But I'm proud of this Cowboys defense, Wade Phillips gets a lot of crap as head coach but this defense has been lights out since he's taken over calling plays, and I think tonight they'll bring the heat and get in Eli's face. Brandon Jacobs missing the game is HUGE we have to stuff the run though, Derrick Ward isn't as big as Jacobs but he's quick and shifty, a quality back as is Ahmad Bradshaw. This Cowboys team is so hard to judge, one week you think the offense is back and then they put up a clunker where Romo can't hit the back of his lineman's ass (like last week) The Cowboys desperately need Atlanta to drop one of the next 2 games (vs. Tampa or @ Minnesota) because they close the season against St. Louis, they win those next 2 games they're likely in because I have a hard time seeing the Cowboys win all 3 remaining games.
Before we get to picks, I suggest you go read this hilarious post about 25 'true' stories about Ricky Henderson throughout his career: http://www.faniq.com/blog/The-25-Best-Rickey-Henderson-Stories-Of-All-Time-Blog-15243
Picks:
Tampa Bay @ Atlanta Falcons (-3)
Last week the Bucs got ran over on Monday night, one of the most dominant running performances I'd ever seen (consider the stature of the Bucs defense) Both of these teams have been fairly resilient following losses, when in doubt take the NFC south team at home, Falcons, despite the Bucs beating him up the 2nd week of the season.
I have to say though I'm very impressed with how Antonio Bryant has been playing this season, he's always had the talent but his head caused him to slip in the draft and be kicked off 2 teams, last week on Monday Night he may have made the catch of the year though
Tennessee Titans (-3) @ Houston Texans
The Texans went into Lambeau and delivered Green Bay's 5th loss this year by 4 or less points, they're playing like a playoff football team and are a forced to be reckoned with (as they build momentum looking forward to next year) This is a true test today vs. the Titans stingy defense and could be big going forward. The Titans need this game going forward because a win leads to them getting closer to clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs (although a win next week vs. the Steelers would do that too) Texans for the upset
Washington Redskins (-6.5) @ Cincinatti Bengals
The Redskins offense hasn't been impressive in weeks but since the tie 4 weeks ago against Philadelphia the Bengals have allowed 27, 34 and 35 points, somethings gotta give, 'Skins
Seattle Seahawks (-2.5) @ St. Louis Rams
The 'Hawks lost a squeaker at home vs. the Pats last week, they kicked the crap outta the Rams last time they met and I expect much of the same this time.
Green Bay Packers (-2.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Neither team has good records but at least the Packers are playing close every game, GO PACK GO!
San Francisco 49ers @ Miami Dolphins (-6)
Going into this season this may have been penciled in as one of the 5 worst games of the year, but right now both teams are playing tough competitive ball with the 49ers pulling off the upset of the Jets (who are 0-3 when travelling to the west coast this year) while the Dolphins keep on trucking beating the struggling Bills in Toronto. I have to take the Dolphins this game because it's a 1:00 start time and every west coast team that has travelled east to play the early game has lost, Dolphins.
Detroit Lions @ Indianapolis Colts (-17)
I went against the Colts last week figuring they hadn't had but 1 blowout all year, but then they showed they can kick the crap out of absolute suck, and the same will happen this week. Lions
San Diego Chargers (-6) @ KC Chiefs
Another West Coast team having to play the early game, will be interesting to see how the Chiefs play considering they lost the last meeting between the 2 because of a decision to go for 2 (which I thought was a great decision by Herm Edwards, no sarcasm) I'll take the Chiefs to cover
Buffalo Bills @ NY J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS (-7.5)
The strug-a-ling Bills vs. the strug-a-ling Jets who will win this matchup between these 2 strug-a-ling teams? All I know is I could care less about the Jets strug-a-ling. And now for the obligatory Joe Namath drunk video
Jets for the bounceback win, the Bills have fallen off the map.
Minnesota Vikings @ Arizona Cardinals (-3)
This is a very interesting game right here, the Vikings really need this win, they have a tough tough schedule to finish out the year playing the Cardinals, Falcons and Giants, they lose this game they're tied with Chicago and could be at the outside looking in for the playoffs (though I think they're clearly better then Chicago) The Cardinals have the division wrapped up and at this point are just playing for the higher seed. The Cardinals can slow Adrian Peterson down early and if that happens the Vikings will be in trouble getting down to a dynamic offense like the Cardinals, I'll take the home birds in this one.
Denver Broncos @ Carolina Panthers (-7.5)
The Broncos have looked better the past 2 weeks and I anticipate this to be a close game, but the Broncos still aren't proven against the run, I doubt the Panthers rush for 300 yards again but if the Panthers control the clock it certainly is feasible. But I like the Broncos on the road here (again going aginst logic)
NE Patriots (-6.5) @ Oakland Raiders
Interesting game today since Matt Cassell didn't practice all week, the last time a QB played the Raiders following there dad's death he put up one of the greatest QB performances of all time, but I doubt we'll see an encore performance of that today. The most intriguing matchup this week will be Randy Moss vs. Nnamdi Asomugha (hey I spelt it right on my 1st try!) The best 2 players at there positions going against each other. The Raiders offense sucks to much to keep them in the game the entire time though
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)
2 of the toughest defenses in the league and one of the few instances where I'll take the under (set at 34.5) The loser should go onto win the division while the loser should settle into the 6th wildcard spot. Whichever QB makes less mistakes and is under less pressure, who knows who that will be, both QB's are sorta week to week (Flacco b/c he's a rookie) I'll take the Ravens, they were more impressive the 1st time they played though they lost.
NY Giants @ Dallas Cowboys (-3)
Pretty much a coin flip situation, we have the talent they have the production. Protect Tony Romo we win the game. There defensive line has struggled lately with getting pressure, not sure if that's good but although they clinched the division they'll come out motivated because they want home field. I hope Marion the barbarian is healthy enough to play, we needed him in the 4th last week. This matchup is to tough, it could come down to some fluke play like last week where it was a miscommunication and for the 15th time that day a pass sailed on Tony Romo. I don't even really like to think about it because I hate to think about my Boys losing, screw it Cowboys.
Monday Night
Cleveland Browns @ Philadelphia Eagles (-14)
Now everyone's back on McNabb's jock in Philly (what a bunch of flip floppers. I say this as if half of Dallas didnt jump ship on Romo from this past week) It's time for them to disappoint as the stretch run comes, even if they disappoint this week that should be enough to beat the Ken Dorsey led Browns. Eagles
until next week...
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