Thought I would have more times this week. Sadly, I was mistaken, because I forgot just how much timed fucking EGB demands. My Grade demanded curve is shifting a shit-load. Quickly, the picks.
Last Week: 7-6
Year to Date: 69-46-2
New York Jets (-5) @ Detroit Lions
The Jets are the better team, and they are angry after that awful performance. The Lions only solid unit on defense is their pass rush, which will not be as impactful against one of the best o-lines. I like the Jets to jump back with a win.
Jets 24 Lions 17 (NYJ)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (-8.5)
This is a huge line considering the Bucs are 5-2, but they have played two teams that I would quantify as good, and been beaten handily both times. The Falcons are great at home, and Matt Ryan has only one home loss in his career. Give me the Falcons.
Buccaneers 16 Falcons 31 (ATL)
Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens (-5)
The Dolphins are not a team that gets blown out, especially on the road, where they are 4-0. I don't think that will continue, but I think they cover a line that is a little high. The Dolphins have the pieces on defense to make life tough for the Ravens offense.
Dolphins 17 Ravens 20 (MIA)
New England Patriots (-4.5) @ Cleveland Browns
Belichick will always beat Mangini (despite him losing their last meeting). Colt McCoy doesn't stand a chance (he's already beaten the defending champs, in their building).
Patriots 27 Browns 13 (NE)
Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings (-8)
The Vikings players are obviously incensed at the shit Brad Childress just proved, but they still are talented. Arizona is a bad matchup for them, but the Vikings defense is a worse defense for Max Hall, or Derek Anderson, or any other ass QB the Cards play.
Cardinals 14 Vikings 27 (MIN)
Chicago Bears (-3) @ Buffalo Bills
A lot of media types seem to love the Bills, despite being 0-7. Losing two back-to-back games is historically a bad thing, as the wear and tear mentally of coming so close should be tough. If this was in Buffalo, I would give them a chance, but in Toronto, give me the Bears.
Bears 24 Bills 16 (CHI)
San Diego Chargers (-3) @ Houston Texans
Really? The team that is 3-5, and now might be without Antonio Gates is favored by 3 on the road against a team that just three weeks ago the entire media was going apeshit over? I'll take the team that used to be the media's fancy, especially at home.
Chargers 24 Texans 30 (HOU)
New Orleans Saints (-6.5) @ Carolina Panthers
I might have taken the Panthers to cover if DeAngelo was playing, but without him, that team cannot run the ball with any effectiveness, which is what they need to stay in this game. The Saints continue their march towards the levels they reached in 2009.
Saints 27 Panthers 14 (NO)
New York Giants (-7) @ Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are really good at home, and the Giants have suffered two embarrassing losses in Qwest Field in the Eli Manning era, but Charlie Whitehurst is starting against a d-line that has knocked out 6 QBs.
Giants 28 Seahawks 13 (NYG)
Indianapolis Colts @ Philadelphia Eagles (-3)
Michael Vick may have had two good starts against the Lions and Jaguars. But that was against the Lions and Jaguars. The Colts can still defend the pass, plus Manning is great against NFC Teams.
Colts 27 Eagles 20 (IND)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders (-1)
The Autumn Wind Is A Raider!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Silver and Black are back motherfuckers. If they win this game, the AFC West is ON. I say they win, because I want the Raiders @ Chiefs game in Week 17 to be important.
Chiefs 17 Raiders 23 (OAK)
Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers (-7.5)
Man, this game would have been fun if Romo were playing. Sadly, he isn't, and judging by last weeks performance, neither are Felix Jones (who, btw, doesn't look to be the better pick than Darren McFadden anymore. Right, fuckheads at ESPN??), DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff.
Cowboys 14 Packers 31 (GB)
Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5) @ Cincinnati Bengals
This is where the Bengals made their hay a year ago, going 6-0 in the division. The Bengals have already beaten the Ravens, but this is a different animal. I like the Bengals to come out energized and ready, put to ultimately fall just short.
Steelers 20 Bengals 17 (CIN)
Enjoy the Games.
