The start of the Thursday night game can really sneak up on a person’s scheduling habits. With the kickoff less than two hours off, I really think that I need to get my spread pick on the board. So here it goes. The rest of the week will follow later.
All the angles have been discussed. How will the Packers fair if Charles Woodson isn’t ready to play? Brett Favre is winless in
If you’re going to go down, go down in style! Well, I don’t know how much style I did it in, but I did go down, only Miami saved me from falling below the .500 mark…at your expense, I thank you guys! I think this week emphasized the fact that there is no such thing as a sure thing as we watched Eli Manning literally throw away any chance New York had to win, San Francisco found a way to sweep Arizona in both of their match ups, Devin Hester fueled a fire that started a comeback victory in a game the should have been lost, and A.J. Feeley came one ill-decided pass away from the biggest upset of the season. Of course I wasn’t satisfied with the drama the NFL dished out this week so I added my own by picking upsets that only upset me.
ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN
Thursday, November 29 2007
What a match up, what a game! To bad it will be aired on NFL Network!!! What a rip off! Local fans in
Packers in the upset!
Sunday, December 2 2007
Both of these teams have suffered from injuries and bad seasons. Now they match up while the Rams have started to pick up some steam. With Steven Jackson back in the backfield, Marc Bulger and Gus Frerotte have been finding time to breath and the Rams have marked up two wins and a near miss on the third. Joey Harrington will be leading the Falcons into this game with hopes of taking advantage of the less than stellar Rams defense. It could be a close game, but I’m going with the home team for this match up.
Rams get back on a winning track.
Buffalo Bills(5-6) at
Two weeks ago the Skins showed a spark of life as they challenged
Redskins secure a home win.
Jon Kitna better get back on the winning side of the scoreboard if he intends on making good on his promise of 10 wins this season. With only 5 games left to go and 4 wins short of 10 it’s starting to look a little hopeless. But don’t worry, as long as Kitna spends plenty of time watching Eli’s film on how NOT to be an NFL quarterback he might be able to hold the
Lions find a way to add another win on the season.
Both of these teams let me down last week. The only difference is that Matt Schaub and company didn’t get blown out in the fashion that Vince Young and the Titans did. Andre Johnson should be good and warmed up by this point as the Titans seem to be in a back pedal. I think this match up is going to end with
Texans find victory on the road.
In the first meeting of these to teams
Jaguars return the favor and upset Indy at home.
The Dolphins have to win at some point don’t they? And after another heartbreaking three point loss in the final seconds to
Dolphins find their one and only win.
The Chargers are back! What happened to the Chargers? Oops, their back again. No wait, what happened to them in that game? OK, their back again. Yup, it’s been quite the rollercoaster season for the Chargers and their fans, but in a rivalry match up against a struggling Chiefs team that has lost their magic in Arrowhead; I can only expect a big game from Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson. Add the receptive abilities of Antonio Gates and the defensive threat in Shawne Merriman and the outcome looks bleak for the Chiefs. However, let’s not forget…”Any Given Sunday.”
Chargers add to the woes of Arrowhead
OK, I’m just going to admit to falling into this trap right up front and center. Last week
Eagles carry last weeks fight into this week’s victory.
Um,…uh,…I don’t know? How about…
The 4thers defeat the Pan9ers?
OK, so neither of these teams has been spectacular this year. Both have only mustered up one pair of back-to-back wins. That gives me two forms of logic to work with: 1) The 49ers just won a game and the odds of second, back-to-back win is unlikely and 2) the Panthers have the home field advantage where they’ve won…OH GREAT! The Panthers haven’t won a home game all season!!! Where’s my coin? Do I have to flip? Nah, I’m just going to cross my fingers and say…
Panthers find their first home win of the season.
Kurt Warner has been able to lead the Cardinals to a couple of wins this season, and Edgerrin James hasn’t been a stranger to the end zone, but this week they get to welcome the Browns to their home field.
Browns remain in the hunt for their division
Jay Cutler is settling in behind the center in Denver as his numbers continue to rise, and the Broncos offensive line continues to prove they can pave the way for any of their running backs whether it’s Travis Henry, Selvin Young, or Andre Hall as Hall filled in last week like he had been their all season. Now if only
Broncos light up the Black Hole.
Oh boy. Where should I go here?
Giants manage a road win.
Saints march this one in for the upset.
Sunday, December 2 2007 Sunday Night Football
*Note: Sunday night games in Weeks 11-17 subject to change.
