CONTRIBUTOR
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GAME 1
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GAME 2
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GAME 3
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Kevin
2009 Record: 54.5% (18-15)
2008 Record: 63.3% (31-18-2)
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Dolphins (-3) at Bills
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Seahawks (-3) at Rams
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Patriots at Saints (-1.5)
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Dolphins -3
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Seahawks -3
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Patriots +1.5
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What the Dolphins do well the Bills do poorly.
Despite having one of the league's best pass
defenses, the Bills rank 31st in the NFL in
rushing yards allowed (165.9 ypg) and rushing
touchdowns (15). Even without Ronnie Brown,
the Dolphins have an explosive running game
as evidenced by Ricky Williams' three-TD (two
rushing, one receiving) performance in
prime-time against the Panthers last week.
Winners of five of their past seven, Miami has
gotten itself back on track and into the playoff
picture while the Bills are conducting
seven-hour interviews with potential coaching
replacements.
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The Seahawks are bad. The Rams are
bad. But in this case, "bad" does not equal
"bad." Granted the Rams are playing
better lately, but if you remember, the
Seahawks beat the Rams 28-0 in their first
matchup in week 1. The Rams' offense is
one-dimensional with Steven Jackson and
the Rams will be without QB Marc Bulger
this week and perhaps the rest of the
season. Facing eight-men fronts, it really
is amazing that Jackson is second in the
NFL in rushing yards. But the Seahawks are
much more balanced team than the Rams
and should be able to put this one away
early.
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The Saints face their biggest challenge to
their unbeaten streak when they host the
Patriots on Monday Night Football. The
Saints have scored 24 points or more every
game this season, but they have allowed
five of their past six opponents to score
20+ points and they haven't yet faced an
offense nearly as explosive as the Patriots'
offense. Tom Brady has thrown for 300+
yards in five consecutive games. During
that five-game span, the Patriots have held
four of their opponents to 17 points or less.
The lone exception was Indianapolis, who
scored 21 of their 35 points in the fourth
quarter. With two high-powered offenses,
I'm taking the defense that has been more
consistent lately.
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Dan
2009 Record: 60.6% (20-13)
2008 Record: 60.0% (30-20-1)
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Colts (-3.5) at Texans
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Jaguars at 49ers (-3)
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Dolphins (-3) at Bills
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Texans +3.5
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49ers -3
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Dolphins -3
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Okay, so this pick looks like it's out of left
field, but looking at the recent trends and the
fact that I love small dogs at home, I'm going
with the Texans. Houston is coming off a
heartbreaking loss, with another missed field
goal to tie the game, while Indy is just
chugging along after another close game
against the Ravens. The Colts margin of
victory in their last 4 games has been 4 points
or less, and I like that the Texans stayed with
the Colts on the road 3 weeks ago. Houston
sits right in the middle of the league with their
pass defense, and Chris Johnson came along
they had not allowed a 100 yard rusher. In my
ongoing saga about Houston, this is a step
they need to take for their playoff hopes, as
their backs are to the wall. Indy will keep a
strong aerial presence, but remember the
Colts are 6-13 vs the spread against the AFC
South in their last 19 games. Look for Matt
Schaub and Andre Johnson to have a big day,
as the Texans will come back strong.
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So, coach Singletary has the exact same
mindset as me, as in we both want winners,
and this week the 49ers look good at
home. The Jaguars are coming off a close
game to the Bills, while the 49ers made a
late run of it up in Green Bay. The Jags, will
look to feature Maurice Jones-Drew, but will
face a tough wall, as San Francisco is
ranked 7th in the league against the rush.
I would look for the 49ers to get back to
basics, and attack the Jags defense with
Frank Gore, as they yield an average of
112 yards per game on the ground. Also a
key factor will be the West coast bound
Jaguars, as their last trip was rewarded by a
41-0 stomping from the Seahawks.
