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The Ultimate Source for your Ph.D. in Pigskin |
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It's Just Getting Harder It's this time of year that really bothers me. The wise guys in Vegas have a book on each team and the spreads get more and more difficult. There are no more easy games, and when you see one that looks like a lollipop, it's usually a trap from which there's no escape. Yep, welcome to gamblers' hell! By the way, Merry Christmas everyone. Picks appear in bold. Pittsburgh (-7.5) at St. Louis Look for Pittsburgh to redeem themselves after last week's loss by bullying the Rams the way they were bullied by Jacksonville. Dallas (-10.5) at Carolina This game bothers me because of three words...Tony....Romo's...thumb. If he plays without hindrance from the appendage that separates us from animals, the 'Boys will win big. At this point, I'm just not sure it will happen. Houston (+8.5) at Indianapolis Twenty months ago, the owner of the Houston Texans, Bob McNair, told us that they selected Mario Williams for just this scenario...to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts. Well, they were able to pull it off last year, but without much help from the rookie defensive end. This year is another story, and I'm not sure they'll win, but I have a feeling "Super Mario" will step up to the challenge. New York Giants at Buffalo (+3) Eli is the "Bizarro Manning." You know, in Superman, where the "bizarro" world is where everything is the opposite of the real world. There couldn't be a wider gulf than the one between these two brothers. Eli makes dumb decisions, throws passes resembling wounded water fowl, and doesn't appear to care. Green Bay (-7.5) at Chicago Put simply, I just don't ever bet against Brett Favre in cold weather games. Cleveland (-2.5) at Cincinnati This line kind of surprises me. Once again, it makes me think that Vegas knows something that I don't or they're incredibly stupid. I don't like the way they're tempting me to take the Browns, but I'm going to anyway. Kansas City at Detroit (-4.5) Is there a more disappointing team in the second half of the season than the Lions...ever??? I realize that they were a "smoke and mirrors" team in the first half, but losing six in a row and showing no heart is despicable. Even so, they're better than the Chiefs. Oakland at Jacksonville (-13) Ummmmmm, I really don't think I have to justify this one. Philadelphia at New Orleans (-3) Everyone seems to be falling in love with the Eagles after beating Dallas last week. I don't think it was much more than the Cowboys having a bad week. Atlanta (+10.5) at Arizona I have no idea why...just a hunch. Tampa Bay (-5.5) at San Francisco Could Shaun Hill be the next Tony Romo? Miami at New England (-22) Everyone's talking about how the Dolphins will be playing that much harder because Bill Parcells will be watching. If that's the case, this team has many more problems than we thought. I just think they're historically bad...like, 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers bad. Baltimore at Seattle (-10) Personally, I can't believe it's only 10. New York Jets at Tennessee (-8.5) If I were in Vegas, I wouldn't even touch this game. I don't trust Vince Young farther than I could throw him and Chad Pennington doesn't instill much confidence either. I'm taking the Titans because I think they are a vastly superior team. Washington at Minnesota (-6) The Vikings at home...in the loud Metrodome...with a chance to clinch a playoff berth...and AD in the backfield. I like my chances. Denver at San Diego (-8.5) The Broncos are 2-5 on the road this year with a combined score of 209-136. In the five losses, they've been whooped 184-94. Mr. Merriman, meet Mr. Cutler. Last Weeks Record: 7-9-0 Overall Record: 121-96-7 |
