Week 7 picks

After a 2-week hiatus, i'm back with my picks. Expect a big week.

(Season record: 10-18-2 vs James: 17-24-3)

EAGLES (-5.5) vs. Bears
Even though I think we'll probably win by about 3, i still gotta go with the team that I think is gonna win. Reading the Inquirer this morning, I was shocked by how impressive the Eagles numbers are this year. For example, we have more points, first downs, TD's, yards, rushing yards (by a HUGE margin), passing yards and more INTs than our opponents. More than anything, I think this is a compliment of how good our defense has been this year, despite my constant complaints that we no longer have a dominating D that takes the ball away. The reality is, we're probably somewhere in between the mediocre D that I thought we were and the great D that the players and media are saying we've been. Still, considering we have 3 new starting LBs, are missing our 2 best players (Dawk and Lito), being a top 10 ranked D is pretty damn good. If our offense can become even a shade of what it has been the last 4 or 5 years, we should be ok (brutal schedule not withstanding).

Baltimore (-3) at BUFFALO
Mainly because Buffalo stinks. And I don't trust Trent Edwards at all against the Ravens D.

Tampa Bay (+2.5) at DETROIT
I don't care that Detroit is playing at home, and they're much better in their dome. As long as their defense is involved, I have a hard time picking them as favorites.

HOUSTON (+1.5) vs. Tennessee
I don't particularly care about the Vince Young-Houston history. I still think Houston is legit this year (despite the overwhelming evidence from the last 2 weeks against that) and Tennessee has not impressed me at all this year. Plus, VY is banged up and if Kerry Collins is involved, this is a slam dunk.


MIAMI (+16) vs. New England
More than anything, I like the under 51.5 total points. Things have been a little too easy for New England, Miami ALWAYS plays Brady well, and Belichick will probably make sure to do just enough to win this game without showing too much. And given Brady's struggles against Miami and Maroney's return, I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot more running, and thus fewer points.

San Fran (+9) at NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants are so poorly coached that this just reaks of a game that the Giants make way closer than it should be. They'll pull it out, but it will be ugly and they'll have some sloppy special teams plays and turnovers.

SAINTS (-8.5) vs. Atlanta
Never liked Leftwich, at least since he left Marshall. He was good back then. I don't think New Orleans is any good, but at home this should be an easy win against an even worse team

Arizona (+8.5) at WASHINGTON
I have no logical justification for this pick, other than that the Cardinals seem to play better with Warner (and he may suit up today, albeit with a big arm brace). Also, I feel Washington sleepwalking through this one, and maybe even getting upset.

OAKLAND (-2.5) vs. Kansas City
Oakland playing at home should be good enough to pull this one out. 10-7 final.

CINCY (-6.5) vs NY Jets
The Bengals get right against a really bad team. Kellen Clemens gets in the game because of a really bad starting quarterback.

Minny (+9) at DALLAS
Seems like I'm just picking against the NFC East here, but this is just too many points against a team that can really run the ball and plays decent defense. Then again, the Vikes could be looking ahead to their monster showdown against the Birds next week and play a sloppy game.

SEATTLE (-8.5) vs. Rams
God, what a crappy matchup. This will be an incredibly boring game, with a lot more turnovers than TDs. But the Rams blow, and are even worse without Steven Jackson.

Pittsburgh (-3.5) at DENVER
This is my least confident pick, only because the Steelers lost to Arizona on the road in a game they really should have won. BUT, Denver is missing 2 d-linemen, 2 o-linemen, and Jay Cutler is playing quarterback. So Pittsburgh should run all over them and sack Cutler at least 5 times.

JAX (+3) vs Indy
It won't be as bad as last year's 44-17 game, and Indy will definitely be motivated by that game and by the fact that they are getting ZERO credit this year. With those intangibles stated, from a purely football standpoint, the Jags can really exploit the Colts' awful run D and they match up ok on D (as well as a team can against Manning and Co.). Also, I have memories of Jacksonville's dominating Monday night performance a few years back, which gives me some hope here.