In honor of Michael Irvin and his success this year in picking winners on NFL Countdown, I'm ending the year with a new weekly post where I pick my winners in the coming week. This week actually has some tough match-ups. I will also tell you the spread and who i think'll cover.
Thursday 8:00 PM:
Baltimore at Cincinnati
This is actually one of the toughest games to pick of the week. Baltimore looked real fierce in theire game against Pittsburgh but now there playing an offense that has more dimensions than the Steelers. I think that no matter what this will probly be close, coming down to a late interception. Cincy has looked real nice at times, but the loss of Chris Henry I think will hurt them more than they think, and since it is getting colder and deeper into winter Defense plays a bigger role.
Prediction: Ravens, Ravens +3
Sunday:
Arizona at St. Louis
I think that this game could potentially be ugly. Arizona came and played real tough against St. Louis for 60 minutes but still lost in a tough game. St. Louis ended their 5-game losing streak with a comeback win and are still in the hunt in the West so I expect them to have lots of momentum. I can't see Arizona's D making many stops and while this might be high-scoring it will probly be real one sided.
Prediction: Rams, Rams -7
Atlanta at Washington
Another underratedly tough game to pick. Atlanta is realing after a number of losses and the media scrutiny being put on Mike Vick, while Washington sucks but upset the Panthers last week. I see this being real low-scoring, lots of running, and I think the team that makes the least amount of turnovers will win (duh). Since there's no Clinton Portis I think that makes a big difference, and Atlanta really need a win to keep their season alive while Washington at this point has little to play for.
Prediction: Falcons, Falcons +1 1/2
Detroit at New England
Not much needs to be said. New England should win this one handedly, and playing at home in December the Pats are fucking money. I could see them blanking the Lions or coming close.
Prediction: Pats, Pats -14
Indianapolis at Tennessee
Another game that has the potential to be real one sided. Having Joseph Addai have a big game was big for the colts because it really showed that they could pass and run. I feel bad for Edge because this has really shown how important the system is, over the player. A surprisingly low spread too.
Prediction: Colts, Colts -8
Kansas City at Cleveland
I don't really like this matchup all that much for the Chiefs but I think that they should still win. Cleveland has too many weapons to be killed back-to-back weeks in my opinion but KC is playing good football right now and have realized that if they want to win they need to give the ball to Larry Johnson 25-30 times a game. Weather could play a role, and since I am really a dork, the forecast is snow so this could be surprising low scoring and close.
Prediction: KC, Browns +6
Minnesota at Chicago
This is the time of the year when Defense starts to legitimately actually win games for teams and that makes the Bears scary good. There gonna be real pissed after losing to the Pats last week on national TV and thats bad for the Vikes. I really am impressed though with the job Childress has done with the Vikes so this could actually be a good game. Remember the Vikes play in the dome and its supposed to be below freezing in Chicago this weekend- not good news for the Vikes.
Prediction: Bears, Vikings +9
N.Y. Jets at Green Bay
It has become really fucking painful to watch Brett Favre as shown with Monday's game against the Seahawks. I hate saying this but I think that he should retire. That being said, if he was QBing the type I rooted for, I probly wouldn't want him to. He's real money in December in Lambeau though. Mangini has done real good with the Jets and I think Pennington usually does well in cold weather so i think that this could actually be a really good game. A chance of snow gives Brett Favre the edge.
Prediction: Packers, Packers +1 1/2
San Diego at Buffalo
I never am a big fan of a warm-weather team going to play in the coldest fucking places on earth. Storms are supposed to move in on Friday and stay the weekend so expect snow. I knew the Bills would upset the Jags last weekend but I think right now San Diego is just too good to slip up to Buffalo. They survived their trap game last week against Oakland and Marty Schottenheimer will without a doubt have them focused and ready. LT could have 4 TD's this week and this game I think should be real one-sided if Rivers does a good job managing it.
Prediction: Chargers, -6 1/2
San Francisco at N'awlins
A surprisingly tough game to pick honestly. The Niners really suffered a tough loss this past week to the Rams and it always hurts when it comes at the expense of a coaching move. There should be a steady dose of Frank Gore, but the passing game has looked a little out of sync as of late. Bad matchup for their defense though. Drew Brees is playing really fucking money right now and it doesn't matter if Marques Colston is back with the way he's throwing the ball to everyone. Reggie Bush is going to break one off this week and I think the Niners just don't match up all that way. Saints also have legit home field advantage playing in the dome right now.
Prediction: Saints, Saints -7
Houston at Oakland
Eeew.
Prediction: Houston, Houston +3
Jacksonville at Miami
Miami has very quietly come back and won 4 straight game and is now 1 game under 500 and Saban once again has them playing good football. Jacksonville has really struggled away from home but are able to stop the run which will hurt Miami something real bad. Should be real low scoring and this one is real tough to pick, but I really like what Saban has done with Miami and I think the Jags might be reeling a little after losing to the Bills.
Prediction: Miami, Miami -1
Tampa Bay at Pittsburg
Two really mediocre football teams playing one another but playing in Pittsburg tips it in their favor unfortunately. Also, Big Ben is really fucking stupid and I hear he likes to eat babies, and kill puppies.
Prediction: Steelers, Bucs +7 1/2
Dallas at N.Y. Giants
The Giants are really bad right now while Dallas is really good. If you had told me what the last three weeks would have been like I might have just killed myself. The Giants need to bounce back badly but they are a team divided and unwilling to rally around the current coaching staff. It could get really out of hand but I think it may be closer than some people are predicting. Eli Manning cannot afford to have another atrocious mistake. Dallas is smoking, but this game will probly be a classic NFC East December low-scoring defensive affair. If Osi, Brandon Short, and Michael Strahan are back for the Giants this game could be interesting.
Prediction: Cowboys, Cowboys +4
Seattle at Denver
Really good matchup for this week's Sunday night game. I think Seattle will be sharper because they cannot afford to play as sloppy as they did against a pretty crappy Packer team. Champ Bailey will take away alot of the pass game, and I suspect we will see a steady case of Shaun Alexander and Maurice Morris. Denver is starting Jay Cutler for the first time this year and that actually always provides a sort of boost and something for the guys to rally behind. Also playing in Denver in the cold is almost like playing in Arrowhead or Lambeau at this time of the year so the Broncos definately have the advantage.
Prediction: Broncoes, Seattle +3 1/2
Monday, 5:30 PM
Carolina at Philadelphia
One inconsistent team against a bad Philly team. Carolina should win and Steve Smith will still be a balller.
Prediction: Panthers, no spread so I would say go with Carolina covering.
I am tired and want to hear what you guys think. I am sure you'll disagree with some stuff.
