The Doc's Week Six Picks
I don't know how many times
I've warned myself about talking during a winning streak. Week's two
through four were very good for me, and I should have known better than
to openly talk about it in last week's picks article. Of course, that
resulted in a 5-9 record that severely dampened my mood for the week.
So, I think I'm going to "go oppo" this week and simply claim that this
week's picks suck and you should do everything possible to not listen to
me at all.
And with that, good luck
this week!
Picks appear
in bold.
Kansas City (+6.5)
at Washington
I don't think this surprises anyone. Sure, the Chiefs have not looked
good overall, but the Redskins are terrible. Their two wins have been
over a couple of 0-5 teams by a combined five points. Yes, the Redskins
have the fourth-ranked defense in the NFL, but four or their five
opponents are ranked in the bottom half of the league. Not only does
Kansas City cover, but I'm calling for the win.
Houston (+6) at
Cincinnati
I like the Texans for a couple of reasons. First, they're playing better
on the road this year than they are at home, which has been a weakness
for Houston since their inception. Second, their defense, which is very
talented, is getting better every week and hasn't been giving up the big
play recently, and that includes last week's loss to the down-the-field
Cardinals.
Cleveland at
Pittsburgh (-13.5)
Sorry Browns, last week's win doesn't fool me and this isn't
Buffalo.
Baltimore at Minnesota
(-3)
If someone would have told me coming into the year that both of
these teams would be winning by offense and their defenses would be in
the middle of the pack, I would have wondered how long they had gone
without their meds. I think these teams are pretty close, but I give the
Vikings the edge at home.
St. Louis at
Jacksonville (-9.5)
The Jags have been killing me all year long and I don't like giving
up the points here, but the Rams leave me no choice. I have no reason to
believe that they can consistently stop Maurice Jones-Drew or move the
ball through the air against Jacksonville's porous pass defense.
New York Giants (+3)
at New Orleans
Easily the best game of the weekend, the key will be the best defensive
line in the league against one of the best offensive lines. I would
normally side with Drew Brees in a situation like this, but I like
Justin Tuck and the boys a little more. Also, the Saints rush defense is
a little misleading. They're ranked seventh, but it's only because their
opponents have to abandon it way to early in the game. I don't think the
Giants will fall into that trap.
Carolina (-3) at
Tampa Bay
Ugh, I'm glad they're only showing this one in certain parts of Florida
and North Carolina.
Detroit at Green Bay
(-14)
The Lions are an entirely different team at home. They're 1-2 at
Ford Field and have covered all three games. On the road, however,
they've lost by an average of 21 points. I look for Aaron Rodgers to
have a big day against a Lions' pass defense that gives up almost 245
passing yards per game.
Philadelphia (-14)
at Oakland
I don't care if the spread was 28, the Raiders are terrible. And yes,
they are worse than last year's Lions.
Arizona at Seattle
(-3)
This is the scariest game of the week for me; I just don't trust
either team. Every time I think either of them is back on track, they
come back and bite me in the ass. In the end, I trust the Seahawks'
defense more than the Cardinals.
Buffalo at New York
Jets (-9.5)
The Jets have lost their last two (both on the road), so they
should be plenty mad when they come home to play Buffalo. Meanwhile,
Buffalo appears to regress with each passing week, and they may have set
offensive football back about fifty years in last week's riveting 6-3
loss to the Browns. This one should be pretty easy.
Tennessee at New
England (-9.5)
Every week I keep thinking that Jeff Fisher and the Titans will get
their stuff together, but every week, they let me down. Somehow, I don't
think it's going to happen against a Bill Belichick-coached team.
Chicago at Atlanta
(-3)
This should be one of the best games of the weekend, and I like the
matchup of two of the best young quarterbacks in the league. The
difference, in my opinion, is that Michael Turner will be more
successful against the Bears' defense than Matt Forte will be against
the Falcons.
Denver at San Diego
(-3)
There aren't any overwhelming stats or reasons to take the Chargers
in this game. I like them for the simple reason that the Broncos aren't
as good as their press, and are coming off a very tough, emotional win
against the Pats.
Last Week:
5-9
Season: 44-32
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