Re: Week 12 NFL picks

bryan K <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> "Dave Zero" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> Without the spread...
>>
>> CAR at DAL (x)
>
> Oh, boy....I've been eagerly anticipating this one.  I love defensive
> football, and there is a good chance neither of these teams will
> score at all with their meleaguered repsective offenses going up
> against their powerhouse defenses.  That being said, I think Carolina
> has a very slight advantage in their running game.  However, I'm not
> so sure how long they can keep going winning close one after close
> one.  They have to have an emotional let-down sooner or later.  I
> don't think it will be for another week, though.  The final will be
> 3-0 in overtime.
> Carolina

Overall, good analysis. I'm thinking (hoping) that as you say, a letdown
is inevitable, and that it might well come in the warm and friendly
confines of Texas Stadium.

>> DET at MIN (x)
>
> The Vikings have made both San Diego and Oakland look like
> juggernauts over the past few weeks.  I can't imagine that they could
> possibly lose a fifth straight after winning six straight, though.
> Besides, Detroit doesn't have a running game, do they?  I have a
> feeling they will this week.  But Detroit is just plain bad.  Their
> woefully long road losing streak is not going to end quite yet.
> Minnesota

Minnesota's got problems, no denying, but if they can't beat Detroit,
they're not making the playoffs.

>> IND (x) at BUF
>
> Two of the three Buffalo studs on offense are dinged up.  Moulds has
> not been the same since suffering his groin injury, and Henry's
> status is uncertain right now.  They just can't compete with Indy.
> Indianapolis
>
>> JAX at NYJ (x)
>
> If Jacksonville would bring Mark Brunell back, they might have a shot
> in this one.  However, I have to give the edge to the Jets.
> New York.

Yep. What's Brunell doing anyway? Injured?

>> NE (x) at HOU
>
> I may be the only one to have picked the Astros, er, Texans to beat
> the Bills last week.  I should have made it my upset pick of the
> week.  Oh well....I do think that Houston is a pretty solid team that
> will make some noise next year.  I do not think they are good enough
> to be that Patriots...even at home.
> New England

Again, I agree, the Texans have done surprisingly well and next season
might contend for a playoff spot. But I remember the Patriots too well
from facing them last week. If they can hang a donut on the Cowboys,
they should have no problem with Houston. They'll actually be able to
score multiple touchdowns.
 .
>> NO at PHI (x)
>
> Philadelphia will take control of the NFC East this week and move up
> to the number two spot in the NFC with a convincing win over New
> Orleans. Philadelphia

Horseshit (from an NFC homer at least). Philly will win this one I
think, and will probably stay tied for the division lead until the head
to head game. Pretty much whoever wins that game will be able to take
the East.

>> PIT at CLE (x)
>
> What?  Both of these teams still have a shot at the playoffs?  You
> gotta be kidding!  I'm taking the home team in this battle of teams
> in the AFC Inept division.
> Cleveland

Yep, Cleveland, less inept of the two.

>> SEA (x) at BAL
>
> Seattle has struggled on the road, and Baltimore's defense is pretty
> good. I've been on the Raven bandwagon all year long.  I'm going with
> them again. Baltimore

You may well be right. This was sort of a hasty pick I made and since
then have had Seattle's abyssmal road record pointed out to me a couple
teams. Oh well, if they really are a contender, they're gonna have to
get it done on the road.

>> SF at GB (x)
>
> This is one of those instances where I'm going against my preseason
> pick. San Francisco needs the win a little bit more than Green Bay at
> this point. There are plenty of reasons why the Niners should be
> motivated going into this one, but I believe the bottom line is Brett
> Favre's injured thumb.  He has proven before that he has what it
> takes to play through injuries, but the Niner pass rush is going to
> knock him on his back at least a few times. Here's to hoping Favre
> makes it through this one.  I'm predicting another strong game from
> Tim Rattay en route to a very close Niner win.
> San Francisco

With Rattay starting, in my opinion, they certainly have a better
chance. If this one had been played in Frisco I would have picked the
Niners.

>> CHI at DEN (x)
>
> Denver's defense should at least be able to keep pace with Chicago's
> defense.  Denver has the advantage in offense.  This one might not
> even be close.
> Denver

I think it will resemble the can of whoop-ass Denver opened on the
Chargers last week.

>> STL (x) at ARI
>
> The way St. Louis has been playing, I will have a hard time picking
> them to win on the road against anyone.  They lucked out against
> Chicago last week, and they lucked out against the Ravens the week
> before. Chalk this one up as my upset pick of the week.  Arizona will
> beat St. Louis.  I'm trying to remember the last time I picked
> Arizona to win a game.
> Arizona

Ballsy call - and I hope you're right because STL looks like a potential
playoff opponent.

>> CIN (x) at SD
>
> Is the Cincinnati bandwagon full yet?
> Cincinnati

I just jumped right back on.

>> OAK at KC (x)
>
> There has to be room on the Kansas City bandwagon after their loss
> last week.  Oakland will not beat the Chiefs if they can only rely on
> their quarterback to throw four passes in the first half.
> Kansas City

This is a game I'd say to take the "over" on - look for another 30+
point performance from KC.

>> TEN (x) at ATL
>
> I don't think there is a quarterback in the league right now who is
> better than Steve McNair.  I don't think there is a team in the NFL
> right now that is better than the Titans.  This should be a fun one
> to watch for anyone who likes to see a home team blown out.
> Tennessee

The way Atlanta had been doing I was flirting with the idea of picking
them to win, until I saw who they were playing.

Tennessee is excellent and if the season ended today, a great case could
be made for McNair to win MVP. He's composed of monster.

>> WSH at MIA (x)
>
> Washington is playing with renewed vigor since Spurrier has admitted
> he is human.  Miami is playing with renewed vigor after they got
> pummelled by a powerful Titans team two weeks ago.  This one will be
> close.
> Miami

Washington looked sad, sad, sad, when we played them. Especially in
Miami, gotta give it to the Fish.

>> NYG at TB (x)
>
> I think Keyshawn's release will pump some vigor into this Bucs team,
> but it may be too little too late.  They need to go undefeated from
> here on out to have a chance.  However, I think the true reason why
> the Buccaneers have been playing poorly this year is because John
> Lynch is less than 100%.  His outstanding play at safety has been the
> reason why the Bucs' cover-2 defense has worked so well in recent
> years.  He should have been the league MVP last year because he is
> the only safety in the league who can be an effective run stopper
> while not being brought up into the box.  Tiki Barber is a very
> viable threat against this team, and if Kerry Collins can utilize the
> play-fake, they will be a tough challenge for the Bucs defense.  Let
> us not forget that the Giants defense was their strength also last
> year.  However, the loss of Jeremy Shockey makes opponents' defenses
> have to cover one less threat.  I'm giving the edge to Tampa in this
> one simply because I believe they can afford to pull up Lynch to help
> stop Barber as long as Shockey is out.
> Tampa

A lot will come down to whether Tiki can hold onto the ball.

>> Record so far: 100-60 (.625)
>
> I'm 107-53 thanks to a 12-4 showing last week and another work pool
> win.  I tied two other guys at 12-4 last week, but I picked the
> Niners to win 27-17 which was dead on in the number two tiebreaker:
> Monday Night total points (number one tiebreaker is getting the
> Monday Night game right).

Good job! Well, I've tied my man Primate, now I'm chasing you....


-- 
Dave Zero

"And I don't care about making an ass out of myself because most people
already realize I am one." - Dr. Kary B. Mullis

"I criticize by creation" - Cicero

"Think not that I am come to bring peace, for I bring not peace but a
sword." - Jesus Christ