Picks of the Week

It is time for the "picks of the week". A quick refresher: Each pick is using the spread (straight up is for wussies), and the betting line is from the same website each week as of the time of typing the entry. I keep a running tally of my record, plus my winnings/losses. 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. First set of bye weeks this week, so less games to choose. Gotta be careful to keep finishing in the money. On to the picks.

Philadelphia Eagles -2 1/2 at Buffalo Bills
The curtain was pulled back a bit last week. The Bills are still being wizarded by the Harvard guy, but that first loss hurt their mystique.

Tennessee Titans +3 at Pittsburgh Steelers
James Harrison being hurt limits the Steelers at two positions, as Lawrence Timmons moves inside. Mendenhall has not been special this year, but he is still generally pretty good, so his loss hurts as well. The Titans are playing well so far this year.

New York Giants -9 1/2 v. Seattle Seahawks
Once again ... Tarvaris Jackson.

Minnesota Vikings -3 v. Arizona Cardinals
A surprisingly difficult game for me to select. In those situations I usually take the points. But then again, I usually am not choosing against Kevin Kolb.

Cincinnati Bengals +1 1/2 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Cincinnati surprised everyone last week beating Buffalo. Should be a fun battle of rookie quarterbacks.

Indianapolis Colts -2 v. Kansas City Chiefs
The Colts looked stronger than I expected against a tough Tampa team. The Chiefs ... not so tough.

New Orleans -6 1/2 at Carolina Panthers
That first week loss to the Packers might have been between the best two teams in the league. Cam Newton is fast becoming the most exciting player in the NFL.

Oakland Raiders +5 at Houston Texans
The Raiders are pretty good, and the Texans, although still explosive, will miss Andre Johnson.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3 v. San Francisco 49ers
A surprisingly good matchup between two potential playoff teams. I will take the points, and hope the Bucs play a bit better than they did last week.

New England Patriots -7 v. New York Jets
Yes, I know that Rex Ryan seems to have the Patriots number. However, this is not the same Jets team from the last few years. Plus, Ryan refuses to put Revis on Welker in the slot, preferring to keep him outside. That could limit Ochocinco to like, 2 catches!

Green Bay Packers -5 1/2 at Atlanta Falcons
Best team in the league right now going against a team that was very overrated at the beginning of the year. I don't see how Atlanta stops Green Bay's offense.

Chicago Bears +5 at Detroit Lions
I don't think my Bears can win ... but I do think they can cover. Detroit's first time on the big stage in a long, long time.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

San Diego Chargers -3 1/2 at Denver Broncos
I know this is a divisional game, but really, how is the line this close?

Previous Week's Record: 8-8
Year to Date: 34-28-2
Big Bet Last Week: 1-0
Big Beat Year to Date: 4-0
Winnings (Losses) Last Week: $70
Winnings (Losses) Year-To-Date: $920