OK...so last week I was perfect in the early games.  But then I was wrong on all of the late games.  So what...who cares?  This week features a lot of nice underdog picks.  However favorites have been consistently covering the spread every week, regardless of how ridiculously large the spreads are.

I also went 0-2 in my bold predictions last week.  (Although I should get half a point for that Miami pick.)  I don't know if I'll be so bold this week, but perhaps another italicized pick might slant out of the page.


Houston Texans (-3.0) vs. Buffalo Bills
In a relatively weak AFC this season, the Texans are in a good spot to make the playoff run everyone has been talking about.  However, they probably will suck in December like they do every year and miss out.  But it's not December yet and this spread is ridiculously low for a Buffalo team that hasn't beaten anyone worthwhile, so the Texans get my pick.
Confidence Points: 13


Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears (-13.0)
This is a spread that is way too high in my opinion.  The Bears have LOST their last two games (granted both on the road) and the Browns are TERRIBLE.  If Green Bay beats the Vikings and the Bears win, they're right back in the NFC North, but I smell a trap game here.  The Bears may win, but I like Cleveland to cover.
Confidence Points: 8


Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys (-9.5)
Dallas gets a mediocre team at home and that should mean a win.  They looked awfully impressive last week in beating the Falcons and the odds-makers proved me wrong yet again.  The Seahawks are a team that either shows up and dominates or goes away fast.  But Dallas has had a few hiccups in games like this.  I think their win last week raises their confidence too much and the Seattle show up for this game.
Confidence Points: 7


St. Louis Rams vs Detroit Lions (Off(0))
This will be the game that nobody watches.  I don't know this for a fact, but I imagine that this will be blacked out in Detroit for not having a sell out.  So that means the only people that will get this game are people in the St. Louis market.  The funny thing is that I think this will be an exciting game.  There will be lots of turnovers and probably some big plays.  I think the Rams are due for a victory, but honestly I have no idea...everything I've just said is probably complete bullshit.
Confidence Points: 3


San Fransisco 49ers vs. Indianapolis Colts (-12.0)
There isn't much to say about this one.  The 49ers have been struggling (although I think they have found a QB in Alex Smith), and the Colts are on complete cruise control.  Perhaps the spread is a little high, but since it's in Indianapolis I'm going with the Colts.
Confidence Points: 11


Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets (-3.0)
I've been trying to figure out why the Jets and Giants are playing at the same time.  Is there another obscure Jewish holiday that starts at sundown like there was last time?  But then I realized that this Sunday's Jewish holiday is Yom Brett Favre.  The New York market wouldn't get to see the Viking-Packer game if the Jets played in the late game, therefore the NFL decided to put the two New York teams up against each other.  Anyway, back to this game.  The Jets looked great in Oakland and for a half Miami looked great against the Saints.  These two teams met up a few weeks ago and Miami gave the Jets a heavy dose of the Wildcat.  I think it's too soon for these two to play again and this time the Jets will be ready and will prevail.
Confidence Points: 1


New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles (NL)
This is game one of NY vs. Philly on Sunday and this one is almost as important.  The winner takes control of the NFC East (Dallas may also be in the picture) and would be a legitimate win for either team.  The Giants are coming off of two losses to two very good teams and the Eagles are 1-1 against two very bad teams.  I don't know how into this game the Philly fans will be with the World Series game coming up later in the day, and Brian Giant-killer Westbrook is a little banged up (although he always seems to be beat up).  The road team has been winning the games the last few times these teams have hooked up, so I'm going with New York.
Confidence Points: 4


Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens (-3.5)
Again this is a spread that I question.  The Ravens have lost three in a row and by the way the Broncos are UNDEFEATED.  But the Ravens are coming off of a Bye and maybe they've figured out their defense.  That said, I'm not picking against the Broncos until they show me that I should, so Denver gets the pick.
Confidence Points: 5


Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (-3.0)
This spread CANNOT be right.  The Titans are WINLESS.  I know they're coming off of their Bye, but starting Vince Young is not going to magically give the Titans a win.  The Jags aren't a great team, but they are better than the Titans.  I'm not picking the Titans until they win a game, so go with Jacksonville.
Confidence Points: 10


Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers (-16.5)
Vegas is BEGGING you to pick the Raiders.  Sixteen and a half points for a 3-3 team going up against a 2-4 team is ridiculous!  And Oakland almost beat the Chargers in Week 1!  That doesn't phase me...I'm going with San Diego even with their shitload of points.
Confidence Points: 6


Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (-3.0)
Ah, the game that has been giving FOX a hard-on since the beginning of August.  Brett Favre returns to Green Bay.  Do they boo or cheer?  I say cheer.  As for the game, both teams are pretty evenly matched.  Here's the deal-breaker for me: Brett Favre is going to be extra pumped for the game, all 53 Packers are going to be pumped for this game.  53 > 1 ==> Packers get the pick.
Confidence Points: 9


Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals (-10.0)
Last year in the playoffs the Cardinals exposed the weaknesses of Jake Delhomme and he had a pick-fest and the questions started.  Since then he has continued to play poorly and the questions continued.  On Sunday the questions will end and so will Delhomme's job as starting quarterback of the Panthers.  If Carolina losses they're virtually out of the playoff picture and it will be time to look towards the future and see what else they have at that position.  The Cardinals are back to Superbowl form and will win big.
Confidence Points: 12


Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints (-10.0)
The Falcons fell apart in Dallas last week and now have a probably more difficult task this week on the road in New Orleans.  The Saints would have lost that game last week in Miami if the Dolphins continued running their Wildcat offense in the second half.  The only thing the Saints haven't done is play a divisional game.  This will be their first one and these are the games they need to win.  They might get the win, but I like Atlanta to bounce back and at least cover.
Confidence Points: 2