Sunday, November 11
New York Giants (6-3) at Cincinnati (3-5), New York Giants favored by 4
The Giants mystifying struggles at home continued last weekend when they blew a 10 point fourth quarter lead against Pittsburgh. The offense has been struggling for a few weeks now, and is that point where people are starting to notice and wonder why. I think traveling to Cincinnati will prove to be the tonic both the Giants and their offense needs.
Prediction: New York Giants 30, Cincinnati 20
Tennessee (3-6) at Miami (4-4), Miami favored by 6
Screw it, I'm done picking the Titans, they suck. They should be getting Jake Locker back for this game, but that won't help their porous defense. Maybe it will help their offenses inability to avoid turnovers. Playing the tough Miami defense isn't exactly a good place to start though. Ryan Tannehill has played well his last few games, and limited the interceptions that plagued him to start the season.
Prediction: Miami 27, Tennessee 22
Detroit (4-4) at Minnesota (5-4), Detroit favored by 2
The Vikings will likely be without their second best player, WR Percy Harvin. That means either someone has to step up or more likely that Adrian Peterson will have to continue playing out of his mind to give the Vikings a shot. The Lions won at the Metrodome last season in comeback fashion but historically Minnesota has been a house of horrors for them. Calvin Johnson and Matt Stafford are still trying to hook up for their first touchdown together. Apparently Megatron has been suffering from some nerve damage that effected his grip on the ball. I think that nerve damage is known as the Madden Curse.
Prediction: Minnesota 26, Detroit 23
Buffalo (3-5) at New England (5-3), New England favored by 11
The Bills haven't won in New England since God knows when. Last year, they raced to a 21 point lead at Foxboro and then let the Patriots score 49 consecutive points. The Patriots are coming off their bye week and should be well rested and ready to play, avoiding a slow start. The Bills defense hasn't proven they can stop anyone, including the Patriots earlier this season in Buffalo.
Prediction: New England 38, Buffalo 24
Atlanta (8-0) at New Orleans (3-5), Atlanta favored by 2
The Saints defense finally had a performance they could be excited to watch the tape on, after seven embarrassing performances. It remains to be seen if that was a turn the corner type of game, or just the ineptness of the Eagles offense. The Falcons scraped another victory together and finished the first half of the season undefeated. They have only beaten one winning team during that stretch, which has left many people still skeptical of Atlanta. Plus, the Falcons winning in the regular season is old hat, it's the playoffs where they have to prove themselves. I don't see the Falcons going 16-0, meaning they have to lose sometime. I think their defense will have problems with the Saints in the Dome, and the offense won't be able to do enough to overcome those struggles.
Prediction: New Orleans 31, Atlanta 28
San Diego (4-4) at Tampa Bay (4-4), Tampa Bay favored by 3
This could be one of the more entertaining games this weekend. The Buccaneers offense has been on fire recently. Josh Freeman is playing fantastic and what can you say about their rookie running back, Doug "E Fresh" Martin? He has been absolutely unstoppable the last two weeks. If the Bucs maintain this type of balance on offense, they will make a strong run in the second half of the season. The Chargers found a team terrible enough that even Norv Turner can't find a way to lose to them. He won't have that luxury traveling to Tampa on Sunday.
Prediction: Tampa Bay 30, San Diego 26
Denver (5-3) at Carolina (2-6), Denver favored by 4
The Panthers finally got a victory and Cam Newton got to be chipper after a game for a change. It will be back to normal this weekend though when they lose to Peyton Manning and the Broncos. In true Panthers fashion they will keep it close and interesting but find a way to lose.
Prediction: Denver 24, Carolina 21
Oakland (3-5) at Baltimore (6-2), Baltimore favored by 7 1/2
The Ravens don't feel like a 6-2 team. Their offense, especially QB Joe Flacco is struggling and their defense, notably their run defense is not very good. The Raiders remain terrible on defense despite hiring the Broncos former defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen. They have some talented guys but they can't seem to bring them together into one cohesive group. This game should help Flacco get some of his confidence back, but I like the Raiders to make it interesting.
Prediction: Baltimore 27, Oakland 20
New York Jets (3-5) at Seattle (5-4), Seattle favored by 6 1/2
This is pretty much a must win for the Jets, and winning in Seattle is something no team, including the Packers or the Patriots have been able to do this season. The Seahawks and especially their QB, Russell Wilson play like a juggernaut at home. Despite some players considering Rex Ryan to be the most overrated coach in the league, I disagree and think he will have his Jets ready coming off their bye. But I can't pick Seattle to lose at home.
Prediction: Seattle 22, New York Jets 19
St. Louis (3-5) at San Francisco (6-2), San Francisco favored by 11 1/2
The 49ers play their third straight NFC West game and look to strengthen their hold on the division lead. Alex Smith is coming off a great game at Arizona, and the defense looked as dominant as ever. The Rams have been in free fall mode for the last month, dropping three straight. I expect the 49ers to mostly dominate a Rams offense that isn't running the ball well and has an inconsistent quarterback in Sam Bradford. Frank Gore continues to defy his age and injury history and is playing perhaps the best football of his career.
Prediction: San Francisco 25, St. Louis 13
Dallas (3-5) at Philadelphia (3-5), Game is a pick'em
This is a complete toss up, to the point that even Vegas couldn't decide on a favorite. Both teams will be desperate to get a victory. Each team has experienced problems on offense, while the Cowboys defense has played better than Philadelphia's. The Eagles can't afford to get off to a slow start because the crowd will quickly turn on them and negate any homefield advantage they could have. Most of the signs point to this being a Dallas victory but I think the Eagles have one last stand in them. The defense has to start getting pressure, as Tony Romo is known to panic and just throw the ball anywhere when he is getting harassed. Getting pressure on the quarterback has been a problem all season for Philly, but I expect Trent Cole and Jason Babin to have their best games of the season on Sunday.
Prediction: Philadelphia 23, Dallas 20
Houston (7-1) at Chicago (7-1), Chicago favored by 1
This will be a good old fashioned slugfest on Sunday night. These teams are almost mirror images of each other. Both have some of the best defenses in football today, steady quarterbacks, immensely talented running backs, and that one star receiver. The Bears run is reminding me a lot of their 2006 run with the way they have been causing turnovers. The difference though is that Jay Cutler is a huge upgrade over Rex Grossman. This is a game that could go either way but my gut tells me to go with Houston. I think by the slimmest of margins, they are a better team than the Bears.
Prediction: Houston 20, Chicago 17
Monday, November 12
Kansas City (1-7) at Pittsburgh (5-3), Pittsburgh favored by 12 1/2
Awful, terrible Monday night game. I'm too lazy to look right now but hopefully the Chiefs are done ruining primetime football after this game.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 27, Kansas City 10
Last Week Against the Spread: 6-8
Overall Against the Spread: 62-66-4
Last Week Straight Up: 8-6
Overall Straight Up: 83-49
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