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: 52.8% (19-17)
2008 Record: 63.3% (31-18-2)
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Patriots (-4.5) at Dolphins
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Titans at Colts (-6.5)
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Vikings (-3) at Cardinals
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Patriots -4.5
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Titans +6.5
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Vikings -3
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The Patriots are coming off a tough loss on a
short week. And they are on the road against
a division rival. The Saints held Tom Brady
and the Patriots to no passing scores. But the
Dolphins are coming off a disappointing loss
as well against the Bills. Brady should bounce
back against the league's 23rd-ranked pass
defense. Meanwhile Laurence Maroney has
scored a rushing TD (or two) in six consecutive
games. The last time the Patriots lost two
consecutive games was in November 2006.
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I'm not necessarily calling for an outright
upset here (although I wouldn't be shocked
to see it happen). With the exception of a
meaningless week 17 game last year, here
are the point differentials in games Vince
Young has started against the Colts: -1,
+3, -2, +6. There's nothing wrong with
winning close games, especially when
you're 11-0, but the Colts have engineered
come-from-behind victories in the fourth
quarter in their past five games. With Chris
Johnson running all over opponents (six
straight games with 125+ yards), the Colts
playing close games recently and the
historical trend of close games in this
series, give me the points.
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The Vikings are as complete as any team
in football. With five weeks to go, they rank
fifth in total offense and eighth in total
defense. And despite all the
will-he-or-won't-he-return drama, Brett
Favre is a legitmate MVP contender. He's
tied with Peyton Manning for second in TD
passes (24) behind Drew Brees (27), but
Favre has thrown only three interceptions. I
expect Kurt Warner to return this week, but
the Cardinals' pass offense is considerably
less explosive with Matt Leinart under
center.
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Dan
2009 Record: 58.3% (21-15)
2008 Record: 60.0% (30-20-1)
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Patriots (-4.5) at Dolphins
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Cowboys (-2.5) at Giants
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Chargers (-13.5) at Browns
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Patriots -4.5
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Cowboys -2.5
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Chargers -13.5
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I had a Patriots-type week, only posting a
meager 1-2 record, but just like the Pats I will
comeback with a vengeance this week. The
Pats were drubbed on Monday night by the
Saints, and the Dolphins were stunned by AFC
east foe Buffalo last week. The Patriots under
the hoodie have been the masters of the next
week bounce back, as if they are coming off a
loss I feel sorry for the Dolphins. Just looking
at the historical perspective, the Patriots have
won 4 of the last 5 by 10, 20, 21, and 21
points respectively, and since 2000 the
Patriots are 50-28 in the month of December.
New England will look to light it up through the
air, as they go against the 23rd rated pass
defense, and will look to take away the
Dolphins only weapon in Ricky Williams. Miami
is also a staggering 14-37-1 in their last 52
games at Land Shark or whatever you want to
call it stadium. Lay the points in this contest,
as Miami will not have the firepower to stay
with New England, and it will be a huge bounce
back for the boys in the red throwbacks.
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Here is their chance, Dallas fans; it is time
to exercise a few demons, and to put the
final nail in the coffin of the 2009 Giants
season. Dallas has posted a strong 8-3
mark, and come in off a long rest after
beating the Raiders on Thanksgiving Day.
The Giants looked like a defeated team
against the Broncos in Mile High, and one
has to wonder if they are done? The Giants
come into this game resembling a Mash
unit, as both Ahmed Bradshaw and Danny
Ware are out, leaving the now mortal
looking Brandon Jacobs left. The rumors
have also been swirling like the
Meadowlands wind that Eli Manning has the
potential to be out for the season as well.
Dallas is 9-4 in their last 13 Vs the NFC
east, as the Giants have posted a 4-6-1
mark Vs the number this year. I would look
for the Cowboys to ease Tony Romo into
manageable situations with their three
headed rushing attack, and will look to
attack the Giants secondary with their big
receivers. Take another road favorite on
this one, as New York has too many
question marks to make this a 1 pt game.
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I am going with all the favorites here this
week, but then again nothing Cleveland
really does show me they can hang on the
same field with San Diego. The Chargers
come in off a beatdown of the Chiefs last
week, while the Browns were offensively
inept yet again in losing to the Bengals.
