NFL PICKS: Buccaneers should win in Dallas
Tampa Bay (5-2) travels to Dallas to meet a Cowboys team that is a surprising 4-3. After being pummeled 34-14 by the then 1-4 Rams, Dallas looks to take on a Tampa team that has won its last two by convincing margins.
With starting quarterback Tony Romo out, Owen High graduate Brad Johnson will lead the Cowboys against his former team, which he guided to a win in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Meanwhile, Bucs QB Jeff Garcia has completed 42 of 56 passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two games. With Dallas' pass defense ranked 16th in the league, Garcia's hot streak could continue. Tampa also brings the league's second-ranked defense to Dallas, making me think there's an upset in the making. Bucs win this one.
St. Louis (+9) at New England:
The Rams have come alive recently with unexpected wins over Washington and Dallas, but can they pull off the upset in Gillette Stadium? New England struggled two weeks ago in San Diego, suffering a 30-10 loss to the Chargers; however, at home last weekend, the Patriots dominated Denver, 41-7. Injuries, however, continue to plague the Patriots, most recently the loss of 15-year veteran safety Rodney Harrison. St. Louis running back Steven Jackson ran for a season-high 160 yards and three touchdowns last week against Dallas and will face a New England rush defense ranked No. 19 in the league. Rams continue to roll.
Sunday's games
Buffalo (-1.5) at Miami: Dolphins
Washington (-9) at Detroit: Redskins, Detroit +9
San Diego (-3) vs. New Orleans: Chargers
Tampa Bay (+2.5) at Dallas: Bucs
Oakland (+9) at Baltimore: Ravens, Raiders +9
Kansas City (+14) at N.Y. Jets: Jets, Chiefs +14
St. Louis (+9) at New England: Rams
Arizona (+4.5) at Carolina: Panthers, Cardinals +4.5
Atlanta (+9.5) at Philadelphia: Eagles, Falcons +9.5
Cincinnati (+9.5) at Houston: Texans, Bengals +9.5
Cleveland (+6.5) at Jacksonville: Jaguars
N.Y. Giants (+3) at Pittsburgh: Steelers
Seattle (+4.5) at San Francisco: 49ers
Monday's game
Indianapolis (+4) at Tennessee: Titans
Last week: 9-5 straight up; 5-9 spread. Overall: 62-40 straight up; 48-50-3 spread.