Friday, September 21, 2007

NFL Picks, Week 3

There’s something special in the air. Actually, these picks are in the air. Literally, because I’m picking games while on a plane at 30,000 feet. Figuratively, because the NFL is so unpredictable. Last week’s ugly duckling can easily become this week’s swan.

Last week: 9-7
Overall: 21-11

Dallas at Chicago: The Maddencruiser rolls into Chicago for the Sunday night extravaganza, as the Romo Empire attempts to take over Soldier Field. The columns outside Soldier Field actually fit the Roman motif. The Bears have a great defense and an inconsistent offense. The Cowboys’ offense has been impressive against two not-so-great defenses. I’m drinking the silver-and-blue Kool-Aid. Actually, I’m drunk on the silver-and-blue Kool-Aid. Pick: Dallas
Indianapolis at Houston: Hold on to your seats, because this is for first place in the AFC South. The last time the Colts lost was in Houston in the latter part of last season. They went on to win the Super Bowl. The Texans are a lot better now with QB Matt Schaub. However, star WR Andre Johnson is out for this game due to injury. This is too much too soon for the Texans. Pick: Colts
Miami at NY Jets: Yuck. Miami isn’t very good. The Jets are mediocre. It’s easier to spell Jets than Dolphins, so I’ll pick the team with the shorter name. Pick: Jets
Arizona at Baltimore: Arizona is coming off a big win over Seattle. They now go cross-country to face the Ravens. Pick against the Ravens at home? You’ve got to be kidding me. Pick: B-more
San Diego at Green Bay: Chargers follow up a bad road trip to New England with a trip to the not-yet-frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Is the Pack for real? Honestly, I don’t know. Will the Chargers go 1-2? I don’t know. L.T. runs all over Green Bay. Pick: San Diego
Buffalo at New England: Mismatch city. The question is: Will the Patriots win by a score of 38-14 for the third week in a row? Pick: Pats
Minnesota at Kansas City: Winner gets the rights to eight cornfields in Iowa. Pick: Minnesota
San Francisco at Pittsburgh: One of the better games of the week. The Steelers are in a groove. It’s tough to pick against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Pick: Pittsburgh
St. Louis at Tampa Bay: The Rams have been disappointing through two weeks. The Bucs got a big win last week over the Saints. I don’t trust the Rams outdoors. Pick: Tampa Bay
Detroit at Philadelphia: The Lions are now 2-0, while the Eagles are 0-2. Are these teams headed in opposite directions? Something good has to happen for the Iggles, and this is a good week for that to happen. Pick: Philly
Cleveland at Oakland: This was expected to be the Suck Bowl Deluxe. Derek Anderson ruined that last week with six touchdown passes and a Browns win over Cincinnati. The Raiders were a late Mike Shanahan timeout away from an upset overtime win last week in Denver. Raiders close the deal this week. Pick: Oakland
Cincinnati at Seattle: Do the Bengals have a defense? They didn’t have one last week. It’s tough to say if they’ll have one this week, either. Pick: Seahawks
Jacksonville at Denver: Denver very nearly lost last week to the woeful Raiders. That proves nothing is a gimme in this league. Can Jacksonville win on the road? Not this week. Pick: Denver
Carolina at Atlanta: Southern fried battle promises to be more fried than Southern. Will anyone in Atlanta care in the immediate post-Vick era? The Falcons aren’t very good. Pick: Carolina
New York Giants at Washington: Washington got a big win on Monday night in Philadelphia. The Giants have given up 80 points in the last two games. I can’t see the Redskins hanging 40 on the Giants, but they’ll score enough to win the game. Pick: Washington
Tennessee at New Orleans: Vince Young vs. Reggie Bush. The Saints have looked like the Aints the last two weeks. That won’t continue. Pick: Saints

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