Jacksonville has posted a 4-6 record vs the
spread this year, while the 49ers are 6-1-2
vs the spread against a team with a winning
record. Lay the points for the Jaguars
coming west, as the AFC playoff picture
looks to tighten up.
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Okay, so this pick looks like it's out of left
field, but looking at the recent trends and
the fact that I love small dogs at home,
I'm going with the Texans. Houston is
coming off a heartbreaking loss, with
another missed field goal to tie the game,
while Indy is just chugging along after
another close game against the Ravens.
The Colts margin of victory in their last 4
games has been 4 points or less, and I like
that the Texans stayed with the Colts on
the road 3 weeks ago. Houston sits right in
the middle of the league with their pass
defense, and Chris Johnson came along
they had not allowed a 100-yard rusher. In
my ongoing saga about Houston, this is a
step they need to take for their playoff
hopes, as their backs are to the wall. Indy
will keep a strong aerial presence, but
remember the Colts are 6-13 vs the spread
against the AFC South in their last 19
games. Look for Matt Schaub and Andre
Johnson to have a big day, as the Texans
will come back strong.
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Sean
2009 Record: 56.3% (18-14-1)
2008 Record: 52.9% (27-24)
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Seahawks (-3) at Rams
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Jaguars at 49ers (-3)
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Colts (-3.5) at Texans
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Seahawks -3
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49ers -3
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Colts -3.5
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The Rams were absolutely horrible without
Marc Bulger earlier this year, and now he is
out again. Well, let’s face it, the Rams are
just horrible period. Seattle has been one of
the biggest disappointments in the NFL this
season. I thought with a healthy Hasselbeck
and the addition of TJ Houshmandzadeh that
this team would challenge Arizona for the
division. Their defense has been horrible
which has been the reason why they have
been losing games. Only Oakland has scored
fewer points than the Rams this year. St.
Louis will not be able to score with Seattle in
this one.
Seattle 27 St. Louis 17
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San Francisco has lost to every AFC South
team other than Jacksonville. The Jags are
coming off two last-minute wins and are on
a high. I think the travel to the west coast
is going to hurt them and I can see them
stumbling here. San Francisco is 3 games
back in division, but they do have 1 win vs
Arizona, and the Cardinals have a tough
matchup with a dinged up Kurt Warner this
week vs the hot Titans. This is a chance for
the 49ers to make some serious ground in
division and get back into the playoff race.
They need this game more, and I see
them pulling it out.
San Francisco 23 Jacksonville 19
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I mentioned last week that the Colts would
have their first loss of the year vs the
Texans, but after watching the game on
Monday night, I think the Texans will lose
again. Their inability to close games has
been a problem forever. I think they need
an old fashion ass whooping to get back on
track. Peyton Manning is easily the MVP in
my eyes, and I think he will have another
huge game and lead the Colts to victory.
On a side note, Kris Brown has been
missing clutch kicks forever. I remember
the game a few years ago against the
Titans where they were battling for the top
pick in the draft. Brown missed a bunch of
field goals in that game, and they weren't
even close. Anyways, I love this Texans
team for the future, but Colts are hot.
Indy 31 Houston 26
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Jamie
2009 Record: 48.5% (16-17)
2008 Record: 55.1% (27-22-2)
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Patriots at Saints (-1.5)
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Raiders at Cowboys (-13.5)
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Dolphins (-3) at Bills
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Patriots +1.5
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Raiders +13.5
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Dolphins -3
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Look for Coach Hoody to come up with some
special packages to limit the Saints attack as
Brady spreads the field using all his weapons.
Pats win this by a TD+.
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Dallas has scored 14 points total in 2 week
so, yeah, I will take 13.5. Raiders are
playing little better as of late, but Dallas
wins this by 10.
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The Fins are looking to make a late playoff
push behind Ricky (smoke 'em if you got
‘em) Williams. The Bills are overmatched
and out coached in this one.
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