Last week: 7-4
Season total: 73-69-1
I knew it's been a while since Army has won this thing, but I didn't know it was exactly TEN years ago in 2001 when Army defeated their rivals 26-17. There have been a lot of blowouts by the Midshipmen during that span, with the closest deficit being 14 points in the last two meetings. I won't pretend to know any of the players, but I do know Army has a splendid triple option and Navy had a down year, going into the game with only four wins. If Army was to get back on the winning track in this series, this would be the game.
The pick: Army 26-24
Texans at Bengals [PICK EM], 1PM EST CBS
Oh man, here we go again with the Texans, who I feel I haven't been able to get a beat on all year. I don't know about you, but watching Rashard Mendenhall tear up Cincy's front seven makes me wonder what a healthy Arian Foster and, at times, Ben Tate, could do. The Bengals have some backs, too, but Houston's defense is just playing lights out lately.
The pick: Texans 23-17
Saints at Titans [O/U 48.5], 1PM EST FOX
Any time you see New Orleans on the road is a game changer, especially against a team with a hard hitting defense and rushing attack that keeps the opposing offense on the field. But, I mean, Drew Brees can lead his team to four scores, don't ya think? And how about Chris Johnson lately? The writing's on the wall here.
The pick: OVER 48.5
Some cats like to Tebow, but I prefer to Cam, which means to throw a bunch of yards, rush for a gaggle of touches and catch a pass every once in a while. I don't trust any of these defenses, but I do like the three-headed rushing attack in Carolina, at home, against the soft Atlanta D. Safety valve TE Greg Olsen is also probable.
The pick: Panthers cover the 3
Buccaneers at Jaguars [O/U 39], 1PM EST FOX
Even though both of these offenses have been kaput this season, both defenses have also been exposed in a major way lately. With Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Williams making as many plays as they have, I think points take over here in a battle of less than mediocre Florida teams. I want to post a Jags win here badly, but after that MNF game, I just don't know.
The pick: OVER 39
Colts at Ravens [-16.5], 1PM EST CBS
Did anyone else see the yardage Little Ray Rice put up on the Browns last week? Two bills!! Imagine what he'll do against a terrible Colts D. I know the Colts covered against the Pats last week and I know I picked that one wrong, but hate 'em or love 'em Baltimore still has the best D in the league, especially in the friendly confines of the Big Crab Cake.
The pick: Ravens cover the 16.5
Who is Roy Helu and why is the Washington offense suddenly putting up points? Fred Davis has since been suspended, rookie WR Len Hankerson played but one game, and is Santana Moss and his hand not broken? I think Davis was quickly becoming Rex Grossman's favorite target, so maybe this one just got a little one sided. I'll pull for the upset, but I have to be realistic here.
The pick: Patriots cover the 8
Eagles at Dolphins [PICK EM], 1PM EST FOX
If you told me the Birds would only be a field goal favorite about 6 weeks ago, I would have laughed and called you some kind of liar or cheat. But such is the case and the overlords expect this one to be a close one. But did this line come out before or after we found out Mike Vick is all but ready to go?
The pick: Eagles 31-21
Raiders at Packers [O/U 51.5], 4:15PM EST CBS
After seeing those stats against the Dolphins last week, I can't think the Pack will be held under 40 points on the day, and I expect Michael Bush and Sebastian Janikowski to tally points. This might be the biggest layup of the week.
The pick: OVER 51.5
Bears at Broncos [O/U 35.5], 4:05PM EST FOX
With both teams sitting at 7-5, this has to be the biggest playoff implication game between two games who are struggling mightily for different reasons. Watching Broncos games, it's easy to see that Tim Tebow is still prone to lots of mistakes, but the just win mentality have overshadowed these transgressions. The Bears looked absolutely horrendous on offense last week, some of which will probably continue against the improved Denver D. This one will probably tickle the spread until the very end.
The pick: UNDER 35.5
 |
| Two clues this pic of Cruz is old... |
Cowboys stop gap WR Laurent Robinson probably isn't going to play, but Miles Austin comes back and that guy still rocks hard. This should be a shootout with cases for both teams to prevail: Tony Romo has been on point lately, but the Giants need this win more. I'm also fooling myself thinking that despite what depth charts read and the early flash in the pan prognosis, Victor Cruz will get himself involved early and often. I believe this is the closest matchup of the week, but at home, I just like DeMarco Murray, Dez Bryant, and Jason "I'm Still Here" Witten to get it done. Plus, Eli Manning is good for a couple of turnovers for sure.
The pick: Cowboys cover the 3.5
Stats powered by cbssports.com, spreads by VegasInsider.com as of 12/9/11
1 comments:
Man, Vick has the unpredictability of a snowflake. It's a lottery every week wondering if I should bench him or bench him.