Season: 79-68 Last Week: 7-7 This Week: 1-0
Miami at Buffalo (-1.5)
There's bad, there's really bad and then there's me trying to pick these Thursday night games. Thankfully, the oddsmakers have given me a break with this layup of a pick.
The rest:
Green Bay (-3.5) at Detroit Cleveland (+7.5) at Dallas
Arizona at Atlanta (-10.5)
New York Jets at St. Louis (-3.5) Jacksonville (+16.5) at Houston Philadelphia (+3.5) at Washington
Cincinnati (-3.5) at Kansas City Tampa Bay (-1.5) at Carolina
New Orleans at Oakland (+4.5) San Diego (+7.5) at Denver
Indianapolis at New England (-9.5) Baltimore (+3.5) at Pittsburgh
Chicago at San Francisco (-5.5)
Season: 71-62 Last Week: 9-5 This Week: 0-1 Jacksonville (+3.5) at Indianapolis
Jacksonville takes a week off from getting blown out by keeping it close during its only primetime game of the season against a Colts team in a terrible spot on the road.
The rest:
Oakland at Baltimore (-7.5) Detroit (-2.5) at Minnesota San Diego (+3.5) at Tampa Bay
Tennessee (+6.5) at Miami
Atlanta at New Orleans (+3.5) Denver (-3.5) at Carolina
NY Giants at Cincinnati (+4.5) Buffalo (+11.5) at New England
NY Jets at Seattle (-6.5)
Dallas at Philadelphia (-2.5)
St. Louis at San Francisco (-11.5)
Houston at Chicago (-1.5)
Kansas City at Pittsburgh (-12.5)
Seven games into the season, and the Chiefs have not held a lead this year. While we could never see such a streak duplicated, we also might never have a chance to grab 8.5 points against the Chargers until 2013.
The rest:
Miami at Indianapolis (+2.5)
Buffalo at Houston (-10.5)
Arizona at Green Bay (-10.5) Baltimore (-3.5) at Cleveland Chicago (-3.5) at Tennessee
Denver at Cincinnati (+3.5) Carolina (+3.5) at Washington
Detroit at Jacksonville (+3.5)
Minnesota at Seattle (-5.5)
Tampa Bay at Oakland (-1.5) Pittsburgh (+3.5) at New York Giants Dallas (+4.5) at Atlanta
Philadelphia at New Orleans (-3.5)
Season: 53-52 Last Week: 7-6 This Week: 0-1
Tampa Bay at Minnesota (-6.5)
A crushing home loss to New Orleans followed by a Thursday night road game in Minnesota should be enough to ensure the Bucs lose by at least a touchdown against the Vikings.
But why spend anymore time discussing the game when I can post this video of AU midfielder Colin Seigfreid celebrating his goal by giving the Stone Cold Stunner to AU grad and friend of the blog Zack Solomon?
The only thing that could have been better is if a teammate dropped down to count the 1-2-3.
The rest:
Indianapolis at Tennessee (-3.5) Miami (+2.5) at New York Jets New England (-7.5) vs. St. Louis (London)
San Diego at Cleveland (+3.5) Carolina (+7.5) at Chicago
Atlanta at Philadelphia (-2.5)
Seattle at Detroit (-2.5) Jacksonville (+13.5) at Green Bay
Washington at Pittsburgh (-5.5) Oakland (+1.5) at Kansas City New York Giants (-1.5) at Dallas New Orleans (+6.5) at Denver
San Francisco at Arizona (+7.5)
Season: 46-46 Last Week: 5-9 This Week: 0-1
Seattle at San Francisco (-7.5)
Going 11-17 over the past two weeks isn't the best way to begin October, especially after such a strong start to the season. I blame A-Rod.
For tonight I'm backing San Francisco at home, thanks to the following stat from our A+ research team here at the blog: With Jim Harbaugh as coach, the 49ers have allowed 11 points combined in four games following a loss.
Carolina at Dallas (-2.5)
With 26 seconds left and one timeout remaining, Tony Romo completed a one-yard pass to Dez Bryant to the Ravens 33. The clock ticked down to six seconds, before Dallas used its final timeout and Dan Bailey missed the game-winning field goal from 50+ yards out. Now that, that is just great clock management.
