WEEK 9 PICKS
* I pick four “best bets” and make one of those a “lock” each week. Those are listed at the end.
Cincinnati (-2.5) at Miami
After accounting for the fact that this game is being played on a short week, on Halloween night, with A.J. Green being held without a score in a game that the Bengals put up 45, and accounting for the fact that Miami is suddenly AWFUL, I think the decision becomes an easy one.
Pick: Bengals
Tennessee (-3.5) at Saint Louis
HAHAHA IN YOUR FACE TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO TRADED FOR CHRIS JOHNSON THINKING HE WAS GONNA BLOW UP DOWN THE STRETCH WITH HIS EASY SCHEDULE. TODAY THEY SAID SHONN GREENE WAS GONNA GET A BUNCH OF CARRIES HAHAHA ALL YOU SUCKERS WHO TRADED FOR JOHNSON WHICH ALSO INCLUDES ME IN TWO DIFFERENT LEAGUES OH MAN YOU GUYS ARE SO STOOPIT!
Pick: Titans
New Orleans (-5.5) at New York Jets
If you think the Saints will win, you have to take them here. Otherwise, you’re assuming they will put up enough points to win but that the Jets will hang with them. I’m not seeing it.
Pick: Saints
Dallas (-10.5) vs. Minnesota
It’s difficult to call this one, because there are extremely valid arguments to be made on either side. On the one, Dallas has an explosive offense that is capable of lighting it up all day long. And a double digit victory isn’t tough to foresee here. Minnesota has Adrian Peterson, which alone might be worth taking the points in the hope that they can keep it close. What pushes it over the edge for me is Josh Freeman. I actually like Freeman, and think he will succeed. Next year. This year, he is learning a new system on the fly with very limited weapons, and it shows. He’s making decisions that rank up there with the Menendez parents having unprotected sex, so this one shouldn’t be close.
Pick: Cowboys
Kansas City (-3.5) at Buffalo
This is a perfect game for the Chiefs to lose. A slip up to a non-divisional opponent in a faraway land can easily be seen as Kansas City looking past them. The reality is that the Chiefs are in for a rough road from here on out (still not likely enough to keep them under 12 wins, but a rough road nonetheless), and this might be the start of it.
Pick: Bills
Carolina (-7.5) vs. Atlanta
This line feels a point too high to me. Carolina isn’t really known for an explosive offense to this point, and I’m going to keep betting Atlanta because I’m an idiot and I like to lose money.
Pick: Falcons
Washington (-1.5) vs. San Diego
The Chargers are going to win this game. They just are.
Pick: Chargers
Philadelphia (-2.5) at Oakland
The Raiders have hung around and/or beaten some teams that have suspect defenses, and the Eagles should be the latest victims.
Pick: Raiders
Seattle (-16.5) vs. Tampa Bay
Don’t fall for it. Seattle is coming off a win where they struggled, and this line is going to look like it’s too high. Seahawks are back at home though, the Bucs are still the Bucs, and it should be somewhere in the vicinity of a 34-6 final.
Pick: Seahawks
Baltimore (-2.5) at Cleveland
With their similar records and schedule results, it’s probably a bit odd that most pundits (myself included) find it very easy to call Baltimore a playoff contender while Cleveland is a bottom-feeder that is “getting lucky” to even be 3-5 at this point. It would be like bashing Barry Bonds for performing while on steroids while at the same time praising David Ortiz for – ok I won’t go there.
Pick: Ravens
New England (-7.5) vs. Pittsburgh
Remember when the Steelers used to talk trash about their opponents all week leading up to the game on Sunday? Now they have Big Ben throwing bouquets in Tom Brady’s direction. I’m not saying it’s the only reason they’re 2-5, or even the main reason. But it certainly isn’t helping.
Pick: Patriots
Indianapolis (-2.5) at Houston
Completely baffling. I mean astounding. Colts are coming off a bye so they’re well-rested. Luck is playing extremely well. The Texans are down their starting QB, starting RB, and possibly backup RB. One of their best defensive players was lost for the season. This line seems so completely out of whack based on where these teams are, that I have no choice but to take the Texans just because nothing about it makes any sense. Vegas knows more than we do.
Pick: Texans
Green Bay (-10.5) vs. Chicago
It’s a rivalry game on a Monday night. And c’mon people, are we REALLY giving Jay Cutler that much credit for Chicago’s success? Seriously?!?
Pick: Bears
BEST BETS: Bengals, Saints, Chargers, Seahawks
LOCK: San Diego Chargers
RECORD
LAST WEEK
Overall: 7-6 (53%)
Best Bets: 2-2 (50%)
Lock of the Week: 0-1
YEAR TO DATE
Overall: 64-56 (53%)
Best Bets: 14-18 (43%)
Lock of the Week: 3-5 (37%)
POWER RANKINGS
Team Name W/L (Prv)
1. Broncos 7-1 (1)
2. Seahawks 7-1 (2)
3. 49ers 6-2 (3)
4. Bengals 6-2 (4)
5. Patriots 6-2 (5)
6. Saints 6-1 (6)
7. Packers 5-2 (7)
8. Chiefs 8-0 (8)
9. Colts 5-2 (9)
10. Bears 4-3 (10)
11. Lions 5-3 (12)
12. Ravens 3-4 (11)
13. Chargers 4-3 (13)
14. Cowboys 4-4 (14)
15. Panthers 4-3 (18)
16. Jets 4-4 (15)
17. Dolphins 3-4 (16)
18. Texans 2-5 (19)
19. Browns 3-5 (21)
20. Titans 3-4 (22)
21. Falcons 2-5 (17)
22. Eagles 3-5 (20)
23. Redskins 2-5 (23)
24. Bills 3-5 (24)
25. Giants 2-6 (27)
26. Cardinals 4-4 (29)
27. Raiders 3-4 (30)
28. Steelers 2-5 (25)
29. Rams 3-5 (26)
30. Vikings 1-6 (28)
31. Bucs 0-7 (31)
32. Jaguars 0-8 (32)
