- DSC_0117_A © by Jessa B.C.
Here we go….
Dallas -7 over Tampa Bay – Dallas is a certain type of team. A team that likes to let their fans down in the worst way possible. So there is no way they let their fans off the hook early and drop this game. Nope. They will string their fans along until at least week 17, and they will look good doing so. A total offensive explosion for Dallas.
Green Bay -13.5 over Kansas City – Why go against Green Bay at this point? You know they are dropping 30 minimum on whoever they play. One thing to watch out for is this will be the Chiefs super bowl here. But how much will it matter?
New Orleans –7.5 over Minnesota – The pick of the week. I know the Saints have had their struggles on the road, and that is why this line is so small. But Minnesota is a brutal team. I don’t think everyone fully realizes this is a two win team. 2 wins!! It’s not an accident either. The only teams they have beat are Arizona and Carolina. Add to that Brees chasing the passing record and Minnesotas reluctance to stop anyones passing game and I think this one is over by midway through the second quarter.
Seattle +3.5 over Chicago – We saw this game last week. A team that doesn’t score that many points was a 3.5 favorite at home against a defense playing pretty well. This was Denver over Chicago. And getting that extra half point made the difference last week like it will this week.
Houston -6 over Carolina – Toughest game on the board. I want to go with Carolina but they are almost as bad as minnesota. Houston is rolling right now and I don’t see how Carolina can stop them.
Tennessee -7 over Indy – I guess we are going to have to get to week 18 before people believe Indy is as bad as they are.
Cincy -7 over St. Louis – St. Louis just is not competing right now. Cincy comes in hungry for a win. If they get one their playoff hopes still look surprisingly good.
Detroit -1 over Oakland – Have you seen Carson Palmer play? Did I warn you? If Detroit gets one more win they are almost a lock for the playoffs. I know, it seems weird. But it’s going to happen this week because Oakland can’t stop anybody, espcially not Calvin Johnson.
Denver+7.5 over New England – I don’t understand why this line has been climbing up and up. Denver is a house of horrors for New England. Mike Shannahan used to dominate the Patriots. When the change to McDaniels came the Pats still lost to a poor Denver squad. I hate to see what Tebow is going to do to him.
Jets +2.5 over Philly – I like the Jets here at -3. I know they aren’t the same team they used to be, but they are still a tough team that doesn’t drop games like this. Philly doesn’t have what it takes to compete with the Jets toughness. We have their win over Miami to thank for this generous line.
Cleveland +6.5 over Arizona – Arizona is on a nice little run right now. 5 wins, 1 loss. Seems great. Here’s the thing though, they have only lead one of those games before the 4th quarter(@ STL). Translation: They don’t get the lead and they won’t be able to extend the lead if they get it. This line makes no sense at all. Hope you got in early in the week when the line was 7.
Baltimore -2.5 over San Diego – So San Diego beats Jacksonville and Buffalo and now I am supposed to take them seriously? Come on. I actually think most people are fooled though, including the Ravens. And that is a bad thing because they play to the level of their competition. They are going to come in thinking San Diego is a tough team. They are going to leave with an easy victory.
Pittsburgh +3 over San Fran – I was thinking San Fran all week. I like Pittsburgh more but with Berger hurt I thought San Fran would be able to attack the pocket and really make their offense look ugly. Then the line came out. 3 points for a team that does nothing but kick FG’s over a team that might be the second best in the entire league? What? And then I remember this. About two years ago Berger was struggling with a simliar injury, and he played fantastic. Why? Instead of holding onto the ball and trying to make the big play happen he just got rid of it once he hit his 3-step drop. It made the offense flow better. Like watching Brady or Manning out there. I think the same thing could happen here. People don’t give Berger enough credit for how good of a pocket passer he is. Watch this week. He will SLING!
I can’t believe that Dion Phaneuf got five minutes and a game misconduct for a hit last night. Sabres forward Zack Kassian turned his back and Phaneuf nudged him in an attempt to get the puck. If you wanted to give two minutes for boarding, okay, I can accept that. But even then, Phaneuf didn’t leave his feet. A two minute cross checking penalty would have been the correct call I think. I concede that the Leafs’ PK is horrible, but this poor call impacted the outcome of what was otherwise an excellent hockey game.