All eyes this week will be on Thursday night's game in Big D, but there are several other close matchups in the NFL this week ... if you don't count any team that plays New England.
Green Bay (+7) at Dallas, Thursday: We did a separate preview for this one and like the Cowboys, but would recommend buying down to 6.5.
Buffalo (+5.5) at Washington: This is a tough one to gauge, with the Redskins either being distracted because of Sean Taylor's death or completely fired up and wanting to win for him. With their playoff hopes also on the line, I think the latter. All games will observe a moment of silence for Taylor. The pick: Redskins.
Atlanta (NL) at St. Louis: There is currently no line on this game at WagerWeb.com due to the status of Rams QB Marc Bulger, whose status is in doubt due to a concussion. The likely line will be Rams by a point or two, and with Steven Jackson healthy, that should be enough to beat Atlanta if even Bulger is out. The pick: St. Louis.
New York Jets (NL) at Miami: Currently, there is no line on WagerWeb.com for this game because of ssorted injuries, but other books have it as Miami -1.
That's right, the Dolphins are favored! Miami won't have Ricky Williams, but this is the Fins' best chance, by far, to avoid infamy. The pick: Miami.
Seattle (NL) at Philadelphia: This line also is in limbo currently at WagerWeb.com (although it is Philly by 3 at other books), as the status of Eagles QB Donovan McNabb is up in the air. As is whether the Seahawks' Maurice Morris or Shawn Alexander will play. Expect A.J. Feeley to go for the Eagles. The pick: Philadelphia.
Detroit (+3.5) at Minnesota: I've hitched my wagon to Detroit the past few weeks, and the Lions have stunk it up at home against the Giants and Packers.
Adrian Peterson is expected to return for Minnesota, and that's enough for me. I'm off the Lions for good. The pick: Minnesota.
Houston (+4) at Tennessee: Vince Young and the Titans have been really bad the past few weeks, and Houston has been solid whenever Andre Johnson has played.However, with Albert Haynesworth set to likely return for the Titans, Houston won't be able to run much. The pick: Tennessee.
Jacksonville (+6.5) at Indianapolis: The AFC game of the week. The Jaguars can tie the Colts atop the AFC South with a win, and Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew could have a field day. Indy has been struggling big-time on offense. Yet I still expect a Colts close victory. The pick: Jags will cover.
San Diego (-5.5) at Kansas City: Kolby Smith was a stud in his debut for the Chiefs, but Oakland's run defense was the worst in the league. Philip Rivers had one of his best games of the year against a tough Baltimore defense last week, so maybe the light has gone on. The pick: Chargers.
San Francisco (+3) at Carolina: Really no reason to be on this game unless you are fan of one of these going-nowhere teams. Possibly the worst quarterback matchup of the season in Trent Dilfer vs. Vinny Testaverde. The pick: Panthers only because they are home.
Tampa Bay (+3) at New Orleans: I still say the Bucs are doing it totally with mirrors. They almost lost last week despite all those Redskins fumbles. Plus it appears Jeff Garcia may not play. Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden remained hopeful, however: "We'll expect Jeff to play," Gruden said. This pick is the lock of the week if Garcia doesn't go but still favors the Saints if he does. The pick: Saints.
Cleveland (pick) at Arizona: I'm shocked at this line, as the oddsmakers still clearly don't trust Cleveland. Neither team is much on defense, but the Cards lost arguably their best defender, Adrian Wilson, for the season this week. The pick: Browns.
Denver (-3.5) at Oakland: The Broncos blew last week's game in Chicago by kicking to Devin Hester, and they should get back RBs Selvin Young and Travis Henry. Oakland can't stop the run, but neither can Denver, so this could be interesting. The pick: Denver.
New York Giants (-1.5) at Chicago Bears: Chicago keeps alternating wins and losses, while Eli Manning took a huge step back in last week's rout by Minnesota. Two very schizophrenic teams here, but the Bears need it more. The pick: Chicago.
Cincinnati (+7) at Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh has not looked good the past few weeks, but Monday's debacle against the Dolphins was mostly because of the field.
Troy Polamalu may or may not play, which could definitely be a factor. Cincy is coming off its best win of the year, while Pittsburgh is on a short week. The pick: Cincinnati.
New England (-20.5) at Baltimore: Did the Eagles give other teams a road map to go by against the Patriots?
Maybe, but Baltimore is terrible offensively. Not going to pretend that the Ravens can win this game, but I think they can keep it to a 17-point loss by running Willis McGahee often. The pick: Baltimore.
Note: All lines as of Thursday
No comments:
Post a Comment