Week 5 Picks

Mama said there would be days like this. I'm a logical person and figured that there are some truism in the NFL, but Jerry Glanville was on the money when said it stood for Not For Long. Playing the way some of my picks played, I was lucky to get the 4 right that I did. Some of them like Cincy (due for a loss) and Houston (trying to think outside the box) I should have known better, but no one in their right mind thought that Philly would get kicked in the head like they did or that Vinny would make like Lazarus and boost the Jets. There were too many tossups last week and I came down on the wrong side of Sunday, October 16 Atlanta (3-2) @ New Orleans (2-3) Alamodome-San Antonio, TX- 1:00 FOX Favorite-Falcons by 5.5 The Saints wandering road show heads "home" to face an Atlanta team that took the Pats to the wire. The Saints are looking more and more weary week by week, not a good sign with a Falcons team not wanting to let Tampa Bay out of their sights in the NFC South Pick Atlanta Carolina (3-2) @ Detroit (2-2) Ford Field, Detroit-1:00 FOX Favorite-Lions by 1 The Lions were the beneficiary of an undisciplined Ravens team that imploded last week. They won't get that lucky twice, especially against a strong Carolina team, eager to make hay against the softer teams before having to tangle with their stronger NFC South bretheren Pick-Carolina Cincinnati (4-1) @ Tennessee (2-3) The Colliseum, Nashville-1:00 CBS Favorite-Bengals by 3 The media has deserted the Bengals faster than the Iraqis facing the US Army. Yes the men in stripes are vunerable against teams with strong running games, but they should bounce back to whip a Titans team struggling to find its identity. The Bengals have found theirs and will have their swagger back by days end Pick-Cincinnati Cleveland (2-2) @ Baltimore (1-3) M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore-1:00 CBS Favorite-Ravens by 6 The swagger and bravado that the Ravens used have is gone. Ray Lewis is not the force he used to be and the Ravens secondary looks (and when speaking of Deion Sanders is) old. That simply won't do against a rapidly improving Browns team eager to kick their longtime divisional bully when they're down. Is that seat getting any hotter Mr. Billick? I have the feeling that he will be coaching another team in purple next year. Pick-Cleveland Jacksonville (3-2) @ Pittsburgh (3-1) Heinz Field, Pittsburgh-1:00 CBS Favorite-Steelers by 8 The Jags are feeling their oats after a fine national TV showing against a good Bengals squad but the degree of difficulty increases exponentially against a rugged Steeler squad. No Big Ben? No problemo say the Steelers who are more than happy to hand the ball off to Willie Parker, Jerome Bettis and the rest of their hardcore running game. As long as Charlie Batch doesn't try to be a hero the Steelers will wear the younger Jags down. Pick-Pittsburgh Miami (2-2) @ Tampa Bay (4-1) Raymond James Stadium, Tampa-1:00 CBS Favorite-Bucs by 4.5 The Dolphins and Bucs look to wipe the egg off their faces after lackluster showings in New York/New Jersey. If the Bucs have a hale Cadillac they'll run the Fins ragged. If not, the Dolphins deep backfield could carry the day. A game too close to call will go to the home team Pick-Tampa Bay Minnesota (1-3) @ Chicago (1-3) Soldier Field, Chicago-1:00 FOX Favorite-Bears by 3 As a Vikings fan I'm embarrassed about this team's conduct off the field and its play on it is as equally shameful. A weeks worth of distractions to the Vikes will be a big boost to a young Bears squad looking to gain momentunm and tracton in the woefully weak NFC North. I'll be happy if I'm wrong but considering the absolute brain meltdown the Vikes have had. I probably won't be. Pick-Chicago NY Giants (3-1) @ Dallas (3-2) Texas Stadium, Irving TX-1:00 FOX Favorite-Cowboys by 3.5 Which team is the real deal? The Pokes made the Eagles look one dimensional and the G-Men are looking like a contender with a strong opening quarter season. I think the 'Boys are nowhere near as good as their record suggests and Eli Manning will continue to shed his title of "the other Manning." Pick-NY Giants Washington (3-1) @ Kansas City (2-2) Arrowhead Stadium Kansas City, MO-1:00 FOX Favorite-Chiefs by 3.5 The Chiefs have had almost two weeks to stew over a fall from ahead loss to Philly. Pity the poor young Redskins fresh off a valiant effort in Denver last week. The comedown for the Skins will be as steep as the drop from Denver to KC Pick-Kansas City New England (3-2) @ Denver (4-1) Invesco Field @ Mile High-4:15 CBS Favorite-Broncos by 3.5 Week 6's best matchup has a wounded but still very dangerous Patriot squad in Denver taking on a resurgent Broncos team eager to measure itself against the leagues best. Bill Belichick must wonder what he did do deserve a death march like this Pittsburgh, Atlanta and now Denver all on the road. In another tight, taut match look for the Pats to keep it close for Tom Brady and Adam Vinatieri to once again prove why they are the best clutch performers in the NFL Pick-New England NY Jets (2-3) @ Buffalo (2-3) Ralph Wilson Stadium Orchard Park, NY-4:15 CBS Favorite- Bills by 3.5 Both of these teams are coming off of solid if unspectacular wins over Florida teams. Look for a low scoring game, not due to the capable defenses that both teams bring, but the inept offenses that both teams have, Vinny will teach JP how to make the most of what little you have and steal a road victory. Herm Edwards will be further off the hot seat with a win. Pick-NY Jets San Diego (2-3) @ Oakland (1-3) Network Associates Colliseum, Oakland-4:15 CBS Favorite-Chargers by 2 Trust and believe that the Chargers are a whole hell of a lot better than their 2-3 record would indicate. Despite the disparity in recovery time (San Diego losing a tough one on Monday Night, Oakland having its bye week.) the Chargers are clearly the stronger team. Look for the Raiders to keep it close as they have done all season, but LT will be too much for Raider Nation to fend off. Pick- San Diego Houston (0-4) @ Seattle (3-2) Qwest Field, Seattle-8:30 ESPN Favorite-Seahawks by 9 Am I the only one annoyed that the Texans who are rapidly turning in to what the bad old days Bungles used to look like have as many prime time dates as the Bengals who are the more exciting team? Seattle needs no real incentive to build off its cornerstone win over their hated rival/bully last week. They can take real control of the NFC West with a win and will do so with only the lightest of efforts. Pick-Seattle Monday, October 17 St. Louis (2-3) @ Indianapolis (5-0) RCA Dome, Indianapolis-9:00 ABC Favorite-Colts by 13 When this schedule was made, it looked like a primo matchup. Now it looks like a rout waiting to happen. The Rams dispirited after a tough loss at home to what they regarded as a weak rival have to deal with the Colts lockdown D and an offense that looks to be hitting its stride after an slow start. The Colts have given up an average of 5.3 points a game... not yards per rush, points per. The Rams are giving up an average of 29.6 per game. The Rams better have their track shoes ready, they'll be running from the Colts D and running after their O.
Pick-Indy

Last Week 4-10 (Hey everyone is entitled to a boo-boo week)
Season 39-36