I was 8-6 last week; I am now 53-46-3 for the season.
On to this week's picks:
Tampa Bay 1.5 over DALLAS. Pick: BUCS. Romo is definitely out; Jeff
Garcia is playing much better right now than is Brad Johnson; and the
Buc defense has been brilliant lately.
Washington 8 over DETROIT. Pick: REDSKINS. The Lions are at home,
but their QB is Dan Orlovsky. They've struggled to stop the run; and
the 'Skins have Clinton Portis.
Buffalo 4.5 over MIAMI. Pick: BILLS. This is a tough one. But if
Baltimore can shut down the Dolphins' run game, I think the Bills can
too. Trent Edwards have been brilliantly efficient, and safe, for the
Bills.
NEW ENGLAND 3.5 over St. Louis. Pick: PATRIOTS. I don't expect the
Pats to implode, as Dallas did last week, thus doing a big favor for
the Rams. The key to the game is turnovers, and the Pats are good at
forcing them.
San Diego 2.5 over New Orleans. Pick: CHARGERS. It's expected to be
windy and rainy in London by Sunday. The Saints don't have Reggie
Bush. The Chargers do have LT going against that questionable Saints
defense. Go with the Bolts.
NY JETS 8.5 over Kansas City. Pick: JETS. The Jets have Brett Favre,
who's played well at home. KC will likely have to go with
third-stringer Tyler Thigpen. "Nuff said.
BALTIMORE 5.5 over Oakland. Pick: RAVENS. Joe Flacco is improving,
and he plays better at home. The Raiders struggle to stop the run,
and guess what--Baltimore has Willis McGahee and others. Go with the
birds.
PHILADELPHIA 5 over Atlanta. Pick: EAGLES. Philly has had two weeks
to scout Matt Ryan, and he's facing a hostile road environment. I
think the Eagles will limit Michael Turner, and get Donovan McNabb's
passing game going.
CAROLINA 1.5 over Arizona. Pick: PANTHERS. Simple: the Panthers have
a solid defense, and Arizona has not proven they can win on the road.
Go with the cats.
HOUSTON 4 over Cincinnati. Pick: TEXANS. As I said last week,
they're a better team than their record indicates.
JACKSONVILLE 2 over Cleveland. Pick: JAGUARS. The Browns just have
not gotten in sync this year, and now there's this Kellen Winslow
situation. Meanwhile, the Jags can run the ball; and they will this
week, too.
PITTSBURGH 1 over NY Giants. Pick: GIANTS. It comes down to the
Giants pass rush, and I have a hunch they will get some pressure on
Roethlisberger and cause some turnovers. Should be fantastic game.
SAN FRANCISCO 7.5 over Seattle. Pick: 49ERS. Did you see how bad
Seattle looked on Sunday night? I think the Niners, energized by
their new coach and with Frank Gore to pound the ball, will get it
done vs the demoralized Seahawks (who apparently will still be without
Matt Hasselbeck).
TENNESSEE 4.5 over Indianapolis. Pick: TITANS. The Colts just have
had a hard time getting healthy; and their defense is struggling vs
the run...which is what Tennessee does, very well.
