Went 9-4-1 last week to bring my overall record to 24-16-1. I think I have a pretty good read on a lot of Sundays action.
San Diego +3 @ Jacksonville -- Even if Gerrard is back I expect him to be rusty. The Jags defense has been exposed and is weak against the pass and 25th overall giving up over 360 yards in total offense a game.
Kansas City +15 @ Indy -- There are huge question marks looming for KCs offense; Johnson is out again and Croyle is inexperienced. The Chiefs running game was sad even with Johnson in there. If you looked at this Chiefs team coming into the season you would've thought one of the lone bright spots would have been LJ... instead its the defense that has shined at times. I look for them to keep KC in this game and I think Croyle gives them a better chance to win-if he can handle the hostel environment and make a few big plays the Chiefs can hang
Oakland +5.5 @ Minny -- Adrian Peterson out doesn't hurt Minny as much as most people think it does. Taylor is pretty decent guy to have as your back up as he averages 5 yards a carry (the Raiders have the 29th ranked rush offense). However, Minny's pass offense is awful and Oakland is 5th in the NFL against the pass. My prediction: Russell comes in late for some heroics and lead the Raiders to a upset win on the road
Baltimore +2.5 vs Cleveland -- Can Cleveland rebound from a heartbreaking loss in Pittsburgh? I'm guessing no. And Baltimore will be in revenge mode after being thrashed in Cleveland 27-13... Baltimore will be playing hard because with their playoff hopes dwindling, a loss would be devastating.
Pittsburgh -9.5 @ NYJ -- Pittsburgh is just too good for the Jets right now. The Jets have hung in games but don't seem to play a full 60 minutes. Pittsburgh is coming off a dominant second half vs Cleveland and I look for them to keep it going against the woeful Jets
Tampa Bay -3 @ Atlanta Coming off their bye week, the Bucs have got to be pleased with their first place divisional standing... Garcia has got this offense going and the running game has come from nowhere the last few weeks. The Bucs have played some close games and suffered some tough loses, but I look for them to come off their bye firing on all cylinders. Bucs win big
Cinci -3 vs. Arizona -- Zona is a different team on the road and that is not a good thing. Cinci's defense finally stepped up and if they can get their ground game in order they should have no problems taking this one at home
Philly -10 vs Miami -- The Eagles have been up and down all season. The come from behind win last week has them beaming with confidence something they have lacked with all the off the field turmoil surrounding their head coach. The playoffs are not out of the picture and they need big win here to stay in contention and to give them some confidence heading into foxboro
Buffalo +16 vs New England -- Buffalo is coming off 4 straight wins. They play tough at home, with their two loses coming by a total of 2 points. They rank near the bottom in the league in both offense and defense but they find a way to keep games close.
Washington +11 @ Dallas -- This number is surprisingly large considering the talent level of both these teams. Wash has finally got Portis going and will need a big day against a good Cowboys rush defense. I think Campbell can have some success through the air as Dallas has shown weakness in their secondary
New Orleans pk @ Houston ---Too me, this one is a no brainer. It was the one game that jumped off the screen at me at first glance. The only reason I can see for the line being here is because of NOs performance last week vs St Louis. I see no way Houston stops Brees and the Saints from putting up big numbers. This game could be high scoring. I like the over (48pts) on this one too
Carolina +10 @ Green Bay --- Theres not much I can say about this one besides its a feel pick. I think Vinny will play well... Green Bay wins but 10 is too big a number
NYG -2.5 @ Detroit --- both these teams suffered tough loses last week and both lost some momentum. The Lions give up almost 300 yards a game through the air... ouch. The Giants are ranked in the top ten vs the rush and the Lions are one of the worst rushing teams in the league. You saw what happens when you can run the ball last week in Arizona and I don't see there being much of a difference here.
St Louis -2.5 @ San Fran -- At this point you'd have to consider the 49ers a weaker football team than the Rams. At least the Rams have shown they can score. Until the niners show they can score I will not pick them. Alex Smith looks like a rookie and their rushing attack has suffered the consequences.
Chicago +6 @ Seattle -- Call me crazy but Grossman has a big day. I am not impressed with Seattle and I think the Bears have something left in their tank.
Denver -2 vs Tennessee Denver saved their season with a big win last Sunday. They beat the Steelers a few weeks ago on Monday night football. Although the Broncos have struggled, dont forget this is mile high. In my opinion, Tennessee is the weakest 6-3 out there. Vince Young does not look good. I foresee turnovers killing the Titans.
