NFL Picks: Week 13

Last Week: 9-7 (ouch)
Overall: 114-61 (65%)

This week's picks:

Titans over the Lions
The only Thanksgiving miracle we'll see for the Lions is if their fans aren't wearing bags over their heads.

Cowboys over the Seahawks
I like Barber, I like Romo, I like Crayton & Roy Williams. I even like Wade Phillips. Heck I was a Dallas Cowboy fan from 3rd grade until my college days. Jerry Jones, Terell Owens, Adam Jones--not so much.

Eagles over the Cardinals
I see the Eagles having a good turkey day and surprising people. Then the drama continues with McNabb of course as the benching last week becomes even bigger. McNabb needs to start earning his paycheck and then he has nothing to worry about.

Bills over the 49ers
Is Trent Edwards back? Not that he went away necessarily but he sure played like a stiff for a few games.

Ravens over the Bengals
The Bengals can play occasionally, but they are still a mess.

Colts over the Browns
So I keep picking against the Colts and they keep defying me with these tough wins. This week I'm finally jumping on the bandwagon and prophesying a victory for Indy. Your welcome Cleveland.

Packers over the Panthers
I just can't figure the Pack out. Their defense stinks too much for the kind of players they have on that side of the ball. Could be time for a new defensive coordinator then.

Dolphins over the Rams
Doesn't seem that long ago that I thought of the Dolphins in the same way I now think of the Rams. I wouldn't even watch my Rams if they ever were broadcast here in Utah (which they aren't). By the way I hate the fact that I have to get a steady dose of San Francisco, San Diego, Denver and Seattle games just because I live in the West. Now I know why I got the NFL Sunday ticket a few years back. Once I can afford it again, I'm back with Direct TV even though their prices are criminal.

Bucs over the Saints
I want to pick the Saints. I like Drew Brees and they are fun to watch when they are on. But they have been equally off this year (hence the mediocre record) and frankly I don't trust them. The Bucs found out that Warrick Dunn can still play and they ought to give him a few more carries. He's a stud.

Giants over the Redskins
If the NY can keep perspective and realize it's not who's kicking ass in November that's important but who's playing well in January, then look out. They dominate on both sides of the ball.

Chargers over the Falcons
I might regret this pick because I really like the Falcons with their balanced offense, and decent defense. Still the Chargers should have beaten the Colts and probably would have if their coach had any balls. Norv Turner is a good coordinator. Why is he a head coach? If I go on any longer I'm going to talk myself out of this pick.

Patriots over the Steelers
Matt Cassel's success is not a fluke. But he has help in the form of the shotgun formation, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Randy Moss, & Randy Moss. In regards to that Raider trade of Moss to the Patriots, does Patriot owner Bob Kraft call Al Davis up at 3 am, giggle maniacally, and then scream into the phone, "thank you Al for the gift. Your insane you know that right? But thank you....(more hysterical cackling).....click...dial tone.....

Jets over the Broncos
Denver is a mess but I wouldn't be surprised to see them win this game. They can get hot and Cutler is good about every third game. Bronco fans must pull their hair out watching this team struggle. I'm not sold on the Jets but they have been playing well and they are at home.

Chiefs over the Raiders
must see tv.

Vikings over the Bears
I would like to see Peterson run over Urlacher. That would be cool.

Texans over the Jags
The Jags have really fallen for me to make this pick.

NFL Picks: Week 12

Last week: 12-3 --I don't know what to do with last week's Bengals/Eagles tie game so I'm throwing it out.

Overall: 105-54 (66%)

This week's picks:


Steelers over the Bengals
Division rivalry game so it should be a little bit closer than ought to be.


Falcons over the Panthers
Here I am drinking the Matt Ryan kool-aid. If the Panthers can't run the ball this game belongs to Atlanta.


Browns over the Texans
I have no interest in this game. None.


Cowboys over the 49ers
Romo fixes flats, takes the homeless out for dates and hooks up with Jessica Simpson. He's all about charity and I like that.


Broncos over the Raiders
Cutler is on the verge of greatness but has been sitting on that fence for awhile. He needs to just jump off and dominate week in and week out.


Bucs over the Lions
How many Detroit turkey jokes are we due for this week?


Titans over the Jets
It's tough to pick against a team that doesn't kill itself.


Chiefs over the Bills
Buffalo is reeling and with K.C. at home it's a good time for them to pull off a 13-10 or 17-14 type of game.


Bears over the Rams
If I could wear a bag at home I would. I can't believe my Rams have become a joke again.


