My wife read this before I posted it and pondered divorcing me for picking against the Patriots (for the first time in three years, by the way).
Either that, or it was because I constantly force her to read these things, most of the time against her will.
(Home team in CAPS)
NEW ORLEANS (-7) over Oakland
Al Davis finally woke up from his nap and fired Lane Kiffin. I, unlike most, feel that Kiffin deserved at least a portion of the blame here. He didn’t come out of this looking good at all. Most NFL owners saw him openly bashing his team, its talent, and its ownership.
That won’t go over well in the old boy’s network that is the NFL’s ownership club.
But that press conference. Good God. Al Davis is a rambling, insane mess. From telling the world he doesn’t plan to pay Kiffin a penny (effectively destroying any chance he had of hiring a decent coach after this season), to blaming the Patriots for tampering last year with Moss—it was a wreck.
He’s a wreck. Kind of like the team he put together.
INDIANAPOLIS (-4) over Baltimore
The Colts have to win in their new stadium eventually, right?
Baltimore will keep this game close, and Peyton could take an absolute beating in this game, but in the end I expect the Colts to get the job done. They know they’re approaching must-win time.
Plus, I have trouble taking rookie quarterbacks on the road against good teams.
Cincinnati (+8.5) over NEW YORK JETS
I have a rule. When a team as mediocre as the Jets is favored by more than a touchdown, I take the other team. Every time. Regardless of the situation.
Unless the Rams or Lions are involved.
Though against the Bengals without Carson Palmer…let’s just say I was tempted.
Carolina (+1.5) over TAMPA BAY
Jake Delhomme leads his Panthers into Tampa Bay, adding an exclamation point to what is going to be a tremendously disappointing weekend in Tampa Bay.
I’m not sure why the Devil Rays are everyone’s favorite team now. I’m rooting for Philadelphia in the National League, even though the Dodgers would be the better story. The reason I’m rooting for them is because their fans are tremendous and they deserve to win.
By that standard, how could anyone outside of Tampa root for the Rays? Their fans just recently discovered there’s still baseball in Florida after spring training ends.
MINNESOTA (-13) over Detroit
Good God, Detroit is terrible. Awful. Humiliatingly porous.
Matt-Millenesque, if you will.
Chicago (-3) over ATLANTA
I’m not 100% sold on this. I could be talked into switching this pick.
The fact is, I’m basing this on the “rookie quarterback against the Bears’ defense” rule. Which clearly states, the Bears will eat-up any rookie quarterback they face.
But Atlanta plays pretty well at home. So, like I said, I could be talked out of this.
HOUSTON (-3) over Miami
I’m curious. If anyone knows the answer to this, please post it in the comments. Can you, in Vegas or wherever, bet that a game will be a push? If so, what kind of odds would they give me? Because I’m seriously contemplating changing this pick to “push”.
Houston by three sounds just about right. Assuming they play like they did for 95% of last week’s game, instead of the way they played in the last 5%.
WASHINGTON (-13.5) over St. Louis
The St. Louis Rams have morphed into the Washington Generals of the NFL.
Jacksonville (+3.5) over DENVER
Denver can’t stop the run. Jacksonville has good running backs. This is an extremely bad combination.
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about 1 month ago
I'm shocked. Beyond words.
from about 1 month ago
I'm ashamed, frankly.
about 1 month ago
al davis is a icon in the nfl building championship teams and this raiders is much better then people thinks are.
from about 1 month ago
They're destined to go down as the best four win team in NFL history...
from about 1 month ago
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
about 1 month ago
No friggin' way: Call yourself a loyal Pats fan?! No, I'm just kidding...
GO EAGLES!!
from about 1 month ago
Like I said, I'm ashamed....
about 1 month ago
I should have listened to you on the Pats game. I wouldn't have lost quite a bit of money... "if gambling was legal" of course.
P.S.
I hate Matt Cassell
about 1 month ago
Was the allusion to Pitino really necessary?
Bad memories aside, how do you feel about Denver next Monday Night?
from about 1 month ago
Without Pitino, we wouldn't have the appreciation for the Celtics that we do today.
about 1 month ago
Good job as always Sean. But hey, where's Chicago on your poll? Cubs/Sox both win their divisions and the Bears are tied for first place? :)
from about 1 month ago
Good point. Should have been on the poll. :)
about 1 month ago
May you enjoy eating crow.:)
about 1 month ago
BTW, that was not the first time your wife thought that. It was the first time she told you.:)
from about 1 month ago
It's not the first time she thought it, or said it. And she'll say it again in a few minutes when I make her read my next one...
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