NFL 2010: Week 12 Picks

New England Patriots (-7) at Detroit Lions
The Lions might have a chance to be in competitive game on Thanksgiving for the first time in like forever. But the Patriots should take care of business here. In spite of all things pointing at this being a "trap" game for the Patriots, I think it will not because they just had their "trap" game loss to the Browns couple weeks ago.
Outright Win: Patriots
v/s the Spread: Patriots (-7)

New Orleans Saints (-3.5) at Dallas Cowboys
I expect the Cowboys to get back to the ground where they belong during the Wade Philips days. And it is about time the Saints get back towards their 2009 season form.
Outright Win: Saints
v/s the Spread: Saints (-3.5)

Cincinnati Bengals (+9) at New York Jets
The Jets have been pulling miraculous last minute wins, one after another. Its time for them to get that dominating blow out win, which reinforces their presence as one of the elite contenders in the league. The Bengals might, as usual, score some garbage time points and cover the spread. 
Outright Win: Jets
v/s the Spread: Bengals (+9)

* updated on 11/27/2010

Minnesota Vikings (+1) at Washington Redskins
The Vikings are going to play hard for their new coach, Leslie Frasier, who they actually might like as a person. The Redskins are still searching for reasons why they had to sign McNaaab long term. Might get some answers this week.
Outright Win: Vikings
v/s the Spread: Vikings (+1)

Pittsburgh Steelers (-7) at Buffalo Bills
The Steelers looked good smothering the Raiders last week. But it was a real telling moment after Richard Seymour slapped Big Ben on his head, and none of his team mates came to his rescue. Moreover, even coach Tomlin did not have his QB's back in the post game interviews. Still, they should have enough fire power to take care of the Bills.
Outright Win: Steelers
v/s the Spread:  Steelers (-7)

NFL 2010: Week 11 Picks

Chicago Bears (+2.5) at Miami Dolphins
These pesky Bears keep racking up wins in spite of their poor O line and flaky offense, mainly because their defense and special teams keeps bailing them out. In fact, against the Vikings, their O line looked good and they surprisingly converted a bunch of 3rd downs. On the surface, Miami may seem to have a QB crisis. But, they might be better off under Tyler Thigpen than the inconsistent Chad Henne. Or they might just end up using theirwild cat on all downs.
Outright Win: Miami
v/s the Spread: Miami (-2.5)

Oakland Raiders (+7) at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers' O line is plagued with injuries. Losing your left tackle, for most teams, is a season threatening setback. But for these Steelers it might just be a bump in the road if their defense can get back to early season form. But for now, the Raiders might ride their hot streak and give more than what the Steelers can swallow; good enough to cover the spread here.
Outright Win: Steelers
v/s the Spread: Raiders (+7)

Houston Texans (+7) at New York Jets
The Texans defense made the Jaguars look like a potent offense. A perfect match up for the Jets offense to awaken from that deep slumber they are in. Or are hte Jets not really that good?
Outright Win: Jets
v/s the Spread: Jets (-7)

Baltimore Ravens (-10.5) at Carolina Panthers
The Ravens might be on the road. But road games don't get any easier than when you are facing the Panthers. Easy cover for the Ravens here. If they don't, it will be fair to question their legitimacy as contenders this season.
Outright Win: Ravens
v/s the Spread: Ravens (-10.5)

Washington Redskins (+7) at Tenessee Titans
McNaab will want to have a good game here to try instill some confidence into the Redskins fans, after signing that new multi-year contract. The Titans would like to have a big game out of Moss, to give their fans some fodder to chew on after his signing. The chances of the latter happening is more likely, in my opinion.
Outright Win: Titans
v/s the Spread: Titans (-7)

Detroit Lions (+6.5) at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys seemed to have got their mojo back last week. Don't let that mirage fool you. They are going to have their hands full aginst the Lions. But I don't see the Lions, on the road, come out of this with a win.

