Saturday, October 21, 2006
NFL Week 7 Picks
My tennis tournament didn't go exactly as planned. I was matched against a seventeen-year-old in the first round, and he made no concessions to the 28 years and approximately 140 pounds I spotted him. I won the consolation, though, and a cheesy little trophy.
Last week's picks didn't fare any better than I did against the kid, going 1-4. Now 15-15-4, I need to get back on the winning track. Here's five picks to click for this week.
Kansas City +6 vs. San Diego: What's that? Kansas City got slaughtered last week, and the Chargers are on fire? All true, but here's a little factoid for you: the Chiefs have been this big an underdog at home ten times in the last 23 years. They won seven of those games outright, and covered in the other three. The 1996 Packers, the only team in NFL history to lead the league in offense and defense the same season, were throttled in Kansas City. The Bolts will be lucky to get out alive.
Green Bay +5 at Miami: The Dolphins' offense is just not good enough to be five-point favorites over anybody. Packers RB Ahman Green, now fully healthy after the team's bye, will be the difference.
Carolina +3.5 at Cincinnati: I don't know; perhaps this is the week the Bengals find their lost mojo. I do know this: the Panthers have found their mojo, in the person of WR Steve Smith. Can a 5'9" receiver be the MVP of the league? They were 0-2 to start the season without him, and 4-0 since, so, um, yeah.
Detroit +4 at New York Jets: The Lions are showing signs of life, and WR Roy Williams is a true stud. The Jets don't stink, but if that's the nicest thing you can say about a team, maybe they shouldn't be four-point favorites.
Denver at Cleveland under 32 points: The Browns are bad-surprise!-and they will get nowhere against Denver's rugged defense. But the Broncos' normally-efficient offense is MIA this season, so the under is the right play.
Last week's picks didn't fare any better than I did against the kid, going 1-4. Now 15-15-4, I need to get back on the winning track. Here's five picks to click for this week.
Kansas City +6 vs. San Diego: What's that? Kansas City got slaughtered last week, and the Chargers are on fire? All true, but here's a little factoid for you: the Chiefs have been this big an underdog at home ten times in the last 23 years. They won seven of those games outright, and covered in the other three. The 1996 Packers, the only team in NFL history to lead the league in offense and defense the same season, were throttled in Kansas City. The Bolts will be lucky to get out alive.
Green Bay +5 at Miami: The Dolphins' offense is just not good enough to be five-point favorites over anybody. Packers RB Ahman Green, now fully healthy after the team's bye, will be the difference.
Carolina +3.5 at Cincinnati: I don't know; perhaps this is the week the Bengals find their lost mojo. I do know this: the Panthers have found their mojo, in the person of WR Steve Smith. Can a 5'9" receiver be the MVP of the league? They were 0-2 to start the season without him, and 4-0 since, so, um, yeah.
Detroit +4 at New York Jets: The Lions are showing signs of life, and WR Roy Williams is a true stud. The Jets don't stink, but if that's the nicest thing you can say about a team, maybe they shouldn't be four-point favorites.
Denver at Cleveland under 32 points: The Browns are bad-surprise!-and they will get nowhere against Denver's rugged defense. But the Broncos' normally-efficient offense is MIA this season, so the under is the right play.
