Desperate For Material Cont.
This is our second post of NFL picks for the upcoming weekend, you can read the first half here. Or just scroll down for a millisecond, whichever seems more logical to you.
(Home team in caps)
DENVER -9.5 Oakland
Oakland is actually the safer bet here. If they can score over 20 points against anyone just by controlling the ball and not committing errant turnovers, it’s Denver. That Broncos defense is about as imposing as a mouse to a lion, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one team so lopsided on the two sides of the ball. They’ll still win and it won’t be as nearly close as it seems, but expect Oakland to get in the endzone a couple times just by ripping off 15 yard chunks on the ground with whichever running back(s) are not injured this week.
ATLANTA -1 Carolina
These NFC south teams are ridiculously even and the road team always gets shellacked. Not to mention Carolina really should have lost the last two weeks against Detroit and Oakland, because those two teams are that fucking horrendous. Take Atlanta for the win, unless you expect Carolina to win out this season on one of the greater lucky streaks akin to the Ravens circa 2006.
New York Giants -3 ARIZONA
Game of the week by any measure. Great offenses, the best front seven in the league and the dog is at home. The Giants are the better team amongst these two (and we are always rooting for them, what with our 20/1 bet on them to win the Superbowl), but the Cards are playing possessed (particularly on offense). Personally, I see New York holding court and coming out of the desert with a win, but we’re not going to be surprised if Eli Manning of 2006 resurrects for one of those spontaneous 3 interception games.
Washington -3 SEATTLE
Take Washington. Sure, Seattle has Branch and Hasselbeck back, but neither are at full capacity. Other than that, the only thing Seattle has going for them is that they’re at home, and Washington has to contend with rowdy north-westerners. But if you recall, The Skins won all three divisional road games and although they never blow anyone out, winning by four is a modest victory by anyone’s definition. Actually, the way the NFL is going these days that will start to look like a blowout.
SAN DIEGO -3 Indianapolis
Am I missing something here? Indy is actually getting points? Why, because they have to fly cross country. I’ll grant you that going east to west fucks one up a lot more than vice-versa, but this San Diego team just looks like they don’t give a shit. Is it just the lack of Merriman? Is Tomlinson getting old? Is the O-line disappointing? I have no idea because I live in Columbus and have only had maybe one Chargers game available to me all season. Still, I only have one rule: when a Manning led Colts team has ripped off 3 straight impressive wins and they are playing in prime time against a 4-6 team, I’m taking the Colts.
NEW ORLEANS -2.5 Green Bay
No idea, but if forced to choose I am taking the Saints. All these NFC teams seem to struggle stringing together two impressive wins and the Packers just baptized the Bears last Sunday. Despite the Saints seeming ineptitude as of late, of all the teams in the NFL, they’re the most dysfunctional on the road relative to at home. And this game is at home. I’d give the points, though I think the Packers are the superior team in almost every way. Sadly, with the NFL, that doesn’t seem to matter anymore.
Back to fantasy tomorrow, where I doll out half-assed recommendations.
November 26th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
[...] to combine our fantasy recommendations along with our picks, because what we did last week was completely illogical. Everyone better hope that we start failing on these picks, because we’re… (Home team in [...]