Thursday, December 11, 2008

At the sports desk: NFL weekly picks

Last week I went 9-7. Record so far: 106-94-5.

CHICAGO 1.5 over New Orleans. PICK: BEARS. The tough Chicago weather and the Bears' pass rush to give Drew Brees a tough time.

ATLANTA 1 over Tampa Bay. PICK: FALCONS. Michael Turner and Matt Ryan will score enough points, and the Falcons' defense can control a sputtering Buc attack.

Washington 9 over CINCINNATI. PICK: BENGALS. Have you seen the Redskins' offense lately? Cincy can keep this one close, as they did to the Eagles several weeks ago.

Seattle 1.5 over ST. LOUIS. PICK: SEAHAWKS. Because they've played a bit better and been more competitive lately.

MIAMI 2 over San Francisco. PICK: DOLPHINS. The Niners are improving, but as a road team, they still struggle. And they will here vs the improved Dolphins.

NY JETS 5.5 over Buffalo. PICK: JETS. Yes, the Jets have struggled lately; but Buffalo has big QB problems with Trent Edwards dinged up.

INDIANAPOLIS 11.5 over Detroit. PICK: COLTS. Even the Colts can cover the spread against the woeful Lions, who won't be able to control the versatile Indy offense.

San Diego 4 over KANSAS CITY. PICK: CHARGERS. Last week's impressive Charger dismantling of the Raiders tells me the Bolts are still playing. Given that, they have more than enough to win here.

Green Bay EVEN at JACKSONVILLE. PICK: PACKERS. Even though the Packers have stumbled of late, they've moved the ball and been competitive. The Jags meanwhile have looked very poor.

Tennessee 3.5 over HOUSTON. PICK: TITANS. Because the Titans know how to win; whereas the Texans still turn the ball over too much and will show their inexperience.

ARIZONA 3.5 over Minnesota. PICK: CARDINALS. They're a good home team. And with Frerotte's injury last week, he might not play; even if he does, he might not go the whole way, and Tarvaris Jackson still has plenty of question marks.

CAROLINA 5.5 over Denver. PICK: PANTHERS. Carolina is solid. The schizoid Broncos meanwhile confound you week to week--inconsistency defines them. At home, you have to think the Panthers are a good pick here.

BALTIMORE 2 over Pittsburgh. PICK: STEELERS. I respect the Ravens and Joe Flacco. They've come far. But in a big game like this, you have to like the Steelers' defense and experience.

New England 5 over OAKLAND. PICK: PATRIOTS. I'm guessing Matt Cassel will play, and that the Patriots talent level will win out here.

NY Giants 1.5 over DALLAS. PICK: GIANTS. I think they'll execute far better than they did last week in the wind at Giants Stadium. And I doubt that Dallas can protect Tony Romo from that Giant pass rush.

PHILADELPHIA 10 over Cleveland. PICK: EAGLES. Donovan McNabb and the men in green are on another late season run. Cleveland has lost their #s 1 and 2 QBs. Case closed.