Cleveland (+3.5) at Indianapolis
Despite defeating the Bengals and picking up a win for the first time since November 2011, Cleveland's victory was immediately overshadowed by news of this guylast week.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay (+3.5)
With interim coach Joe Vitt taking over the Saints in Week 8, let's appreciate the chance to pick against interim interim coach Aaron Kromer one more time.
Washington (+6.5) at New York Giants
I'm surprised this line is almost a touchdown even though everyone knows 1) The Giants play better on the road than at home and 2) Washington is 3-0 ATS in its last three against New York.
Baltimore (+6.5) at Houston
Being on the wrong end of both the largest deficit overcome in Monday Night Football and Thursday's situation in San Francisco is just too much for one blogger to take in a 72-hour span. Hopefully John Harbuagh atones for his brother's wrongs by staying within six points in Houston.
Green Bay (-5.5) at St. Louis
The critics have come out in full force after I officially dropped to .500 on the year, and after hopefully a strong performance this week, I'll have the following message for them when sitting down for my weekly interview with Michele Tafoya:
Arizona at Minnesota (-6.5)
Tennessee at Buffalo (-3.5)
Two picks that are more against the away team than they are for the home team, and two games that, with six teams on bye, have a lot of implications on whether I win or lose Week 7 in fantasy football.
New York Jets at New England (-10.5)
An angry Tom Brady and Bill Belichick returning home after blowing a 13-point 4th quarter lead in Seattle? Thankfully, this is the Jets problem to deal with and not mine.
Jacksonville (+4.5) at Oakland
After getting blown out in both weeks prior to their bye and with another blowout looming in Week 8 (at Green Bay), this is Jacksonville's best chance at keeping up its pace of one win a month.
Pittsburgh (-2.5) at Cincinnati
After making the playoffs last year, Marvin Lewis and the Bengals are on track for two straight average or below-average seasons, before Lewis saves his job with an unexpected playoff berth in 2014; a script we've seen play out before in Cincy.
Detroit at Chicago (-5.5) Losing out on the Hail Mary in Seattle earlier this year and then with the comeback in San Diego last week, I'm pretty sure I'm due for a Charles Tillman interception Monday to stop Detroit's backdoor cover attempt you know is coming.
Season: 41-36 Last Week: 6-8 Pittsburgh (-5.5) at Tennessee
After watching him compile a 2.9 YPC average from afar over five weeks, Chris Johnson's fantasy owners will get their first live look at just how bad of a first/second round pick they made Thursday night in Tennessee. In their first (but not only) primetime appearance of the season, the Titans manage to get blown out for the fifth time in six games.
With midterms looming, my weekly schedule of watching games for 10 hours straight on Sunday will be altered as some semblance of studying must be done for them. Below are the picks for Week 6:
Kansas City at Tampa Bay (-3.5) Dallas (+3.5) at Baltimore
St. Louis at Miami (-3.5) Detroit (+5.5) at Philadelphia
Oakland at Atlanta (-8.5) Cincinnati (-2.5) at Cleveland
Indianapolis (+3.5) at New York Jets
Buffalo at Arizona (-5.5) New England (-3.5) at Seattle
New York Giants (+5.5) at San Francisco Minnesota (+2.5) at Washington Green Bay (+5.5) at Houston
Denver at San Diego (-2.5)
Season: 36-28 Last Week: 10-5 This Week: 1-0
Arizona at St. Louis (+1.5)
Long a source of hacky jokes on this blog, the NFC West is off to a strong start in 2012 with no one below .500 after four weeks. Arizona falls from the ranks of the unbeaten tonight, and we applaud Kevin Kolb for somehow lasting until October before suffering his first loss.
Green Bay (-7.5) at Indianapolis
After missing plays at Seattle with the Hail Mary and vs. New Orleans on the Darren Sproles fumble, the referees should have a call (or 20) go Green Bay's way in Indianapolis.
Baltimore (-4.5) at Kansas City
A rested Ravens team going up against a quarterback soon to be replaced by Brady Quinn? Yes, please!
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (-3.5)
From Matthew Berry's Week 5 Love/Hate column: Vick "doesn't do well when he gets 5 or more rushers, he gets 5 or more rushers more than anyone else, and the Steelers use 5 or more rushers more than anyone else."
