Season: 76-81-6 Last Week: 5-7-2 This Week: 1-2
Buffalo at New York Jets (-8.5)
An angry Jets defense following a tough Thursday night loss at Denver. Thankfully, that's Ryan Fitzpatrick's problem to deal with, and not mine.
And even Isiah Thomas wouldn't have rewarded Fitzpatrick with a contract extension seven weeks into the season. (You thought I would end this blurb without taking a shot at the Fitzpatrick contract? No chance!).
Minnesota at Atlanta (-9.5)
Christian Ponder, Toby Gerhart and a less-than-100 percent Percy Harvin: Perfect for covering a spread like this in college, but not so much in the Georgia Dome against an Atlanta team getting back Julio Jones.
Cleveland (+7.5) at Cincinnati
Speaking of Julio Jones, wouldn't he look great right now in a Browns uniform? An electric receiver with big-play capability is just what this franchise needs. Wait a second, you're telling me they had the chance to draft him, and then traded out of the spot? What the #$%^&!!!
(Anyway, how ridiculous does that Peyton Hillis Madden cover look? Very ridiculous, I say).
Houston (-3.5) at Jacksonville
The fact that Matt Leinart is making his first career start for Houston may be enough to make you lean towards Jacksonville. Until of course, you remember that Blaine Gabbert is really, really bad at playing quarterback.
Chicago (+3.5) at Oakland
I love this pick as much as you can love a pick in which Caleb Haine will be your starting quarterback. But without Jay Cutler, the Bears defense puts forth an inspired effort while Carson Palmer puts forth a Palmerian effort.
Arizona (+3) at St. Louis
Thankfully, this game is being played at 1 p.m., so its overall suckiness will be hidden among the six other early-afternoon games.
Washington at Seattle (-3.5)
This game could go one of two ways: Rex Grossman and the Redskins gave their all in last Sunday's game against the Cowboys, and head out to the Great Northwest to get slaughtered in front of a raucous home crowd. Or, the Seahawks play like they did against the Bengals earlier this season at home, and this game is close or the Redskins pull out the win. Whichever way this game goes, I don't think anyone cares (except, of course, for those picking said game).
Carolina (-3.5) at Indianapolis
Tampa Bay (+3.5) at Tennessee
Carolina and Tennessee were involved in two games last week that make us remember how fun it is to bet on NFL games pick games against the spread for fun.
Carolina at Detroit: The Panthers took a 24-7 lead in the 2nd quarter, and were up 27-14 at halftime. With less than five minutes to go, they scored to tie the game at 35 (putting them up 42.5-35 including the spread.) Re-read that sentence again. Somehow, the Panthers still managed to not cover.
Tennessee at Atlanta: The Falcons took a 23-3 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter following a Matt Bryant short field goal. What followed was a Jake Locker 40-yard touchdown pass, a Michael Turner fumble at the Titans' 7-yard line and an improbable Tennesee conversion on 4th-and-17 that led to a 23-17 final and a push.
New England at Philadelphia (+3.5)
A pick made strictly from a who needs the game more standpoint. Even after the Jets dismantle the Bills earlier in the day, a New England loss keeps them two games up on the Jets with this remaining schedule: Indy, @ Denver, @ Washington, Miami and Buffalo. Tough to do two weeks in a row, but the Eagles post another solid showing in an underdog role at home. (And how high will next week's spread be for Colts-Patriots in New England?!?)
Denver (+6.5) at San Diego
With a win here and an Oakland home loss to Chicago, a quarterback that is incapable of figuring out the forward pass will be leading a team atop the AFC West in the NFL in 2011.
Kansas City at Pittsburgh (-10.5)
Another night game, another week of Tyler Palko in primetime!
New York Giants at New Orleans (-7)
No team has been more unlucky than the Giants when it comes to their two intraconference games on this year's schedule. By finishing 2nd in the NFC East last season, they get the 2nd place team in the NFC South at one of the league's toughest venues, and then they're home to the 2nd place team in the NFC North that hasn't lost since Week 15 in 2010.
