PHILADELPHIA –7½ over Baltimore<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Not common for us to endorse laying better then a converted touchdown against a team with a defense as good as the Ravens but it’s not the Ravens defense that has us heavily siding with the Eagles, it’s the offense. Baltimore will face its most balanced opponent as the Eagles can play on both sides of the ball and that will be something foreign to the Ravens. A good game for Batimore’s Kyle Boller is throwing for 100 yards and against this juggernaut it just won’t cut it. In fact, the Ravens last three wins have come against Buffalo, Washington, and Cinci, arguably three of the worst attacks in the league. When they played Kansas City, a team with offensive weapons, they looked more like a third tier team and lost 27-24 but the score was extremely flattering to the Ravens. They were completely dominated in that loss they also lost 20-3 to the Brownies on opening day and a similar result here is expected. The Ravens are just not equipped to go head to head with this Eagles squad and will have trouble even scoring a single point. 17 points by the Eagles here will get the cover and don’t be surprised to see something like 27-0. Play Philadelphia –7½ (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).<o></o>
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DALLAS –3 over Detroit<o></o>
For the third consecutive week we’re stepping in against Detroit, however, this choice is more about “stepping in” on the Cowboys then it is about going against the Lions. After last week’s loss to the Packers, the Boys third straight loss and second embarrassing loss in a row, Bill Parcells stepped up to the plate and took the blame. Said Parcells ``It's my responsibility to put a team that performs better than that on the field. Thus far I haven’t done that. I’m the head coach and our play on the field is all my fault, we’re not well enough prepared to compete”. Parcells is a master at this sort of thing and rather then blame the players he took it upon himself to take full responsibility. What he’ll get as a result of those press conference comments is a huge effort from his team. NFL teams often respond big when they are embarrassed and that’s precisely what we’re expecting here. It comes at a good time as the Lions will be playing their third road game is four weeks and Detroit still ranks 32nd in offence and 30th in defense. Those types of numbers have a way of catching up to you. Play Dallas –3 (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).<o></o>
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TENNESSEE –3 over Cincinnati<o></o>
You can look at all the stats you want and come up with picks based on those stats till your blue in the face. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, wagering on the NFL is all about picking the right spot and this is it for the Titans. Everyone is high on the Bengals after watching them push around the Broncos on Monday night and that’s a mistake we’re not about to make. The right time to jump off a team is when everyone jumps on and these Bengals have just one decent game under their belt all year. They’re horrible on the road, they’re coming off a short week and a huge home win on Monday Night, and we’ve just seen this scenario play out this way far too many times to ignore it. Titans have looked ugly but make no mistake about it, they’re a talented bunch that just haven’t put it together yet. That’s about to change, for at least one week anyway. Play Tennessee –3 (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).<o></o>
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PITTSBURGH +1.45 over New England<o></o>
Despite the Patriots amazing run over the past two years we just can’t endorse laying road points to this Steelers squad that will be insanely fired up here. Ben Roethlisberger is emerging as a real stud and more then that is his teammates believing in his abilities. For the first time in a long time the Steelers are playing like a team who really believe they won’t lose. Patriots riding high for just a little too long and a closer look reveals that this edition of the Patriots has had a rather soft schedule this year. They opened the year at home against the Colts and we’re by far the second best team on the field that day. They followed that up with wins over the Cardinals, Bills and Dolphins, hardly anything to get excited about. The Patriots then faced the then undefeated Seahawks and won 30-20 but we’re quickly discovering that the Seahawks aren’t exactly as good as previously advertised. Last week the Patriots had a tough time defeating the Jets and are now asked to perform in this hostile environment, which will absolutely be their toughest assignment of the year. The proverbial wind will finally be taken out of the sails of this Patriot team and we’re just not as high on this team as everyone else. We’re extremely high on the Steelers and we’re calling them to win this one outright. Play Pittsburgh +1.45 (Risking 1.5 units).<o></o>