San Diego +3 @ Jacksonville -- Even if Gerrard is back I expect him to be rusty. The Jags defense has been exposed and is weak against the pass and 25th overall giving up over 360 yards in total offense a game.
Kansas City +15 @ Indy -- There are huge question marks looming for KCs offense; Johnson is out again and Croyle is inexperienced. The Chiefs running game was sad even with Johnson in there. If you looked at this Chiefs team coming into the season you would've thought one of the lone bright spots would have been LJ... instead its the defense that has shined at times. I look for them to keep KC in this game and I think Croyle gives them a better chance to win-if he can handle the hostel environment and make a few big plays the Chiefs can hang
Oakland +5.5 @ Minny -- Adrian Peterson out doesn't hurt Minny as much as most people think it does. Taylor is pretty decent guy to have as your back up as he averages 5 yards a carry (the Raiders have the 29th ranked rush offense). However, Minny's pass offense is awful and Oakland is 5th in the NFL against the pass. My prediction: Russell comes in late for some heroics and lead the Raiders to a upset win on the road
Baltimore +2.5 vs Cleveland -- Can Cleveland rebound from a heartbreaking loss in Pittsburgh? I'm guessing no. And Baltimore will be in revenge mode after being thrashed in Cleveland 27-13... Baltimore will be playing hard because with their playoff hopes dwindling, a loss would be devastating.
Pittsburgh -9.5 @ NYJ -- Pittsburgh is just too good for the Jets right now. The Jets have hung in games but don't seem to play a full 60 minutes. Pittsburgh is coming off a dominant second half vs Cleveland and I look for them to keep it going against the woeful Jets
Tampa Bay -3 @ Atlanta Coming off their bye week, the Bucs have got to be pleased with their first place divisional standing... Garcia has got this offense going and the running game has come from nowhere the last few weeks. The Bucs have played some close games and suffered some tough loses, but I look for them to come off their bye firing on all cylinders. Bucs win big
Cinci -3 vs. Arizona -- Zona is a different team on the road and that is not a good thing. Cinci's defense finally stepped up and if they can get their ground game in order they should have no problems taking this one at home
Philly -10 vs Miami -- The Eagles have been up and down all season. The come from behind win last week has them beaming with confidence something they have lacked with all the off the field turmoil surrounding their head coach. The playoffs are not out of the picture and they need big win here to stay in contention and to give them some confidence heading into foxboro
Buffalo +16 vs New England -- Buffalo is coming off 4 straight wins. They play tough at home, with their two loses coming by a total of 2 points. They rank near the bottom in the league in both offense and defense but they find a way to keep games close.
Washington +11 @ Dallas -- This number is surprisingly large considering the talent level of both these teams. Wash has finally got Portis going and will need a big day against a good Cowboys rush defense. I think Campbell can have some success through the air as Dallas has shown weakness in their secondary
New Orleans pk @ Houston ---Too me, this one is a no brainer. It was the one game that jumped off the screen at me at first glance. The only reason I can see for the line being here is because of NOs performance last week vs St Louis. I see no way Houston stops Brees and the Saints from putting up big numbers. This game could be high scoring. I like the over (48pts) on this one too
Carolina +10 @ Green Bay --- Theres not much I can say about this one besides its a feel pick. I think Vinny will play well... Green Bay wins but 10 is too big a number
NYG -2.5 @ Detroit --- both these teams suffered tough loses last week and both lost some momentum. The Lions give up almost 300 yards a game through the air... ouch. The Giants are ranked in the top ten vs the rush and the Lions are one of the worst rushing teams in the league. You saw what happens when you can run the ball last week in Arizona and I don't see there being much of a difference here.
St Louis -2.5 @ San Fran -- At this point you'd have to consider the 49ers a weaker football team than the Rams. At least the Rams have shown they can score. Until the niners show they can score I will not pick them. Alex Smith looks like a rookie and their rushing attack has suffered the consequences.
Chicago +6 @ Seattle -- Call me crazy but Grossman has a big day. I am not impressed with Seattle and I think the Bears have something left in their tank.
Denver -2 vs Tennessee Denver saved their season with a big win last Sunday. They beat the Steelers a few weeks ago on Monday night football. Although the Broncos have struggled, dont forget this is mile high. In my opinion, Tennessee is the weakest 6-3 out there. Vince Young does not look good. I foresee turnovers killing the Titans.