December 24, 2010

October 24, 2010 NFL Week 7: Needing a Big Week

The Week 7 picks!
Last Week: 4-8-2                                 Overall: 40-44-6
Pittsburgh (-3) at Miami
Is anyone more happy about this Brett Favre scandal than Ben Roethlisberger? Also, as of this writing, James Harrison will be playing after contemplating retirement for a few hours on Wednesday. I think he has a few million reasons to want to keep playing.
St. Louis at Tampa Bay (-3)
So St. Louis is 3-3, competing in the NFC West, with Danario Alexander as its new playmaker. Just like everyone predicted!  After getting blown out 44-6 on the road a few weeks back by Detroit, I can't feel confident with them away from home... yet.
Buffalo at Baltimore (-12.5)
What's the perfect remedy for playing too conservatively and blowing a 10-point 4th quarter lead against the Patriots? Obviously, the Buffalo Bills. Am I worried that Chan Gailey has had two weeks to prepare for this game? Hell no.
Jacksonville at Kansas City (-9)
This spread is a little bit high for Matt Cassel to cover. But when you have a possible Todd Bouman sighting at quarterback for Jacksonville, you have to take Kansas City at home. This could be the first ever "11 people in the box to stop Maurice Jones-Drew game."
Cincinnati at Atlanta (-3.5) 
Atlanta had played so well so far this season, that they were do to have a bad game one week. Cincinnati tries to remain in the playoff picture with its $100 million quarterback who is secretly not as good as everyone thinks. As for the weekly, "T.Ocho Show," update, it drew a 0.1 rating in its debut.
San Francisco (-2.5) at Carolina
My one fear in this game: San Francisco goes down early, Alex Smith plays horribly, and Mike Singletary turns to David Carr at quarterback. If that happens, quite simply, I'm screwed.
Washington (+3) at Chicago
So you're telling me Chicago lost a game last week, and they're still two games over .500 as we enter Week 7? Anyway, I'll take Washington, even if I'm still bitter about last week's game against Indianapolis, when they scored in the final minutes to still lose, but push the game. That never happens!
Cleveland (+12.5) at New Orleans 
Aside from getting his receivers nearly killed, Colt McCoy played admirably in his first NFL start on the road against Pittsburgh. His next game? On the road against New Orleans. New Orleans put together its first really good game of the year last week, but I need to see two in a row before they're back. And by "back," I mean can cover a point spread of double digits. 
Philadelphia (+3) at Tennessee
First, Kevin Kolb. Then, Mike Vick. Now, Kolb again? Has there ever been a QB controversy where the job has (possibly) changed hands three times in eight weeks? Kerry Collins is starting for the Titans though, and I have no idea what to expect from him. 
Oakland at Denver (-7)
An AFC West battle! With everyone taking shots at the NFC West, the AFC's version is slowly joining the conversation as worst division in football. The AFC West only has one team over .500 (Kansas City), while the NFC West has two. And, Jason Campbell looks absolutely lost at quarterback. 
New England (+2.5) at San Diego
In an F U Randy Moss game, New England comes back to stun Baltimore at home and in the process, Tom Brady repeatedly throws to the newly acquired Deion Branch. I'm glad this game will be nationally televised, because I feel we need to see Philip Rivers' frustration today. His starting WRs are Patrick Crayton and Buster Davis. Over/under on how many times Rivers snaps/shows them up today?
Arizona (+7) at Seattle
First place on the line in the NFC West! Seattle's game at Chicago really bumped this spread up a lot, and I think a little bit too much. I'm not even sure "he who has Seattle in the Super Bowl" could feel confident giving seven points to the Cardinals. Can he?
Minnesota (+2.5) at Green Bay
Green Bay has been absolutely killed by injuries. After Week 2, the case could be made that they were easily the top team in the NFC. Now? After injuries to Jermichael Finley, Ryan Grant, Clay Matthews, et al. they're struggling to stay near the top of the NFC North. Oh, and I think a certain quarterback is returning to Lambeau. Not sure though.
New York at Dallas (-3)
Dallas will now implement college celebration rules after scoring a touchdown after last week's incident in Minnesota. Oh boy. The Cowboys are undisciplined, penalized, and may not be good at all. But I think they put it together... for one week.
As always, enjoy the games!
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