Only 5-8 last week. Ugh! Time for a comeback this week. Here we go!
(home team in ALL CAPS)
ATLANTA 3 over San Francisco. PICK: FALCONS. Despite their poor record, the Falcons are 4-3 vs the spread. And they're at home, while the 49ers are reeling.
BUFFALO 1 over Cincinnati. PICK: BILLS. They're 4-0 vs the spread at home; and I'm off the Bengals bandwagon--they're play has been consistently poor.
DETROIT 3 over Denver. PICK: LIONS. I may regret. But--the Broncos are only 1-6 against the spread this year; and they can't stop the run. Meanwhile the Lions' Kevin Jones is coming on strong.
TENNESSEE 4 over Carolina. PICK: TITANS. A little shaky. The Panthers are actually 4-0 vs the spread on the road. But: Carolina has QB problems. And Tennessee is developing a powerful RB in LenDale White.
Green Bay 2 over KANSAS CITY. PICK: CHIEFS. The Pack ran the ball better last week, but Denver's run D is porous. Not so with KC. Green Bay's barely been getting by. I suspect this week, on the road, and don't forget the short week given the Monday night game, their luck runs out vs a KC team that's been quietly improving.
San Diego 7 over MINNESOTA. Pick: CHARGERS. San Diego has righted the ship. Minnesota's got uncertainty at QB. Spells trouble.
NEW ORLEANS 3 over Jacksonville. PICK: SAINTS. This is more or less a gut/momentum pick--Saints have won 3 straight and are at home. And I think the Jags' uncertainties at QB are bound to bite them sometime.
Washington 3.5 over NY JETS. Pick: REDSKINS. I think the Jets new QB Kellen Clemens will give the Jets a spark and keep this game close. But Washington will win by a TD.
TAMPA BAY 3.5 over Arizona. PICK: BUCS. I can't see the Bucs losing 2 straight at home with that defense (and they would have beaten the Jags last week had it not been for turnovers). Arizona not a great road team.
CLEVELAND 1.5 over Seattle. PICK: BROWNS. They've been very good at home, including vs the spread; Derek Anderson has impressed. Seattle meanwhile has been uneven, especially on the road.
New England 5.5 over INDIANAPOLIS. PICK: PATRIOTS. Huge game of course. But how can you pick against the Pats? They're 8-0 against the spread. The Colts will give them a tough go. But New England to win by 7.
OAKLAND 3 over Houston. PICK: RAIDERS. They're at home; Matt Schaub is out, Sage Rosenfels in for the Texans. Which will probably spell key turnovers which will help spur a Raider win.
Dallas 3 over PHILADELPHIA. PICK: COWBOYS. So many distractions for Philly, what with Coach Reid's situation; and Dallas has a lot of weapons.
PITTSBURGH 9 over Baltimore. PICK: RAVENS. Not to win the game, but to keep it close. It's a tough divisional rivalry, and Steve McNair will play for the Ravens. Steelers to win, but only by a TD or less.
