Week 10 Picks

Before I rant about another 7-7 week some notes and observations ...
My sources informed me that the handpicked game to move to NBC in week 11 will be the Chargers-Broncos
Jon Kitna had a higher passer rating last week than Carson Palmer , Payton Manning or Tom Brady

Im stuck at mediocrity a pair of 7-7 weeks has brought my winning percentage down. Happily we now have a full Sunday slate of games to feast on. And plenty of intriging matchups to boot. All 32 teams have now played 8 games and we learned this so far. The Bengals are a victim of their own success, and the sports media still unhappy about them going from dormant to dominant is seeking to put the Bungles tag back on them . The Bears while 7-1 are not the inpregnable team that most have made them out to be and Rex (Wreck) Grossman is not proving to me to be an elite QB The Stealin' Team from Pittsburgh is rapidly going down in flames, but still gets the nod

NFL SCHEDULE – WEEK 10
Sunday, November 12

Ravens (6-2) @ Titans (2-6)
LP Field- Nashville 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite- Ravens by 7
Its A Fact -These teams have split their 16 total meetings
The Ravens are fresh off of a division controling win over the Bengals and have seemed to recover from the two game offensive slumber that they were in October. The Titans are still finding their way and Vince Young is rapidly discovering his potential. That said he has a monumental task facing the roughhouse D that the Ravens bring to the table. Look for the Ravens to utilize their excellent ball control capabilites against a soft Titans defense, get a lead and wait for the predictable results when Young has to throw into the teeth of the Ravens D.
Pick-Baltimore

Bills (3-5) @ Colts (8-0)
RCA Dome, Indianapolis 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite- Colts by 12
Its A Fact -The Bills actually lead the alltime series 34-29-1, but the Colts have won the last five meeting those the last one was 17-14 Colts win in Buffalo in 2003.
The Colts feel that they have truly gotten the Patriot Monkey off their back with a solid win in New England last Sunday Night. (The jury is out on that one till the playoffs, bunkley) The Colts won't get caught in an obvious trap game. The Bills are only averaging 14.3 points on the road while the Colts are averaging 28.5 at home. Simply put the Bills don't have the horsepower (pun intended) to keep up.
Pick-Indianapolis

Browns (2-6) @ Falcons (5-3)
Georgia Dome, Atlanta 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite Falcons by 7.5
Its A Fact-The Browns lead the all-time series 9-2
The Browns are revamping their offensive philosophy to a more ball-control offense utilizing Rueben Droughns more, but the fact is that the Falcons can grind it out against a weak Browns run defense and Michael Vick can and will burn the Browns secondary if they load up the box to stop the run. The Browns will keep it close, but the Falcons will bounce back from a puzzling loss in Detroit
Pick-Atlanta

Packers (3-5) @ Vikings (4-4)
HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis- 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite- Vikings by 5.5
Its A Fact These bitter rivals are tied in their long time series at 44 wins apiece and 1 tie.
(Long Sigh) The Vikings are the most confounding team in the NFL this side of the Bengals. Actually, one knows that the Vikings are offensively challenged and struggle to score points. If the Vikings D can force Brett Favre into his gunslinger mode the opportunistic secondary will take advantage. If the Vikings can run the ball effectively and control the clock in any case they should pull out a close win.
Pick-Minnesota

Texans (2-6) @ Jaguars (5-3)
Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite- Jaguars by 10.5
Its A Fact-This is one of the few series that the Texans lead. Their 27-7 thumping of the Jags 3 weeks ago give them a 5-4 series edge.
Think the Jags have this game circled since the thumping they received in Houston Oct. 22nd? The Jags haven't lost since and have given up 6 and 7 points in their last two games. The Texans haven't won since and have gotten manhandled in their two games. Bad things man, bad things... Pick-Jacksonville

Chiefs (5-3) @ Dolphins (2-6)
Dolphins Stadium, Miami-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite- Chiefs by 1
Its A Fact-These teams met last season on Friday October 21, when the threat of Hurricane Wilma neccesitated its rescheduling. The Chiefs won 30-20.
The Dolphins are feeling good after their shocking upset in Chicago. And the Chiefs have a bad habit of losing to weaker teams, but I can't see the Dolphins playing over their heads twice in a row. If Larry Johnson gets his the Chiefs should roll and keep up in an airtight AFC West.
Pick-Kansas City

NY Jets (4-4) @ Patriots (6-2)
Gillette Stadium; Foxboro, MA 1:00 (CBS)
Favorite- Patriots by 10.5
Its A Fact-The Patriots have won seven straight against the Jets
Despite their loss to the Colts the Pats can put a hammer lock on the AFC East with a win as they have yet to lose versus and AFC East team. The Jets hung tough with them in their first meeting and are well rested after their bye. I doubt that you can sneak up on a Bill Belichick coached team twice and the Jets will learn hard and fast who the boss is in the division.
Pick-New England