I think I’ve found myself torn on more games this week than I have all season. I look at the records of these teams and think that I should be taking the Steelers for a win hands down, but after their last two match ups against the Jets and Miami…well, we all know the Bengals have the power to run up a scoreboard. I want to pick the Steelers, especially at home. OK, here’s where I’m going to go with this one. Steelers have had their two in a row glitch and yet they have remained undefeated at home. This is the week they bounce back and put the points up on the board.
Steelers rebound two tough weeks with a home win.
Monday, December 3 2007 Monday Night Football
New England Patriots(11-0) at
The Patriots have shown they have a weakness, and had it not been for an ill-thought throw from A.J. Feeley in the finally minutes of last weeks game they may not have been coming into this match up undefeated. Now they travel to
OK folks, let’s get real here, it ain’t happening!!!
Patriots answer last weeks close call with a blow-out on Monday Night.
There you have it. Another conclusion to the weekly picks of hard hitting, bloodied, smash-mouth football. On the field, all is fair in love and football. Bo Jackson said it best, “If my mother put on a helmet and shoulder pads and a uniform that wasn't the same as the one I was wearing, I'd run over her if she was in my way. And I love my mother."
Last week proved to be a good week as I finished with a 10-4-2 record. That’s a number any betting man would be happy to have had in Vegas, although 16-0 would have been sweeter. However, these lines are made to increase the difficulty of obtaining such numbers. Having gone 2-1 on the Thanksgiving Day games this week, I’m already short the perfect week, let’s hope this week end proves better than 2-to-1.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The Chiefs will finally get another win in Arrowhead Stadium, but only by a field goal.
I believe this game is an upset in the making. Houston travels to Cleveland, covers and wins.
The Rams looked good in their win over
Panthers are struggling to hold on to what record they have. Give the points.
Seems like a lot, but the Cardinals let the first match up slip away from them in the fourth quarter. They won’t make that mistake again.
It doesn’t matter who’s running behind the
I’ve picked the Ravens to upset this match up. Of course there is always the possibility that the Superchargers could reappear at this game. Who knows, they’re unpredictable this year.
Sunday, November 25, 2007 Sunday Night Football
This line keeps giving more and more points every time I look at it, but what can you do? The Patriots are 9-1 against the spread, have beaten most of their opponents by more than 20 points, and Donovan McNabb will be on the bench. Throw up your hands and give the points.
Monday, November 26, 2007 Monday Night Football
No upset here, but even though the Dolphins are 0-10, five of those losses were only by three points. The Dolphins will go 0-11, but they will beat the spread.
And that will wrap up the Week 12 picks against the spread. Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving holiday. Let’s get on with some more football!!!
I’m not going to attempt to pick all the spreads this early in the week. Here are my picks for Turkey Day, the rest will follow later in the week.
Thursday, November 22, 2007 THANKSGIVING DAY GAMES
Detroit has a habit of playing well on Thanksgiving day even when they are an awful team, so this was actually a hard pick to make, but I think Favre and the Packers prevail by 5 at the least.
Jets had their day in the sun last week when they defeated
Colts are simply too banged up and playing like it. Peyton Manning will continue to hold this team together for the win, but I simply can’t give that many points.
The rest of the week will follow later. Happy Thanksgiving everyone and enjoy your turkey and football!!!
Last week was a good week for me. I finished 13-3, and considering that one of those losses was the shocking upset of
Last weeks numbers:
13-3
Season Total, 100-60 (.625)
ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN
Thursday, November 22, 2007
The Lions have lost the magic of home field and Brett Favre and company are continuing to roll strong. Their defense looks good and they’ve been able to pound out a run game recently. Packers are going to prove to be too much for
Packers
Jets got lucky last week. They showed some will and determination by upsetting
Cowboys
I’m itching to pick the Falcons to upset the Colts this week, but just can’t bring myself to do it. The Colts are battered and beaten down and Peyton Manning is struggling to keep things afloat until some of their injured can return to the line up, but somehow I don’t think the Falcons will be able to take advantage of this opportunity.
Colts
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Buffalo Bills(5-5) at
Jaguars
I expect this to be a good match up, and given that the Browns are the home team I’m guessing that many people will probably disagree with me on this pick, but I just have a feeling the after Matt Schaub finally got Andre Johnson back that this team is going to attempt to make a run in order to get back into the playoff hunt.