Miami at Cincinnati (-4.5)
Nothing like seeing "Cleveland, Washington, Jacksonville, Miami, Cleveland" on the schedule to bounce back from a disastrous Monday night opener.
Cleveland (+10.5) at New York Giants
The Browns have Brandon Weeden running the show, are without two receivers and will be missing Joe Haden. Still, the Giants will continue their trend (that makes no sense) of letting inferior teams hang with them at home.
Atlanta (-3.5) at Washington
With Oakland on bye, I will be treated to watching the Raheem Morris-led worst secondary in the NFL try and slow down Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones.
Seattle (+3.5) at Carolina
From Bill Simmons' Week 5 NFL picks column, a reader emailed The Sports Guy something I have wondered for quite some time now: Is Ron Rivera's "headset even plugged in? On every sideline shot of him I have yet to see him speak a single word." - Terrence, Rock Hill, SC
Buffalo at San Francisco (-49.5) San Francisco (-9.5)
The only thing to monitor here will be whether or not the 49ers wait until the end of the first quarter to cover this spread.
Denver (+7.5) at New England
There's nothing better than watching Peyton Manning and Tom Brady square off in the second game of a doubleheader day with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms on the call. You hear me? Nothing!
Chicago (-4.5) at Jacksonville Tennessee (+5.5) at Minnesota
Two road teams that I'm not really confident in, but such is life when making picks of all the week's games.
San Diego at New Orleans (-3.5)
I really can't put my finger on what is wrong with this Saints defense. It's almost as if they need some incentive to play better. Weird.
But lame, overplayed jokes aside, I think the Saints put it together for one week in the Superdome.
Houston (-7.5) at New York Jets
After being mostly seen in just the New York market through the first four weeks, the Jets incompetence will now be on display in front of the entire country come Monday night!
Season: 25-24 Last Week: 8-8 This Week: 0-1
Cleveland at Baltimore (-13.5)
An angry defense playing at home after having given up 54 points in its last two games? Thankfully this is Brandon Weeden's problem to deal with, not mine.
And with the era of replacement referees coming to a close, below is my favorite call from the whole fiasco. Thank God this ends tonight.
After having to pick up a friend well past midnight at Union Station, getting basically no sleep, and then working the AU men's soccer and volleyball games Saturday (11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.), Quick Picks it is for Week 4.
San Diego (-1.5) at Kansas City San Francisco (-4.5) at New York Jets
Carolina at Atlanta (-7.5) Tennessee (+12.5) at Houston Seattle (-1.5) at St. Louis New England (-3.5) at Buffalo
Minnesota (+4.5) at Detroit Miami (+6.5) at Arizona
Oakland at Denver (-6.5) Cincinnati (-2.5) at Jacksonville
New Orleans at Green Bay (-6.5) Washington (+3.5) at Tampa Bay
New York Giants (+2.5) at Philadelphia Chicago (+3.5) at Dallas
Season: 17-16Last Week: 8-8 This Week: 0-1
New York Giants at Carolina (+1.5)
For the simple fact that I am going against my team, I deserve to drop to 0-3 on Thursday night games.
Full picks will be posted prior to kickoff on Sunday.
Buffalo at Cleveland (+3.5)
It was either Buffalo on the road, or Brandon Weeden returning home after posting a passer rating of 5.1 in Week 1. Buffalo: 3 Cleveland: 0
Kansas City (+9.5) at New Orleans
In a battle to see which team can hit rock bottom first, the Chiefs should be able to stay within 10 of the Saints in New Orleans.
Cincinnati (+4.5) at Washington
With Raheem Morris the defensive backs coach in Washington, I'm being conservative when I say I'm expecting no less than an 8-125-2 performance from A.J. Green. And nothing good can come from the fact that Morris was calling the defense in the 4th quarter last week in St. Louis.
Jacksonville (+2.5) at Indianapolis
My goodness. And we get to see these two square off once again (on Thursday Night Football, no less) come Week 10. Tampa Bay (+7.5) at Dallas
Tampa Bay has now covered two straight spreads, and no reason to jump off them now when they're getting more than a touchdown at Dallas.
San Francisco (-7.5) at Minnesota
It's always great on a Sunday when FOX doesn't have sound and NBC has no signal, as was the case last week for me, causing me to miss just how good the 49ers looked against Detroit.
