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. On to the picks.

Denver Broncos +6 v. New York Jets
The Jets should win this game, but with the Broncos new rushing attack, possessions will be fewer. Plus, this line has grown 1 1/2 points since open, meaning, I will go against the majority of Americans almost every time. Plus, the Jets have only had 1 practice to get ready for the college offense of the Broncos, having played late Sunday night.

Dallas Cowboys -7 at Washington Redskins
Boy are the Redskins bad. The Cowboys may have really found a player in this DeMarco Murray.

Miami Dolphons -2 v. Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins have never quit in any game this year, and played some good teams close. Buffalo is no longer a good team.

Green Bay Packers -14 v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Unlike the Dolphins, Tampa Bay has a tendency to quit in games. That will be easy to do once Rodgers gets up on them.

Detroit Lions -7 v. Carolina Panthers
There is no way that Detroit lays two eggs in a row, so after that beatdown at the hands of the Bears, I look for Detroit to give a similar beatdown to Carolina. For the Panthers, Newton has looked spectacular at time, but lately, he is getting absolutely no help from the running game. They need Williams and/or Stewart to step up to help Newton.

Jacksonville Jaguars +1 at Cleveland Browns
There is no reason whatsoever that I want to watch this game, nor do I really care who wins. I'll take the points, nay, point.

Cincinnati Bengals +7 at Baltimore Ravens
I still think that the Ravens are going to win, but Cincinnati showed last week against Pittsburgh that they can hang with the big boys. The Ravens showed that they can lose to anyone.

Chicago Bears -3 1/2 v. San Diego Chargers
Gates is playing like he is old, Philip Rivers is playing like he has no offensive help, and the Bears are cruising right now, and they are at home.

Arizona Cardinals +9 1/2 at San Francisco 49ers
Arizona beat Philadelphia last week, and they way they played, they could keep it close. I like the 49ers to win, perhaps by a touchdown, but with a run-first offense and a strong defense, the clock will keep running down and limit possession, hopefully keeping the score close, even if San Fran dominates.

St. Louis Rams -2 v. Seattle Seahawks
I don't care who they beat last week, I cannot bet on Seattle.

Green Bay Packers -5 1/2 at San Diego Chargers
Green Bay is simply the best team in football, and we need to set up the Packers being undefeated going into the Thanksgiving game at Detroit.

Tennessee Titans +6 at Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons looked pretty good against the Saints, but this team could meltdown knowing that 1 loss could keep them out of the playoffs, especially when that one loss can be laid strictly at the feet of one really stupid decision.

New York Giants -4 1/2 v. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are nowhere near as good as everyone thought they were going to be. In fact, we can offically call them BAD.

New England Patriots -14 1/2 v. Kansas City Chiefs
We have had some really bad Monday night games this year, including a couple of blowouts. Let's add another to the list.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Oakland Raiders -1 at Minnesota Vikings
Carson Palmer is starting to hit a bit of a groove and Michael Bush is a more than capable backup to Darren McFadden. Christian Ponder has had his moments, but this is not a good Vikings team. Without Jared Allen and Adrian Peterson, this team would be nothing this year. And with Janikowsi and Lechler, this team can play field position football with absolutely anybody.

Previous Week's Record: 8-6
Year to Date: 60-54-3
Big Bet Last Week: 1-0
Big Beat Year to Date: 8-0
Winnings (Losses) Last Week: $290
Winnings (Losses) Year-To-Date: $1260

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

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. On to the picks.

New England Patriots -7 at Buffalo Bills
The Bills and Fitzpatrick are a great story to date, and it is possible that they put up a bunch of points against the Patriots. But it is also probable that they give up a lot more.

Carolina Panthers -3 v. Jacksonville Jaguars
Blaine Gabbert is making his first start. Cam Newton is practically a veteran comparatively.

Cincinnati Bengals -2 1/2 v. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco is still searching for their quarterback. Cincinnati may have found theirs.

Miami Dolphins +1 1/2 at Cleveland Browns
I really don't know what to make of this game. In that situation, I'll take points and just hope.

Detroit Lions -3 at Minnesota Vikings
The Lions juggernaut continues. Minnesota looked much better in Week 2 than in their opening game, but they are a long way away from competing with Detroit.

New Orleans Saints -3 1/2 v. Houston Texans
New Orleans looks like one of the best 2 or 3 teams in the league right now. Houston is trying to get to that level. They are not quite there ... yet.

New York Giants +8 1/2 v. Philadelphia Eagles
Vick is likely going to play, but how effective is he going to be. Philly is stronger, but I don't think they are 8 1/2 points stronger.