Texans
Adrian Peterson out? Not a problem for the Vikings. Chester Taylor picked up the slack. However, I have a hard time thinking the Vikings will be able to repeat such a run offense against the Giants.
Giants
This is the week the Saints come marching back in, and yes, they do it on the road. I don’t think the Panthers will pressure Drew Brees in the way that Mario Williams did and Reggie Bush should find some running room.
Saints
As a
Chiefs
After the big win against
Seahawks
This game is going to come down to the Bengals defense again. If the Titans can run the ball all day long and take the pressure off Vince Young then I think they will prevail in the end. Carson Palmer and his receiving core will have very little time on the field as the Titans control the game and the clock.
Titans
The Redskins came out hard and played a good game against NFC leading
Redskins
Cardinals
I had originally picked the Chargers to win in this match up that will be played on their own field, but after the Ravens managed a comeback that almost proved victorious last week against
Ravens
Excluding the glitch against
Broncos
Sunday, November 25, 2007, Sunday Night Football
*Note: Sunday night games in Weeks 11-17 subject to change
The spread on this match up, last I heard has already been pushed to 22 points being given by the Patriots and the Patriots are 9-1 against the spread this year. If that’s any indication on how this game will play out then I may be in bed before halftime.
Patriots
Monday, November 26, 2007, Monday Night Football
This SHOULD be another open and shut game, but after the defeat that
Steelers
And thus concludes another week of NFL picks. Last week I came closer to the elusive 16-0 week so I can only continue to chase it. Now I will leave you with this reflection of women and football. “The reason women don’t play football is because eleven of them would never wear the same outfit in public.” –Comedian Phyllis Diller
Last week was a bit unpredictable as the “Any Given Sunday” phenomena reared its head. However, through it all I managed to hold on to an above .500 week. Not the big money maker, but nothing lost. Finishing 7-6-1 on the week, I can only hope to improve this week.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
1:00 Games
I just can’t give up that many points. Not with the number of injuries the Colts have.
I see an upset here. Cardinals get the straight up win.
Eagles haven’t been consistent and
A lot of points, but Favre is leading strong this year.
4:00 Games
Another large spread and being a division game this one has me nervous, but I’ll go ahead and give the points.
I don’t know whether I think the Rams are better for the return of Steven Jackson, or the Niners are just that bad. Either way, give the points.
I think this will be a fairly even played game, but the Hawks will finish with a TD win.
Sunday, November 18, 2007 Sunday Night Football
Patriots are 8-1 ATS this year, only failing to cover in the Indy match up. Give the points!
Monday, November 19, 2007 Monday Night Football
And that concludes another week of spread picks. Good Luck to everyone.
It seems parity ran rich through the NFL in week 10.
Through it all I managed to maintain an above .500 week, finishing 8-6 for a season total of 87-57 (.604). This week just goes to show that there is no such thing as a sure thing in the NFL. That’s why we love this sport! So with that, let’s get on with the Week 11 Picks!
ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati offense still have the talent to put numbers up on the board, but their defense has more holes than Swiss cheese and don’t point to the mere seven points allowed Baltimore last week, they couldn’t run up a score against a 1A High School team. Kurt Warner should be able to toss the ball around yard for yard with Palmer and I see the Cardinals winning the turnover stats
Cardinals take a victory on the road.
The Panthers are continuing to struggle in the quarterback position with Jake Delhomme out, David Carr hurting again, and Vinny Testaverde’s body showing the aches and pains of age. Run that out on the road and send them to
Packers continue to win, why does it feel like they are still under the radar?
The Browns allowed
Browns rebound after failing to hold lead last week
Peyton Manning was extremely uncharacteristic last week throwing 6 interceptions and really failing the Colts in many ways. So for the Colts to almost return for a win shows that they won’t hang their heads and go away, It just a shame that Adam Vinatieri couldn’t rescue this team by making a 29 yard field goal. Both these teams come into this match up after back-to-back losses. Whether Damon Huard returns or Brodie Croyle starts, L.J. or Priest Holmes, this out come doesn’t look good for K.C.
Colts settle back into the ‘win’ column
I’m battling demons on this pick. I’ve got a gut wrenching call from within telling me this is the week that the Dolphins win one. Jesse Chatman has been looking good and the Dolphins looked close to upsetting
Eagles win again, will it be by three?