Detroit at Tennessee (+3.5)
While Tennessee has struggled to resemble a competent football team, it's also hard to be confident in the Lions after they narrowly beat the Rams and were manhandled (or so I'm told) in San Francisco last Sunday night.
New York Jets (-3.5) at Miami
St. Louis at Chicago (-8.5)
Went back and forth on these games before realizing 1) Who will Ryan Tannehill be completing passes to? and 2) Who will Jay Cutler not be completing passes to against the Rams secondary?
Philadelphia at Arizona (+4.5)
At this pace, Michael Vick is projected for the highly realistic possibility of throwing 48 interceptions while leading his team to a 16-0 record.
Houston at Denver (-.5)
Surprised this is essentially a pick, especially with Houston having played no one (Miami, at Jacksonville) and Denver having two tough games to start (Pittsburgh, at Atlanta).
Pittsburgh (-4.5) at Oakland
Carson Palmer. Against the Steelers defense. Let the hilariously bad play ensue!
Atlanta at San Diego (-3.5)
Are we ready to live in a world where Norv Turner and the Chargers are 3-0 at the end of September? Yes! Yes we are! New England (+3.5) at Baltimore
For the same reason I should have picked the Giants on Thursday: Whenever anyone counts out the Pats, they play their best. (And because the 3.5 points doesn't hurt either, of course).
Green Bay (-3.5) at Seattle
The Aaron Rodgers-Matt Flynn matchup didn't quite materialize, but a very intriguing way to end Week 3 action.
Season: 9-8 Last Week: 9-7 This Week: 0-1 Chicago (+6.5) at Green Bay
A little bit of a high spread for this rivalry game, if I may blog so myself.
The referees follow up last week's disaster in Arizona by giving Chicago five timeouts in the second half, allowing the Bears to cover in Lambeau.
The rest of the picks will be posted prior to kickoff on Sunday.
Arizona at New England (-13.5)
Kevin Kolb against Tom Brady in New England? Ahahahaha! Ahahahaha!
Cleveland (+9.5) at Cincinnati
Brandon Weeden will most likely be attempting 20 or so passes Sunday, some of which are bound to go complete. Let's just hope they're to the team without the black stripes on their orange helmets.
Kansas City (+3.5) at Buffalo
Considering Buffalo somehow managed to be down three touchdowns before it was even 2:00 p.m. last Sunday, I'll gladly take the points.
Houston (-7.5) at Jacksonville
On the road, in a dome, with less than two minutes left, Blaine Gabbert led Jacksonville on a touchdown drive to momentarily take the lead last week in Minnesota. This actually happened!
But as for trusting him two weeks in a row, I will pass on that.
Oakland (-2.5) at Miami
A furious comeback capped by Darren McFadden's 13-catch performance in the late Monday game moved me to 1-0 in my main fantasy league heading into Week 2. And I have Carson Palmer's obsession with the check down to thank for it!
Tampa Bay (+7.5) at New York Giants
I was one of the few who had the Bucs over Carolina last week, as everyone seemed to forget that Raheem Morris is no longer coaching this team, and I'll be one of the few taking the points against the Giants Sunday.
Minnesota (-1.5) at Indianapolis
I took Indy last week, forgetting that 1) They have no defense. 2) Their wide receivers other than Reggie Wayne include Donnie Avery, Kris Adams and LaVon Brazill and 3) They REALLY have no defense.
Baltimore (+2.5) at Philadelphia New Orleans (-2.5) at Carolina
Rather than give a half-hearted explanation of why I like the Ravens and Saints, respectively, I'll just say that these were the two toughest games to pick from the 1:00 slate and leave it at that.
Washington at St. Louis (+3.5)
With the way the Saints defense looked, I think RG1 and RG2 could have thrown for 300 yards and two touchdowns in the Superdome. But a (Yes, don't laugh) improved Rams team will keep it close with Washington this Sunday.
Dallas at Seattle (+3.5)
To be expected: Braylon Edwards dropping a game-winning touchdown. Not to be expected: Kevin Kolb (Kevin Kolb!) engineering a game-winning drive to snatch away Seattle's first victory. Thankfully the Seahawks head home, where they should be able to play Dallas close. Tennessee (+5.5) at San Diego
After their win in Oakland everyone loves the Chargers but Norv Turner is still the coach in San Diego right? He is? OK, just checking.
