CONTRIBUTOR
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GAME 1
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GAME 2
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GAME 3
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Kevin
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KC Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (-15.5)
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Carolina Panthers (-9.5) at Oakland Raiders
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St. Louis Rams at New York Jets (-9)
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Chargers -15.5
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Panthers -9.5
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Jets -9
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2008 Record: 18-8-1 (69.2%)
See all 2008 Kevin picks
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The Chargers are arguably the biggest
disappointment of the 2008 season. At 3-5,
they trail the Denver Broncos by 1 1/2 games
in the AFC West. Considering they play the
Steelers, the Colts and the Falcons in the
weeks ahead, beating the Chiefs is a must.
The spread is huge, but don't be fooled.
There were 5 games decided by more than 15
1/2 points in week 9 alone. The Chargers will
look like the real contenders that many
thought they were in the pre-season and blow
out the Chiefs this week. The question (and
to which I do not have the answer...yet) is will
they look like a real contender when they face
a quality opponent in the Steelers next week.
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16-2. That's NOT a score prediction. That is
how many players are on the Raiders injury
report vs the Panthers' report. Not only are
the Raiders bad, but they are banged up.
And they just released their $70+ million CB,
whether or not he's the "flashiest, burnt-up
corner in the history of the game" like Warren
Sapp says. This dysfunctional team does one
thing well - lose. They won't disappoint this
week either.
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It's going to be a rough week for professional
(I use that term loosely) football for the
Missouri-based teams. (The good news is the
Mizzou Tigers should beat Kansas State.)
Kenneth Darby is going to start at RB for the
Rams with Steven Jackson out. Kenneth Darby
was on the Falcons practice squad just 3 weeks
ago. Now he faces All-World (not a reference
to his 349 pounds) run-stopper Kris Jenkins
and the fourth-best rush defense (76 ypg) in
the NFL. On the flip side, the Rams rush
defense is the 4th-worst in the league (155.5
ypg).
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Jamie
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New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (-1)
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New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-3)
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KC Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (-15.5)
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Saints +1
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Eagles -3
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Chiefs +15.5
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2008 Record: 13-13-1 (50.0%)
See all 2008 Jamie picks
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The Falcons have looked better this year led
by Matt Ryan and the "Burner" Turner but this
week the Brees-led offense will be too much
for the Falcons to keep up with. Off the bye, I
look for Colston and Shockey to even add
more to this offense. The game will be fairly
close, but the Saints will win it in the 4th. NO is
3-1 in its last 4 ATS vs the Dirty Birds and 4-0
straight up.
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This game being in Philly will push the Eagles
over the Giants. McNabb has been awesome
this year with his main weapons being in and
out. With Curtis and Westbrook back, I look
for Philly to make a statement this week in a
must-have game. I still don't believe in the
Giants and Eli as much as others and look for
Eli to struggle in this game against the blitzing
Eagles and one of the best secondaries in the
league.
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This game here is just taking the huge spread
as Sweep has mentioned double-digit dogs so
far this year are covering at a 100% clip
(editor's note: depends on source) and I don't
see why that trend won't continue as the
Chiefs haven't looked that bad and the
Chargers have struggled at times. KC is also
6-0 covering 10+ point spreads over the past
3 seasons. Take the Chiefs and hope Jamaal
Charles is over his fumbling issues from the
preseason.
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Dan
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Tennessee Titans (-3) at Chicago Bears
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Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (-2.5)
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Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (3.5)
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Bears +3
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Packers +2.5
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Patriots -3.5
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2008 Record: 17-10 (63.0%)
See all 2008 Dan picks
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Tough week last time out, but now it's time for
the bounce-back picks. The Titans streak of 7
covers in a row was snapped last week by
Green Bay, and now they head north to face
another NFC Central opponent in Chicago. This
is certainly not a spite pick, just because I had
good thoughts on the Titans, but rather I am
very fond of small dogs at home. I love the
Bears at Soldier Field, always have even better
when they are getting points. Chicago may
look a little banged up starting Rex Grossman
at QB, but will take this opportunity to get their
vaunted defense back on track. I would look
for the Chicago front 7 to force LenDale White
to run North and South, and to clog the middle
when Johnson is in at tailback. History-wise,
Chicago has won the last 3 meetings in a row,
and all 3 have been decided by 3 points or
less. Take the small dog at home, as Chicago
has the chance to end the Titans unbeaten
streak as this game will go to the wire.
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I am liking the right side this week, as I will
go with another underdog in Green Bay
traveling to Minnesota. The Packers pushed
the Titans to the edge last week, and
Minnesota escaped Houston. History certainly
favors the Packers this year, as Green Bay has
posted a 5-3 record vs the spread. Green Bay
has won the last 5 matchups straight up, and
conversely Minnesota has posted a 2-6 mark
vs the number so far this year. Typically most
teams look to air it out vs the Vikings, and
Aaron Rodgers has some pretty lofty stats and
a great WR core to back up that gameplan.
One would think that the Packers would follow
the script, but historically Ryan Grant performs
well vs Minnesota, as he has posted 211 yards
in 2 games, and has rushed for over 80 yards
in his last 3 games. Look for the Pack to have
a well-balanced attack, using some deep
shots with Greg Jennings, and for a stout
Green Bay defense to hold down the line vs
Adrian Peterson.