Just when we all thought Drew Brees and Reggie Bush had the Saints marching in,
Texans return from bye rested and ready to win
This promises to be a good match up and a difficult pick. Eli Manning and the Giants had been on a roll before
After much debate, Lions win at home
Yeah, so neither team is really all that good, but
Raiders add insult to injury, defeating Petersonless Vikes
After an amazing win for the Chargers last week, we are still left to wonder whether or not the Chargers are going to be a true contender this year. It may be that they win the struggling AFC West for a playoff spot, but can they really contend without their opponent giving them a lot of help? Let’s face it, the Chargers offense was non-existent last week and only the luck of a missed 29 yard field goal won them a game they should have ran away with. Sure they could win again this week, but I’m not betting on it.
Jaguars continue to tail Indy
A last second toss for Joey Harrington to Alge Crumpler may have been enough to get the win against a battered and beaten
Buccaneers steal a win out of Atlanta
Upset special? I don’t think so. Jets just haven’t had enough to get anything done this year. It makes last year look like a glitch in the time space continuum, or something scientifically unexplainable like that. Nope, I don’t think “Big” Ben Roethlisberger has any difficulties this week. No need for a comeback or game winning drive here.
Steelers win big in dominating performance
No Shaun Alexander, no problem. Quite honestly, I’m inclined to believe that Alexander is beyond his usefulness after his awful performance thus far this year. The change to Maurice Morris should be a welcomed change. The Bears defense hasn’t been the force they once were and although Brian Griese has been a trade up from Rex Grossman it wasn’t far up. Nope, I’ll be taking the home team in this match up.
Seahawks look to hold onto the NFC West
St. Louis Rams(1-8) at San Francisco 49ers(2-7) 4:15 PM
Has Steven Jackson returned? Why not ask
Rams secure a second victory, leaving the first round draft to Miami
Tony Romo and Terrell Owen are insistent that they stay among the top teams of the NFL. What better way to accomplish that than to stay atop your division. So don’t expect to Cowboys to slack in a divisional match up against rival
Cowboys dominate in Texas Stadium
Sunday, November 18, 2007, Sunday Night Football
*Note: Sunday night games in Weeks 11-17 subject to change
New England Patriots(9-0) at
This game may have been moved to Sunday night because of the Bills hot streak and the division rivalry between these two teams, but does anyone really think that Trent Edwards can match touchdowns with Tom Brady? Banish the thought of J. P. Losman holding onto the start another week and having a good game. Then there is the question of the Bills defense lining up against
Patriots continue a perfect season
Monday, November 19, 2007, Monday Night Football
Vince Young will be leading the run heavy Titans into the deficient run defense Broncos home field for this Monday Night Match up. The problem for
Broncos take the win at Mile High
And that wraps up yet another week of picks, and what a long one it was as we return to a sixteen game week with no more byes for anyone. Will this be another week of parity? Or do the match ups play out in a predictable manner? That’s just one more decision to make. So as we are now past the mid-season mark, and more attention will be focused on the playoff race, I want to leave you with these words of wisdom:
“Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only. Super Bowl.” –
Didn’t break the bank on my comeback week, but I did go above .500. Week 9 finished 8-6 for me. Been a rough year, lets see if I can improve this week.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007 Sunday Night Football
Monday, November 12, 2007 Monday Night Football
Let’s get these games going.
Week 9 is done and gone, and we finally had a game that lived up to the NFL hype! New England remains undefeated, but not by a dominating victory as
Ok, so last week I had another average week finishing 9-5, which really isn’t too bad considering I was one of the few that dared to pick Indy for the upset. That brings my season totals to 79-51 (.608). I will be expecting a 14-0 week depending on whether or not my homer pick sinks or swims. Let’s get on with Week 10.
ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN
Sunday, November 11th 2007
Open Date:
In their last match up in
Panthers rise above .500
Buffalo Bills(4-4) at
The first of two meetings for this team, Jason Taylor will look to revive the Dolphin defense in hopes that Cleo Lemon’s arm and Jesse Chatman’s fresh set of legs can muster up a few extra lights on the score board in their favor. When you 0-8, you’re hoping for a lot! I’ve even heard rumors about John Beck finding his way onto the field, if not this week then soon. It all sounds good and well, but the Bills are rolling into town on a win streak that should have them frothing at the mouth for more. Marshawn Lynch may defeat the Dolphins alone out of the back field now that he’s tasted his first NFL passing touchdown.
