The Doc's Week Nine Picks
Nope - not gonna waste my
breath.
Picks appear
in bold.
Chicago at Buffalo (+3) -
in Toronto
As all of you know, I don't like the Bills in any game this year, but I
have to make an exception here. I just can't trust the Bears. Right now,
they're a house of cards that's ready to fall, with Jay Cutler and Mike
Martz in the middle of it all. Everyone knows that the best way to beat
Buffalo is on the ground, but as stubborn as Martz is about his "genius"
passing game, I don't think he'll "stoop" to beating someone by running
the ball.
San Diego at Houston (+3)
"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." It's amazing
how one week can change the opinions of two football teams so
dramatically. The Chargers play one game the way we think they should be
playing all along and all of the sudden, "they're back." On the other
hand, the Texans lost because their coaching staff tried to go "Martz-ian",
get cute, and throw the ball against the Colts and paid for it. Had they
stuck with the running game (as in game one), they would have taken them
out for the second time this year.
New Orleans (-6.5) at
Carolina
I'm pretty iffy about this one. Obviously, the Saints played their best
game of the season last week and are getting healthier by the day. But,
I've been burned by them a lot this year. So, it is with immense
trepidation that I give the points here. The Panthers make it too easy,
though. They're without DeAngelo Williams and a quarterback (for the
most part), so I just can't see where the points will come from.
Arizona at Minnesota
(-7.5)
Speaking of teams with quarterback issues, the Cardinals are a wreck
right now. Forget about the fake 3-4 record, this is one of the worst
teams in football. The Vikings, meanwhile, could be poised for a
second-half comeback. A return to the running game would go a long way
towards restoring the team's confidence in Brad Childress, and with
Sidney Rice coming back soon, I think Minnesota could make things
interesting by the end of the year.
Tampa Bay at
Atlanta (-8.5)
The Bucs have played two teams with winning
records this year, and were beaten by 25 points in each contest. Unlike
those games, this one is on the road, and while I don't think the
Falcons are as good as most people think, I think they're good enough to
beat the Bucs by double-digits.
New York Jets (-4)
at Detroit
Believe it or not, this was one of the toughest games for me to pick
this week. I think the Lions are getting better, and quickly. Earlier
this year, I predicted that they would be in the playoffs by 2012, and
I'm beginning to think I may have been too conservative. At this point,
I think they may be there by next year. However, the Jets are there this
year and will be looking to take the frustrations of last week's loss
out on someone.
Miami (+5.5) at
Baltimore
Don't get me wrong, I think the Ravens will win this one, but one of the
most interesting stats of this season is the Dolphins' "Jekyll and Hyde"
act in regards to the home/away dynamic. They're the best team in
football on the road (4-0) and have enough to keep this one close. In
the end, though, I like Ray Rice and Willis McGahee to grind on the
Miami defense.
New England (-4)
at Cleveland
The Browns have played much better than anyone expected, especially me.
Personally, I thought they'd be selecting second after the winless
Bills. But, the Pats are winning games like they did in their glory
years, and I don't see how the Browns will be able to move the ball or
stop New England's offense in a consistent manner.
New York Giants
(-6.5) at Seattle
Normally, I don't like taking road teams that have to travel
cross-country, and as undisciplined as the Giants have played this year
(turnovers and penalties), I don't feel very good about this one. The
tipping point for me was finding out that Matt Hasselbeck was out for
the game and Charlie Whitehurst will be making his first ever start
against New York's front four - maybe the worst way to be christened at
quarterback in the league.
Kansas City (+2)
at Oakland
To me, the difference in this game is that the Raiders are getting close
to being a team that can win eight games in a season and making the
playoffs in a couple of years. The Chiefs, on the other hand, are there
right now in the AFC West. In addition, I think Kansas City is a bit
more balanced offensively, and with Nnamdi Asomugha listed as doubtful,
I like their chances.
Indianapolis (+3)
at Philadelphia
As I said in the Power Rankings this week, and I may not win them all,
but I'm not betting against Peyton Manning anymore. It's just too
hazardous to my wallet and blood pressure.
Dallas at Green Bay
(-7)
Maybe I'm way off here, but did you guys watch the Cowboys play last
week?!?! Not only are they bad, but they just don't care anymore.
Pittsburgh (-4.5)
at Cincinnati
I know, I know, the Steelers looked bad on offense and defense (well, as
bad as they can look on defense) against New Orleans, but this is the
kind of game where they'll rebound. The Bengals defense just isn't the
same as it was last year and because of the money they're spending at
the wide receiver position, I think they've lost their offensive
identity in the process.
Last Week: 6-7
Overall: 48-63-6
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