WEEK 10 PICKS
* I pick four “best bets” and make one of those a “lock” each week. Those are listed at the end.
Oh good, we’re at the point in the season where you can start picking the opposite of everything I do. That vacation home will be yours in no time…!
Washington (-2.5) at Minnesota
Everyone hop on the Washington bandwagon – they just beat an historically inept team, that chokes around this time of year, at home, and gave up a 91-yard drive in the fourth quarter, to win by about six inches. Wheee!
Pick: Vikings
Detroit (-2.5) at Chicago
Lions might set a record for points in a game. It’ll still be a close game of course, but something in the 49-45 ballpark sounds about right.
Pick: Lions
Tennessee (-13.5) vs. Jacksonville
Jacksonville stinks, we all get that. But I’m fairly certain the Titans cannot be favored to beat anyone by two touchdowns.
Pick: Jaguars
Cincinnati (-1.5) at Baltimore
The Ravens are becoming a real pain in the ass. Every time you think they’re going to rise to the occasion, they remind you that they aren’t very good. And then when you count them out, they look a TINY BIT like the defending champs that they are. Whatever, Bengals are coming off a loss and they’re good. Let’s roll.
Pick: Bengals
Pittsburgh (-3.5) vs. Buffalo
The Steelers might not be better than any teams in the entire league right now, seriously. No reason to think they should be favorites against a very game Bills squad.
Pick: Bills
Green Bay (-9.5) vs. Philadelphia
This line will obviously be affected by the status of Aaron Rodgers, but I’m still pretty surprised that Philly isn’t getting more love now that their quarterback is Dan Marino times Joe Montana.
Pick: Eagles
Indianapolis (-10.5) vs. Saint Louis
The Colts are good, but not 10.5 favorites good. However, the Rams are bad, and yes they are 10.5 underdogs bad.
Pick: Colts
New York Giants (-7.5) vs. Oakland
Let’s not get carried away here. The Giants are certainly playing better, and Oakland certainly stinks. But let’s not pretend there is that big of a disparity between these two teams.
Pick: Raiders
Seattle (-6.5) at Atlanta
The scare for the Seahawks came a week ago. They responded insanely well. So while there is a little bit of fear that these early poor starts (and subsequent ability to overcome them) will doom them one of these weeks, a matchup against these hapless Falcons (they really have zero hap) is not going to be the one to do them in.
Pick: Seahawks
San Francisco (-6.5) vs. Carolina
I think this is the toughest game of the week to call. I could see it going in either direction, and with several possible styles of play. As far apart as these teams were thought to be at the beginning of the season, the reality is that there isn’t much separating the two of them at this point. And I think that gives us our answer.
Pick: Panthers
Denver (-7.5) at San Diego
Historically speaking, the Chargers have fared very well against Peyton Manning. And they’re coming off a tough loss while the Broncos are well-rested off of the bye week. This game screams Denver blowout, which would really put a damper on the Chargers already-slim chances at the postseason. Which is why San Diego probably wins this.
Pick: Chargers
Arizona (-2.5) vs. Houston
It’s about time I finally admitted that Arizona isn’t half bad. They’re not really half good either, but they aren’t a doormat in the traditional sense. Houston had their chance to show how good they could be last week, but now instead they’ll be led by Wade Phillips. Ungood.
Pick: Cardinals
New Orleans (-7.5) vs. Dallas
Now that the Cowboys are coming off a last-minute victory, it could propel them towards the division title. They could take that momentum and build on it, rolling all the way to an easy division clincher several weeks before the end of the season. Except they’re playing the Saints, who just lost to the Jets. All of their hell will be unleashed Sunday.
Pick: Saints
Miami (-3.5) at Tampa Bay
There’s reeling, and then there’s “on the verge of having everyone in the organization hung out to dry”. Miami may be coming off a big win over Cincinnati to stay in the playoff hunt, but now they have to face the best 0-9 team in league history. This one stays close.
Pick: Bucs
BEST BETS: Bengals, Eagles, Chargers, Saints
LOCK: Philadelphia Eagles
RECORD
LAST WEEK
Overall: 3-10 (23%)
Best Bets: 0-4 (0%)
Lock of the Week: 0-1
YEAR TO DATE
Overall: 67-66 (50%)
Best Bets: 14-22 (38%)
Lock of the Week: 3-6 (33%)
POWER RANKINGS
Team Name W/L (Prv)
1. Broncos 7-1 (1)
2. Seahawks 8-1 (2)
3. 49ers 6-2 (3)
4. Patriots 7-2 (5)
5. Chiefs 9-0 (8)
6. Saints 6-2 (6)
7. Bengals 6-3 (4)
8. Colts 6-2 (9)
9. Bears 5-3 (10)
10. Packers 5-3 (7)
11. Lions 5-3 (11)
12. Panthers 5-3 (15)
13. Jets 5-4 (16)
14. Cowboys 5-4 (14)
15. Ravens 3-5 (12)
16. Dolphins 4-4 (17)
17. Browns 4-5 (19)
18. Titans 4-4 (20)
19. Chargers 4-4 (13)
20. Eagles 4-5 (22)
21. Redskins 3-5 (23)
22. Texans 2-6 (18)
23. Falcons 2-6 (21)
24. Bills 3-6 (24)
25. Giants 2-6 (25)
26. Cardinals 4-4 (26)
27. Raiders 3-5 (27)
28. Steelers 2-6 (28)
29. Rams 3-6 (29)
30. Vikings 1-7 (30)
31. Bucs 0-8 (31)
32. Jaguars 0-8 (32)
