Ravens -3 vs Bengals
Brother, can you spare a dime? I mean can you lend me a grand to wager on the Ravens this Sunday? Christmas is just around the corner, Ray Lewis makes for a great Santa, dont' you think?
In truth, the Bengals O line issues and their suspect run defense are going to resurface at Baltimore. Palmer won't have time to throw the deep ball that can hurt the man coverage the Ravens love to play. The Ravens are a veteran team on a mission b/c they know this could be their last shot at the big one. At home in a game w/ the division title at stake will have them in the right frame of mind. Knowing the Bengals have quick strike ability makes me think the Ravens will not hesitate to run up the score. Once the Bengals are down two scores they will abandon the run like always which will play right into the Ravens hands. The Ravens will be harder to defend w/ Billick calling the plays. The Bengals continue to amaze me w/ their immaturity. T.J. #84, one of the more level headed Bengals was quoted, "We know, we're better than teams we've lost to." When will these guys shut up? Go to work and play disciplined ball on Sunday. not anytime soon
Ravens -3***
Steelers -2.5 vs Broncos
A scary game to wager on, but it could be one of the more predictable games on the plate Sunday. I like the Steelers the more I think about this game. Why? After watching the replay of Indy/Denver, it seems to me that the Broncos were trying to score as fast as they could. They don't have the skills on offense to methodically play keep away. M. Bell is not going to run for 50 yards going off guard vs Pittsburgh. Indy's defense is so bad even the Broncos put up 31 points against them. the way they did it is what I find interesting. It seemed to me they didn't have a lot of options. If they had more confidence in Plummer they would have tried to kill the clock at the end of the game before scoring. The Team's confidence in Jake and his own self confidence should be the storyline of this game. This is his chance at redemption vs the team he choked against badly. I think we'll see a repeat perforemace of last year's debauchery. Who knows what was said to him in the offseason, but this guy is a "head case". The Broncos should struggle to move the ball vs a Steeler team in desperation mode. Look at the Steelers schedule and you will see that their schedule lightens up after Denver.
This team has enough heart to think they're not finished yet. They have to be thinking it's possible to make a run like last season. Getting past Denver is the first step. That's why I think we'll see an extra super human effort out of the Steelers on Sunday. Don't worry about Denver's Defense. The Colts proved the Broncos aren't too much different than last year. All the hype is due to the fact the Broncos didn't play against team playing well offensively before the Colts this season. The Steelers pounded Denver last year at Denver, so they know they can do the same at home.
Steelers-2.5*
Patriots-3 vs Colts
The Pats should win, they are starting to look like the Pats of 2004. The difference in this game is T. Brady's ability to execute a sure fire game plan the coaches have constructed. The Pats should have more gas in the tank than the Colts. Playing a long drawn out game at Denver had to take a lot out of the Colts. The Pats are on a short week themselves but they don't have to get back on a plane just to go into enemy territory again. The mental energy these kinds of things take out of a team are often overlooked. It would be a shock to me if the Colts play up to their best on offense. Factor in their weak defense and the Pats look pretty good to win the game. The kicker is a stat I have on the Colts. They have not covered once the last 38 times when they lose.
Patroits -3**
Bears -13.5 vs Dolphins
I'm sure a few members of the 1972 Dolphins have reminded the players their duty this weekend. Too bad the Fish are dooty, there is no way they can win but an extraordinary effort might get the cover. The Dolphins have one edge this week and its all psychological. With the Giants looming ahead the Bears are letdown material. The oddsmakers have this game right on the number. The Fish are plenty capable of making the Bears scrape for every point they score. The Fish are a huge dissapointment to their fans. All the sins committed this year will be forgotten if they were to blemish the Bears record. That won't happen but this notion scares me away from the Bears. there is no way the Bears can match the effort the Fish are good for this Sunday. If the windy city holds true to its name, this could be a very weird game. I recommend finding another game. The Bears offense has faced no real defenses to speak of. The Fish are getting long in the tooth on defense but this proud unit will play strong this Sunday.
Dolphins+13.5* for entertainment only,
Giants -13 vs Houston
I'm going to make a few reaches here. Plexiglass could probably play if this was a big game. The Giants may be just resting him thinking they can win without him vs. Houston. This says a lot about the attitude they have going into this game. Taking a team that is a 2 TD favorite in practice mode is not a good idea. With the Bears looming ahead no matter what they say, the GMEN are looking ahead to next week. The Texans are plenty capable of throwing up 20 garbage points or so. I hate to say it, but I like the Texans.
Texans+ 13*
Rams -3 vs Chiefs
This is not an easy call. The Rams are tough at home vs the AFC while the Chiefs aren't the best road team in the world. My call on this game is based on my judgement of each team's strength of schedule. It is not my favorite method to use by any stretch but there is not much to go on here. The Chief's ability to run the ball should negate the noisy dome to some degree. Take the points in what should be a close game.
Chiefs+3*
Jaguars -9 vs Titans
This could be a low scoring chess match. The Jaguars probably won't throw much until or unless the Titans start scoring. The Jaguars have never been a team known to cover big lines, they are happy to play in a defensive struggle. Call me crazy, but I think the Titans have run the ball as good as anybody over the last few weeks. They are capable of moving the chains vs the Jags. The points look pretty good in a division rivalry game.
Titans+9*
Bills -3 vs Packers
pass
Buccs +1 vs Saints
This looks like the beinning of a bad stretch for the Buccs.
NFL teams can't live on defense alone. The rookie QB will continue to struggle. He looked pretty good vs the Saints a month ago. His seemingly decent play can be attributed to the fact that he might have been stupid enough not to know what he was getting into. The Saints at least now have 4 games worth of film to study him. After getting a wake up call vs the Ravens, look for the Saints to be focused enough to pull out a hard fought division game even if they have to kick five field goals in the process. Pick the winnner and you got a cover.
Saints-1**
49ers +5 vs Vikings
Before the season started the Niners were 17-4 vs opponents coming off a MNF game. I think they have lost a game in this scenario to Philly earlier this year. It has me thinking it won't happen twice in a row. The Vikings will not be up to par for this game besides being offensively challenged already. The Niners will put up one of their more pesky performances of the season after last week's embarrasing loss. The west coast trip for the Vikings is hard enough without a Monday night hangover.
49'ers +5*
Lions +5 vs Falcons
The over looks better than either team here. Detroits defense has looked so bad, the Falcons look like an easy call. I wouldn't be so sure. Don't take either team and stick w/ the over.
Falcons-5 not a point more, can Vick keep it up, he is due to play bad
Chargers -12.5 vs Browns
Laying the points doesn't seem so bad here. The Brownies will struggle to move the ball. The Chargers rushing attack is very reliable. The Bolts shold score their usual 30 plus points. The Browns are good for 17 points max. It won't be an easychair game but the Chargers should cover.
Chargers-12.5*
Redskins+3 vs Cowboys the Skins look down enough to be homedogs to the hated Cowboys. The boys make for a scary bet as road favorites in this storied rivalry. The Skins are supposedly healthy on defense for a change. when I picture Brunell getting sacked repeatedly I can't picture them winning. there is a good chance this will be a field goal kicking contest. I suggest you punt!
Cowboys-3
my favorite teams are Ravens-3 Patriots-3 Titans +9 the Ravens are very close to being locks
my four favorite teams this week are the Ravens-3 Patriots-3 Titans+9 and I'll get back to you in the morning on the 4th
Comments