NFL 2010: Week 10 Picks

Baltimore Ravens (+1) at Atlanta Falcons
Both 6-2 teams are playing this game on short rest. Baltimore is heading into this match up as the healthier team. But the Falcons are strong at home. If Roddy White can be effective (he is playing in spite of his injury), the Falcons should have this one.
Outright Win: Falcons
v/s the Spread: Falcons (-1)

Cincinnati Bengals (+7) at Indianapolis Colts
The Bengals will go only as far as Carson Palmer will take them. And as of now, I can safely say that Palmer is severely under performing. And that is an under statement. To add to this, we might soon find unhappy Ochocinco pulling a TO if he doesn't get targeted more. The Colts have their own problems, but this week playing at home, they will not require too many clutch moments from Peyton Manning (which is the only time he ever struggles on the football field).
Outright Win: Colts
v/s the Spread: Colts (-7)


Houston Texans (+1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Texans are ice cold right now after that hot 2-0 start where they beat the Colts and the Redskins. But, as we soon found out, they are who they are: a .500 team. And so are the Jaguars. With the Houston defense ranking amongst the worst in the league, I expect this game to be close and the Jaguars might even pull this off.
Outright Win: Jaguars
v/s the Spread: Jaguars (-1.5)


Tennessee Titans (-2) at Miami Dolphins
The Titans can't wait to see how their Randy Moss experiment pans out. In all probability, they should come out satisfied with their mid-season pickup after the first game. How will the season end is a whole another story. Meanwhile the Dolphins are not too excited about Chad Henne's performances of late. They benched him for Pennington. The over/under on Henne starting again in my estimation is 2 weeks.
Outright Win: Titans
v/s the Spread: Titans (-2)

Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) at Chicago Bears
There's no doubt, Childress' days are numbered in Minnesota. I think he is just one loss away from getting fired. The worst kept secret in the league is that a lot of the Viking players are not too fond of him either. But lucky for him, they are taking on the Bears this week. The Bears haven't looked good on the field, but call them lucky or whatever, they manage to win more games than they lose. A desperate Vikings team might not let that happen.
Outright Win:  Vikings
v/s the Spread: Vikings (-1.5)

Detroit Lions (+3) at Buffalo Bills
A win less team is favored over a 2 win team that leads the NFC in scoring? That's yout 2010 NFL season in a nutshell.

NFL 2010: Week 9 Picks

SF Giants!! World Champs!!

With the SF Giants winning the World Series (and how about them Giants?...and as a token of tribute using their logo for this week's NFL Picks post) this week, and among other things that's made my week busy, I am just posting my Week 9 picks here.



Arizona Cardinals (+8) at Minnesota Vikings
Outright Win: Vikings
v/s the Spread: Vikings (-8)

Chicago Bears (-3) at Buffalo Bills
Outright Win: Bills
v/s the Spread: Bills (+3)


Miami Dolphins (+5) at Baltimore Ravens
Outright Win: Ravens
v/s the Spread: Dolphins (+5)

New Orleans Saints (-6.5) at Carolina Panthers
Outright Win: Saints 
v/s the Spread: Saints (-6.5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+8.5) at Atlanta Falcons
Outright Win: Falcons
v/s the Spread: Bucs (+8.5)

New England Patriots (-4.5) at Cleveland Browns
Outright Win: Patriots 
v/s the Spread: Patriots (-4.5)

San Diego Chargers (-3) at Houston Texans
Outright Win: Chargers
v/s the Spread: Chargers (-3)

New York Jets (-4) at Detroit Lions
Outright Win: Jets
v/s the Spread: Lions (+4)

New York Giants (-7) at Seattle Seahawks
Outright Win: Giants
v/s the Spread: Seahawks (+7)

Kansas City Chiefs (+1) at Oakland Raiders
Outright Win: Chiefs
v/s the Spread: Chiefs (+1)


Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5) at Cincinnati Bengals
Outright Win: Steelers
v/s the Spread: Bengals (+4.5)



Upset Special of the Week

Indianapolis Colts (+3) at Philadelphia Eagles
Outright Win: Colts
v/s the Spread: Colts (+3)


Homer Pick of the Week

Dallas Cowboys (+7.5) at Green Bay Packers
Outright Win: Packers
v/s the Spread: Packers (-7.5)

Last Week:

Outright Win Record: 7-6

v/s the Spread Record: 8-4

Year to Date:

Outright Win Record: 67-50

v/s the Spread Record: 56-54-5

Upset Picks Year to Date:

Outright Win Record: 4-4

v/s the Spread Record: 5-3