Staff Blog
Week Four Picks
After last week’s debacle, we’re getting right into it this week. Less
time spent waxing poetically about obscure references and political
half-mentions = more fan banging out fantastic picks. I’m a winner
dammit, and I’m here to prove it again. As always: My pick will always be the
first one listed. Home team in caps, “over” if I’m picking a home
team and “at” if it’s a roader. All lines as of Thursday
morning.
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Denver (-10) at KANSAS CITY
Well, the Tyler Thigpen experiment ended predictably
The last time Jay Cutler played Kansas
City he went 20-27 for 244 yards, four TDs and no
picks. Since that game he’s had the crippling disease he was playing with
treated while the Chiefs traded away their best defensive player. To add
insult to injury (I consider starting Tyler Thigpen an injury) the one
thing Denver
does miserably – stop the pass – doesn’t even help KC, because they can’t pass.
Plus, Denver
is surprisingly better than everyone thought they’d be. And, well, the Chiefs are about as awful as
everyone thought they’d be.
CINCINNATI (-3.5) over Cleveland
The battle for Ohio!
The winner gets the keys to Columbus,
an eight-month winter, and three of Auntie Mae’s famous pancakes. The
loser gets Woody Hayes‘ eternal scorn, and more Gonorrhea. Please don’t
broadcast this game.
Houston (+7) at JACKSONVILLE
Don’t the Texans always beat the Jags? Sure seems like it.
JETS (-1) over Arizona
Favre remembers the Cardinals, Favre has played the Cardinals, and Favre,
Favre knows he’s not losing to the Cardinals. This is a must-win for the Jets, too. Not so much for Arizona.
They could lose their next seven and still have a shot at that joke of a
division.
NEW ORLEANS (-5) over San Francisco
Here is a fact you didn’t know: the Saints have 13 players on the injury
report. One of their injuries, Deuce McAllister, may or may not come back this
week, which apparently classifies as a scandal in New Orleans these day.
Anyway, I’m guessing the J.T. O’Sullivan revenge-game factor isn’t a
gamebreaker. It’s gunna be a shootout,
and in shootouts lay the points on who should win game.
CAROLINA (-7) over Atlanta
Atlanta has
proven it can win games where Matt Ryan throws 15 times while their backs run
over the worst teams in the league. Carolina
will not let that happen.
TENNEESE (-3) over Minnesota
Former Pro Bowl teammates Gus Frerotte and Kerry Collins
collide in what is depressingly, probably the game of the week. Purple
Jesus aside, do either of these teams have one above average player at an
offensive skill position? I’d listen to
arguments about Chris Johnson, but is a really a top 15 back? He doesn’t even start for his team.
Ruben chimes in:
Do you think Gus Frerotte and Kerry Collins are gonna get together after the
game for their customary “How in God’s name are we still in the league?” beer?
… or 20, Collins can put em back. Ki-Jana Carter must be pissed that guy is still in the league.
Green Bay (+1) at TAMPA
BAY
Tampa Bay threw 67 times last week, and an
already iffy Packers pass D will be without Al Harris, which could be a
recipe or disaster, or could be a break for the Packers. Sometimes, when
a star (word used loosely here, but bear with me) goes down the opposing team
will overfocus on trying to exploit that weakness, and end up hurting
themselves. Instead of knowing that Tramon Williams is going to
need help, and attacking the safety that is going to be out of his game
thinking about his new corner, Tampa may just try to force the ball at the new
guy and hope it sticks.
San Diego (-7.5) over OAKLAND
With the playoffs far, far, away it should be a big day for Tomlinson.
As far as Oakland
goes … won’t somebody just fire somebody else and get this all over with?
Buffalo (+8) at ST. LOUIS
On one hand, the Bulger-for-Green swap makes some sense.
Not only is Marc Bulger early into a huge contract and would do well not
be snapped in half, but Trent Green also has had considerable success
working within Al Saunders’ offensive system. He’ll be able to make quick
reads, get the ball to the right places, and hopefully rejuvenate a team that
has looked like it’s quit recently.
On the other hand, who thought it was a good idea for the likeable,
media-friendly veteran quarterback who has no offensive line to speak and more
concussions than the little known Troy Aikman/Eric Lindross love
child to be fed to the wolves by a dbag head coach in a desperate attempt to
save his job? This has the making of a poorly done overly emotional
sports center flashback in like 12 years. I do not see this ending well.
UPDATE: Steven Jackson is already ripping the move.
The troops will not line up this week and Linehan will not make it to
Tuesday.
Washington (+11) at DALLAS
Dallas is coming off of two straight big
games, and Washington
always gets up for the cowboys game. Remember that video of the
Redskins in their fantasy draft at Chris Cooley’s house? They
literally booed one of their guys when he picked a Cowboy, pride won’t let this
one be a blowout.
PITTSBURGH (-6) over Baltimore
Joe Flacco is keeping Baltimore within
a touchdown of a pissed off Pittsburgh team, in Pittsburgh? C’mon.
Pittsburgh
is still a championship contender-the Birds are just that good.
They could add a touchdown to this line and I’d think about it.
Philly (-3) at CHICAGO
Sure it’s a possible letdown game, but the Eagles are better than the Bears
just about everywhere – they’ll win.
Last Week: 6-10
Season: 23-23-1
