One New York Life

Sunday

Denver Broncos +4 at Baltimore Ravens: So, my excuse for picking against the Broncos this week is “they haven’t faced a defense this tough yet.” So, yeah, that’ll be what I’m wrong about this week. Ravens cover

Cleveland Browns +13.5 at Chicago Bears: Not a chance. Bears cover

Houston Texans -2.5 at Buffalo Bills: The Texans have been quite efficient in beating bad teams and losing to good teams. Let’s assume they beat another bad team here. Texans cover

New York Giants +2 at Philadelphia Eagles: Ugh. I’m happy that Brian Westbrook will probably not be at full strength so he doesn’t run for seven thousand yards against the Giants. Honestly, these games are always a coin toss. It rarely matters who’s better and only occasionally matters who’s home. Giants outright

San Francisco 49ers +11 at Indianapolis Colts: On the road? Check. Non NFC West? The Alex Smith streak ends at 1. Colts cover

Miami Dolphins +4 at New York Jets: It’s rare that the Jets play on a day where they’re the third most interesting sports option in New York City. Just wait until next year when they take a backseat to the Wade/Bosh/Shaq Knicks. Dolphins outright

St. Louis Rams +3.5 at Detroit Lions: I picked up Marc Bulger up in fantasy this week for a spot start. Oh yeah… it’s that time of year. Rams outright

Seattle Seahawks +9.5 at Dallas Cowboys: Until their offensive line issues are sorted out, I can’t pick the Seahawks to win anything. Even against the mediocre Dallas defense who will be dancing around like idiots this week because they’re super tough guys when they’re winning. Cowboys cover

Minnesota Vikings +3 at Green Bay Packers: One awesome thing about there being a New York/Philly World Series — complete isolation from the Favre-mania that must be around the national media this week. The Yankees being in the World Series has sucked a lot of the life out of this game here. I can’t help but root for Aaron Rodgers, who must really want to slay this dragon that just won’t get out of his way. Isn’t it strange how no quarterback in Denver can get out of the shadow of John Elway and Brett Favre single-handedly eliminated his own shadow in Green Bay. In a weird way, Aaron Rodgers should thank him. Honestly, I think the Packers will do anything short of murder to win this game, plus a small part of me does think the Packer Faithful will be able to rattle Favre. It’s one thing to piss on the home fans leaving town. It’s another thing to go back again. Packers cover

Oakland Raiders +6.5 at San Diego Chargers: There aren’t enough points. Something also tells me that this is a typo by the guy who runs this pool because the spread on this game is 16. Chargers cover

Jacksonville Jaguars +3 at Tennessee Titans: While I’m usually not a huge fan of owners stepping in to football operations, I really don’t understand what Jeff Fisher’s objection to Vince Young. Like, the season’s over. You’re probably not stealing a playoff spot in the AFC with 9 wins. Let’s see what your got. As for this game, you want me to take a team that’s getting used to a quarterback with a coach who doesn’t care to play him? Pass. Jags outright

Carolina Panthers +9 at Arizona Cardinals: Speaking of the season being over. Cardinals cover

Monday

Atlanta Falcons +9 at New Orleans Saints: We learned last week that the Falcons can’t stop the Cowboys offense — we’re supposed to assume they can stop the Saints offense? On the road? Saints cover

Spreadery

1) Colts -11 over Niners
2) Saints -11 over Falcons
3) Cardinals -9 over Panthers