The Chargers have destroyed their last two
divisional foes in Denver and Kansas City
by 29 pts in each game, as they look to
make the push for the AFC west title. Add
to the reemergence of LaDainian
Tomlinson, as I like him going against the
leagues 23rd ranked rushing defense
almost as much as Philip Rivers going
against the 29th ranked passing defense.
The Chargers have won 7 of their last 8
meetings with the Browns, and Cleveland is
1-7-1 against the spread in their last 9
home games. Throw in the fact that the
Browns have lost their best defensive player
in Shaun Rodgers for the year, and Jamal
Lewis will call it a career after suffering
another injury; it just keeps on piling up for
Cleveland. I do know for a fact that these
guys were wearing pads when it happened.
Time to clean the whole front office out,
and start over again, as Cleveland is not
within 13 points of the Bolts.
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Sean
2009 Record: 60.0% (21-14-1)
2008 Record: 52.9% (27-24)
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Saints (-9.5) at Redskins
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Titans at Colts (-6.5)
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Cowboys (-2.5) at Giants
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Saints -9.5
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Colts -6.5
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Giants +2.5
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This week has some very interesting lines; I
am going to start off with one that I think is
too low with the Saints. My second game is
one that Vegas has it right, but many are
going to think it is too many points. I
disagree of course, and my third game is a
line that has moved like crazy, and I am
loving it... Back to this pick the Saints. This
line is low because of the dreaded let down
game after a huge performance. Only
problem with that is the Saints are playing a
very bad Washington team. Washington's
defense might be able to hold a struggling
Dallas team to 7 points, but the Saints
offense is clicking and there is no way I see
them scoring less than 30 points in this one.
The Skins offensively are terrible. If the
Saints are putting up 30+, that means the
Skins need to put up 20+, and they have only
done that twice this season. Skins are too
beat up on offense and still have Jason
Campbell as QB, so chalk this one up as any
easy W for the Saints.
Saints 37 Skins 17
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Tennessee is one of the hottest teams in
the league, but let’s be real the
competition they have played is nowhere
near as good as the Colts. The only way
Tennessee can stay in this game is by
causing turnovers, because Peyton Manning
should have a huge game. Tennessee
thrives on playing 2 deep zone with a 4
man rush, a pass rush where they
constantly substitute in new bodies.
Tennessee has struggled all year against
the no huddle offense and Peyton Manning
executes better than anyone. I would be
very shocked to see Peyton throw for less
than 300 yards in this one. The Titans
offense is powered by Chris Johnson who is
on pace for 2000 yards this season.
Johnson should have a better game this
week then he did in the previous meeting
where he had only 34 yards on 9 carries.
Vince Young has been playing great, but
this week vs the Colts I think he comes
back down to earth. The Colts have some
very fast and underrated linebackers that
will keep Vince contained. I think the
Titans keep it close by halftime, and then
just run out of gas in the 2nd half.
Colts 34 Titans 23.
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Talk about line movement, the Giants
opened as 2-1/2 pt favorites, and the line
has moved 5 points, pretty crazy. When it
gets to this time of year, you have to look
at who needs the game more, and if this
was a poker game, the Giants would be all
in this week. Dropping to 6-6 with games
still against Philly & Minnesota would most
likely mean the Giants season would be
over with a loss. Dallas is better on paper,
and they are definitely playing better then
the Giants right now, but this is the NFL and
crazy things happen. I can definitely see
the Giants winning this game, and gaining
some momentum for the final month of the
season. Giants 23 Cowboys 20 OT
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Jamie
2009 Record: 44.4% (16-20)
2008 Record: 55.1% (27-22-2)
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Cowboys (-2.5) at Giants
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Rams at Bears (-9.5)
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Titans at Colts (-6.5)
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Giants +2.5
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Rams +9.5
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Titans +6.5
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The Giants 2.5 point home underdogs in this
one? Romo is in line for a letdown game and
this could be the weak. Either way Coughlin
will have his guys ready for this one despite
recent troubles.
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This is one of those do you trust Jay Cutler
laying 9 points to any team? I understand it’
s the Lambs but still have to like getting
the points in this one.
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Led fresh off his stint from the Looney farm
and suicide watch hotlines VY has been
playing inspired football. Take the points in
this one as usually a tough game
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