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This is shaping up to be a very tough week
value wise, so when in doubt, always go with
New England following a loss. This game is a
critical AFC East matchup, just like the old days
when every team there was finishing with 10
wins. The Patriots simply own Buffalo as they
have posted an astonishing 14 wins in the last
15 matchups. Belichick is the master of film
study, and almost always has his division
rivals well-scouted. The Bills come in limping
with two losses in a row, after a hot 5-1 start.
The Pats were a Gaffney dropped TD pass
away from beating old nemesis Indianapolis. I
would look for Matt Cassel to get more looks
down field, and for New England to continue
their strong rushing attack by committee. Look
for the Pats defense to tighten up, and force
Trent Edwards into long passing situations.
Take the Pats and give the points for a home
win in Foxboro.
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Brendan
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KC Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (-15.5)
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New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-3)
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Carolina Panthers (-9.5) at Oakland Raiders
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Chiefs +15.5
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Giants +3
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Panthers -9.5
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2008 Record: 15-10-2 (60.0%)
See all 2008 Brendan picks
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I decided to be trendy this week and submit
my picks fashionably late. In another trend
that has helped me this year is picking against
the Chargers. Their lines are not indicitive of
the team on the field they are made by the
team on paper. Can the Chargers beat the
Chiefs by more than two touchdowns? Sure,
but will they is the question and if this
season's body of work is the evidence we have
to go by then the answer is no. KC is
becoming a frisky team that will go into the
second half of the year looking to play spoiler.
They are some young talent on offense and
have found a nice running back in Jamaal
Charles out of Texas who was the first runner
to eclipse the 100 yard mark against Tampa
Bay this year. Look for San Diego to win the
game but take the Chiefs and the points.
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Besides one letdown in Cleveland this year,
the Giants have proven week in and week out
they are now the best team in football. I
know Philly is no slouch either but Justin Tuck
and the Giants defense look even better than
last year. I like the fact that the Giants
consistently pounce on their opponents from
the opening whistle and never let up. In what
appears to be a close game in Philly this week
I still like the Giants to win so definitely take
the 3 points with it.
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The NFC South is quietly having a very nice
year even though all the attention is being
paid to the NFC East. Right in the mix of
everything is the Carolina Panthers and their
veteran coaching staff led by John Fox. The
reason I bring that up is because I love to pick
on the Raiders and their hiring of Tom Cable
who compiled a very impressive 11-35 record
in 4 years as a head coach of that powerhouse
known as the University of Toledo. Oakland
has become the laughing stock on the league
at this point and seem to be in complete
chaos at this point while the Panthers are
establishing themselves as a serious
Superbowl contender. Look for the Panthers to
make light work of the Raiders this week and
lay the points.
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Sean
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KC Chiefs at San Diego Chargers (-15.5)
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St. Louis Rams at New York Jets (-9)
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Tennessee Titans (-3) at Chicago Bears
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Chiefs +15.5
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Rams +9
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Titans -3
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2008 Record: 17-10 (63.0%)
See all 2008 Sean picks
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You know where I am going with this one
already. I love to follow trends and I am riding
this one while it is still hot. Double-digit
underdogs are a perfect 9-0 ATS (editor's note:
depends on source used.) this season. Pretty
impressive. Breaking down this game, San
Diego's defense is terrible this year. Injuries
and just poor overall play have killed this
team. Kansas City does not have a juggernaut
offense, but they do have some very good
weapons in Dwayne Bowe, Tony Gonzalez and
rookie RB Jamaal Charles who will be the man
this week. Charles is deadly both running the
ball and out of the backfield as a receiver. I
think Charles will be the future back in KC for
years to come, and if last week's 100+ game
wasn't his coming out party, then this week's
game will be. San Diego's offense has gotten
better as of late as LT and Gates have gotten
healthier, so I expect this game to be high
scoring. San Diego can score a ton of points,
but they can't stop anyone either.
San Diego 38 Kansas City 27
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Call it the cover jinx, or call it just the same
old Brett Favre. Face it, Brett Favre is Brett
Favre is Brett Favre. He will make a lot of
highlight reel passes, but he will also make a
ton of bad throws in between. St. Louis has
played inspired football since Jim Haslett has
taken over, and I think the Rams will put up a
fight against the Jets in this one. The Rams
have beaten the Redskins & Cowboys, two
good teams already, so it wouldn't be out of
the question to see an upset here. Favre pads
his career interception record, but escapes late
with another 4th-qtr comeback.
NY Jets 23 St.Louis 21
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Another spot for a let-down game for the
Titans. They were supposed to lose to the
Colts, they were supposed to lose to the
Packers. Many are saying they are supposed
to lose to Chicago. Picking against an
undefeated team is always the "sexy" pick,
but looking at the matchup,
Tennessee is a much better team. Granted
any given Sunday, but too many things
favoring the Titans here. First of all, this isn't
the famed Chicago defense of old. They are a
middle of the road defense ranked 18th in
overall defense in the NFL. Tennessee has the
#1 scoring defense in the NFL, and hopefully
will have a healthy KVB back this week to
bolster an already awesome defensive line.
This is a battle between the two best rookie
backs in the NFL: Matt Forte and Chris
Johnson. They both have been amazing this
year. I like both to have actually pretty good
games. I think the Titans though will dominate
both lines of scrimmage like they have been
doing all year and win another ugly game
staying undefeated. Tennessee 24 Chicago 20
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