Picks of the Week

Last week was a good week for me, so I thought that I would try to get into the trend by actually thinking about my picks before making them. That is why this week you get some actual analysis. Perhaps that will keep me on the winning track.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -7 v. Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay impressed me last week against the Falcons. There were several moments when it looked like Atlanta was going to run away with it, only to have Tampa storm back. Carolina cannot even decide which rookie backup quarterback will start.

Tennessee Titans -2 at Miami Dolphins
I am not sure what to make of this quarterback change, but I did see a much different Dolphins team against the Ravens than earlier in the season (particularly against Pittsburgh), and that is not a good thing. It will be interesting to see how Moss is incorporated into the offense with the NFL's leading passer by rating (among those qualifiers), Vince Young.

Houston Texans +1 1/2 at Jacksonville Jaguars
I debated this selection for a long time before simply deciding to take the points. One incredibly disappointing team (the Texans) v. one surprising team (the Jaguars). Who knows?

Cincinnati Bengals +7 at Indianapolis Colts
Cincinnati is also one of the most disappointing teams in the league. Indianapolis is strong, but not as strong as recent vintage, so I am going to take the TD.

New York Jets -3 at Cleveland Browns
Cleveland, and Peyton Hillis, have already shredded some good defenses this year, but I don't think they have enough to defeat the Jets, even at home. We will hear a lot about the Ryan brothers, but this game will come down to whether Cleveland can run against the Jets.

Chicago Bears +1 v. Minnesota Vikings
Despite last week's comeback, the Vikings are in disarray. They are one play away from an implosion like we have ever seen on a football field.

Detroit Lions +3 at Buffalo Bills
Detroit has shown that it can keep rolling with Shaun Hill. The question is can they do so if Drew Stanton is forced to make an appearance.

Kansas City Chiefs -1 at Denver Broncos
Rough, late defeat for the Chiefs last week. We already know that the Broncos cannot run, so the question becomes, can Tamba Hali feast against the Broncos passing attack. He is averaging 1 sack a game, and this is the type of game that could propel him to the top of the sack stats.

Arizona Cardinals -3 v. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle has been absolutely brutal on the road this year. I am not sure that you could pay me to watch this game.

St. Louis Rams +6 at San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco really has a legitimate chance of winning this division and a win here puts them only a game out. But, I have picked St. Louis a ton this year (one of my more favorable decisions), so I will keep riding that horse.

New York Giants -13 1/2 v. Dallas Cowboys
That is a lot of points to give away, but the Cowboys have given up on this season. The offense has not been stellar enough for Garrett to warrant a head coaching position either, so this game could be a disaster. Of course, the Cowboys could pull it out so Jerry Jones can blame the whole thing on Wade Phillips.

New England Patriots +4 1/2 at Pittsburgh Steelers
I sense this game being decided by a field goal, so I will certainly take 4 1/2 points. I think the Patriots simply overlooked the Browns last week.

Philadelphia Eagles -3 at Washington Redskins
Michael Vick on Monday night! Ookie is finally free!

Big Bet of the Week
Baltimore Ravens +1 at Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore, to me, is a Top 3 team in the league right now. Atlanta is one of the best teams in the NFC, but that isn't saying much. In a short week, take the talent of the coaching and preparedness.

Previous Week's Record 8-4-1
Year to Date: 67-48-5
Previous Week's Big Bet: 0-1
Big Bet Year to Date: 2-7
Previous Week's Winnings (Losses): $195
Winnings (Losses) Year to Date: ($535)

Picks of the Week

Once again lazy this week, so no analysis. Perhaps I would do better if I put more time into my thinking. Oh well.

Atlanta Falcons -9 1/2 v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Arizona Cardinals +7 1/2 at Minnesota Vikings
San Diego Chargers -3 at Houston Texans
New York Jets -5 at Detroit Lions
New Orleans Saints -6 1/2 at Carolina Panthers
Baltimore Ravens -5 v. Miami Dolphins
Chicago Bears -3 at Buffalo Bills
New York Giants -7 at Seattle Seahawks
Oakland Raiders Pick -em v. Kansas City Chiefs
Indianapolis Colts +3 at Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Cowboys +7 at Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers -5 at Cincinnati

Big Bet of the Week
New England Patriots -3 1/2 at Cleveland Browns

Previous Week's Record 7-6
Year to Date: 59-44-4
Previous Week's Big Bet: 0-1
Big Bet Year to Date: 2-6
Previous Week's Winnings ($125)
Winnings (Losses) Year to Date: ($730).

Picks of the Week

Lazy this week, so no analysis. You don't really want my analysis with the way the picks are going this year. It is time to step things up this week.

