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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NE Patriots (-4.5) at Seattle Seahawks
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New York Jets (-4) at San Francisco 49ers
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St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals (-14)
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Patriots -4.5
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Jets -4
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Cardinals -14
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2008 Record: 26-12-1 (68.4%)
See all 2008 Kevin picks
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I was tempted by 2 NFC South home teams
(Panthers and Saints) as the NFC South
teams are 22-2 at home straight-up on the
season. Also, I was tempted by the Steelers
at -3, but my theme this week is picking on
the 3 bad NFC West teams. Look for Cassel
to return closer to the 400-yard form against
the Seattle Seahawks, who have the
32nd-ranked pass defense (265+ ypg) in the
NFL. Also, I expect the Pats to bounce back
from a humbling loss at home to the
Steelers. The last time the Pats lost
back-to-back were weeks 9/10 in 2006.
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This spread seems way too low to me.
Granted, Mike Singletary has the 49ers playing
better and they were able to escape Buffalo
with a victory last week. And although Peyton
Hillis was able to run the ball effectively against
the Jets last week, I expect the Jets to limit
Gore in the running game this week. On the
other hand, Thomas Jones has 487 rushing
yards in the past 4 weeks with 6 rushing TDs.
In those 4 games, he only had 1 game under
100 yards (96).
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The Cardinals are coming off back-to-back
losses to NFC East teams. But I expect them
to get back to business as usual against the
St. Louis Rams. The Cards are 4-0 against
divisional rivals this year. Kurt Warner made
some comments about how difficult it is as a
one-dimensional team against good teams.
Well, (1) the Rams aren't good and (2) they
have the 30th-ranked rush defense (161.8
ypg). Tim Hightower's best rushing
performance (109 yards) was against the
Rams in week 9.
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Jamie
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Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3)
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Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (-9)
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Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-7)
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Steelers -3
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Chiefs +9
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Eagles +7
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2008 Record: 20-18-1 (52.6%)
See all 2008 Jamie picks
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Being a long-time Cowboys fan, this is
almost a lock for the Steelers. I don't see
how the Cowboys cover in this one although I
hope they do. Barber is banged up and I see
Romo having a very rough day though his
elusiveness in the pocket could help. The
Cowboys D will keep it close but will wear
down vs the Steelers in the 2nd half and
Hines Ward will have that stupid smile on his
face that you know you would love to knock
off his face.
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Are the Broncos 9 points better than the Chiefs
because of last week's game and the Jets
letdown? I don't think so. LJ should have a
solid game and the spread offense under
Thigpen will keep this one closer than 9. And
Cutler is starting to be like Romo in my
opinion. For every great play he makes, he
makes one that makes you say "WTF"? Denver
is 1-7 ATS as a favorite this year.. Take the
Chiefs and give the points.
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Really having a hard time finding a 3rd game
this week, but I think Philly will outright win this
one vs the Giants and the turmoil around them
this week. The Philly D should be able to limit
the Giants running game and could pressure Eli
into one of those games he had early from
last year when most Giants fans wish he shot
himself in the leg. With McNabb playing with a
chip on his shoulder and Westbrook looking
good, look for the Eagles to cover in a must-
have game.
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Dan
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NE Patriots (-4.5) at Seattle Seahawks
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Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-7)
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TB Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (-3)
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Patriots -4.5
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Eagles +7
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Bucs +3
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2008 Record: 24-15 (61.5%)
See all 2008 Dan picks
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After a tough loss at home to an impressive
Pittsburgh team, the Patriots take thier show
on the road to the Pacific northwest. Seattle
comes in off the long break, after being
flattened by Dallas on Thanksgiving,
apparently, the network didn't think much of
this matchup since it has been moved to a
4:15 start. So many signs point to a strong
New England showing, the Patriots are 16-1
following a loss straight up, and they also
seek to extend thier winning streak Vs the
NFC to 15 in a row. Seattle comes in banged
up, and what certainly can be described as a
lost season, at one point they were looking
to put the waterboy in at wide receiver as
injuries have decimated this squad. I would
look for New England to get back to basics
and pound away with thier running backs
Sammy Morris, and Kevin Faulk Vs Seattles
22nd ranked defense Vs the rush, as
mistakes by Cassel cost them dearly last
week. My basic rule is small dogs are 3 pts or
less at home you take, but lay the points for
the Patriots this week.
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Well, this game certainly has it all, a classic
NFC east rivalry game, one team looking to
continue it's drive to the playoffs, and the other
to get fully established back into the picture.
Oh yes, there is also a little bit of extra media
attention to the week as well, as you might
have heard on various sports stations. I really
don't think this game warrants such a huge
line, especially for these two teams that know
each other so well. I think this is the week that
all the off field distractions catch up with New
York, but the good thing is that you will not get
a moral commentary from me on Plaxico
Buress going Cheddar Bob last Saturday. I
would look for Brian Westbrook to create
mismatches against the Giants defense as
always, and since Donovan McNabb has been
put on notice by coach Andy Reid, look for his
strong play to continue. I believe the Eagles
have an exceptional chance to derail the Giants
for at least a week, but take the generous
touchdown spread with Philly this week.
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Probably the 2nd best game of the week for
the NFL on paper, behind the Dallas Vs
Pittsburgh matchup this week, pits these two
9-3 NFC south rivals on Monday Night Football.