Patriots over the Dolphins
Cassel is looking great. I keep hearing how these college QBs aren't going to be able to live out of the shotgun formation in the pros like they did in college. Why then have the Patriots played a ton of shotgun spread football these past two years and blown defenses away? I would love to see a coach like Mike Leach of Texas Tech come into the NFL and prove it works. You have to have a decent offensive line and a QB that can make quick decisions but it's possible. Cassel is proving it.


Giants over the Cardinals
I like the receivers for Arizona but the defense for NY is awesome. With their rushing attack they can keep the Cardinal offense off the field.


Chargers over the Colts
I've been picking against Indy most of the season because Manning and his offense have been unimpressive and their defense has been bad. And not the good "bad" either. Then they go out and look good against a decent Baltimore team. I don't know if I trust Indy yet and San Diego seems to be the only place that the Chargers can win so even though I hate to do it I'm going with the Chargers on this one.


Redskins over the Seahawks
maybe a dose of Seattle is just what the Skins need.


Jags over the Vikings
Another pick I'm not sure about. In fact I flipped a coin. Both lack stellar QB play and have made too many mistakes to be taken seriously this year.


Ravens over the Eagles
It's hard to trust McNabb right now. He and his Eagle team are underperforming. Again.


Packers over the Saints.
When is Reggie Bush coming back again?

NFL Picks: Week 11

Last Week: 8-6
Overall: 93-51 (65%)

This week's picks:


Patriots over the Jets
The Jets have laid 40 points on a couple of teams this season but I don't see it happening in New England against one of the best coached teams in football (As a Patriot hater I had to saw my pinkie finger off after typing that last part).

Falcons over the Broncos
This is a tough one. Matt Ryan has made me a believer but occasionally Jay Cutler can really dice teams up. The difference is one team has shown an ability to keep teams from scoring over 30 points against them. And yes, Mr. creepy eyes Shanahan, I am insinuating something about your defense with that comment.

Eagles over the Bengals
I thought perhaps Andy Reid had surpassed Mike Martz in the "worst game management skills" department until I saw that offensive debacle at the end of the Cards/49ers game on Monday night. Still, Reid consistently prove that he doesn't handle pressure situations very well as evidenced by the end of the Giants game this past week. It's unfortunate because in most respects Reid is a good coach. He does a lot with the talent he has (which is never quite what it should be--also partly his fault) but play calling in critical moments, clock management, etc. is something maybe he ought to think about delegating. As for this week, even though Cincy played Jacksonville tough a couple of weeks ago they shouldn't be able to handle the Eagle offense which is much better than the Jag's.

Packers over the Bears
What is disturbing about the Packers is that I thought they had a good defense. But they allow too many points and too many rushing yards for me to say that now. They are a better team than their record indicates but that doesn't mean much if you don't make the playoffs

Colts over the Texans
Houston always plays Indy tough so this could be really close. Plus, Manning looked downright awful last week. I know some who wrote about how he singlehandely pulled that game out last week but for most of the 4 quarters against the Steelers he was terrible. Manning has never had the most beautiful tight spiral like other QBs have, but he has made up for it with a fairly strong arm and great accuracy. Maybe it's the knees but his throws look very weak and most of them are ducks, especially the long balls. He got lucky last week on a ball that was tipped to Reggie Wayne for a TD. He is underthrowing guys, throwing behind them, or throwing it too high. I have watched a ton of Colt games over the past 4 years and this is a different guy the past couple of seasons. It actually started the season they won the Super Bowl if you want to know the truth. Manning was just not quite what you expected. Amazingly, that season his defense came to the rescue in the post-season and Dallas Clark made some of the most amazing catches I've ever seen. Now fast forward to this season and Manning doesn't have the receiving weapons he used to. Marvin Harrison seems a shell of the Hall of Famer we've come to know. He is slow, dropping balls, and just looks out of sync with Manning. I'm not saying Manning is washed up, but his QB rating is 84 and it hasn't been that low since 2001 (and only the 4th time it's been below 90 in his 11 years). As someone that has rooted for the Colts for years, I'm concerned.

Saints over the Chiefs
Drew Brees is good but until the Saints start playing some decent defense they are not a legitimate contender. -On another note, Herm Edwards, one of the most conservative coaches in the league tries for 2 points to win the game last week. I've piled on him for his conservative offenses in the past so how can I rip him for that? Well, I'll try. Herm, there is being gutsy and then there is being just plain stupid. I know you've got nothing to lose this season because your getting fired anyway, but trying for a 2 point conversion at the end of the game with a lousy offense is crazy. If you want to show that you have some balls, stop sending the punt unit out on 4th and 1 in the other team's territory or going for field goals when you are behind in games and you need TDs. ---How's that? Aww, I can't get mad at Herm....He showed some courage and risk in that situation and with the Chiefs, I'll take it where I can get it.

