I got hosed last week!!!  I went 7-9 bringing my yearly total to 97-86-5.  There were all kinds of bad play going on last week and surely the bookies cleaned house.  This week will be different, the playoff picture is becoming more and more clearer for some teams, while others are already thinking about the draft.  Below are the NFL Week 14 matchups with spreads, totals and my picks.  I will be updating throughout the week.

Thursday December 4th

Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers  -10  43.5
My Pick:  This is a tough one.  While my hate for the Chargers makes this an easy pick for me, the reality of the Raiders makes me take a step back.  San Diego got pumped against Atlanta, as predicted and Oakland embarrassed themselves with the Chiefs.  San Diego has the 32nd ranked pass defense, but Oakland can’t pass so that won’t matter.  Both teams do have a run game, but can Run DMC keep up with LT in production?  The spread seems high for a Charger team that has been killed by the notorious Norv Turner, and the Raiders are capable of at least covering the spreads as they have in the past few weeks.  I think you gotta take the Raiders and the points.

Sunday December 7th

Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints  -3  53
My Pick:  The Saints got a reality check last week in Tampa and I bet that Drew Brees is just itching to let it fly.  This will be a shootout between Brees and Ryan, but the ace in the hole is Michael Turner who can run all over the Saints defense.  I like Atlanta to pull the upset, they are right on the cusp of getting into the playoffs and I think they have a better defense and will play harder.  Take the points.

Philadelphia Eagles
NY Giants  -8  44.5
My Pick:  Plaxi-who…  The Giants have proven that they don’t need Burress to be successful and although he was a key go-to-guy I think Dominik Hixon is more than capable of taking on the load.  The run game is still potent and the defense is on hit.  Despite the big Eagles win last week, I don’t think they have what it takes in NY, thier entire offense is hit or miss, they have no consistency and the rumors are that they are already looking towrads the future.  Give the points.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Chicago Bears  -6.5  40
My Pick:  The Jags flat out stink, but so do the Bears right now.  Da Bear defense is still effective, but they got beat up by the Viks laast week.  I don’t think anything is going right for the Jags right now and it won’t turn around this week at Chicago.  Give the points before it goes to 7.

Minnesota Vikings
Detriot Lions
My Pick: NO LINE YET, pick coming soon…

Houston Texans
Green Bay Packers  -6  47
My Pick:  Houston got a good win on Monday night, but they didn’t get tested.  The Pack will test them at Lambou this week.  I have given up on Ryan Grant and the run game, but Aaron Rodgers is in full control of that air attack and with Driver and Jennings to choose from I don’t think Sagebrush Rosenfels and Andre Johnson can keep up.  Also the Pack is sporting a better defense than the Texans.  At less than a TD I think its a steal right now.  Take the Pack, give the points.

Cleveland Browns
Tennessee Titans  -13.5  37
My Pick:  It was pointless to watch the first game on Thanksgiving, it was a total slaughter.  Tennessee is mad and they are going to continue the anger this week at home at the Cleveland Brownies expense.  Chad Johnson is going to run all over these guys and the defense is going to put Anderson on his back all day.  It seems high, but think about a score along the lines fo 31 – 10 Titans.  Give the points.

Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts  -13.5  42.5
My Pick:  Indy is finally coming alive just at the right time as they make a push into the playoffs.  They are still a little lacking on defense, but at least the offense is clicking.  Cincy is already back to the drawing board and the draft so I don’t expect much from them, but Marvin Lewis does have pride and will be trying for a W even if some of his players are not.  I want to give them the benefit of the doubt and make this the long shot of the week and take the Bengals +13.5, but I bet if you wait a few days you can get +14.  Take the points.

Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos  -9  47
My Pick:  The Broncos shocked a good Jets team last week in which they shut down the passing game and gave up that booty to the run offense.  Just when everyoen thought that they had given up on the run, they send Peyton Hillis into do the dirty work and he has definately earned a position on that team.  Cutler will be very good against the KC pass D and with a steady defense they should be able to slow down LJ as well as keep the pressure on Thigpen.  Regardless of pressure I think Thigpen is faily productive and Cutler has been known to give up more than a couple INT’s which could keep it close.  I think you take the points as the Broncos inconsistency at home has hurt them more than a couple time.

Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills  -1  42.5
My Pick:  This is a joke right?  It is pretty clear that the Bills are not that good, they lost to San Fran at home and the Dolphins are sniffing the playoffs.  Miami is playing better and their defense is tougher.  Take the lousy point.

NY Jets  -4  44.5
San Francisco 49′ers
My Pick:  The Jets really need to bounce back this week, but its not going to be easy in San Fran.   Mike Singletary is looking to go out on a strong note and he would love to take down Brett ol Boy.  I still don’t think they have it in San Fran, I mean they did beat Buffalo, but its not like they pounded them, I think the Jets have learned from last week and will take out their frustrations on the 9er’s.  Thomas Jones is going to run all over them and perhaps the passing game will make an appearance as the 9er’s secondary is not known to scare too many teams.  Give the points.

Dallas Cowboys
Pittsburgh Steelers  -3  41.5
My Pick:  It seems like Pittsburgh is unstoppable despite injuries.  They put the hurt on the Pats in Foxboro, and they did it without alot of offense which means that the defense is bailing them out.  This could be considered a must win for Dallas, but they will have to do it in the air.  Both teams will attempt the ground and pound, but eventually it will come down to the passing attack and I think Dallas may be looking a little better at the moment.  Normally I am not a Cowboys fan, but I think Pitt is due for a loss and if TO comes to play it could get very interesting.  Take the points.

St. Louis Rams
Arizona Cardinals  -13.5  49
My Pick:  The Lambs suck!  AZ is out to make a case for going deep in the playoffs as they already have the NFC West locked up.  There is just simply no way that the Rams secondary can keep up with all the AZ weapons and Kurt Warner is still a top 3 QB.  Add some Tim Hightower into the mix and it spells a very long day for the Lambs.  The spread seems high, but look for a score of 34-17.  Give the points.

New England Patriots  -4.5  43
Seattle Seahawks
My Pick:  The Pats got lit up at home last week and Matt Cassell has shown that he is human after all, throwing just 169 yards with 2 INT’s and 0 TD’s.  The return of Sammy Morris who seems to be healthy should help balance out the offense a little more and take the pressure off of Cassell.  This week I think that the Pats get their confidense back against a weak and weary Seahawks team that can’t seem to get anything going and have basically written off the rest of the season.  I think its a steal at -4.5 or even 5.  Give the points.

Sunday Night Football

Washington Redskins
Baltimore Ravens  -5.5  36
My Pick:  The Redskins got bounced last week against the Gigantes who proved that you can still run and pass on Washington ALOT!  The defense was supposed to be able to take the pressure off of the unsure Campbell in the new Jim Zorn era, but they have been getting beat up lately.  Portis is still running hard and producing in the clutch, but the pass attack needs to be established early in the game or else they don’t seem to be able to get anything going.  Santana Moss continues to disappoint  and cannot seem to get opened or make the big palys that they count on them for.  They are going to have a problem with pressure this week with the Ravens remaining to be a top rated D in the league and constantly harrassing opposing QB’s.  The Ravens are winning games and rookie QB Joe Flacco has earned his starting position.  Derrick Mason is finally getting in the rythem and making big plays.  The only questionable aspect of their offense is the merry-go-round of Running Backs they are using.  For the moment it seems that LeRon McClaine is the #1 according to his production, but the depth charts say otherwise.  I think there are some big unanswered questions in Washington and they are not going to be able to work them out in Baltimore.  Take the Ravens, give the points. 

Monday Night Football December 2nd

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers  -3  38
My Pick:  Carolina came back and stunned the Pack last week and yet again Deangelo Williams has managed to shock and amaze us with 4 TD’s on the day.  He is a fantasy football owners wet dream if they got him off the waiver wire.  Delhomme didn’t do much, but at least he is not turning the ball over and losing games, I would like to see him increase his passing numbers, but thats on John Fox.  The defense is doing their job for the most part and will force Garcia to make some tough decisions.  The Buc’s came back on the Saints last week and held Brees and co. to only 20 points, so you know the defense is clicking.  Cadillac Williams got into the endzone and it looks like he will be getting more and more carries, but against the tough Panther run D I don’t expect him to blow up.  Garcia needs to protect the ball and manage the pressure a little better, but I think that he should be fine.  Carolina is on the cusp of securing a playoff spot and really need this win, at home I think they get it.  Give the points. 

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