Bills continue to roll
Who would have thought that the Browns would be only one game behind the leading Steelers in the AFC North? Derek Anderson continues to hold Brady Quinn on the bench as his chemistry with Braylon Edwards is putting points on the board. With all the scoring this team has been rattling off, Jamal Lewis has re-familiarized himself with the end zone. But let us not forget that “Big” Ben Roethlisberger and company devastated
Steelers remind the Browns why they are still only second in the AFC North
As a Bronco fan, I was less than thrilled after hearing that we had acquired Patrick Ramsey as a back up for Jay Cutler. Now that Cutler may be out with an injury (thankfully a bruised leg, not broken) and after Ramsey’s failure to produce ANYTHING against Detroit until the game was a complete loss, I find it difficult to find any hope for Denver as they travel into Arrowhead stadium this week. The Bronco defense has also failed in their attempt to be productive this season. Yet, as a Bronco homer I find it against my morals to pick the division rival Chiefs to win. If Ramsey starts, I’m likely to lose this pick, but if Cutler returns I will retain a glimpse of hope.
It’s all about the homer!
In their first match up, Chris Brown ran wild over the
Titans continue to chase in the shadow of Indianapolis
I would think that most individuals watching this match up will rest the outcome on the shoulders of Brett Favre and his ‘Gunslinger’ throwing style. If he’s on, his arm will lead the Pack to victory, but if he’s off, they will surely fail. Personally, I think the key to the game is going to rest on the legs of Adrian Peterson. If Green Bay’s defense can hold him under 100 yards they should sweep their match ups with the Vikings, but if Peterson goes off on them as he has done against Chicago and San Diego the Vikings will steal a victory out of Green Bay.
Packers defense holds as Favre leads another victory
I would have never guessed a close game for
Redskins take a home win
St. Louis Rams(0-8) at
Saints dominate in the Superdome
I had been planning to pick the Ravens prior to the Monday Night game against
Bengals bring more woes to Baltimore
Last year this game would have been a no brainer. This year I have questions as to whether or not the Bears can actually pull off this win. Brian Griese will have to keep his errors to a minimum against the Raiders defense that, by the way, isn’t as good as they were last year. Then the Bears defense will have to contain the continually struggling
Bears manage a road win
Oh goody, another divisional game that should be worth watching. Definitely not the same match up as Indy and
I was one of the first to laugh when Jon Kitna guaranteed a 10+ win season going into preseason. I’m not laughing any more. As Kevin Jones continues to work his way back into the Lions game plan and Kitna continues to hit receivers Roy Williams and Shaun McDonald we have to at least entertain the possibility that 10 wins could be a very realistic number for this team. With six down and four to go, they will travel to
Lions will be three away from the promised 10 win season after this game
Sunday, November 11th 2007, Sunday Night Football
If Adrian Peterson can run wild on the Chargers defense, what will Joseph Addai do? At this point I think that the return of Marvin Harrison will be a bonus, but between Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, Peyton Manning is still moving down the field and putting up points. The Colts will definitely be looking to rebound after giving up their win and undefeated season to Tom Brady in a fourth quarter comeback of fourteen unanswered points off the Wes Welker and Kevin Faulk receptions. The key to a Charger victory in this match up would be a return of the LaDainian Tomlinson of last year, a MUCH better performance from Philip Rivers, and do you think it’s too late for the A.J. Smith to grovel at Marty Schottenheimer’s feet and beg for his return? I always said Norv Turner was no good as a head coach. That was the Chargers biggest mistake.
Colts rebound in their race for a playoff rematch with New England
Monday, November 12th 2007, Monday Night Football
At this point it should almost be safe to write off Shaun Alexander as a dominate running back in the NFL. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 2 and hasn’t seen a 100 yard game since Week 3. In fact, his performance has been awful. Without a run game the margin for victory has rested solely in the hands of Matt Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck will be hoping for the return of Deion Branch this week, but may have to continue working with Bobby Engram, who hasn’t been bad, averaging 12.6 yards per reception and has three touchdowns. Good news for the Seahawks…they play at home and they host the 49ers.
Seahawks manage to remain atop the NFC West
And that finishes up yet another Week of NFL Picks. We pick apart, scrutinize, analyze, dissect, favor, add bias, mix facts, pull stats, and attempt to predict the outcome of every game, but parity always seems to find its way into an NFL week. So, I will conclude with the words of Giants defensive back, running back, and wide receiver Frank Gifford, “Pro football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors.”
Without any stats from last week, there’s nothing left to do this week but jump straight into picking the spread for Week 9. So away we go!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007, Sunday Night Football
Monday, November 5, 2007, Monday Night Football
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