New York Jets at Pittsburgh (-6.5)
After dropping to 0-1 on the week thanks to Jay Cutler, I could see this game playing out in a similar way to what we saw Thursday in Green Bay.
Detroit at San Francisco (-6.5) At this point, anything other than Jim Schwartz running across the field and clotheslining Jim Harbaugh during the post game handshake would be a HUGE disappointment.
Denver (+3.5) at Atlanta.
Because it's Peyton Manning, indoors and on Monday night, getting more than a field goal against the now Brent Grimes-less Falcons.
Casual fans and gambling addicts alike, we have finally made it: The start of the 2012 NFL regular season. Prepare yourself for 21 weeks of backdoor covers and confusing explanations/hilariously bad calls from replacement referees, among other things.
The rest of the picks will be up before kickoff on Sunday.
Dallas at New York Giants (-3.5)
Because the defending Super Bowl champion never loses its season opener. Because the Cowboys have no offensive line. Because even though Dallas' improved its secondary, the thought of taking Tony Romo on the road against the Giants pass rush is something I'm going to pass on. And lastly, BECAUSE THE COWBOYS HAVE NO OFFENSIVE LINE.
On an unrelated side note, mostly everyone I've talked to missed the return of the 'Junglebird' of U.S. Open fame during this past Saturday's Notre Dame-Navy game in Dublin, Ireland, so I figured I'd post the video below.
I have no idea how he continues to get tickets to these events, but I was watching the game and then all of a sudden he appears out of nowhere and performs an Irish jig at the goal line.
Indianapolis (+9.5) at Chicago
My hope is that with Reggie Wayne and the rest of the Colts receivers having balls spiral towards them instead of into the hands of defenders, they can keep this close in Chicago.
Miami at Houston (-10.5) ...And the Ryan Tannehill-led Dolphins quickly become one of our favorite teams to pick against in 2012!
New England (-6.5) at Tennessee Washington (+9.5) at New Orleans
These will be the two 1 o'clock games I'll get here in D.C., and there's a good chance one of them will have the underdog furiously driving down the field in the final minute looking for our first backdoor cover of the year.
Philadelphia (-8.5) at Cleveland
When was the last time picking a rookie quarterback who will be throwing to Greg Little and Mohamed Massaquoi and handing off to a running back who had surgery one month ago EVER worked out?
Jacksonville (+4.5) at Minnesota
Two awful teams playing in a game no one cares about; A perfect time to talk fantasy football!
After keeping A.J. Green and DeMarco Murray from a season ago, my opening day roster (12-team, PPR) shakes out as follows:
QB- Michael Vick
RBs- Murray, Darren McFadden
WRs- Green, Wes Welker, DeSean Jackson
TE- Antonio Gates
K- Robbie Gould
D/ST - Minnesota
I'm telling you, ANYTHING other than 16-0 this year would be a disappointment. Atlanta (-1.5) at Kansas City
This feels a lot like last year, when everyone loved Atlanta heading into their Week 1 opener at Chicago, and then the Bears won 30-12. And yet, I am being suckered in again. St. Louis (+9.5) at Detroit
Hopefully bringing in Jeff Fisher can reduce the 20 and 30-point blowouts of last season down to single digits this year.
Buffalo (+3.5) at New York Jets
Very hard to do but simply through their preseason play, the Jets moved from 6-point favorites to where they are now at 3.5.
San Francisco at Green Bay (-5.5)
Let me be the first to state that the 49ers passed on Aaron Rodgers in 2005 to select Alex Smith, and that now they'll be going head to head on Sunday.
Carolina at Tampa Bay (+2.5)
Seattle at Arizona (+2.5)
One of these picks is bound to be terribly, terribly wrong. Pittsburgh (+1.5) at Denver
What a great start to the Sunday night season, and great way to conclude a day of having not moved for 10 hours straight.
Cincinnati at Baltimore (-6.5)
San Diego at Oakland (+1.5)
Every year, I always mention how great it would be if we had two Monday Night Football games on a weekly basis. And then, I'm reminded what an awful idea it is when it's 1:45 a.m. and I'm watching the Raiders commit their 38th penalty of the night.
