Here we are, half way through the season, and we have learned that the Wildcat still works, along with many other things including the fact that the Lions are still terrible. We have three teams with a zero in their record: the undefeated Colts and Saints along with the winless Bucs. Will that stay the same way on Sunday. Home teams in CAPS.
FALCONS (-10.5) over Redskins
The Redskins are an awful team and the Falcons aren’t bad at all. Atlanta certainly won’t let themselves lose a third straight game and Washington doesn’t have much that they can do about it.
Cardinals (+3.5) over BEARS
The Cardinals were completely obliterated by the Panthers last week and the Bears did the same to Cleveland, but this game will way different than last week. The Cardinals have been much better on the road this year than at home, and they need to bounce back from last week. They should bounce back from their thrashing last week. Also, the Bears really aren’t that good.
Ravens (-2.5) over BENGALS
Okay, these still are the Bengals. Do you really think they’re going to beat the Ravens twice this year? I thought not. And if you haven’t already noticed, the Ravens landed their top two offensive weapons in a very successful 2008 draft, Joe Flacco and Ray Rice. Just thought you should know.
Texans (+9.5) over COLTS
The Colts are always great, but with Bob Sanders and Marlin Jackson out for the year, Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson will torch Indy’s depleted secondary. I’m not completely sold that the Texans can march into Lucas Oil Stadium and win it, but they can certainly keep it close.
Dolphins (+10.5) over PATRIOTS
I love the Patriots in this game, but not by more than a TD and Field Goal. The Wildcat is still hard to stop and Chad Henne looks like a Parcells-type QB. But the Pats are still the Pats and they won’t let up their scoring. Brady will roll over the Dolphins’ poor secondary, but unlike their past two games, it will be by less then 11.
Packers (-10.5) over BUCCANEERS
This jersey isn't exactly flying off the shelves
The Buccaneers are just an awful, awful team. You can measure a team by now many players on their team you might actually want a jersey of. You know the Steelers are good because you can wear a Big Ben, Hines Ward, Polamalu, James Harrison, and maybe a Willie Parker jersey. For Tampa, you are choosing between Cadillac Williams and Kellen Winslow. A side note is that 1st-rounder Josh Freeman will become their third starting QB this year. This is the Lock of the Week.
JAGUARS (-6.5) over CHIEFS
Two bad defenses, two okay quarterbacks, two pairs of solid receivers, one great running back, and one awful game to watch.
SEAHAWKS (-10.5) over Lions
See the last game with a few adjustments.
Panthers (+14.5) over SAINTS
Fact: Jake Delhomme has never lost in New Orleans. So, does that mean the Panthers will win? No, but they definitely will keep it within more than two touchdowns. What a ridiculous line.
Chargers (+4.5) over GIANTS
Eli Manning and Philip Rivers will forever be tied because of their trade on Draft Day 2004. What most people don’t know, is that the trade also landed the Chargers Pro Bowlers Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding. Advantage: Chargers. Back to the game, the Giants have been able to stop no one over the past three weeks, and the Chargers can certainly run up the score. Big time win for the Chargers here.
49ERS (-4.5) over Titans
The Titans are awful and the Niners aren’t. Michael Crabtree is good and Justin Gage isn’t. Vernon Davis is good while Alge Crumpler isn’t. You get the pattern. An interesting note is that top 5 draft pick quarterbacks Alex Smith and Vince Young will face off in a matchup of the busts…or late bloomers.
EAGLES (-3.5) over Cowboys
Roy Williams complained early in the week that Tony Romo wasn’t trying to get the ball to him. He then went on to say, “I’m not a T.O. I’m not trying to be a T.O. I don’t know why people are trying to put me in that category.” He’s in the T.O. category because he is causing locker room problems and dropping passes, not because he is producing, since he’s not. The Eagles are the third best team in the NFC after New Orleans and Minnesota and the Cowboys will be lucky to be the third best team to miss the playoffs.
Steelers (-3.5) over BRONCOS
I hate to keep picking against the Broncos, but they aren’t as good as the Steelers. The Super Bowl champs need this more than the Broncos, and they have more talent. A spread just over three won’t make much of a difference in my pick, either.
Season: 55-47
Last Week: 10-7
Lock of the Week: 4-3
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