NFL Week 14

The Weekly Picks

Each week I pick the games and give you my thoughts on the game. So far this season, a particularly good one I might add, I am 146 - 46 (.760) straight up, 151 - 41 (.786) against the spread, and 129 - 62 (.672) in the over/under.

Here are this week’s games, and how I think it will go.

At New England -11 Cincinnati 44

New England is on a roll, and the Bengals can score some points. There’s no doubt that the Pats will win, but giving 11 is too large a spread for a team that rarely blows anybody away. This one is a field goal or a late touchdown at the most. Both teams have secondary issues, so 44 might be too low for this game.

Straight Up: Pats
Against the Spread: Bengals
Over/Under: Over

At Buffalo -11.5 Cleveland 37

This will be a dog of a game. The Browns are already in the off-season, and Buffalo is one of the hottest teams in football. Only boredom or mercy can stop the Bills from covering the spread. With as bad as things are going for the Browns, the Bills might just score the over by their lonesome.

Straight Up: Bills
Against the Spread: Bills
Over/Under: Over

At Baltimore -10 NY Giants 33

Another game not worth watching. Manning will see most of this one from his back, but the Ravens can’t score either. The under is a good bet here.

Straight Up: Ravens
Against the Spread: Giants
Over/Under: Under

At Green Bay -9.5 Detroit 45

Detroit is a great cure for what ails the Packers. Farve gets healthy, and the points roll.

Straight Up: Packers
Against the Spread: Packers
Over/Under: Over

At Minnesota -6.5 Seattle 51

The Seahawks are toast. This line is too low. Even if they score on the Vikes, they haven’t stopped any deep passing threats this year. Randy Moss must have had this one circled on his calender for weeks.

Straight Up: Vikings
Against the Spread: Vikings
Over/Under: Under

At Atlanta -7.5 Oakland 45.5

Atlanta will win, but not big. Take the under.

Straight Up: Falcons
Against the Spread: Raiders
Over/Under: Under

Jim’s Crazy Pick of the Week -- At Jacksonville -7.5 Chicago 34.5

The Jags will be a great team next year. This year, they’re fighting for their playoff lives. This might be my craziest pick of the year, but the Bears will bring some misery into the sunshine state.

Straight Up: Bears
Against the Spread: Bears
Over/Under: Over

At Dallas -7.5 New Orleans 47.5

It’s just 4 more games until the Saints have a new coach. Parcells has a great second half record, and he can smell the playoffs in this miserable season for the NFC. New Orleans will have a miserable time against the run this week, as Parcells brings back vintage ball control to the NFC East. BTW: The line is way too high.

Straight Up: Cowboys
Against the Spread: Cowboys
Over/Under: Under

Indianapolis -10.5 At Houston 57

Colts win the game. Manning ties Marino. Neither team has a defense, so this shoot out might take a while.

Straight Up: Colts
Against the Spread: Colts
Over/Under: Over

At Pittsburgh -6 NY Jets 36

The Steelers need the game. The Jets, not so much. The Jets stink against the Steelers. Neither team is dynamic on offence, so I think the Steelers win the snooze fest.

Straight Up: Steelers

Against the Spread: Steelers
Over/Under: Under

At Denver -11.5 Miami 38.5

The Dolphins suck, but Denver isn’t that good. Sure they should have won the last 2 games, but they are just narrowly clinging to the 6 seed in the AFC. They win, but don’t cover.

Straight Up: Broncos
Against the Spread: Dolphins
Over/Under: Over

At Carolina -6.5 St. Louis 44

The Rams are banged up. The Panthers are getting healthy again. Nobody wants to win the NFC West. The Panthers win.

Straight Up: Panthers
Against the Spread: Rams
Over/Under: Under

At Arizona -6.5 San Francisco 37.5

If you throw an NFL game and nobody noticed, would the score count? This might be the worst game in NFL history. 37.5 might just be the number of people who care about the game.

Straight Up: Cardinals
Against the Spread: Cardinals
Over/Under: Under

At San Diego -5 Tampa Bay 43

I still don’t think the Bucs are good. Take The Chargers all the way.

Straight Up: Chargers
Against the Spread: Chargers
Over/Under: Under

Philadelphia -9.5 At Washington 38

The Eagles are the best team in the NFC. I’m not giving 9.5 to a home underdog. Eagles win, Redskins cover. Take the over, but this one is just a hunch.

Straight Up: Eagles
Against the Spread: Redskins
Over/Under: Over

Monday Night Game: At Tennessee -2.5 Kansas City 51.5

Most star players will be sidelined for this game. Take the Chiefs in a sloppy mess of a game.

Straight Up: Chiefs
Against the Spread: Chiefs
Over/Under: Over

Let’s talk Tuesday!