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The biggest story last week was Clinton Portis destroying the KC Chiefs and I’m glad to say I got the big one right. In a matchup of the NFL running back heavyweights, I predicted Portis would have better luck because of the DEFENSE. Too often we get caught up looking at one side of the ball when the true answer is usually on the other side. This followed true in the Falcons game, where some guy named “Vick” had a tremendous return, showing beyond doubt that he was all the way back from his injury. I truly wondered if this guy could pick up the Falcons from the bottom of the league and he really did pull them to an 8-8 team level. Ironically, though, all Vick did was keep them in the game. The defense of the Falcons – buoyed by a chance to play in a competitive game – actually bailed out the win by stopping a Carolina team late in the 4th that should have easily marched down the field and then picking off the game winner in OT. Vick had thrown away the game on an ill-advised pass late in the 4th, nearly undermining an otherwise spectacular debut.
On NFL Matchup, I was called an idiot for thinking that you can’t run against an 8-man front. If you caught this over the weekend, they demonstrated via Xs and Os that you can! Well, I guess you learn something new every year. We already knew this because it is the only way to explain Jamal Lewis gaining a yard this season, since no coach in their right mind would take their passing game seriously.
Jags +7 Pats
The line is enticingly low but there is a reason – the Pats have clinched. I don’t expect a fulfledged letdown but their game could definitely slip a notch. Conversely, the Jags look like they might finish the year off strong under their 1st year head coach building into next season. The wise guy looks at the standings and realizes that the Jags haven’t been put out of a game by more than a TD in a long time. That doesn’t give me security, but the Patriots partying does.
Steelers +3 Jets
I think two of the best QBs in the league were injured this season, and one of them plays for the Jets. Pennington is simply outstanding and he figures to carve the Steelers up very very badly. Who is gonna cover Santana Moss? I think the Jets should be laying more here.
Cowboys –1.5 Redskins
The Cowboy, Eagles, Panthers triangle is being to become a sore spot for me. Obviously, the Cowboys offense is in the toilet and people are learning to expose their overly aggressive defense. The way young Hasselback has played – bringing a fresh body to the Skins offense – I’d expect this to continue. Parcells questioned the effort of his club this week, and that’s a bad sign. This is a fair line.
Bengals –3 49ers
The up-and-down 49ers are not to be trusted. The public will see this as a great value on the 49ers, and therein lies the trap!
Falcons +7.5 Colts
Even though the Falcons are a one-man show, you need to be at your defensive best to stop the Colts. Remember, this is the secondary that got benched by their head coach earlier this season. Do they use this as an opportunity to show they were maligned by their former coach, or as an excuse to quit? With too many question marks on the Falcons side this week, I’ll stick with a solid Colts team with a fair line. If Vick tries to win this with his arm, I guarantee a pair of INTs.
Bears +3 Vikings
The Vikings had a big game last week against the Seahawks, not getting destroyed in the passing game as I expected. That is consistent with earlier in this season – when they get the big Randy score early in the game, the defense has played better. This week will be no different. Don’t know if you’ll hit Randy Moss for a big play in the windy city!
Rams –7 Seahawks
Is Aeneas Williams not more PRIMETIME than Deion ever was? That dude just does amazing things on Monday Night Football. How is it that these NFL QBs can not read the field? Scouts are terrible for overrating the physical skills of prospective QBs and not effectively evaluating the mental game. I guess they think they can coach up players with the physical skills but they can’t. Back to this though, I think the key is the Rams defense playing so well against the Seahawks. It would be a big surprise if the Seahawks put up a great game.
Browns +10.5 Broncos
Although there is a chance for a big letdown by the Broncos after last week’s big performance, I have to wonder how Clinton Portis can be the heavyweight champ if he does not abuse this Browns defense, forever known for giving Jamal Lewis the single game NFL rushing record. I would NOT play the Browns in this game!
Ravens –7 Raiders
7 Points to the BALTIMORE RAVENS? That’s a little nuts, I’ll take the points on a Raiders team that has scrapped bottom.
Panthers –7 Cardinals
Laying 7 on the Panthers against the Cardinals is almost as dumb. Cardinals, flu-stricken, have still been a strong play at home, although they did get punked by the Seahawks. We haven’t seen any life from the Panthers offense in a while, having lost 3 straight. This would be a good time for them to put on a whooping and clinch whatever they have out there to clinch.
Packers –5 Chargers
The Packers lost on the road to Arizona, so who knows what they will do a few miles north. Fortunately, it won’t be quite as hot this week. Another good RB showdown with Ahman Green against a hot LT. I’d expect a close win by Farve.
