Week XII Picks, Part Deux

posted on 2004-11-26 at 23:01:19 by Joel Ross

I'll get my week 11 review up next, but I'm tired and have 1500 unread blogs to read, so I want to make sure I get this out first. I already posted the Thanksgiving game picks (and was right on both!), so those aren't included.

  • Baltimore vs. New England (-7): I don't know why, but I think New England will lose this one. Baltimore has Jamal Lewis back, and they still have Ray Lewis on defense. New England's defense is dropping left and right, so Baltimore should be able to move the ball.
  • Philadelphia (-7) vs. New York Giants: The Giants have been struggling lately (they even lost to the odd week Falcons), and Philly is still the best team in NFC.
  • Washington vs. Pittsburgh (-10.5): I don't have any disillusions here. Washington won't win, but they should cover. It's that whole 10 point rule again. You'll see that again this week too.
  • Cleveland vs. Cincinnati (-6): I'll take Cincinnati to win, but Cleveland will keep it close.
  • Jacksonville vs. Minnesota (-5.5): Minnesota has to get back on track at some point. Barely beating Detroit doesn't count. Might as well be Jacksonville then.
  • Tampa Bay (-2.5) vs. Carolina: Surprisingly enough, this isn't the least meaningful game of the week. But don't be fooled. This game is still meaningless. I'll take Tampa Bay though.
  • San Diego vs. Kansas City (-3): How can KC, who's 3-7, be a favorite over San Diego, who's 7-3? I'll take the Chargers.
  • Tennessee (-1.5) vs. Houston: Another match up of the old Houston versus the new Houston. New Houston won last time, 20-10, but that won't happen this time. McNair is back, and knows that one more loss could mean no playoffs (a likely situation anyway).
  • New Orleans vs. Atlanta (-9.5): I like to knock Atlanta as an even-odd week team, but they are 8-2. Pretty impressive - 4th in the league. They should be able to run New Orleans out of Atlanta.
  • New York Jets (-3) vs. Arizona: The Jets should take this one easily.
  • Buffalo vs. Seattle (-5.5): Seattle needs to get back on track. At 6-4, it's pretty pathetic they are in first place in the West by themselves. That's the only division that's possible. St. Louis has a difficult game against Green Bay, so this is a good chance to gain a game on them.
  • Miami vs. San Francisco (-1): This is the most meaningless game of the week. No doubt. I think Miami, if they lose, could be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. They already can't win the division. The 49ers still have a miniscule chance, but they aren't eliminated yet. I'm not sure any of that will play into this game, but Miami will win.
  • Oakland vs. Denver (-11): Denver will win, but Oakland will cover. It's that Ross Code of Betting - 10 points or more, pick the 'dog.
  • St. Louis vs. Green Bay (-6.5): If Minnesota and Green Bay both win, they increase their lead over the Bears and Lions to three games. Of couse they'll still be tied, but at least they won't be overtaken by the other guys in the division. For the division being a (typically) weak division, if Green Bay is to lose the division to Minnesota, somehow, at 6-4), they are first in the run for a wildcard.

So there you have it. For what it's worth.

Categories: Football