Like Bill Nye on steroids, this week I’m tackling the upcoming picks with a scientific tenacity never before seen in the realm of pro football prognostication. Why is that? My picks have flat out not got it done the past few weeks. I guess I could go Cowboy-fan on you and make a ton of excuses why that is (having to pick on Tuesday, not changing my picks as the week goes on, etc.), but I’ll take the blame squarely on my shoulders. Anyway, I’m going to be tackling my picks in a more fact-based way, so I’ll be discussing the games with a little more in depth, X’s and O’s sort of feel. We’ll see how this works, although with my luck I probably won’t get a single game right.

But first, a word on the Cowboys: You are in no way an elite team. What I saw Sunday from that defense was absolutely pathetic. Roy Williams couldn’t cover a blind invalid in a telephone booth. He doesn’t understand zone or man coverage, apparently. The Stallworth bomb and the Kyle Brady catch were both a result of Roy blowing his assignments. And when you play teams that throw the ball deep, you’re going to need a safety that can stand back there and react to his defensive assignment, not just lackadaisically decide to venture wherever he wishes on the field, as if he’s on a second grade soccer team. I would also go so far as to say that Terrell Owens is not a top wide receiver in this league. That man drops more passes than any other wideout I’ve watched. And his comments after the game that New England isn’t the best team? That’s just childish. You take the loss like a man and give credit where credit is due. You don’t downplay you’re opponent and give them even more motivation the next time your two teams should meet.

And as for the accusation of the Pats running up the score? In this case the Pats were not. The Patriots were running the ball. I would’ve much rather seen them get Brady his sixth touchdown, but so be it. If you’re an NFL team and can’t stop a third-string running back when you know he’s getting the ball, that’s your own fault. Were the Patriots calling timeouts, hurrying up to line to try to run the score up? No, they simply ran the ball straight ahead and Dallas’ porous defense was unable to stop it. And if they had wanted to run up the score, by all means go ahead. This is the National Football League, people. This isn’t a high school football game where kids are playing for the enjoyment of the game and we should worry about hurting a kids feelings (although, is there ever really a place for that in sports?). These are grown men getting paid millions of dollars to play a game. Perhaps at the high school level an argument can be made for not intentionally making the game more lopsided then need be, but not at the professional one. If Roy Williams is upset that they’re scoring too much, then maybe Roy Williams and his 40 million dollar contract should man up and ACTUALLY STOP THEM. But for the Cowboys and their fans to be so cocky all week (i.e. T.O. telling the media to ‘get their popcorn ready’, Wade Phillips calling the Pats dynasty ‘tainted’) and then whine, not about losing, but about losing BY TOO MUCH? Well, that is just absolutely hilarious.

On to the picks…  (Home team in CAPS)

REDSKINS over Cardinals
With Warner presumably injured, it makes taking the Redskins that much easier. The Redskins win last week in Green Bay if Santana Moss’ fumble isn’t returned for six. The ‘Skins defense continues to impress as it gave up only one play of over 18 yards to the Packers. Washington is 5-0 in its last five contests against the Cardinals, and with Tim Rattay at quarterback go ahead and make it 6-0.

Patriots over DOLPHINS
Do they even need to bother playing this one?

Bucs over LIONS
Jeff Garcia hasn’t thrown a pick in his last 164 attempts. The Lions have the second worst defense in all of football, while Tampa Bay has the fifth best. While Detroit seems like a trendy pick, without creating turnovers, expect Tampa’s offense to be on the field a lot, enough to keep that potent Lions passing attack on the sidelines. Something tells me Chucky finds a way to get the win in the Motor City.

SAINTS over Falcons
Coming off a road win in Seattle, the Saints offense looks like its regained its stride. The Falcons looked absolutely pathetic Monday night. I don’t know how Joey Harrington is still in the league. The Falcons put up 13.2 ppg, which simply isn’t going to be enough to stay with a still high-powered Saints offense at home, in the dome.

GIANTS over Niners
New York has won four games in a row and is playing great football. They are getting consistent pressure on the quarterback, running the ball with consistency, and Eli isn’t killing them. Whoever lines up under center for San Francisco is going to be in a world of trouble.

Ravens over BILLS
My first instinct is to pick against the Ravens, who have looked pitiful in every game they’ve played this year and are vastly overrated. There offense is simply inept. However, their defense is still stout, only giving up 16.7 a game. And going up against a rookie quarterback who was unable to do anything against a horrendous Cowboys secondary, Ed Reed and company should eat him alive.

Titans over TEXANS
This is assuming VY plays, but either way I think they can pull it off. The Titans have the No. 1 rushing defense in the league, only giving up 63 yards per game. This should force Matt Schaub into a lot of third-and-long situations, and without top wideout Andre Johnson, it’s going to be difficult to find a lot of breathing room against that Titans secondary. If VY plays, his mobility should allow him to avoid the pass rush from Okoye and Williams and find the open man. If not, the alcoholic gunslinger should still find a way to get the job done.

COWBOYS over Vikings
While I want to pick Minnesota, I just can’t do it. Dallas defense is susceptible to the pass and is actually seventh overall in rushing defense, giving up only 77 ypg. Adrian Peterson should still get his, but he’s going to have to work for it. That excruciatingly bad Dallas secondary gets a break this week with going up against Tavaris Jackson, who shouldn’t give them much trouble. Minnesota will try to play ball control, but when Romo does get it, he should carve up the league’s worst passing defense.

Added: BENGALS over Jets
How could I possibly forget about this game? To tell you the truth, I have no idea how this Bengals team isn't better than it is. Their offense has so many weapons, you would think the defense could at least keep it close. Isn't that what Marvin Lewis is, a defensive mastermind? Should he recieve more of the blame? The one thing that will help Cinci this week: Pennington can't throw over 10 yards. The Bengals will be able to put eight in the box to stop the run, and won't have to worry about getting beat deep. They'll still give up points, but not enough to lose. From playoffs to cellar dweller, that's what you get for back stabbing your mentor. May you not win another game and get fired.

Chiefs over RAIDERS
Fresh off his second 100-yard game of the season, LJ now gets to go up against the league’s 28th rushing defense. Look for LJ to get 30+ carries again, and for the Chiefs to continue their winning ways.

Bears over EAGLES
I have no idea what is going to happen in this game. The Bears defense has been terrible recently, and yet the Eagles offense put up only 16 points last week against the Jets. I want to say that the vaunted Bears defense will be able to bottle up Brian Westbrook and that the offense will put up just enough points to win, but nothing would surprise me.

SEAHWAKS over Rams
Marc Bulger could be back, but how can you really pick them on the road? I honestly don’t know how they’re this bad. Steven Jackson needs to get back soon.

Steelers over BRONCOS
Pittsburgh has the No. 1 defense in the NFL, allowing only 9.6 ppg. Denver allows 27.2 ppg. These are not your John Elway Broncos. It could get out of hand early.

JAGUARS over Colts
What happened last time these two teams played? Indy gave up 375 yards on the ground en route to a 44-17 beat down. The Jags also have 8 min, 9 min, and 10 min scoring drives this season. Look for Jacksonville, behind Taylor and Jones-Drew, to grind the game out, eat up a lot of clock, and keep the potent Colts offense grounded on the sidelines.

Last Week: 7-6
Season: 54-36

Last edited by VA Jon (2007-10-17 13:31:11)