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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Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills (-3)
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Chicago Bears (-7.5) at St. Louis Rams
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5) at Detroit Lions
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Bills -3
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Bears -7.5
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Lions +7.5
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2008 Record: 22-10-1 (68.8%)
See all 2008 Kevin picks
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It's been a tale of 2 seasons for the Bills,
who started 5-1. Since then, they've lost 4
straight including Monday Night's loss to the
Browns, which ended on Rian Lindell's
"wide-right" kick. This game is a must-win for
the Bills, who trail the AFC East-leading Jets
by 2 games and the Patriots and Dolphins by
1 game. In the past 3 years, the Bills are
12-4 against the spread (ATS) when the line
is 3 points or less. Also, they are 11-3 ATS
in the past 3 seasons when facing an
opponent with a losing record.
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The beginning of the Jim Haslett-era made me
think these were a different Rams team. You
know...a professional football team. They
certainly look like they couldn't beat a Pop
Warner team let alone an NFL team. They will
be without Steven Jackson again. Orlando
Pace is out too. The Rams have lost their past
3 games by a combined score 32-116. It will
be another long day for the Rams. In other
words, business as usual.
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Do I think the Lions are better than the Bucs?
No. Not even close. Would it surprise me if
the Bucs beat the Lions 42-3? No. But this is
my hunch pick of the week. The Bucs are 5-0
at home and 2-3 on the road straight up. In
fact, their 5 road games were decided by 3
points 4 times and by 4 points once. The Bucs
are without Earnest Graham for the remainder
of the season and I still expect them to win.
But the Lions will keep this one closer than
most would expect.
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Jamie
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San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys (-10)
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Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (-11.5)
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New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (pick)
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Cowboys -10
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Steelers -11.5
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Patriots pick'em
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2008 Record: 16-16-1 (50.0%)
See all 2008 Jamie picks
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How 'bout them Cowboys? I see the Cowboys
winning this game easy after pulling out a
much needed win last week vs the Redskins.
The reason mostly being on the Defensive
side of the ball as the D is much improved
now compared to earlier in the season. Romo
was Romo last week not perfect as he turned
the ball over close to the Redzone again...
But his presence made it easier for Barber to
run wild. Look for another story to come out
about Singletary having his pants around his
ankles during a halftime speech and take the
'Boys and give the 10 points (regardless of
the trend or not).
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Ok another game I'm going against the trend.
Regardless of your point of view, double-digit
dogs have been covering at a very high
percentage but the Steelers D is just insane to
watch on a weekly basis And the Bungles
without the threat of Ocho Stinko The Steelers
D will be able to focus on T.J. Who's Your
Momma and no way they will be able to run
against the Steel Curtain. Fitzpatrick will
struggle big time in this game and Palmer will
be glad he can't play as the Steelers punish
the Bungles. Again buck the trend and take the
Steelers who win this big.
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This game I look for Belichick to get his
revenge from the whooping they took in the
1st matchup vs the 'Fins. That was the 1st
week the wildcat came out and since that time
it seems each week it is becoming less and
less of a big play formation as teams get more
film on it. Also Cassell has more experience
under his belt since that game as shown by his
breakout game last week vs the Jets. The 'Fins
are a much-improved team this year but I just
think Coach Hoody (although I cant stand him)
gets his revenge this week.
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Dan
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Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills (-3)
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Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers (-2.5)
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New York Jets at Tennessee Titans (-5)
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Bills -3
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Chargers -2.5
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Titans -5
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2008 Record: 20-13 (60.6%)
See all 2008 Dan picks
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All games are important in the NFL, and after
week 4 it certainly looked like you could post
a W in the column for the Bills before this
game even started. Buffalo has been in a
tailspin of late, losing a heartbreaker by
another missed field goal, and seeing thier
bright playoff hopes becoming dim. Kansas
City certainly is trying, but sadly you don't get
a win for effort, although Chiefs QB Tyler
Thigpen has certainly left his mark for the
future. The Bills travel to Arrowhead, once
again one of the toughest places to play in
the league, and are desperate for a win to
keep pace in the AFC East. Look for the Bills
to use the ground game with Marshawn Lynch
and Fred Jackson controlling the tempo and
the clock on Sunday afternoon. Lynch looks
to be rounding into shape after punishing
Cleveland defenders last week, and must be
salivating on going up against the 2nd-worst
rushing defense in the league. Look for
Buffalo to get back on track, and lay the
points when going up against a 1-9 team
straight up.
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So the Colts are back, everyone is thinking it,
every one is saying it, and it's almost hard not
to believe that it is true. One small problem,
the Colts have to take their show on the road
to San Diego for a pivotal contest for the
Chargers. This is the game that could bury the
Chargers playoff hopes, and put Indy in a
strong position for the wild card, or it could put
San Diego back in the division mix, and send
the Colts back to the wildcard pack. As of late,
San Diego has made it their business to be a
road block for the Colts. The Chargers have
won the last 3 matchups in a row, and bounced
the Colts from the playoffs last year with two
back-ups. The Chargers have always had a
history of playing well in prime time, and are
4-1 in their last 5 night appearances. Combine
this with Indy's woeful 3-6 record vs the spread,
and the numbers certainly point to a San Diego
surprise. Look for the Chargers defense to
confound Manning, and for their excellent
secondary to slow down Indy's aerial attack. I
am still not a believer in the Colts' run
defense, and I would look for LaDanian
Tomlinson to have a huge night, I'm going with
the Bolts at home to save their season.