Rather than write a long Super Bowl post complete with picks on all the prop bets (as I had planned), I'm mailing in this blog post like the Tampa Bay Bucs mailed in the end of their season. (Fittingly, a lame joke to mark the final NFL Picks post of the season).
New York Giants (+3) vs. New England Patriots
Because sometime between your 73rd and 77th nacho tonight, you'll remember that the rule in toss-up games, always, is to take the points.
Nothing is more important than a correct Super Bowl pick to build momentum for March Madness. So with that said:
Go Giants. Go Football. Go Food. Go Prop Bets. Go Sports.
Because this spread is an overreaction line following New England's dominance of Denver and Baltimore's lackluster effort at home against Houston.
Because Joe Flacco can't look as poor as he did against the Houston defense against the New England defense.
Because this pick was made with me remembering Flacco's game-winning drive at Pittsburgh and not the performance he mailed in during the Sunday night game in San Diego.
Because of Ray Rice.
Because Baltimore doesn't believe it can keep it close, it believes it can actually win the game.
Because I picked them in a playoff pool, and would be forced to root for them no matter what, so I might as well pick them here.
Because of Ray Rice.
Because if the Jets won last year, why can't the Ravens keep it within a touchdown this year?
New York Giants (+2.5) at San Francisco
Because it's a bad sign that despite forcing five turnovers, San Francisco was trailing with 45 seconds left.
Because I want the already played out "Is Eli Elite?" storyline to continue for another three weeks.
Because if the Patriots win earlier in the day, the Giants will win. It has to happen.
Because it's scary to look at the stat line from San Francisco's wide receivers last week.
Because, hopefully, this game won't need to come down to a Lawrence Tynes vs David Akers battle.
Because the Giants have the better playmakers, and are riding the same wave they rode to Super Bowl 42.
While God will be focused on the game in New England later in the night, this could turn out to be the best matchup of the weekend.
If this game were in New Orleans, the 49ers wouldn't have a chance. At all.
But with it being in San Francisco, outdoors and on grass, I don't know who will win. But it will be close.
Denver (+13.5) at New England
I see the Broncos keeping it within two touchdowns as Tim Tebow threatens to single-handedly crash Twitter between the hours of 8 and 11 p.m. Saturday.
Also, if you took the odds-on favorite in my "Tim Tebow's first pass" prop bet last week, you would have cashed. (Cashed easily, I might add). Did you see how off target that throw was!?!?
Houston at Baltimore (-7.5)
Giving more than a touchdown with Joe Flacco is always tough, especially in the playoffs.
But if you do take the Texans, imagine how you'll be feeling around 2:30 p.m. Sunday, when Houston is down 13-0 on the road and T.J. Yates has completed five passes while throwing two interceptions at halftime.
New York Giants (+7.5) at Green Bay
The Giants return to Lambeau for the first time since knocking off the Packers in the 2007 playoffs for what will be a fun way to wrap up the divisional weekend.
(I know, I know. They played there last season. But now's not the time to bring that debacle up. Positive thoughts!)
And I'd also like to use this space to be the first person to let you know that this Giants team brings back memories of the team that won Super Bowl 42.
With T.J. Yates just needing to exist in the two seconds between receiving the snap and handing it off to Arian Foster or Ben Tate, the Texans and their defense should be fine at home against the Bengals.
And if Houston wins, it'll allow me to cash in the following bet I made back in Week 1.
Will a red-headed quarterback win an NFL playoff game in 2011? NO (-1600)
Detroit at New Orleans (-10.5)
Never go against Drew Brees at night in the Superdome. Never go against Drew Brees at night in the Superdome. Never go against Drew Brees at night in the Superdome.
The best chance for the Lions would be if Ndamukong Suh injures Drew Brees, leading to the following prop bet being listed at sportsbooks.
Which professional wrestling move will Ndamukong Suh use to try and hurt Drew Brees Saturday?
A steel chair to the head (-110) Hulk Hogan's leg drop (+250)
A baseball bat to the knee (+400)
The Undertaker's piledriver (+800)
Atlanta at New York Giants (-3)
The Giants could lose this game, or win against Atlanta and beat the Packers in Green Bay, and I wouldn't be surprised either way. Here's to hoping Atlanta doesn't look too closely at what Washington did in Week 15 at the Meadowlands.
