• Tweet

• Tweet

Last Week – N/A
Overall Record: 40-35-1

San Francisco (+3) at Atlanta
A nominee for the Nytol Game Of the Week. That aside, expect this game to be decided by who has the better running game. I expect 49ers RB Frank Gore to rush for around 110 yards and a TD, while the 49ers’ secondary makes the Falcons’ Joey Harrington….ummmm….ordinary. The 49ers win a close one in the ATL.

Cincinnati (+2.5) at Buffalo
Sorry Bills fans, but at least for this week, expect the Bengals of the past to show up (meaning lots of passing yardage and some decent running production from Rudi Johnson and Kenny Irons). Bills RB Marshawn Lynch should be fine against the Bengals’ D-Line, but the uncertainty at QB for Buffalo will be their undoing – at least this week. Cincinnati will beat the 2.5 and win handily.

Denver at Detroit (Pick’em)
I guess the oddsmakers still don’t give the Lions love. The Broncos are the classic Jekyll and Hyde team – you never know which team shows up. Plus the fact that injuries are dogging them right now (Lynch – neck, Rod Smith – hip and trip to IR). The Lions should have a field day throwing the ball against the depleted Broncos secondary. 325 yards and 2 TD’s is not unreasonable for Kitna this weekend, and they have another weapon – RB Kevin Jones. Lions win this one by at least 9.

Green Bay (+2.5) at Kansas City
Green Bay has Brett Favre, a decent defense, but no running game. The Chiefs have a resurgent running game, no passing game and a decent defense. Based on those variables, I look for the Packers’ defense to step it up in a close game that won’t be decided until the 4th quarter when PAckers placekicker Mason Crosby kicks a game-winning FG. Larry Johnson will get his 100+ yards, but it won’t be enough as the Packers win by 2.

San Diego (-6.5) at Minnesota
The only thing Minnesota has going for it is their running defense. Their passing game stinks, and Adrian Peterson doesn’t get as many touches as he should. But even if he did, the Chargers’ defensive line should neutralize just about anything thrown their way. Chargers QB Philip Rivers should be able to go off on the Vikings’ secondary and LT should get 100+ yards and then some. The Chargers win this one with relative ease.

Jacksonville at New Orleans (-3.5)
Jacksonville’s running game is improving, but they have a problem – that problem is QB Quinn Gray, who will start in place of David Garrard. The Saints, in the meantime, are finally getting their act together offensively. QB Drew Brees and RB Reggie Bush should be fairly productive this weekend as they beat the Jaguars easily.

Washington (-3.5) at New York Jets
Last season, this matchup would have been closer. The problem is this – the Jets are a mess, especially at QB. The Redskins have enough offensive weapons to do the job at the timeshare aka The Meadowlands/Giants-Jets Stadium. Portis will be the star, getting 125+ yards and 2 TD’s. Washington wins by at least 10.

Arizona (+3.5) at Tampa Bay
Easily the hardest game to call this week. The Bucs have regressed as of late, especially with their bad luck at RB. The Cards need a strong effort by QB Kurt Warner this weekend – and I think they’ll get it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cards placekicker Neil Rackers wins this one for Arizona. The Cards win by 1-2 points.

Carolina (+4.5) at Tennessee
We know how good the Titans’ defense is – ask the Colts. Also – RB LenDale White is getting better every week it seems. Carolina has a problem at QB – that problem is David Carr. But despite that issue, I have a really good feeling that the 2-headed monster at RB (DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams) will counter what the Titans’ defensive line throws at them. All Carr has to do is just manage the game properly. This game will be low-scoring, but I think the Panthers pull this one out of the hat late.

Seattle at Cleveland (-1.5)
This game should be high-scoring, thanks to both the Browns’ and Seahawks’ offenses clicking. The Browns still have issues on defense, but with all this scoring it shouldn’t matter. I expect both Seahawks QB Matt Hasslebeck and RB Shaun Alexander to be productive; at the same time, the Browns should counter with decent efforts by QB Derek Anderson and WR Braylon Edwards. But I think the hero of the game will be tight end Kellen Winslow. Winslow should put up around 125+ yards and 2 TD’s as the Browns win a tight one here.

New England at Indianapolis (+5.5)
We know what Patriots QB Tom Brady has done this year. Same can be said for WR Randy Moss and the Patriots defense. The Colts have refined their gameplan this year, as they don’t rely on QB Peyton Manning to pass for 350 yards and 3 TD’s to win games; they’re more balanced. What I expect is for the Colts to be masters at time management this weekend – meaning lots of Addai and timely passing from Manning. If Harrison plays Sunday, that could change a bit. Brady on the other hand will probably pass 35+ times as the Colts’ run D has stepped it up as of late. It should be a relatively high-scoring game, but I have a hunch that Manning’s mastery over the Patriots as of late will continue. Indianapolis will win this shootout by 5.

Houston at Oakland (-3)
Houston, we have a problem. Two, actually. First problem – Sage Rosenfels is your starting QB against a decent Raiders secondary. Second problem – no true running game. Addthose two together and you have a recipe for disaster. The Raiders’ running game should be the difference here as Lamont Jordan, Justin Fargas and Dominic Rhodes provide the offensive spark for Oakland. Don’t expect much from QB Josh McCown. Oakland wins this one by 7.

Dallas (-3) at Philadelphia
I like the chances of the 2-headed RB tadnem of Dallas (Julius Jones and Marion Barber III) between the two of them going for 175 yards and 2 TD’s. QB Tony Romo should do “OK” vs. the Eagles’ secondary, to the tune of 225 yards and a TD. The Eagles’ bright spot this weekend will probably be everyman Brian Westbrook. He should get 110+ yards on the ground and another 50 yards receiving. But McNabb may have issues with the Cowboys’ D-line. Dallas wins this one by 7 (may be more if Cowboys WR Terrell Owens gets the ball more than 6 times).

Baltimore at Pittsburgh (-7.5)
Pittsburgh, unless they have a collapse of major proportions, should win the AFC North. Having said that, they will treat this game like a playoff game. Steelers RB Willie Parker should run rampant against a Ravens D-line that has had its issues this season. I also like the chances of Hines Ward exploting the Ravens’ secondary, as well. The lone bright spot, in my opinion, for the Ravens might be RB Willis McGahee. Expect 85+ yards and a TD from him, but it won’t be nearly enough as the Steelers chalk up another win at Heinz Field.