Week 7: Flipping Coins

I wanted to teach Keith a lesson for continuing to pick the Chargers!

Ugh.  That Monday night game hurt.  Rivers made far too many mistakes.  It was just a terrible collapse.  Norv has a week off to try and figure things out, but I still don't think it will matter.  San Diego just isn't going anywhere with Norv as coach, and his leash has been extended far, far too long (future blog post coming).  Hopefully Sunday will provide an entertaining slate of games that can help me forget about the Chargers' problems for awhile. 

On to the games...

 

• Tennessee Titans @ Buffalo Bills (-3 / O 45.5)

Not a very compelling game, but I think we could see some fireworks.  Both teams have terrible defenses, but the Bills will have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball.  Bills 28 - Titans 23.

• Cleveland Browns @ Indianapolis Colts (-1.5 / O 45)

Much like the Titans-Bills above, we have two teams that struggle on defense.  I think both sides are going to air it out, but luck will be on....well, Luck's side.  Colts 27 - Browns 20

Aaron might be doing a few "discount double checks" on Sunday

• Green Bay Packers (-5 / O 45) @ St. Louis Rams

Many people were hitting the panic button with the Packers, but they seem to be settling back into their groove nicely.  They looked dominant as they dismantled the Texans, a top team in the AFC.  A-Rod and company take care of business here.  Packers 31 - Rams 20

• Arizona Cardinals (+7 / O 40) @ Minnesota Vikings

I do think the Vikings are the better team and will end up getting the win here.  But I a touchdown is too much to give up against the Cards' stingy defense.  I think Adrian Peterson will get the Vikings rolling as they wind up with a close win.  Vikings 24 - Cardinals 20

I'm going to yell until my face matches my jacket!

 

• Washington Redskins (+6 / U 51.5) @ New York Giants

Yes, yes.  I know the Giants had a huge win on the road last week in San Francisco.  But that's part of the reason I think they will come up a bit flat here.  "Sir Robert Griffin III" (according to Osi) will present a tricky matchup for the normally dominant Giant front seven.  Look for Shanahan to keep it close.  Giants 24 - Redskins 21

• New Orleans Saints (-1 / U 50) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Losing Jimmy Graham will definitely make this a bit tougher for New Orleans.  But I believe that Drew Brees will be able to gameplan around the loss of his tight end and find ways to get Colston and Moore going.  Tampa should keep it a game, but I think the Saints pull it out.  Saints 24 - Buccaneers 20

• Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers (+2.5 / U 46)

Wasn't really sure where to go on this one.  Both teams have been disappointing, but I'm going to say the Panthers manage an upset at home.  If Cam can get the running game going, I think the Cowboys could end up with another late game collapse.  Panthers 23 - Cowboys 20

• Baltimore Ravens (+7 / O 48) @ Houston Texans

The Ravens may be getting Terrell Suggs back, but they will be without Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb for the rest of the season.  While T-Sizzle will be a huge help with the pass rush, it will not be enough to offset the loss of the team's emotional leader and shutdown corner.  The Texans will look to bounce back after their embarrassing Sunday night loss to Green Bay.  I think they win, but Baltimore keeps it close.  Texans 30 - Ravens 26
 

• Jacksonville Jaguars (+6 / U 44) @ Oakland Raiders

MJD should have a huge game here running all over Oakland.  Palmer will likely take to the air, and I think it will be just enough to squeak out a home win.  But I'll take Jacksonville and the points.  Raiders 20 - Jaguars 16

"The Hoodie" has never been
afraid to run up the score

• New York Jets @ New England Patriots      (-10.5 / O 47)

This one has all the makings of a rout.  New England is probably still angry about the way they lost in Seattle, and I think they're going to take it out on the Jets.  Brady has an impressive arsenal in Gronkowski, Hernandez, Welker, and Lloyd, and the Jets simply don't have the personnel to cover them all.  Look for the Pats to roll, Patriots 37 - Jets 17

• Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals (+2 / O 45)

This one should be a tough divisional battle, but I like giving the edge to a home team in the primetime game.  The Steelers will be without their top options at running back, so Big Ben will be forced to throw a ton.  On the other side, look for A.J. Green to continue to dominate.  I think Dalton barely manages to edge out Ben, and Bengals get a big win at home.  In the close upset, I'll take Bengals 26 - Steelers 23.

• Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (-6 / U 47.5)

Stafford and the Lions have been quite the letdown this year.  I'm not ready to completely count them out (especially since a big road win in a Monday night game could be exactly what they need to turn around).  That being said, they are going to have their hands full with the Bears defense.  For Chicago, the best offense is a good defense, and I think that will show here.  Bears 27 - Lions 17


Previous Week - Pick 'em: 6-8 (43%), ATS: 6-8 (43%), O/U: 7-7 (50%)                             

2012 Season - Pick 'em: 34-25 (58%), ATS: 27-31-1 (47%), O/U: 34-24-1 (59%)



Pick-6: Take it to Vegas....

Seahawks +8.5
Colts -1.5
Packers -5
Arizona +7
Patriots -10.5
Bills -3

Previous Week's Results: 1-5 (17%)

2012 Season Results: 9-15 (38%)


And if you're playing along at home, feel free to post your picks, comments, and thoughts below.

-KJ