CONTRIBUTOR
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GAME 1
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GAME 2
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GAME 3
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Kevin
2009 Record: 60.0% (18-12)
2008 Record: 63.3% (31-18-2)
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Falcons at Giants (-6.5)
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Browns at Lions (-3.5)
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Bengals (-9.5) at Raiders
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Giants -6.5
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Lions -3.5
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Bengals -9.5
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Last week was the best week for the Giants in
over a month. Not only did they not lose
another game (due to their bye), but they
gained on their division rivals -- Dallas and
Philadelphia, both of whom lost last week.
Despite their current four-game losing streak,
the Giants are a good football team and
sometimes it takes a week off where things
fall into place to get a team out of a rut.
That's actually what happened with the
Cowboys, who began a four-game winning
streak after their bye with a win over Atlanta.
The Falcons will be without stud running back
Michael "The Burner" Turner and the Giants
have had an extra week to game plan for the
Falcons.
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While the Lions and Browns have identical
1-9 records, I believe there is a big
difference in the level of competitiveness
between these two teams. In my opinion,
the Browns are the worst team in the
league and it's possible they will be without
their best all-around player in Joshua
Cribbs, who was hurt on the last play of the
Ravens' Monday Night game. On the
season, the Browns have scored only 78
points in ten games. They've scored six or
fewer points in six of their ten games
including their only win in 2009.
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The Bengals may be without running back
Cedric Benson, who suffered a hip injury
against the Steelers last week, as it looks
like he'll be a game-time decision.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have benched
former #1 overall draft pick JaMarcus
Russell in favor of Bruce Gradkowski. (That
should turn their fortunes around, right?)
The Bengals are one of the best teams in
the league and the feel-good story of the
2009 season. The Bengals, who have been
dubbed "The Bungles," should provide
inspiration to the Raiders, who are perhaps
the most poorly-managed franchise in
major team sports. Meanwhile, the Raiders
provide the Bengals with a scrimmage
partner.
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Dan
2009 Record: 60.0% (18-12)
2008 Record: 60.0% (30-20-1)
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Browns at Lions (-3.5)
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Jets at Patriots (-10.5)
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Eagles (-3) at Bears
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Lions -3.5
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Patriots -10.5
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Eagles -3
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Here is one thing you wouldn't think of seeing
this year: the Lions are actually favored in a
regular-season game that counts. This game
also has another huge impact on the league,
as in who will get the #1 draft pick, as the
loser will certainly be in the driver’s seat. The
statistical and historical matchups favor the
Lions, as does the "I care" factor possession
arrow firmly points to Detroit. Cleveland is
statistically last in the league in team
defense, and has yielded an average of 165
yards per game on the ground. The Browns
have also been a mess all year, and with
Brady Quinn, it's certainly not getting better.
Quinn has been fined for taking out Terrell
Suggs for the year, and also called the last
play of the game that saw the Browns only
weapon in Josh Cribbs being carted out on a
stretcher. Historically, the Lions have won 4
out of the last 5 games, and Cleveland has
posted 3-11-1 mark against the spread in
their last 14. I would look for a huge day by
Kevin Smith, and Calvin Johnson, as the Lions
actually have more firepower.
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Another week, and another huge number,
but Vegas did really well with this number,
but since I've followed the Pats for years
this game will not be close. This game is
going to be a classic Belichick is mad
game, and a beatdown will be coming for
the Jets. New England will let fly with both
barrels, as they were defeated earlier this
year by the Jets, and also from the recent
go for it controversy against the Colts. The
Jets are in a slide at 1-5, since starting out
on a 3-0 streak, as true growing pains have
been shown by Mark Sanchez. The Patriots
will look to load up against the run, and
force Sanchez into seeing some new
defensive looks. New England has won 4 of
the last 5 matchups, and the Jets are 4-9-1
in their last 14 Vs the Patriots. Another key
trend is that New England has posted a
perfect 5-0 mark Vs the spread at home
this year. Watch for Randy Moss to have a
huge day, and also for Wes Welker to
produce as he was inactive for the last time
these two teams met. Load up on the
revenge factor, as if the Patriots run after
the Spygate incident is history, than expect
to see lots of offensive fireworks.
