NFL Week 7 Picks

Wow! I saw a few people come out of last week with a winning pick record, but as for me…Wow! I tanked! Honestly, I’m shocked! The ‘Any Given Sunday’ rule applied, and we should probably expand that to include ‘Any Given Monday.’ So the Rams and Texans are no longer winless, and the Browns served up a can of Whoop Ass to the Giants. And when all was said and done, I finished the week with the lowest weekly record I think I’ve ever recorded at 5-9 on the straight up picks. Luckily I didn’t fall so hard against the spread, as I finished 7-7 in that category this week. This puts my season record at 49-39 or 49 of 88 (.557) on the straight picks and 45-41-2 (.511) against the spread. I can only hope to improve as we move into Week 7.

----Picks against the spread in red----

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

Open Date: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday, October 19^th, 2008

San Diego Chargers(3-3) at Buffalo Bills(4-1) 1:00PM

After a big Charger victory over the Patriots last week I think it will be easy for many to jump on board the Charger Train. But this team has been sporadic this season, and until I see other wise, I expect more of the same. Bills are rested of the bye week, playing at home, and have a defense that will keep L.T. under wraps and pressure Rivers all night long.

Bills continue to lead the AFC East

(Bills Pick)

New Orleans Saints(3-3) at Carolina Panthers(4-2) 1:00PM

The Panthers have been displayed some strong play this season, including starting out 2-0 without their star receiver. However, Drew Brees has been lighting up the scoreboards almost all season and with the continued help of Reggie Bush this offense is difficult to stop. Expect the Panthers to attempt to keep up, but I think they are going to fall short.

Saints take their first road win of the season

(Saints +3)

Minnesota Vikings(3-3) at Chicago Bears(3-3) 1:00PM

Both teams are 3-3, both teams have shown moments of strength as well as moments of weakness where they simply couldn’t get the job done. This week they match up against each other. Many said the Bears would tank this season, many said the Vikings were playoff bound. Well, I don’t know about all that, but…

Bears secure a home win to move above .500

(Bears -3)

Pittsburgh Steelers(4-1) at Cincinnati Bengals(0-6) 1:00PM

If Carson Palmer were to return for this game, I might have taken this game as the upset that gets the Bengals their first ‘W’. However, as far as I can tell, it isn’t looking very promising that he will. So with that said.

Steelers roll over the Bengals

(Steelers -10)

Tennessee Titans(5-0) at Kansas City Chiefs(1-4) 1:00PM

So many upsets last week what game could ever come with the comforts of a sure thing? The Titans have looked strong this season while the Chiefs have struggled. However, this is being played in Arrowhead, and anyone whose played there as a visitor before knows just how hard a place to play this can be.

Titans hang on for a nail bitter

(Chiefs +8.5)

Baltimore Ravens(2-3) at Miami Dolphins(2-3) 1:00PM

I’ve actually found myself struggling with this pick as the Dolphins have served up a couple of upsets that bar them from simply being disregarded. The Ravens on the other hand still have a defense that might be able to create havoc in Miami’s backfield. The Ravens first two wins came against struggling teams, and their last three losses have come against a few strong teams.

Ravens break losing streak

(Ravens +3)

San Francisco 49ers(2-4) at New York Giants(4-1) 1:00PM

After the Giants suffered a shocking upset on the road, they are forced to return home to prepare on a short week. It can be said they are “only” playing the 49ers, but Monday night they were “only” playing the Browns. I believe the 49ers have some weapons that could work to serve up a second upset for the Giants, but somehow I don’t see the Giants allowing them to do it on their home turf.

Giants rebound with a big win at home

(Giants -10.5)

Dallas Cowboys(4-2) at St. Louis Rams(1-4) 1:00PM

Well, I heard a lot of talk last week about how the Cardinals could be the upset and defeat the Cowboys and sure enough, they did. Now Tony Romo is out, Roy Williams is in, and the Rams will be hosting the Cowboys after a huge upset win last week over a Redskin team that recently defeated Dallas on their home turf. Can the Rams serve up a second upset to an injured Cowboy team?

Cowboys cling to a win by the skin of their teeth

(Rams +7)

Detroit Lions(0-5) at Houston Texans(1-4) 4:05PM

And the Texans have tasted victory! Will it be addicting? After finally finishing a game on top the Texans will now host a desperate Lions team looking to find their first win. With Schaub starting to find a rhythm, Johnson finally getting an active role in the passing game, and rookie Steve Slaton continuing to make his presents known in the NFL…

Texans put together a two game win streak

(Lions +9)

Indianapolis Colts(3-2) at Green Bay Packers(3-3) 4:15PM

An Indianapolis team that has looked a bit dazed throughout this season finally came forward and dismantled the Ravens to grab their first win inside their new stadium. However, this week they must travel to Green Bay and take on the Packers on their home turf. I see this game as a close one, with plenty of high flying passes and both teams lighting up the score board, but when the smoke clears…

Packers steal away with the win

(Packers +2.5)

New York Jets(3-2) at Oakland Raiders(1-4) 4:15PM

Brett Favre is starting to click with the rest of the Jets offense and they have been putting numbers up on the board. However, a trip into the Black Hole isn’t a pleasant experience for anyone and the Raiders defense has been able to create headaches for opposing offenses. Oakland has been pure chaos, but this week they share with New York.

Raiders upset the Jets

(Raiders +3)

Cleveland Browns(2-3) at Washington Redskins(4-2) 4:15PM

The Browns will be coming off a short week, but should be flying high after a dominating display to upset the previously undefeated Giants. This week they must travel to Landover and FedEx Field to face a Redskins team looking to redeem them selves after falling victim to their own shocking upset. Browns will come in strong, but the Redskins won’t be going down without a fight twice.

Redskins fight off a motivated Browns team to finish with a win

(Browns +7.5)

Sunday, October 19^th, 2008, Sunday Night Football

Seattle Seahawks(1-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers(4-2) 8:15PM

It’s always rough for a team to travel from the West coast to the East coast and steal away with a victory. It’s even harder when that team is struggling to secure a victory in the first place. This week the Seahawks must travel, but the trip won’t be a pleasant one.

Buccaneers win and send the Seahawks on a long flight home

(Buccaneers -11)

Monday, October 20^th, 2008, Monday Night Football

Denver Broncos(4-2) at New England Patriots(3-2) 8:30PM

Without any current news on the status of Scheffler, Young, Royal, and Stokley its difficult to decide the impact that Cutler and Marshall will have against the Patriots on Monday Night. Guessing that Scheffler and Young are probable and that Royal will take the field to play I’m going with a Denver win, but I’m going to reserve the right to reconsider this game later this week. So, unless I say otherwise…

Broncos continue to have the Patriots number and win 400^th overall game

(Broncos +3)

So that concludes another week of picks. Stay tuned to next week to find out whether or not I rebounded or feel flat for a second week in a row.