Following a Giants win, who will Brandon Jacobs inevitably insult?
Green Bay's fans (+250)
Aaron Rodgers (+500) The city of Green Bay (+650)
The state of Wisconsin (+1400)
Pittsburgh at Denver (+8.5)
Pittsburgh's last four games on the road:
Win over the Bengals, 24-17
Win over the Chiefs, 13-9 (Tyler Palko)
Loss against the 49ers, 20-3
Win over the Browns, 13-9 (Seneca Wallace)
Denver always plays better as an underdog, and Pittsburgh has had trouble covering as a large favorite this season. And they'll have trouble covering Sunday.
What will be the result of Tim Tebow's first pass?
Complete (+200) Incomplete (-150)
Causes the people you're watching with to break out in laughter because of its inaccuracy (-300)
What's the biggest credit to Reggie Bush, you ask? After having zero impact the past five years, the words "Reggie Bush will miss Sunday's game" now have sort of an impact on who you end up picking.
Washington (+9) at Philadelphia
The Redskins will finish with at least 10 losses, the Wizards are winless, the Capitals sit in ninth in the Eastern Conference and the Nationals have never had a winning season. Washington D.C. sports, everybody!
San Francisco (-10.5) at St. Louis
How easy would it have been to fill out your NFC playoff bracket had Seattle defeated the 49ers last week? Insanely easy, I say! The Packers would have reached the Super Bowl by defeating the Saints (who, by virtue of the Seahawks victory, would become locks for an NFC Championship appearance following a home win over San Fran), with the only tough NFC game to pick being the 4/5 matchup.
Chicago (+1.5) at Minnesota
Sample headline: "Ponder clears concussion tests, expected to start for Peterson-less Vikings Sunday." And it's Chicago getting the point and a half?!?!
Detroit (-3.5) at Green Bay Tampa Bay (+11.5) at Atlanta
Detroit beats up on various Green Bay backups, then proceeds to beat up on their backups en route to an easy win that prevents the Lions from traveling to New Orleans.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the "Yes, isn't it obvious we've completely mailed in the season?" Bucs stay within 11 of the Falcons as Raheem Morris is handed a pink slip at the two-minute warning.
Carolina (+8.5) at New Orleans
To commemorate Cam Newton covering point spreads for me all year, I almost feel obligated to take him at New Orleans in the season finale. It's the least I can do.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland (+7)
I don't know how much Ben Roethlisberger will be playing. You don't know how much Ben Roethlisberger will be playing. Rather than pretend to know how effective he'll be and explain why in a 100-word blurb, let's just leave it at that.
Indianapolis (+3.5) at Jacksonville
You're a Rams fan. You need the Colts to defeat an NFL team Sunday. If you could choose any quarterback to go against the Colts (other than Tyler Palko), who would it be? Of course it would be Blaine Gabbert!
Tennessee (-2) at Houston
There could be a Jake Delhomme sighting in Houston tomorrow. I repeat: JAKE DELHOMME.
Baltimore (-2) at Cincinnati
A lot of people are saying they like the Bengals this week. To those people, two things: 1.) How about you say that to my face? and 2.) Wait a second, those same Bengals who were one Early Doucet trip away from blowing a 23-0 lead to Arizona with their playoff lives on the line?
Buffalo at New England (-10.5)
You sign guys like Ryan Fitzpatrick to a $59 million extension for moments like these, when everyone wonders whether or not he'll lead a drive that results in a backdoor cover for Buffalo in the game's final two minutes.
Kansas City (+3.5) at Denver San Diego (+3) at Oakland
Kyle Orton starting for two teams in the division. Tebow. The Chiefs seeing all of their best players get injured. Tyler Palko. Tebow. Oakland setting the penalties record. The Raiders getting robbed for trading for Carson Palmer. Norv Turner's last hurrah. Tebow.
A season of intrigue in the AFC West!
Seattle (+3) at Arizona
One team will reach eight wins, and everyone will wonder how exactly that happened when looking back at the 2011 standings.
Dallas at New York Giants (-3)
Primetime matchup with the NFC East title on the line and best of all, I'll be in attendance! With that said, I leave you with this. Enjoy Week 17.
