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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New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (-3)
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San Diego Chargers (-5.5) at KC Chiefs
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Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts (-17)
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Bears -3
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Chargers -5.5
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Lions +17
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2008 Record: 27-14-1 (65.9%)
See all 2008 Kevin picks
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As I have noted earlier, the NFC South teams
are great (24-2) at home on the season. Not
so much on the road. The Saints are
representative of this stat (6-1 at home, 1-5
on road). The Saints' high-powered offense
flourished in the dome. Drew Brees has had
6 games with a QB Rating of 100+. 5 of
those 6 were home games. To further
illustrate this point, look at Brees' TD:INT
splits. At home, 19 TDs and 4 INTs. On the
road, 7 TDs and 10 INTs. Take the Bears
and the home-field advantage.
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Despite their horrible start to the season, the
Chargers are 1 of only 2 teams to not lose a
game by double-digits this season. Although
they are a huge disappointment, they have
much more talent than the Chiefs. They beat
up on the Raiders last week. The Chargers
may not win out, but back-to-back wins against
the Raiders and Chiefs? Absolutely. Take the
Chargers in what I expect to be a similar
performance to last week.
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The Colts are definitely 17 points better than
the Lions. They are probably 28 points better
too. But this is the NFL. Any given Sunday,
right? The Lions are 1-20 in their last 21
games. Their win was against the Chiefs in
week 16 last year. But the Lions have started
games o.k. The problem is there are 4
quarters. Talk of Peyton Manning for MVP
(Peter King of SI and Chris Mortenson of ESPN)
is increasing according to Mike & Mike on ESPN
Radio. The Colts have won 6 straight and face
division opponents in weeks 16/17. This is the
classic definition of a trap game. I expect the
Colts to win, but won't blow out the Lions.
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Jamie
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Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)
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New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (-3)
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New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (-3)
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Steelers +2.5
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Cowboys -3
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Bears -3
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2008 Record: 23-18-1 (56.1%)
See all 2008 Jamie picks
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After a miracle finish last week to shock my
Cowboys, the Steelers will cover this one
getting points vs the Ravens. Although in
Baltimore, the D's are almost equal in my
opinion, but the Steelers have more talent on
the offensive side of the ball. I think Flacco
will come back to earth a little bit and his still
being a rookie will show in this game. Take
the Steelers.
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Although letting down last week late, the
Cowboys will take care of the Giants this week
in Big D. The Dallas D has really stepped up
lately and will do again this week in a must-
have game. Barber is most likely back, but
Choice will see the field a little more as he
earned it last week. Cowboys win this one by
7+.
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The reason I like Da Bears in this one is
playing in the Windy City. The Saints will be
held in check this week as Matt Forte runs all
day and Kyle Orton plays a good smart game.
The Saints will be frustrated all day as Brees
has a bad game in the conditions expected in
Chicago for this one. Take the Bears and give
the points.
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Dan
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New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (-3)
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San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins (-6.5)
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Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)
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Saints +3
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49ers +6.5
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Steelers +2.5
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2008 Record: 25-17 (59.5%)
See all 2008 Dan picks
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In a crucial game for playoff survival, Chicago
and New Orleans lock horns on a sure to be
frigid night at Soldier Field. The Bears
desperately need the win to keep pace with
the Vikings in the NFC North, while the Saints
will need to the win to keep their wildcard
hopes alive. It is tough to go against the
Bears at home at night vs a dome team, but
there are a lot of signs that point to a
favorable Saints showing. New Orleans has
been a covering machine going 10-3 vs the
spread this year, and going 7-3 in their last
10. Strong MVP candidate Drew Brees leads
the Saints passing attack, which is ranked 1st
in the league averaging 310 yards per game.
The Bears defense has had an off year, not
the classic forcing turnovers and tacking
machines of the two years past. I find a
favorable matchup of Brees vs the Bears
secondary, as Chicago allows 234 yards per
game in the air (ranked 28th in the league).
Grab the points in this game, although it will
be close and down to the wire.
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Yet another crucial game, wait aren't they all
this way when you get to week 15? This game
is a story of different directions, Miami is trying
to pull an improbable comeback season from
1-15 to the playoffs, while Mike Singletary is
auditioning for a head coaching role, and doing
a great job. The 49ers have been a surprise as
of late, playing inspired offense led by Shaun
Hill, and Frank Gore is quietly piling up another
1000 yard season. History helps the 49ers in
this matchup, as they have taken 5 of 6 in the
last 6 contests, and are 4-1 in their last 5 vs
the spread under Mike Singletary. The Dolphins
have been making things happen with a
rejuvenated Joey Porter, and likewise for
noodle armed Chad Pennington. The Dolphins
have also been riding the Wildcat formation to
a great degree of success, but ever since New
England has shown the blueprint, their yards
per play have dropped. Take the points, and
hope Mike Singletary brings an extra belt for
the 49ers trip east this week.
