Although going 3-5 last week, it is worth noting that I was one dropped Atlanta pass and one less Giants turnover away from going 5-0. But because batting .600 is fairly good, that coupled with my beloved Cowboys actually winning a home game they were favored to win, had me feeling good all week. Let’s see if we (me and the Cowboys) can continue our winning ways this week. As always HOME TEAM IN CAPS.
PICK 1
Titans +9 OVER TEXANS
I am not sure that I get the Vegas logic here. So the Tennessee upset Pittsburgh with a strong defensive showing and Houston needs an improbable 3 touchdown miracle just to scrape by a terrible San Diego team, and somehow the latter is favoured by 9 points? It doesn’t even matter that this game is at home, 9 points? Be smart, take the points and be happy.
PICK 2
COLTS -1 OVER Dolphins
Okay, what this line means for all you gambling novices out there, is that Indy must win at home against Miami. That’s it. That’s all you need to know. I cannot understand how exactly Miami plans to put up points against a potent Indy offence. Miami cannot run, they cannot pass and unless their defense plans to put up all of their points for them, I cannot fathom where they are even going to get 13 points from. Although Indy did not look great against the Raiders they, like all good teams, found a way to win. Your decision therefore is broken down to which is the better team? As such bet on the Colts.
BRONZE PICK
Redskins +9.5 OVER PACKERS
Like most people I do like high scoring games (as long as my opponent’s fantasy team has 0 players in that tilt), and this weeks’ Redskins-Packers game promises to be a good one. Although I love Green Bay to win this game outright given their loss last week to San Fran, the Packers of late seem to rise and fall with the level of their competition. For example, if they are playing a good team, they will play a close game against them and if they play a bad team, they will play a poor close game against them. Either way the games seem to be fairly close and Green Bay seems to win a tight one either way (except when they play San Fran). As such, a line that gives 9.5 point to the Redskins is a tough pill to swallow given that even an injured RG3 puts up points and his defense and run game always manage to put up points even if he is slacking. As such you should be smart here and take the points.
SILVER PICK
Lions -1 OVER CARDINALS
I love the Lions this year. They have looked great all preseason and except for a boneheaded play by Ndamukong Suh last week which contributed to a 14 point swing in a game they still managed to win, it looked as if they are poised for a great season. Their defensive front 7 look amazing, their entire offensive looks explosive and if they could simply get someone in their defensive backfield they will be a force to be reckoned with. These are not your Matt Millen Lions. And although the Cardinals look better this season under Carson Palmer, the Lions should win this game handily if they can simply keep Larry Fitzgerald in check.
GOLD PICK
49ers +3 OVER SEAHAWKS
Contrary to what some authors think, there IS such a thing as momentum in football. With the way things turned around in the second half of their big game in January, the 49ers would have needed only a few more plays to win the Superbowl. Sadly however for them and all 49ers fans, the clock ticked down and to quote Marlon Brando, “There just wasn’t enough time.” This season with redemption on their brain, the 49ers are poised for a very deep playoff run. Not only have they kept virtually their entire roster together, but they actually managed to improve upon it with the additions of Anquan Boldin and once heralded corner Nmandi Asomugha. The only team standing in their way (you mean other than my beloved Cowboys?), the Seattle Seahawks. Believe me this game will have the feel of much more than a normal week 2 game. These teams hate each other and cannot wait to get the first game of their eventual rubber match underway. However, despite what most people say, I am not completely sold on the Seahawks. They looked weak last week against Carolina, and although they are playing at home I do not trust Wilson in this game and am not sold on the Seahawks in general. I think the road to the NFC title goes through San Fran, and so even though this game is being played in Seattle, make the right move and take the points…I mean 49ers.