Chargers (6-2) @ Bengals (4-4)
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati-1:00 (CBS)
Favorite- Chargers by 1.5
Its A Fact -The Bengals played their first ever game against the Chargers, losing 29-13 in September 1968.
This has all the makings of a trap game for the Chargers. They have been rolling as of late, and the Bengals are having trouble with being consistent. If LaDainian Tomlinson continues his white hot run of prolific scoring, the Bengals are in deep trouble. I can't see the Bengals even really slowing LT down.
Pick-San Diego

49ers (3-5) @ Lions (2-6)
Ford Field, Detroit-1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Lions by 6
Its A Fact This is the Niners first visit to Ford Field
Both teams are coming off stunning wins. But the Lions have suddenly developed an offense and with the Niners sluggishness with their offense , it doesn't bode well for the Niners.
Pick-Detroit

Redskins (3-5) @ Eagles (4-4)
Lincoln Financial Field- 1:00 (FOX)
Favorite-Eagles by 7
Its A Fact-The Redskins win over Dallas marked their first win over an NFC team
The Redskins are coming off a snatched from the jaws of defeat win over the Cowboys and face a rested Eagles team. I cant see the Redskins pulling this one out especially if Brian Westbrook gets rolling. The Eagles puzzling slide stops here.
Pick-Philadelphia

Broncos (6-2) @ Raiders (2-6)
McAfee Coliseum, Oakland- 4:05 (CBS)
Favorite- Broncos by 7
Its A Fact- The Raiders won back to back home game for the first time since 2004
The Broncos once stingy defense has suddenly gone generous, giving up 34 to the Colts and 20 to the Steelers. The Raiders got their cans handed to them in Seattle and despite having a respectable defense their offense will make little headway against the Broncos. Look for the Broncos to jump on a Raiders mistake, get the lead and make it stick.
Pick-Denver

Cowboys (4-4) @ Cardinals (1-7)
University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, AZ-4:15 (FOX)
Favorite- Cowboys by 6.5
Its A Fact-The Cardinals are planning to honor Pat Tillman with induction into its ring of honor and dedication of a statue of the fallen hero.
The Poekes simply put gave a winnable game away to the Skins and I'm not referring to the missed Vanderjagt FG. Call me crazy but I see the Cards despite all their woes riding a wave of emotion and stealing one from the rapidly disintergrating Pokes.
Pick-Arizona

Saints (6-2) @ Steelers (2-6)
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh-4:15 (FOX)
Favorite- Steelers by 4
Its A Fact-This is the Saints first trip to Heinz Field. The Steelers won 37-14 the last time the Saints played in Pittsburgh in 1992.
Contrary to what the apolgists in the sports media will tell you, the Steelers are done. They were game against a solid Denver team, but the Saints provide more of the same: A solid running game and an opportunistic defense thatr will press Ben Roethlisberger into a a mistake or three and cash in. To quote Flavor Flav "Don't Believe the Hype" Cold weather or no, the Saints are better.
Pick-New Orleans

Rams (4-4) @ Seahawks (5-3)
Qwest Field, Seattle-4:15 (FOX)
Favorite- No Line
Its A Fact-The Seahawks have averaged 32.7 points in the last three meetings with the Rams, all wins.
The Seahawks would love to have the services of Shaun Alexander to run on a weak Rams run defense. But they don't and the Rams have enough fire power to force Seneca Wallace to beat them with his arm. I can't see that happening.
Pick-St. Louis

Bears (7-1) @ NY Giants (6-2)
Giants Stadium; East Rutherford, NJ-8:15 (NBC)
Favorite- Giants by 3
Its A Fact The Bears lead the all-time series 26-17-2
The Bears are woozy after getting an unexpected pimp-slap by the Dolphins. The Giants are a lot tougher than the Fins and boast a rugged running game and depsite the abscence of Michael Strahan a solid defense. Eli Manning will be without Amani Toomer, but the G-men will manage. Rex Grossman continues to come back to earth
Pick-New York Giants

Monday, November 13

Buccaneers (2-6) @ Panthers (4-4)
Bank Of America Stadium, Charlotte-8:30 (ESPN)
Favorite- Panthers by 9
Its A Fact-Both teams are a game over .500 on Monday Night (TB 8-7, Car 3-2)
The Panthers are a tough team to figure, flying high after a tough win over Baltimore, they got outslugged in Cincy and pounded by the Pokes before a stunned home crowd. They've had a week to stew about and the Bad News Bucs are in their sights. The Bucs anemic offense doesn't need to deal with an angry Panthers defense.
Pick-Carolina

Last Week 7-7
Overall 78-50