Was there really a doubt during last night’s game that the Colts were going to lose? You could tell the second that the Jaguars came out and punched them in the nose that Indy wasn’t going to back down and rest their starters. Maybe this Colts team will go for 19-0, or maybe they just didn’t want to aid a division rival in their post-season quest, but there was a definite fire to the Manning and Co. Last night. Something that won’t be forgotten come January.
The lines are straight from Vegas and the home teams are in CAPS.
NEW ORLEANS -7 over Dallas
The Saints have had a couple of close games recently, but what would make you believe that the Cowboys will be able to keep up scoring with them after looking simply average the past two weeks? I’ve seen Drew Brees exploit too many defences and the Cowboys have too many defensive lapses to back them in New Orleans.
Green Bay +2 over PITTSBURGH
The Steelers still have a hope and a prayer of making the playoffs, but the Packers have finally figured it all out and have become the team we thought they would be in the pre-season. Secretly, Aaron Rodgers has put together a spectacular season and, since Troy Polamalu is still out, it will only get better.
TENNESSEE -3 over Miami
This may be a matchup of 7-6 and 6-7 teams, but it could be the game of the week – if you like hard-nosed rushing affairs that is. Expect Chris Johnson and Ricky Williams to be going at it, back and forth this Sunday.
New England -7.5 over BUFFALO
This has letdown game written all over it, but I’m not buying in. The Patriots record against the Bills is far too good and, in my mind, it overweighs the Pats recent swoon and poor road performances this season.
Arizona -12 over DETROIT
Kurt Warner is always good for a tremendous bounce-back performance and facing the Lions is usually an easy one anyway. If Larry Fitzgerald can’t go, or isn’t at 100%, there’s still Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston to go to.
PHILADELPHIA -8.5 over San Francisco
The Niners travelling across the continent isn’t a good thing. Facing a team that they’ll be forced to outscore isn’t a good sign for them either. The Eagles’ offence is capable of a big play at any time, something you haven’t been able to say about San Francisco in a long time.
Atlanta +4 over NEW YORK JETS
Do you trust Mark Sanchez in the windy cold of the Meadowlands? Besides, the Falcons have to win this one to get some post-season hopes up the Jets are ready to crush their fans’ spirits.
Chicago +11 over BALTIMORE
Where are the Ravens going to get all these points? They can kill most crummy teams, but beating the slightly-below-average Bears by a dozen points seems like a bit too much of a challenge.
KANSAS CITY -2 over Cleveland
These two teams have five combined wins this season and each team has one against Pittsburgh. How does that make Steelers fans feel I wonder? Matt Cassel is due for a good performance and Dwayne Bowe is back to torment the Browns.
Houston -10 over ST. LOUIS
This may be the best bet of the season. The Rams are starting a QB named Null and if that wasn’t bad enough, they had to cancel a practice this week after a swine flu outbreak. The Texans always finish strong to raise hopes for the next season, too.
Cincinnati +7 over SAN DIEGO
It’s been a rough week for the Bengals after the tragic death of Chris Henry. This should be enough to help them rally and put up a great effort on the west coast. This one will be closer than seven points, for sure.
DENVER -14 over Oakland
How bad must JaMarcus Russell feel right now? After being replaced by Bruce Gradkowski, who was injured last week, Russell won’t even get a chance to win back his job this week. Nope, Charlie Frye will be the Raiders starter for at least this week and, really it won’t be too hard to look better than Russell did this season. The Broncos shouldn’t have too much of a problem running up the score at home.
SEATTLE -6 over Tampa Bay
QWest Field is an awful place for visitors to play, especially if they have a rookie QB at the helm. Even with a team as banged up as Seahawks have right now, their crowd’s enthusiasm and true home field advantage will lift them to victory.
CAROLINA +9 over Minnesota
The Vikings may be a great team, but can Brett Favre get it done outdoors in December? At the very least, Carolina should be able to keep the game within single digits.
New York Giants -3 over WASHINGTON
I’m sure the Redskins would love to play spoiler and bounce the resurgent Giants from playoff contention. It’s just a shame for Washington fans that it won’t happen. They simply don’t have the firepower to match a Giants squad that just put up 38 points in a loss.
This week: 1-0
Last week: 10-6
This season: 116-84-1
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