants (Giants by 11)
Whew, the G’ints screwed me last week, and I’ll be damned if I touch them again. They are however at home, and should be tre’ pissed. The Girls’ haven’t made the strides that Washington has on either side of the ball, and the G’ints D should nuetralize the small spark they have on Offense. I’d give them a better chance if they were using one of the more mobile QB’s, but the Stoner and Leaf will probably be on their backs often. 11 points is too much in a divisional game however. I’m not picking it, but I think the G-men finally win AND cover.
Patriots at Falcons (Falcons by 3) OMNI
I’m not feeling ya here, Gazoo. Home field should probably buy the Falcons 3 points, but the Patsies have been more consistent with Brady than the Falcons have with or without Chandler. If both teams play well, the Falcons win and cover, but if both teams play bad the Pats will win. At any rate, I’m not picking it because these teams are too streaky to guess on. If forced, I’d say Falcons win, Pats cover or push.
Bucs at Packers (Packers by 5)
Another divisional game here. I agree with Gazoo’s assessment here. And let me say how much I will honestly miss watching the biannual Favre v. Sapp match-up after the re-alignment. That’s fun football to me. I think Farve will lead the Pack to a last minute victory, but the Bucs still cover. Both teams seem to be clicking on offense and defense, so this should be a great game to watch. All that said, its not going to one of my 5 picks, too many things could happen with this one.
Browns at Bears (Bears by 5)
Ooo, that stings. I really want to pick this game, but I can’t do it. 5 points is too much with a Matthews led Bears. No one seems to realize it, but there is a huge drop off between Matthews and Miller. You look at last weeks box score and say “hey, Matthews will chew up the Brownies”. Maybe its because I’m local and I watch enough Bears to know (but that doesn’t expain the coaching staff and most of the local sports talk shows from missing it), but I can see how much better Miller is. The reason Matthews was so good last week was because the Defense prepared for Miller. Matthews is a great back-up, he runs the offense safe, doesn’t turn it over much, and is always ready to play and knows the offense like that back of his hand. He is a terrible starter though. You can’t win games when the Defense knows you won’t throw the ball more than 5 yards past the line of scrimmage EVER. The Browns will roll up their coverages and the Bears run game will get stifled a bit and the passing game won’t break 200 yards. The only upside is that Miller was only recently scratched, so we can hope the Browns didn’t prepare too much for Matthews. All that said…Bears win, but the Browns cover. Not touching it this week, with Miller starting, I’d take it, twice on Tuesdays, but not today.
Eagles at Cardinals (Eagles by 7)
Ick. I remember the last meeting all to well. I also remember that Card’s game Sunday too. Not to mention its divisional, and the road team is favored no less. I’m not picking it, I don’t care what you Philly fans say. In a pinch, Philly wins and covers, but I’ve been burned this year by picking against the “bad” teams.
Lions at 49ers (49ers by 9) OMNI
Hmm, the Lions are bad, and they are beat up in the secondary and WR positions still. The Niners shouldn’t have any trouble scoring. BUT, I think the Lions will be able to run the ball, and Batch seems to be putting up great numbers. One of these days that’ll pay off with a W. If the Lions don’t turn the ball over, they’ll suprise a good team and win. This could be the week, but thats a big could. Of those teams that were in the running for the 0-16 season, I think this is the second most talented (behind Tennessee) although Washington is a close third with younger talent. On a hunch I pick the 49ers to win, the Lions to cover. The home field thing makes this game unpickable though. Sorry Gazoo.
Colts at Bills (No Line)
Can’t use it. But I see the Bills in a upset regardless of Edge’s status. Bills win. (I can be bold like this when the game has no line and is the gambling equivalent of a preseason game)
Chiefs at Chargers (Chargers by 5 1/2)
I haven’t been reading KC very well this season, but they’ve usually managed to not screw me. The weeks I picked them, or picked against them they kept me REALLY nervous, but still left me winning. Remember last Thursday? I haven’t gotten to watch enough SD this season, but they have been covering pretty regularly. KC’s D is weak, and the Charger’s D is solid and fast. I’m taking SD to win and cover based solely on the numbers. I’ll only use this one in my parlay if I only see 4 that I like.
Seahawks at Redskins (Seattle by 2 1/2)
I still think the Redskins suck. The Giants game was a fluke, and they aren’t going to maintain this kind of production from their defense. I expect Alexander to get 150+ and Hasselback won’t get sacked all game. I don’t like that this game is in Washinton (not the state), but I don’t think thats enough to help them win. Lets not forget that the 'Skins barely beat the Panthers, and Weinke totally gave the game away. Seahawks win and cover, might be a blowout. I feel good about this one, I might take it.
Jets at Saints (Saints by 6 1/2) OMNI
I think I agree with Gazoo here. The Jets suck and I’m a damn fool for picking them last week. The Saints will probably slow Martin enough to shut down the Jets offense. They’ll probably create turnovers and they are at home. That 6.5 pt pread is like a safety net too, I hate 7 point spreads, to likely to push. I’m taking the Saints to win big and cover.
Broncos at Raiders (Raiders by 5 1/2) OMNI
Again, I agree with Gazoo, but I am finding a real dilemma with my divisional game curse. I want to pick the Raiders, but they haven’t been the lock to cover that they usually are. They are at home, which is really big. The Broncos are struggling and for the first time in eons they aren’t running the ball well. All signs point to the Raiders, and its less than a TD and its not a round number. Could be a good sign. I’ve never still been alive after the Sunday day games yet, so it might be fun to pick Sunday and Monday night. I think the Raiders win and cover, and I’m 50-50 on taking this one.
I need to think a little more on this before I set my picks, but this week is less frustrating than ones past.
OK, bash them at will!
Any place I can read about the standings, news, goings-on, stuff like that?