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Looks to be an all dog week for the KGB, and I
am going on a feeling with this matchup. In a
game that has a great chance to end 3-0, the
top two defenses in the league will battle for
bragging rights, and the AFC North title.
Pittsburgh gutted out a big win vs Dallas last
week, or perhaps the Cowboys gave that one
away might be better said. The Ravens jumped
all over the Redskins last week, with two Ed
Reed touchdowns on defense faster than you
can spell Zorn. The Ravens have had success
this year with a resurgent defense, and quite
the impressive rookie QB in Joe Flacco.
Pittsburgh has been equally impressive led by
coach Omar Epps, and Dick LeBeau's #1
ranked defense in the NFL. Here is where the
matchup favors Pittsburgh, I have had the
chance to watch Flacco a lot this year, and to
me he struggles with his reads vs a fast
aggressive defense. Last time vs the Steelers,
Flacco threw one pick and fumbled twice, and
LeBeau's famous zone blitz schemes, and
excellent blitzing linebackers in James Harrison
and LaMarr Woodley will harry him all day. I
would look for a tough low scoring affair, but
since Baltimore will not be able to establish the
run, take the dog on the road, who just
happens to have the NFL's #1 defense.
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Brendan
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Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals (-3)
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San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins (-6.5)
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Tennessee Titans (-3) at Houston Texans
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Cardinals -3
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Dolphins -6.5
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Titans -3
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2008 Record: 23-17-2 (57.5%)
See all 2008 Brendan picks
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We have gotten to the point in the year
where most teams are now playing for their
playoff lives. One team that has already
clinched is Arizona but they are now playing
for their seed. They are at home against a
banged up Minnesota team that has a
question mark at QB this week. The
Cardinals are 5-1 at home this year whereas
the Vikings are only 3-4 on the road. Couple
that with the fact the Vikings have the 20th
ranked pass defense and the Cards lead the
NFC in scoring offense and are second in
passing. Take the Cards and lay the points.
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There are two real surprise teams this year in
Atlanta and Miami. Who would have thought
coming into the year that heading into week 15
Miami would be tied for the AFC East lead and
have a great shot at winning it. Pennington
has been his reliable self this year and Ronnie
Brown and Ricky Williams have supplied a very
potent run offense. Joey Porter has been a
beast on defense and should be able to get
ample pressure on Shaun Hill this weekend.
Arizona officially clinched the division last week
so I see the Niners having a letdown this week
especially having to travel cross country and
have that dreaded 1 pm eastern start time.
Take the Dolphins and lay the points.
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Another team who has clinched are the Titans
but they too are still playing for their seed.
They are going up against an up and down
Texans team who do not have a chance of
making the playoffs so I see the Titans going
in there and defeating their old home town
easily. The Titans will dominate the line of
scrimagge on both sides of the ball and look
for them to completely take Steve Slaton out
of the game and force Schaub to throw the ball
which will most likely turn into some costly
turnovers. I think both Johnson and White will
score a touchdown this week leading their team
to a big win in Houston this week.
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Sean
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Tennessee Titans (-3) at Houston Texans
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Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers (-7.5)
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Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts (-17)
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Titans -3
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Broncos +7.5
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Lions +17
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2008 Record: 26-16 (61.9%)
See all 2008 Sean picks
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The Texans have been looking pretty decent
lately, but history shows Tennessee
dominance over this team. The Titans have
won 7 straight in this rivalry, and I think they
will make it 8 on Sunday. Matt Schaub was
knocked out of both contests in 2007, and
well he wishes he was earlier this year when
he had a terrible game and threw 3 INTs in a
loss on the road. The Titans defense has
given up less than 17 points in 5 of their last
6. Look for Smash & Dash to have another
big game, and get ready for Week 16 when
the Steelers come into town. Tennessee will
not take Houston lightly, I can promise you
that.
Tennessee 27 Houston 17
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The Panthers should have a field day running
against this Broncos defense. This is a given.
One thing though that I have been saying all
year is that the Panther defense is not that
great. If Jeff Garcia & Antonio Bryant can light
them up, imagine what Jay Cutler &
Marshall/Royal can do this week. Carolina IMO
is the most overrated team in the league.
great run game, average defense, bad
quarterback play. Cutler & Co. go on the road
and beat another NFC South team.
Denver 28 Carolina 24
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Way too many points in this contest. The Colts
are going to need to score 50 points to cover
this one because Calvin "big play" Johnson is
going to eat up the Colts banged up
secondary. The Colts have been riding how the
past couple weeks playing some pretty bad
teams. I actually think that this game is going
to be closer than people think, and that the
Lions will actual be in this game late in the
4th qtr. Take the Lions here and the points.
Indianapolis 31 Detroit 24
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