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Can the Titans run the table? Well, it is still
way too early to talk about that, but I have a
feeling they will be keeping their winning
streak in tact after this week. The Jets come in
after a win in Foxboro, and taking a huge step
in thier quest for a playoff berth, and more
speculation of will Brett Farve comeback next
year talk. Tennessee is still running strong
after coming back from a half-time deficit vs
Jacksonville. For the Jets, Farve is playing well,
and has not produced a turnover in the last two
games, but will be playing a Tennessee
defense that has 15 picks which is second in
the league. The Jets also have a great run
stuffer in Kris Jenkins, but as we have learned
the last two weeks, the Titans can beat you
through the air with Kerry Collins. The Jets are
due for another classic 4 turnover game that
reminds you they still are the Jets, as LP Field
grants one of the best home field advantages
in the league. I would look for the Titans
number one defense to force Farve into
mistakes, and their ability to stuff Thomas
Jones on the ground. Look for another
managed game by Collins, and a steady diet
of Chris Johnson. I am feeling good about the
favorites this week, so lay the points with the
9-1 team vs the spread and look for the Titans
to go 11-0.
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Brendan
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Chicago Bears (-7.5) at St. Louis Rams
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Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (-9)
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Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns (-3)
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Bears -7.5
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Broncos -9
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Browns -3
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2008 Record: 21-10-2 (67.7%)
See all 2008 Brendan picks
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At this point in the year there are already a
few teams that have decided to pack it in for
the year. The Rams are an easy target to
pick on based on their play in the past few
weeks. It appears as if they have completely
given up without Steven Jackson. I don't
have a lot of facts to back this pick up
besides what you and I have both seen lately
out of them and they should be double digit
underdogs each week so anytime they are
not I am going to pick against them until
they prove me wrong. So take the Bears no
matter who plays QB and lay the points.
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Another team that is in complete disarray this
year is the Raiders. I have often targeted
them this year and this week I really like the
matchp as they go against Mike Shanahan and
the Broncos who are starting to turn it on again.
The reason I really like this matchup is that
Shanahan hates Al Davis and the Raiders and
will take pleasure in running up the score in
Denver this week. Denver does have a weak D
but luckily for them they go up against one of
the worst offensive teams in the NFL so they
just to have a bend but dont break mentality
this week and let the Broncos offense do all of
the dirty work. Take the Broncos behind Cutler
and lay the points in Denver this week.
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It may not have been pretty up in Buffalo last
week but a win is a win. I like the start to the
Brady Quinn era as he has had success against
the Broncos and when he struggled a bit
against the Bills he still managed the game
and found a way to win by not turning the ball
over. In what should be some cold weather in
Cleveland this weekend I think it favors the
Browns at home who are used to it and can rely
on Quinn's short passing game to beat the
Texans this week. Take the Browns and lay
the points.
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Sean
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Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (-1)
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New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (pick)
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Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers (-2.5)
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Falcons -1
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Patriots pick
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Chargers -2.5
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2008 Record: 22-11 (66.7%)
See all 2008 Sean picks
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Lets start by saying that double digit dogs
are either 11-1 ATS(12-0 if you were lucky to
get your bet in early like me in week 7. )
Anyways, i think both Pittsburgh & Dallas
might cover this week. I actually think those
are strong plays as well, but cannot go
against the trend yet. So back to this game.
Atlanta looked pretty bad last week against a
very bad Denver defense. They couldn't get
the ground game going. I think this will
change this week. The Carolina Panthers
haven't looked great lately. Their last two
games against Detroit & Oakland they
haven't exactly looked like an 8-2 team. It is
very tough in the NFL to sweep a division
opponent, especially an opponent that is half
way decent like Atlanta. I think Atlanta
bounces back big time at home and wins this
game. Atlanta 27 Carolina 20
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This line is pretty crazy, if you think if it. This
game smells like a trap game big time. This
game is very similar to the Carolina/Atlanta
game. Miami has struggled the previous two
weeks beating two mediocre teams in Seattle &
Oakland. Miami won the first meeting, so hard
to sweep a division opponent. Bill Belichick will
not be "surprised" by the wildcat offense this
time around, and face it Matt Cassell has grown
as a NFL QB. Miami does have New England's
number looking back at history, but New
England needs this game if they want to make
the playoffs. All the pressure is on New England
because it is expected, and even though I
think he is a low-life scumbag, Bill Belichick will
get his troops ready for this one and they will
win on the road. New England 24 Miami 19
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Tough pick with my last one, I like Jacksonville
at home vs Minnesota as well, but I think San
Diego is due. San Diego's defense has shown
up since coming back from England. Peyton
Manning has struggled against the Chargers.
This is a must-win game for San Diego if they
want to make the playoffs. Dropping to 4-7 will
pretty much kill their chances. I really hope
they lose, because this team could be
dangerous come playoff time. LT has only
broke the century mark twice this year on the
ground, but against one of the worst rush
defenses in the NFL and in the National
Spotlight, I think LT will look like LT of old and
carry this team not only in this game, but down
the stretch leading San Diego into the playoffs.
Something just looks wrong in Indy. This is a
statement game, and people will be talking
about the Chargers at the water cooler on
Monday. San Diego 38 Indianapolis 24
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