Minnesota -1 At Washington-
DP: Minny is favored at Washington? I guess they are counting on better effort from the D after Leslie Frazier was installed as head coach. In a battle of two struggling franchises who started the season with big hopes, I’ll take the home team. Pick: Redskins.
TJ: I can see Minny being favored with the change at head coach likely to result in an increased effort for a game or two (see: Dallas). Also, there isn’t much to like about the ‘Skins right now, with dysfunction on both sides of the ball and on the sidelines as well. I’m guessing Minnesota plays their best game of the season, much to the frustration of their fans, and wins by double digits.
Pittsburgh -6.5 At Buffalo-
DP: I realize Buff is playing better, but all the Steelers need is a TD to cover. The Bills are playing better, but their competition has been weak recently. Pick: Steelers.
TJ: Pittsburgh’s three losses came against Baltimore, New Orleans, and New England. They don’t lose to bad teams. Meanwhile, Buffalo’s only wins are against Detroit and Cincy. They don’t beat good teams. I can’t see any way for Buffalo to lose this game by less than 14.
At Houston -6 Tennessee-
DP: This is a hard game to figure. Houston has been struggling but Tenn is starting someone named Rusty Smith, not exactly an inspiring name for a QB. For some reason I like the Titans to keep it close. Pick: Titans.
TJ: The Titans appear to be on the verge of falling apart, getting six points from a crappy team. Classically, that’s exactly what the Titans like best. They love that “Nobody believes in us” stuff. I think they win this game big.
At NY Giants -7 Jacksonville-
DP: I think the Giants may have peaked too early. After winning 5 in a row, they have now lost 2. Meanwhile, Jax is on a three game win streak. Momentum is a fickle bitch in the NFL. Pick: Giants.
TJ: I still hate Jacksonville, and their win streak has come against crappy Dallas, Houston and Cleveland teams (the last two at home). It’s hard to see them traveling to New York and winning. I see the Giants getting healthy against bad teams over the next three weeks to set up a great game against Philly on December 19th. Still, 7 is a big line . . . nah, I’ll take the G-men.
At Cleveland -10 Carolina-
DP: Cleveland prefers the underdog role. Not sure they handle being 10 point favorites very well. Carolina was in the game last week against the Ravens until a couple of late defensive TDs. I’ll go with the points and hope for a close low scoring game. Pick: Panthers.
TJ: Ten points is a lot, and you know I don’t often pick my Brownies to win. But Carolina doesn’t just suck, they give slow, deliberate head with lots of eye contact. Cleveland wins by 24!
At Baltimore -7.5 Tampa Bay-
DP: Way too many points for a Ravens team that has trouble covering. I like the Bucs to keep it close. Pick: bucs.
TJ: Josh Freeman finally has his inevitable shitty game, and the Ravens completely embarrass the Bucs, for all intents and purposes eliminating them from the division race. Baltimore covers.
Philadelphia -3.5 At Chicago
DP: I’ve seen a lot of Philly games and I think they are the real deal. If the Bears can win here it might change my opinion of them, but that’s a big IF. Pick: Eagles.
TJ: I know the Bears have won three straight, but the Bills, Vikes, and ‘Phins aren’t exactly a murderers’ row. Philly, on the other hand, has looked great in wins over the Colts and Giants and a blowout of Washington on the road. I like them to put up some points again this week, and I like their D to put Cutler on his ass a few too many times as well. Eagles cover.
At Atlanta -2 Green Bay
DP: This is a very nice match-up between two teams playing well. Atlanta is due for a let down, but they are tough at home. Pick: Falcons.
TJ: Atlanta is terrific at home, especially when Ryan is healthy (19-1). I love the way Green Bay is playing on both sides of the ball: they’ve won their last three games by a combined score of 85-10. This is an awesome game, maybe an NFC Championship preview. It’s really a pick’em, but I’ll take the Pack to keep rolling.
At Oakland -3 Miami
DP: Who the hell knows? The Dolphins are tough on the road and have played a much harder schedule but they are starting Tyler Thigpen again. Reluctantly, pick: Raiders.
TJ: The Raiders can beat bad teams and mediocre teams, just not good teams. Miami isn’t good. I like the Raiders at home.
Kansas City -2.5 At Seattle
DP: I know Seattle is at home, but they have not had a decent win since week 6. I’ll stick with my KC love and my dream of a 7-9 NFC West division winner. Pick: Chiefs.
TJ: I like the way the Doc is thinking, and I hate to pick against the 7-9 NFC West Champ dream. But I’m off the Chiefs, who lost their last two road games against bad teams. Seattle wins at home and solidifies their division lead.
At Denver -3.5 St. Louis
DP: Just another completely unpredictable game. St. Louis is winless on the road and have the 19th ranked pass defense. Hopefully, the Broncos take care of business at home. Pick: Broncos.
TJ: Wish I could pick “C: None of the above.” I’ll go with St. Louis just to be contrary.
At Indianapolis -2.5 San Diego-
DP: I continue to believe the Colts will lose 4 in a row. Pick: Chargers.
TJ: Happy to see the Doc rocking the “reverse jinx.” San Diego is on a roll right now, but going across the country and winning in the dome is a tall order. I think the Chargers’ defense is bad enough for Indy to get their shit together on offense and win by a field goal or more.
San Francisco -1 At Arizona
DP: I would have loved to see the look on Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski’s faces Tuesday morning when they walked into work, looked at their game for this week, and tried to figure out how to come up with a decent promo. Seriously, this is the biggest turd of the week. Anyway, I continue to believe San Fran makes a late push for the NFC West. Pick: Niners.
TJ: Over the last five games the 49ers are 3-2 with a close road loss. Over that same stretch, the Cards are 0-5. In the “what have you done for me lately” NFL, I’m going with the hot hand (or the hand that’s least corpse-cold): San Fran.
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