Tennessee Titans -7 v. Denver Broncos
Tennessee rolled the Ravens last week without Chris Johnson doing what Chris Johnson does. I don't know if Johnson will start to heat up, but the Titans look to have more than the Fighting Tebows do.

Green Bay Packers -4 1/2 at Chicago Bears
The Bears could put up a lot of offensive yards against the Packers if they can keep Cutler upright. That is a big IF.

San Diego Chargers -14 v. Kansas City Chiefs
That's a big spread, but Kansas City is without its best offensive (Jamal Charles) and defensive (Eric Berry) players for the season. San Diego is hurting, but most of their questionables should at least give it a go.

Oakland Raiders +3 v. New York Jets
Oakland has played two very close games to start the season. The Jets have not given me any reason to think that this will not be a close one as well.

Atlanta + 1 1/2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta is a much stronger team than the Bucs. They are only getting points because they are on the road. I'll take 'em.

Arizona Cardinals -3 at Seattle Seahawks
Once again - Tarvaris Jackson.

Pittsburgh Steelers -10 1/2 at Indianapolis Colts
Without Peyton Manning, this is a much different team.

Washington Redskins No Line at Dallas Cowboys
Thanks to Romo, there is no official line in this game. But since it is my blog, I am going to count it as a pick 'em. It is still too soon for Rex Grossman to implode.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Baltimore Ravens -5 at St. Louis Rams
The Ravens need a big bounce back after last week's loss to the Titans. They get it here.

Previous Week's Record: 8-7-1
Year to Date: 18-13-1
Big Bet Last Week: 1-0
Big Beat Year to Date: 2-0
Winnings (Losses) Last Week: $180
Winnings (Losses) Year-To-Date: $670

Picks of the Week

It is time for the "picks of the week". As you know, I like to keep track of what I would have earned had I actually bet on all of the games (since gambling is illegal). 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 will 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. On to the picks.

New Orleans Saints -5 v. Chicago Bears
I would love for my Bears to pull this off, but with the funeral of Brian Urlacher's mom being held yesterday, and several players and stafff flying back to New Orleans just yesterday, they will likely be a bit tired. Also, the adrenaline that will carry them through the first quarter would likley fade quickly as the game goes on.

Buffalo Bills -4 v. Oakland Raiders
Although I think that the Raiders are the better team, west coast teams flying east to play the early game just are not very successful. A big congratulations to my body Sebastian Janikowski for his record-tying 63 yard field goal on Monday night.

Washington Redskins -4 v. Arizona Cardinals
Again with the west coast teams going east. Plus, we are still a few weeks from the inevitable Rex Grossman implosion.

Baltimore Ravens -5 1/2 at Tennessee Titans
The only explanation for last week for the Ravens is "WOW"!

Jacksonville Jaguars +9 at New York Jets
The Jets offense was not impressive last week against the Cowboys. At least not 9 point spread impressive. Jacksonville still has to prove themselves, and this is their chance.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers + 1 1/2 at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings were absolutely horrible last week. McNabb might just be done.

Green Bay Packers -10 1/2 at Carolina Panthers
What would the point spread have been if the Packers were at home?!

Detroit Lions -7 1/2 v. Kansas City Chiefs
Detroit seems to be this year's "it" team, while Kansas City was simply awful last week.

Cleveland Browns -2 at Indianapolis Colts
No Peyton Manning.

Dallas Cowboys -3 at San Francisco 49ers
Dallas should have won that game against the Jets, but they didn't. Doesn't matter because the 49ers are nowhere near the same level of the Jets.

New England Patriots -7 v. San Diego Chargers
This could be another PAtriots barnburner with tons and tons of yards and points. Exciting game to watch for sure.

Denver Broncos -3 v. Cincinnati Bengals
I really have no reason to support this pick other than the fact that Tim Tebow prayed extra hard this week.

Houston Texans -3 at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were valiant on offense against the Patriots, but virtually nonexistent on defense. that is not the side of the ball to be weak against the Texans.

Philadelphia Eagles -2 1/2 at Atlanta Falcons
Both sides have weaknesses, but I think the Falcons might be bruising from the beating the Bears gave them last week.

St. Louis Rams -6 1/2 v. New York Giants
Is Hakeen Nicks going to play? Even if so, are the Giants that much of an offensive threat to win this game by 7? I don't think so.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Pittsburgh Steelers -13 1/2 v. Seattle Seahawks
Tarvaris Jackson! Plus, the Steelers should be angry after the beat down last week at the hands of the Ravens.

Previous Week's Record: 10-6
Year to Date: 10-6
Big Bet Last Week: 1-0
Big Beat Year to Date: 1-0
Winnings (Losses): $490