In the immortal words of he who is now the St. Louis Cardinals’ hitting coach, I’m not here to talk about the past. Let’s turn the page and get down to THIS week’s picks!
HOU (-3.5) @ BUF – I’m always wary of road favorites not named ‘the Patriots’ or ‘the Colts’. While I’d like to see the Texans make the leap into that echelon (for purely selfish reasons; I have Schaub and Slaton on one fantasy team), I don’t know if I trust them to win in Buffalo by more than a Figgie. Take the points.
CLE @ CHI (-13) – a spread that high screams ‘take Cleveland’, but they simply cannot be trusted anymore this year. With trepidation, I recommend laying the points. The Bears are also my survivor pick o’ the week.
SEA @ DAL (-9.5) – I think the good Matt Hasselbeck is due to show up and so the game will be close. Dallas isn’t coached well enough to cover the spread two weeks in a row. Take the points.
STL @ DET (NL) – I’m guessing ‘no line’ because Vegas isn’t sure who’s starting at QB for the Lions. Okay, if this is just a pick ‘em, I’ll go with the team with the better RB – the Rams. Take the… I mean lay the…. Hmmmm…. What do I say here with respect to points? J
SF @ IND (-12) – it’s fun to watch half the fantasy football gurus fall all over themselves gushing on how we should all pick up Alex Smith this week b/c the Niners will be playing from behind and he’ll have to throw a lot. Do you REALLY want Alex Smith in a position to throw a lot? Me neither. Btw, Reggie Wayne is a bit banged up, but should play. Lay the points. (TC: The Colts have been great in these big spread games and are at home. I love me some Colts.)
MIA @ NYJ (-3) – sorry, Commander, but gotta back the Fins again. I mean, they already beat them once! Unless the Jets have come up with a legitimate way to defend the Wildcat (beyond just calling it ‘stupid’), I can’t pick them to cover. (TC: Ugh)
NYG @ PHI (NL) – you can guess where I’m going with this, right? Back the birds. (TC: I was hoping for a Yankees sweep and Giants win to see if Philly fans set the city on fire, but Cliff Lee ruined that. 
)
DEN @ BAL (-3.5) – wait, an undefeated team is more than a 3 point underdog against an okay team? Why? Because Denver has to cross 2 time zones to get to Maryland? That doesn’t hold water with me. Take the points and back the Broncos.
JAC @ TEN (-3) – hmmm… I wonder if this number came out before the announcement that Vince Young is starting for the Titans this week. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t trust the Jags on the road at all, but this IS the Titans we’re talking about. Take the points.
OAK @ SD (-16.5) – this is one of those “I would kick myself if I turn on the TV at 7 pm and see the Chargers up by 28” games. As much as I espouse “taking the underdogs”, I cannot in good conscience take the Raiders. Lay the 16.5 points. ALL of them!
MIN @ GB (-3) – I think both Brett Favre and Jared Allen have the Packers’ number. I honestly don’t understand this spread. Maybe b/c Antoine Winfield is presumably out for the Vikes? That doesn’t wash because the MIN secondary did a great job on the Steelers’ WR last week. IF Aaron Rodgers has time to throw this week (and that’s a big if), I like the MIN secondary to shut down Jennings and Driver. Heck, as a Jennings owner, I think *I* can shut him down! Take the points.
CAR @ ARI (-10) – the Panthers are just about to gain membership into the club of teams that can’t be trusted. Everything was in place for them last week and Delhomme blew it; Stewart didn’t help either. Lay the points.
ATL @ NO (-10) – way too big a spread for an intra-divisional game. The Falcons need this game if they want to have any shot of overtaking the Saints in the NFC South. As such, they should pull out all the stops. Take the points. TC: I think I like the Saints here…maybe a lot.)
Last week: 4-8-1
Overall: 47-55-1