Dolphins over the Raiders.
Remember last year when we both the Raiders and the Dolphins were a joke? Maybe the Raiders ought to try the Wildcat formation. Miami has a pulse, the Raiders however probably wish Al Davis didn't. (I know.....I'm joking about death and that is wrong. I'm going to Hell. But at least Al will keep me company).

Giants over the Ravens
Should be a slugfest.

Bucs over the Vikings
I can't figure either of these teams out. I know I like watching Adrian Peterson. Hands down the best back in football. Tomlinson supporters might not want to acknowledge it and I'm not saying LT is close to being washed up, but Peterson is the best and has been for the past two seasons.

Panthers over the Lions
The Jags were laughing at the Lions last week. I hope the Panthers can be nice to them. At least wait until their backs are turned before you giggle.

49ers over the Rams
These are both dysfunctional teams. May the best ...um...least screwed up dudes win.

Cardinals over the Seahawks.
If Warner doesn't lose the ball in the rain, the Cards should win. I like Warner but I think the people calling him an MVP this season are being premature. Same goes for the people saying he's a Hall of Famer. He's had 3 great years and those came with the Rams (plus one decent year in 07 with the Cards). If he continues to excel this year that makes 4 great years. 4 seasons doesn't make somebody a football legend unless it's for 4 years of smoking pot and going in and out of the league. I would say Ricky Williams is a legend in that regard.

Steelers over the Chargers
San Diego should win this because they are the more desperate team and they have a decent offense. But how can you trust their Swiss cheese defense this year?

Titans over the Jags
Tennessee is surprisingly good, Jacksonville is surprisingly bad. That sums up the "hard to figure out" NFL.

Cowboys over the Redskins
Maybe Romo will give Dallas a lift and they will play up to their talent level. Maybe not. But man did the Skins look bad in their last game against the Steelers. A bye week should help but I'm still picking against them this time.

Bills over the Browns
just because they are at home.

NFL Picks: Week 10

Last week: 9-5
Overall: 85-45 (65%)

This week's picks:

Broncos over the Browns
I have trouble picking the Browns with Quinn making his first start

Saints over the Falcons

In a shootout Brees makes a couple of plays more than Ryan.

Bears over the Titans
I think something weird is going to happen. Grossman will play well.

Jags over the Lions
Can the Jags lose 2 in a row to deadbeat teams? I say no. But Jacksonville has sure sucked donkeys this year haven't they?

Dolphins over the Seahawks
I wish Joey Porter would just shut up and play.

Packers over the Vikings
Unless Peterson has a big day, I see the Pack pulling this one out.

Patriots over the Bills
The Bills are an ok team but they have lost 2 in a row and the 5 teams they've beat this year all have losing records so far in 08. Buffalo's record is a little deceiving. Then again, the Pats have had a cupcake schedule too, having only played 1 team with a winning record so far.

Jets over the Rams
I've seen signs of life with my Rams. Not enough to predict victories yet though. (Except for last which when I must have been loopy on cold medicine)

Texans over the Ravens
The Ravens really deserve more respect than I'm giving them here. Hey Sage Rosenfels is starting for Houston and he needs to make up for game he gave to the Colts earlier in the season.

Panthers over the Raiders
Al Davis. Maverick, inspirational & ahead of his time in the 70s. Insane, 2008. You gave Javon Walker how much guaranteed cash? Also, Deangelo Hall is laughing all the way to the bank today.

Steelers over the Colts
I've never picked against an Indy team so much in a season. They don't even look good when they win.

Chargers over the Chiefs
This shouldn't even be close if the Chargers are as good as they think they are (which they aren't). This team underachieves like Lindsay Lohan sabatoges her career. It's automatic every season. Still, if they can't beat K.C. at home then Norv Turner should pack his bags immediately.

Eagles over the Giants
Philly has Kevin Curtis back (my favorite receiver and fellow Snow College and Utah State alum) as well as Brian Westbrook and they are at home on Sunday night. A win brings some excitement back to the NFC East race which N.Y. is threatening to run away with.

Cardinals over the 49ers
Singletary seems too reactionary for his own health as a coach. His head might explode at any second. If Warner can keep hold of the ball he should carve up the San Fran secondary like a turkey on Thanksgiving.

NFL Picks: Week 9

Last week: 11-3
Overall: 76-40 (66%)

This week's picks:

Giants over the Cowboys
Vikings over the Texans
Rams over the Cardinals
Bills over the Jets
Broncos over the Dolphins
Bears over the Lions
Jags over the Bengals
Ravens over the Browns
Bucs over the Chiefs
Titans over the Packers
Falcons over the Raiders
Eagles over the Seahawks
Patriots over the Colts
Steelers over the Redskins