Now that the trade deadline has come and gone, we can all sit back and ask: “You can trade during the NFL season?” The real NFL is nothing like Madden, where you can simply trade for any player you want and plug him right into your lineup, without the consequences of the newcomer having to learn the playbook, audibles or schemes. That’s why in the real NFL, those big names will usually only be dealt in the off-season, when there’s plenty of time to learn and grow rapport with teammates. To put it simply, I’m not expecting Braylon Edwards to keep on having an impact like he did in his first week as Jet.
As for this week’s picks, the lines are from Las Vegas and the home teams are in CAPS.
San Diego -5 over KANSAS CITY
It’s just about time for the Chargers to start their, ahem, charge towards the post-season. San Diego is a perennial slow starter and should turn it around here.
Indianapolis -13 over ST. LOUIS
Seriously, I’m surprised this isn’t much higher. Also, St. Louis is less than a four hour drive from Indy. It wouldn’t be surprising if we saw a 50/50 split of fans at the Edward Jones dome.
Chicago +1.5 over CINCINNATI
The Bengals luck ran out last week.
Green Bay -6.5 over CLEVELAND
I have no idea why this line is so low. The Browns are awful and the Packers are a strong contender for the post-season.
Minnesota +4.5 over PITTSBURGH
The Steelers are 1-5 against the spread and Troy Polamalu is still hobbled. Even though Pittsburgh’s key defensive cog played last week, he didn’t look great at all.
New England -14.5 over TAMPA BAY at London, England
While a lot of people have been saying that nobody will cheer for the Patriots because of the meaning behind their name, I’m pretty sure people across the pond know of Tom Brady and his exploits on and off the field. And if they don’t they will after Sunday’s shellacking of Tampa.
San Francisco +3 over HOUSTON
The Texans are actually performing like the playoff contenders that everyone thought they would be. Of course, that means they’re due for a collapse.
NY Jets -6 over OAKLAND
The Jets really can’t be as bad as they were during the Bills game, can they? While losing Kris Jenkins for the season drastically hurts their defence, the Raiders are still the Raiders, even if they have two wins now.
Buffalo +7 over CAROLINA
Perhaps playing Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB instead of the concussed Trent Edwards is a good idea. Either way, I’m not sure that the Panthers can cover seven when Jake Delhomme is throwing at a defence that had six picks last weekend.
New Orleans -6.5 over MIAMI
The Dolphins can mix you up like it’s nobody’s business with their unique offence, but Drew Brees and company haven’t won by less than 14 this season and are coming off of a huge win.
DALLAS -4 vs. Atlanta
The Cowboys have no business being favoured against a team that’s actually good. Regardless if they’re at home and coming off of a bye week.
Arizona +7 over NEW YORK GIANTS
Stylistically, the Cardinals are a similar team to the Saints who just whupped the Giants. Their defence might not be as strong, but at least their offence can gun it and should keep this game within seven.
Philadelphia -7 over WASHINGTON
If you don’t think that the Eagles are going to come out at walk all over the Redskins, you don’t know the Eagles. Every season they have a big let down game where they stink up the joint and then come out firing the next week. This is that next week.
Last week: 10-4.
This season: 48-39.
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