Miami Dolphins - Pick 'em at Cincinnati Bengals
St. Louis Rams -2 v. Carolina Panthers
New York Jets -6 1/2 v. Green Bay Packers
Buffalo Bills +7 at Kansas City
Detroit Lions -3 v. Washington Redskins
Dallas Cowboys -6 1/2 v. Jacksonville Jaguars
San Diego Chargers -4 1/2 v. Tennessee Titans
Arizona Cardinals -3 v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oakland Raiders -2 1/2 v. Seattle Seahawks
New England Patriots -5 1/2 v. Minnesota Vikings
Pittsburgh Steelers Pick 'em at New Orleans Saints
Houston Texans +5 1/2 at Indianapolis

Big Bet of the Week
Denver Broncos +2 1/2 at San Francisco 49ers

Previous Week's Record 6-8
Year to Date: 52-48-4
Previous Week's Big Bet: 0-1
Big Bet Year to Date: 2-5
Previous Week's Winnings ($445)
Winnings (Losses) Year to Date: ($605).

Picks of the Week

Traveling down to the Steelers-Dolphins game as I type my picks - I am not driving - so just picks with no analysis again this week. You can look to previous picks for the rules I follow.

Falcons -3
Titans -3
Rams +3
Steelers -3
Jaguars +9
Ravens -13
49ers -3
Bears -3
Cardinals +7
Raiders +7 1/2
Patriots +2
Vikings +2 1/2
Giants +3

Big Bet of the Week
Saints -13

Previous Week's Record 8-5-1
Year to Date: 46-40-4
Previous Week's Big Bet: 0-1
Big Bet Year to Date: 2-4
Previous Week's Winnings $85
Winnings (Losses) Year to Date: ($160).

Picks of the Week

I am late once again, so only short abbreviated picks this week.

Saints -4
Chargers -8 1/2
Steelers -14
Falcons +2
Lions +10 1/2
Ravens +2 1/2
Chiefs +4 1/2
Dolphins +3
Jets -3 1/2
Raiders +7
Vikings -1 1/2
Colts -3
Titans -3

Big Bet
Bears -6

Previous Week's record: 7-5-2
Yar To Date: 38-35-3
Big Bet Previous Week: 0-1
Big Bet Year To Date: 2-3
Winnings (Losses) Last Week: ($15)
Winnings (Losses) Year To Date: ($245)

Picks of the Week

Since I am out-of-town and it is almost game time - only short abbreviated picks this week.

Ravens -7
Packers -2 1/2
Indianapolis -7
Houston -3
Detroit -3
Atlanta -3
Cincinnati -6 1/2
Chicago +1 1/2
Jacksonville +1 1/2
Tennessee +7
San Diego -6
Philadelphia +3
New York Jets -3 1/2

Big Bet
New Orleans -7

Previous Week's record: 6-8
Year To Date: 31-30-1
Big Bet Previous Week: 0-1
Big Bet Year To Date: 2-2
Winnings (Losses) Last Week: ($445)
Winnings (Losses) Year To Date: ($230)

Picks of the Week

A strong week 1, and two 8-8 weeks. Let's see how I can do during the first weeks of byes. We will pretend that I bet $100 on each game, with one game each week going for $250. Winnings/Losses will be calculated including a 10% vig, which just makes the math that much simpler. All spreads are used from the same site each week, as of the time I do the picking. On to the picks.

Tennessee Titans -6 1/2 v. Denver Broncos
Denver is going to have a really tough time dealing with Chris Johnson. But then again, who doesn't.

Baltimore Ravens +2 1/2 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers cannot go 4-0 without Roethlisberger, can they?

Cleveland Browns +2 1/2 v. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati hasn't really started clicking yet, and Peyton Hillis gained 144 on the ground against the Ravens.

Detroit Lions +14 1/2 at Green Bay Packers
Detroit has shown that they can score some points against anybody. Green Bay will win, but not by more than 2 Touchdowns.

New Orleans Saints -13 v. Carolina Panthers
Defending champions at home against a rookie quarterback. Easy pick.

Atlanta Falcons -6 1/2 v. San Francisco 49ers
Atlanta showed their mettle against the Saints, while the 49ers are already imploding.

St. Louis Rams +1 1/2 v. Seattle Seahawks
It may be because I am ridiculously stubborn, but I just don't believe in the Seahawks. Bradford is an NFL quarterback already.

New York Jets -6 at Buffalo Bills
Tough to pick against a Harvard quarterback, but Rex Ryan is going to test his knowledge of defenses. Fitzpatrick has been good enough that the Bills just cut Trent Edwards.

Houston Texans -3 at Oakland Raiders
Tough defeat for the Raiders last week. Tougher team to come back against this week.

Arizona Cardinals +9 1/2 at San Diego Chargers
Is San Diego's slow start just that a slow start, or is it a sign that they just are not that good?

Philadelphia Eagles -5 v. Washington Redskins
So, has anybody heard anything about McNabb's return to Philly this week?

Chicago Bears +3 1/2 at New York Giants
I know the Giants are the home team, but how are they favored. If the Bears were not my favorite team, I would have made this game my big bet of the week.

Miami Dolphins +1 v. New England Patriots
The Dolphins always play the Patriots tough.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Indianapolis Colts -7 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Just too much talent versus not enough talent.

Previous Week's Record: 8-8
Year to Date: 25-22-1
Big Bet Previous Week: 1-0
Big Bet Year to Date: 2-1
Winnings (Losses) Last Week: $70
Winnings (Losses)Year to Date: $215