The Panthers come in after winning big in
Lambeau field, to host Tampa Bay, who
squeaked out a Field Goal to defeat the Saints
last week. Tampa comes in 7-5 Vs the spread
this year, and has also taken 2 of the last 3
matchups, including a 27-3 thrashing of the
Panthers this year. Tampa Bay is winning
games according to thier usual blueprint, a ball
control and managed offensive attack, and
domination on defense. Carolina boasts one of
the leagues most dynamic rushing attacks, but
have the task of facing a defense that gives
up and average of 95 yards per game, and is
ranked 4th overall. I would look for the Bucs
defense to carry the day, as they will find a way
to close the rushing lanes, and use thier cover
2 scheme to confuse the interception prone
Jake Delhomme into mistakes. In our never
ending quest for value, grab the extra points
as Carolina does not have an answer for the
always stalwart Tampa defense.
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Brendan
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NE Patriots (-4.5) at Seattle Seahawks
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Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3)
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New York Jets (-4) at San Francisco 49ers
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Patriots -4.5
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Cowboys +3
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Jets -4
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2008 Record: 23-14-2 (62.6%)
See all 2008 Brendan picks
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Well it looks like I was the turkey on
Thanksgiving last week going 1-2. But I
learned a valuable lesson last week - Seattle
is horrible and appear to have quit on
Holmgren. I really hadn't gotten a chance to
watch them but from what I saw last week,
they are just counting down the days until
they can go home and start over next year
under Jim Mora Jr. This week the Patriots
come in off a big loss to the Steelers, but the
Patriots left a lot of points on the board in
that game due to some big dropped passes
and let a relentless Steelers pass rush finally
get to them in the second half which made
the score balloon. I thought Seattle would try
and play spoiler at the end of the year, but
they made it abundantly clear last week that
they are not, so take the Pats and give the
points.
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In that same Seattle game I got a chance to
watch a very talented Cowboys team start
putting it all together on both sides of the ball.
They did suffer injuries to both Barber and
Ware but at this point both are considered
questionable but I have a feeling at least one
will play in this game because they are fighting
for their playoff lives. The Steelers are now
battling big injuries as well as they reported
today that both Willie Parker and Big Ben sat
out of practice today. Again I would think Big
Ben would play given the severity of the game
but I think Pittsburgh is coming off a huge win
and could have a letdown against a more
talented Dallas team. Take Dallas and the
points.
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One team that did suffer a letdown last week
was the NY Jets. They were coming off two
huge wins over New England and Tennessee
and then laid an egg against Denver last week.
Now that they have Mr.Favre at QB I don't
expect them to overlook a team two weeks in
a row. This is the same team that lost to
Oakland earlier in the year but then looked
like they could beat any team in the NFL after
their performance against the Titans. Expect
the latter against a bad San Francisco team
this week. San Francisco went in and pulled off
a shocker in Buffalo last week but that was
against JP Losman after Edwards was forced to
leave the game due to a groin injury. As you
can see my theme in this game is both teams
had an abberation last week so expect them
both play closer to their actual ability which
would strongly favor the Jets. So take the Jets
and lay the points.
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Sean
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New York Jets (-4) at San Francisco 49ers
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Jacksonville Jaguars at Chicago Bears (-6.5)
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Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans (-14)
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Jets -4
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Jaguars +6.5
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Titans -14
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2008 Record: 25-14 (64.1%)
See all 2008 Sean picks
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The Story of the Jets all season is that one
week they look like legit super bowl
contenders (Titans, Pats game), and then
one week they look horrible
(Raiders,Broncos). The Jets are pretty
inconsistent, that basically comes with Brett
Favre. This week, I am betting that they
bounce back and handle a pretty poor San
Fransisco team on the road. San Fransisco's
main weapon Frank Gore will be limited this
week against a pretty good Jets run defense.
Don't be fooled by San Fransisco's
performance last week against Buffalo. They
are not that good. After Trent Edwards left
the game it was over. JP Losman holds onto
the ball way to long, and is indecisive in his
decision-making process. Brett Favre is not. 3
steps & fire.
Jets 31, 49ers 13
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This is just one of those hunch games. All
signs point towards Chicago winning this game
with ease. Jacksonville football was that punch
you in the mouth style football. This year they
have gotten away from that style, mainly due
to the injuries on the offensive line and key
defensive players either gone (Marcus Stroud),
or in the dog house (Mike Peterson). That
being said, this is the NFL and some crazy stuff
always happens once you think you have a
team figured out, and I can actually see some
crazy upsets this week, Philly over NY, Detroit
over Minnesota & the Jags beating Chicago, so
be WARNED!!! The Jaguars will not make the
playoffs in 2008, but they are not as bad as
people think they are.
Jags 23, Bears 21
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I had an extra day to look over pick #3, I was
going to go out on a limb and say Detroit gets
their first win on Sunday, but I am going with
my Tennessee Titans. Not only will the Titans
win, I expect a huge game out of them this
week. There is a lot of bad blood between
these two teams from the comments that were
made last season, mainly from one Kellen
Winslow. Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn are
both out for the year, which means its Ken
Dorsey time. The Tennessee front 4 will
dominate Cleveland, and Courtland Finnegan
will shut down Braylon Edwards this week.
Cleveland is going to have a hard time moving
the ball at all. Cleveland was the team at the
beginning of the season experts were saying
was the team on the rise, and that the Titans
would be AFC South bottom feeders again.
WRONG. Extra motivation, and with the
Steelers only 2 games behind them for home
field, and a matchup with them looming in
week 16, Fisher will have his men ready for
battle. I expect another repeat of Turkey day
for the Titans.
Tennessee 40 Cleveland 3
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