Giants +7 Saints
About the worst Sunday night December matchup you could possibly imagine. I wonder if the Saints could possibly blow this game? I wouldn’t put it past them.
Eagles +2 Dolphins
Speaking of December struggles, the Dolphins have some pathetic stats. This line is a bit of an insult to an Eagles team that shouldn’t be getting more than 3 points against anyone, let alone a struggling Fish team. This is another case of a division being clinched leading the linemakers to tease down the odds. If Fielder is the starting QB, this one is worth a shot.
On NFL Matchup, I was called an idiot for thinking that you can’t run against an 8-man front. If you caught this over the weekend, they demonstrated via Xs and Os that you can! Well, I guess you learn something new every year. We already knew this because it is the only way to explain Jamal Lewis gaining a yard this season, since no coach in their right mind would take their passing game seriously.
Jags +7 Pats
The line is enticingly low but there is a reason – the Pats have clinched. I don’t expect a fulfledged letdown but their game could definitely slip a notch. Conversely, the Jags look like they might finish the year off strong under their 1st year head coach building into next season. The wise guy looks at the standings and realizes that the Jags haven’t been put out of a game by more than a TD in a long time. That doesn’t give me security, but the Patriots partying does.
Steelers +3 Jets
I think two of the best QBs in the league were injured this season, and one of them plays for the Jets. Pennington is simply outstanding and he figures to carve the Steelers up very very badly. Who is gonna cover Santana Moss? I think the Jets should be laying more here.
Cowboys –1.5 Redskins
The Cowboy, Eagles, Panthers triangle is being to become a sore spot for me. Obviously, the Cowboys offense is in the toilet and people are learning to expose their overly aggressive defense. The way young Hasselback has played – bringing a fresh body to the Skins offense – I’d expect this to continue. Parcells questioned the effort of his club this week, and that’s a bad sign. This is a fair line.
Bengals –3 49ers
The up-and-down 49ers are not to be trusted. The public will see this as a great value on the 49ers, and therein lies the trap!
Falcons +7.5 Colts
Even though the Falcons are a one-man show, you need to be at your defensive best to stop the Colts. Remember, this is the secondary that got benched by their head coach earlier this season. Do they use this as an opportunity to show they were maligned by their former coach, or as an excuse to quit? With too many question marks on the Falcons side this week, I’ll stick with a solid Colts team with a fair line. If Vick tries to win this with his arm, I guarantee a pair of INTs.
Bears +3 Vikings
The Vikings had a big game last week against the Seahawks, not getting destroyed in the passing game as I expected. That is consistent with earlier in this season – when they get the big Randy score early in the game, the defense has played better. This week will be no different. Don’t know if you’ll hit Randy Moss for a big play in the windy city!
Rams –7 Seahawks
Is Aeneas Williams not more PRIMETIME than Deion ever was? That dude just does amazing things on Monday Night Football. How is it that these NFL QBs can not read the field? Scouts are terrible for overrating the physical skills of prospective QBs and not effectively evaluating the mental game. I guess they think they can coach up players with the physical skills but they can’t. Back to this though, I think the key is the Rams defense playing so well against the Seahawks. It would be a big surprise if the Seahawks put up a great game.
Browns +10.5 Broncos
Although there is a chance for a big letdown by the Broncos after last week’s big performance, I have to wonder how Clinton Portis can be the heavyweight champ if he does not abuse this Browns defense, forever known for giving Jamal Lewis the single game NFL rushing record. I would NOT play the Browns in this game!
Ravens –7 Raiders
7 Points to the BALTIMORE RAVENS? That’s a little nuts, I’ll take the points on a Raiders team that has scrapped bottom.
Panthers –7 Cardinals
Laying 7 on the Panthers against the Cardinals is almost as dumb. Cardinals, flu-stricken, have still been a strong play at home, although they did get punked by the Seahawks. We haven’t seen any life from the Panthers offense in a while, having lost 3 straight. This would be a good time for them to put on a whooping and clinch whatever they have out there to clinch.
Packers –5 Chargers
The Packers lost on the road to Arizona, so who knows what they will do a few miles north. Fortunately, it won’t be quite as hot this week. Another good RB showdown with Ahman Green against a hot LT. I’d expect a close win by Farve.
Giants +7 Saints
About the worst Sunday night December matchup you could possibly imagine. I wonder if the Saints could possibly blow this game? I wouldn’t put it past them.
Eagles +2 Dolphins
Speaking of December struggles, the Dolphins have some pathetic stats. This line is a bit of an insult to an Eagles team that shouldn’t be getting more than 3 points against anyone, let alone a struggling Fish team. This is another case of a division being clinched leading the linemakers to tease down the odds. If Fielder is the starting QB, this one is worth a shot.