Picks of the Week

I started off on fire last week going 7-2 between Thursday and the early games.  That came screaching to a halt as I finished the weekend 0-5.  Ouch.  Time for a rebound week!

As  a reminder, 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. Now, on to the picks.

Kansas City Chiefs -7 at Oakland Raiders
By now you are all familiar with the axiom "don't bet a road favorite".  That is even more true on Thursday nights, where the travelling team on the short week   seems to be getting housed every week - favorite or not.  Which is why I am going to live on the edge and take the Chiefs.

Atlanta Falcons -3 v. Cleveland Browns
I took the first place Atlanta Falcons last week on a flyer, successfully, so I think that I might just do the same thing this week.  Remember kids, the Falcons currently sit in first place in their division with a whopping 4-6 record.

New York Jets +3 at Buffalo Bills
With the weather in northwest New York just absolutely abominable (See what I did there?!), this game may not be played in Buffalo, or it may not be played Sunday.  The whole thing is up in the air.  Nevertheless, the one thing that we know is that Buffalo has not been able to practice yeti this week with the travel ban throughout the city.  I'll take the Jets to win by a field goal from the Bigfoot of Nick Folk.

Chicago Bears -6 v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hopefully the two awful defeats before Chicago's bye week continues to motivate them to victory just like last week's win over the Vikings.  Although I expect the Chicago fans to give Tampa Bay's coach a whole lotta Love, I expect the Bears to defeat the Buccaneers in what looks like will be absolutely abysmal weather.  I just hope Mike Evans does not have a better game than Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey.

Cincinnati Bengals +1 at Houston Texans
Let's see if the Bengals can figure out a way to keep J.J. Watt out of the end zone  Cincinnati has been playing much better since the shellacking they took at the hands of the New England Patriots. They should outscore Ryan Mallett.

Indianapolis Colts -14 v. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Colts feel like they need a big win, and Jacksonville coming to town can provide just that for them.

Green Bay Packers -9 1/2 at Minnesota Vikings
No team is playing as well as Green Bay right now.

New England Patriots -7 v. Detroit Lions
Well, except maybe New England.

Philadelphia Eagles -11 v. Tennessee Titans
Zach Mettenberger looks like he can be a real starting quarterback in the NFL, but Tennessee has nowhere near the weapons to compete with the Eagles.

St. Louis Rams +4 1/2 at San Diego Chargers
The Rams shut down Denver's offense, and the Chargers have never been as good offensively as Denver, plus San Diego looks like it peaked way too early this year.

Arizona Cardinals + 6 1/2 at Seattle Seahawks
Potential turmoil bubbling under the surface of the Seahawks in the name of Marshawn Lynch.  Although Drew Stanton scares me, the Cardinals have been playing too well to be getting almost a full touchdown.

Denver Broncos -7 v. Miami Dolphins
Denver, even without a couple of weapons, will still be looking for revenge from last week's loss.  The Dolphins, who are fighting for a playoff spot, have the unfortunate distinction of being the next team on the schedule.

San Francisco 49ers -9 v. Washington Whatever Their New Name is Going To Be
Washington seems to be imploding.  Although the Aldon Smith situation was a little hairy for a team that wants to contend, Smith seems to have cleared things up, so I will take San Francisco at home.

Dallas Cowboys -3 at New York Giants
What is the over/under on interceptions?

Baltimore Ravens +3 at New Orleans Saints
New Orleans still has some talent, but the are not the fearsome offensive juggernaut of the past few years.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

St. Louis Rams +4 1/2 at San Diego Chargers
The Rams shut down Denver's offense, and the Chargers have never been as good offensively as Denver, plus San Diego looks like it peaked way too early this year.

Last Week: 7-7
Year-to-Date: 87-72-2
Big Bet Last Week: 0-1
Big Bet Year to Date: 5-6
Winnings (Losses) Last Week: ($235)
Winnings (Losses) Year to Date: $535