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Say what you want about the Eagles, but
after the dust settles all Andy Reid does is
push his team into the playoffs. This is a
crucial matchup for both teams, as wildcard
implications hang in the balance. The
Eagles come in after a tough road loss in
San Diego, while the Bears had a particular
forgetful Thursday night loss to the 49ers.
The Eagles come into this game 10 in the
league in passing defense, and are also
3rd in the league with 15 interceptions. The
yang to this stat is that Jay Cutler is your
clubhouse leader with 17 picks already this
season, and 11 coming in his 3 prime-time
starts. The Eagles will no doubt look to fill
the air with pigskin, and I would look for
rook LeSean McCoy to have a big day on
the ground as well. Philly has won 5 of the
last 7 matchups against the Bears, and
Chicago is 1-6-1 Vs a winning team Vs the
number. Lay the points for the Eagles in
prime-time, as they continue their march to
another post season berth.
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Sean
2009 Record: 55.2% (16-13-1)
2008 Record: 52.9% (27-24)
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Colts (-1.5) at Ravens
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Redskins at Cowboys (-11)
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Titans at Texans (-4.5)
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Colts -1.5
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Cowboys -11
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Titans +4.5
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The Colts have won 6 straight in this series,
and I think they make it seven on Sunday.
The Ravens lose arguably their best player on
defense Terrell Suggs, and they already have
a pretty shaky secondary minus Ed Reed of
course. The Ravens offense hasn't been
great lately either. Joe Flacco has cooled
down a bit from his hot start. 17 points is not
going to cut it against the Colts. If you are
picking a week for the Colts to lose try next
week when they travel to Houston. I think
Manning & co come out big and beat up on
the Ravens.
Colts 31 Ravens 17
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I normally go with the dog in this series,
but Washington might be the Cleveland of
the NFC, or very close to it. Dallas got
embarrassed last week against the
Packers, and I think they get back on track
this week against the Skins. That had to
be the most frustrating game to watch as a
Cowboys fan last week. How many 3rd &
longs are they going to give up. Kudos to
the Packers offense, too bad the Skins
don't have one. Portis to miss another
week and Jason Campbell is one game
away from being sent to the bench. Dallas
defense one of the most underrated units
in the league.
Cowboys 38 Redskins 10
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After Tennessee dominating winning 7 in a
row in this rivalry, Houston has quietly won
the last two meetings. Tennessee is
getting healthy again in the secondary, and
they still stop the run pretty well. The
wildcard of this game is Vince Young. I
expect Young to make a couple of plays
with his legs to keep some long drives
going. The Titans gave this game away
earlier this year, I think they step in to
Houston and beat the Texans on another
last second field goal miss by Kris Brown in
the end. Big day for both of the Johnson's
for you fantasy players.
Titans 30 Texans 28
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Jamie
2009 Record: 43.3% (13-17)
2008 Record: 55.1% (27-22-2)
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Eagles (-3) at Bears
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Saints (-11.5) at Buccaneers
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Redskins at Cowboys (-11)
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Eagles -3
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Saints -11.5
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Redskins +11
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Cutler continues to show he isn't worthy of the
hype he has been getting and the Eagles will
show that even more. Look for Forte to have a
rough game and the Bears are forced to lean
on Cutler which leads to those exotic Eagle
blitzes as McNabb has a good welcome home
game.
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The Saints are the better team on both
sides of the ball and will show it in this
game. Brees will have another 300 yard 3
td day as Freeman struggles in this one. I
normally stay away from big spreads but
this one seems too good to pass on
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11 points in this rivalry game = a no
brainer. The Skins could send a Pop Warner
team Sunday and probably keep this one
within 11 points. That's just the way these
games go. I fully expect the Cowboys to
win this game but 11 points again is just
too much especially with the Cowboys
starting to get banged up
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