I was a very robust 9-5 last week, as many people seemed to have very bad
weeks last week. That makes me 78-52 (.600) on the year. The Cincinnati
Bengals, meanwhile, continued the Upset Special's hot streak, which at 4-5
can go .500 on the year this week.
Atlanta (+5) at Pittsburgh - This is the toughest game of the week, as
Tommy Maddox-revitalized Steelers take on the inexorably Super Bowl-bound
Atlanta Falcons. Both teams are riding four-game win streaks, but the
Falcons have the higher-quality wins. I'll keep riding Michael Vick & Co.
Pick: FALCONS
San Diego (+5.5) at St. Louis - I still think that the Chargers are one of
the best teams in football, but the Rams need this game more to climb back
into the playoff race - and they're at home. Pick: RAMS, but take the points
Cincinnati (+5.5) at Baltimore - Yes, the Bengals finally won one last
week. We can now return to our regularly scheduled NFL season. Pick:
RAVENS, and to cover
Seattle (+3.5) at Arizona - I've always wanted to believe in the Seahawks
this season, until I reailzed just how awful both of their lines are.
Yet, the Cardinals are missing both David Boston and Martay Jenkins, their
best WR's. After what happened to the Dolphins in a similar situation, I
have no choice but to say... Pick: SEAHAWKS
Detroit (+10) at Green Bay - I smell an upset brewing here, and just I was
a gutless wimp about the Jets-Chargers last week.... but Brett Favre is
limping, and the Lions gave the Packers a heckuva scare in Detroit earlier
this season. Plus, I said early on in the season that the Packers simply
don't have the defense to be very good, and now they've won six in a row.
Time for all good things to come to an end. Pick: LIONS UPSET SPECIAL
Washington at Jacksonville (+3) - Once again, I take the Jaguars, just
because..... well, I just still think that they have the talent to win
these games. Pick: JAGUARS
Houston (+10) at Tennessee - Yes, the Texans lost to the Bengals last week,
but they also have two wins, and a lot of close losses. Pick: TITANS, but
definitely take the points
Kansas City (+6.5) at San Francisco - The Niners have three advantages -
Jeff Garcia is more mobile than Trent Green, the Niners play better
defense, and the Niners are at home. Pick: 49'ERS, and to cover
Indianapolis (+9) at Philadelphia - The Colts may end up starting their
5th-String RB, with Edgerrin James, Dominic Rhodes, Shyrone Stith, and
Ricky Williams all hurt. Sure James Mungro was great at Syracuse, but if
you're 5th String in the NFL, you're not going to beat very good teams.
Pick: EAGLES, but take the points with Peyton Manning
New England at Chicago (+4) - No team has won their next game after playing
Buffalo this season..... but the Patriots are putting it back together, and
the Bears are falling apart, and that first stat has zero predictive value.
Pick: PATRIOTS, and to cover
New Orleans (+4.5) at Carolina - The good news for Panthers fans is that
they can only lose 13 straight this season. Pick: SAINTS, but take the
points just ebcause Lamar Smith is due for a big game after the bye
Miami at NY Jets (pick) - Amazingly enough the Jets will climb within one
game of the division lead with a win on Sunday. And the Fish are playing
their 3rd-string QB and without Cris Carter, Gadsden, and likely Chambers
at WR. Ouch. If it were any other team but the Dolphins I might even
feel sorry for them. :) Pick: JETS
NY Giants (-1) at Minnesota - I like the G-Men to force turnovers, generate
a solid pass rush, and play conservative enough to win. Pick; GIANTS, and
to cover
Oakland (+5.5) at Denver - Yes the Broncos are at home and coming off of
the bye, but the Raiders are simply too good to lose any more, after
dropping four straight, including two in overtime in which they never saw
the ball. Pick; RAIDERS
_______________________________________________________
John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
People everywhere want to say what they think; choose who will govern
them; worship as they please; educate their children -- male and female;
own property; and enjoy the benefits of their labor. These values of
freedom are right and true for every person, in every society -- and the
duty of protecting these values against their enemies is the common
calling of freedom-loving people across the globe and across the ages.
-US National Security Policy, 2002
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