Buffalo +5½ over BALTIMORE
It wasn’t pretty but the Bills finally got off the mat with a much needed win over the inept Dolphins. While it isn’t much, it’s still a win and the Bills defense has proven that they won’t take a backseat to anyone. Enter Kyle Boller and the Ravens offense. Boller is not quite as bad as he seems. He’s worse. However, until Anthony Wright recovers from an injury, Boller is it and enters this one without the use of star running back Jamal Lewis who begins a two-game suspension. Not exactly a good situation to be spotting a near touchdown. Despite Buffalo’s 1-4 record, they’ve been in all of their games, having lost three of them by a combined eight points. Give us the first points here, a TD or a FG and we’ll see ya at the cashiers window when this one’s in the books. Line is too fat. Play Buffalo +5½ (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).
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></o>TAMPA BAY –7 over Chicago
Lots of positive signs surrounding the Bucs after three consecutive good games and they’ll get a chance here to take all those frustrations out on this intruder. Bucs defeated the Saints between close losses to both Denver and St. Louis, the latter on Monday Night in a game they could have clearly won. Brian Griese has stepped up as the leader and he looks like a new man, a rejuvenated one, if you will. Bucs defense is also performing at a high level and they’ll catch a Bears offense that has absolutely nothing to offer. Chicago QB Jonathan Quinn does not have the tools required for his position nor much of a supporting cast. Bucs ready to roll over someone and they couldn’t have hand-picked a better opponent. The timing is just right for an easy home win. Play Tampa Bay –7 (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).
<o
></o>NY GIANTS –6½ over Detroit
The Lions’ toothless offence, which ranks dead last in the league, ran for just 33 yards and passed for a mere 11 yards in the second half last Sunday. They simply have too many injuries on offence and no cure is in sight. Detroit has won two road games this season but they’ve still lost 24 of its past 26 away from home. These felines have been outscored by a combined 68-23 by Philadelphia and Green Bay. The Giants currently rank with those two, are rested and are anxious to get back to work after their bye. We’re banking that this is not one of the same typical Giants team of the past, the one that comes up completely lame after opening some eyebrows. This Giant team is different. Tiki Barber is holding onto the ball, Kurt Warner is regaining the form that saw him dominate in this league, and new drill sergeant, Tom Coughlin has the G-Men believing in what they’re doing. Lions get exposed for the second week in a row. Play NY Giants –6½ (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).
<o
></o>MIAMI +2.20 over St. Louis
We’re calling for the upset here in a game that the Dolphins can surely win. This group of Rams is an erratic bunch at best, especially on the road where they absolutely cannot be trusted. Their defense is in the bottom three in the league and it’s just the perfect remedy for what ails these Fish. Don’t be fooled by the Rams 4-2 record. They could just as easily be 1-5 right now. They fluked a win last week against the Bucs, they were all but dead the previous week in Seattle and then the Seahawks quit with eight minutes to go in the game with a 27-7 lead. They were fortunate to beat the Cardinals on opening day in St. Louis, and their only real legitimate win of the year was a 24-14 victory on a Sunday night in San Francisco. Dolphins are hungry for a win, the defense has nothing but pride and they’re very good. The team comes to play every week and they’re on the verge of a win. The spot is a perfect one as the Rams are coming off a Monday Night win and are getting way too much credit for being a good football team when in fact, they’re not even close. Dolphins put up some points here and get their first win of the year against this vulnerable Rams squad. Play Miami +2.20 (Risking 1.5 units to win 3.3 units).
<o
></o>The Rest of the Games
<o
></o>CLEVELAND +7 over Philadelphia
Tough to buck Eagles right now as they’ve covered 15 of last 16 regular season games. That said, spotting a converted touchdown on the road against a Browns team that is undefeated here and playing its best football as hosts, is difficult to endorse. In addition, the Eagles are coming off a big revenge game against the Panthers and really have no score to settle here. Your paying a premium to back the Eagles here and your also laying big road points, a combination that seldom works out well. Upset possibility. Play Cleveland +7 (No bets).
<o
></o>San Diego +3 over CAROLINA
Chargers aren’t the pushovers many thought they’d be while the Panthers suffering major Super Bowl appearance hangover. San Diego has failed to cover only once so far and Carolina’s soft run defense does not bode well here against LaDainian Tomlinson and company. Spotting points with the Panthers is simply bad strategy and we’ll continue to endorse this Chargers squad getting points until they convince us otherwise. Play San Diego +3 (No bets).
<o
></o>ARIZONA +7 over Seattle
Seahawks arrive here on heels of two-game skid and while they have shown the ability to pick on weaklings, this task will not be an easy one. Cardinals have had two weeks to lament collapse against Niners and should be prepared to bounce back on home turf where they’ve covered six of past seven as host underdog. Seattle suffered huge blow with loss of defensive end Grant Wistrom and that should allow an improving Arizona offence to take some liberties in this one. Besides all that, we simply refuse to lay a converted TD on the road. Play Arizona +7 (No bets).
<o
></o>Dallas +3½ over GREEN BAY
The once invincible Lambeau Field has become a preferred destination for visitors recently with the Packers losing all three home games thus far and seven of past 13 here. Green Bay simply making too many mistakes with offense having to fight back from deficits caused by an inept defense. Don’t be fooled by the Packers big win over the Lions last week. The Lions really are that bad and the Cowboys are certainly a formidable opponent. Cowboys ready to pop. Play Dallas +3½ (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>INDIANAPOLIS –9 over Jacksonville<o
></o>These two met a couple of weeks ago in Jacksonville where the Colts left town with a seven-point win. Don’t expect the favor to be returned as Indy is best on its own surface and the Jaguars lack the offence to stay with this host. Colts have scored 80 points in two home games thus far and with the way Manning and company are rolling it’s just very difficult to go against them. Play Indianapolis –9 (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>Tennessee +6½ over MINNESOTA<o
></o>Minnesota offense as potent as they come but will likely be without key cog as WR Randy Moss could be sitting this one out. Either way, have to like Titans taking these kinds of points as Jeff Fischer teams excel as underdogs and have covered six straight against NFC opponents. Titans an enigma and very difficult to wager on or go against. Want no part of this one and suggest you look elsewhere. Play Tennessee +6½ (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>Atlanta +4 over KANSAS CITY<o
></o>Another tough call here as the Falcons 5-1 record is as misleading as the Rams 4-2 mark. This team is winning very ugly but it’s their defense that keeps earning them W’s. Just when Chiefs appeared to have turned a corner, they ran smack into a Jacksonville squad that exposed them once again. Michael Vick and the Falcons should be able to take full advantage of this 24<SUP> </SUP>th ranked defense and a straight up win would not surprise. Chiefs have all the offensive weapons a team needs but it’s their defense that keeps preventing them from the winner’s circle. That defense needs major changes and until they’re made, we’ll back off laying points with a team that is constantly playing from behind. Play Atlanta +4 (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>NEW ENGLAND –6 over NY Jets<o
></o>As if winning 19 games in a row isn’t enough, we get to see the Patriots at their very best when facing teams from their own division. New England have covered seven consecutive against AFC East foes while covering four of previous five against these New Yorkers. Isn’t it fitting that New York is in Boston to end a perfect week for the people of this sport crazy town. Jets in a bit over their heads here. Curse this Bambino!! Play New England –6 (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>OAKLAND/New Orleans over 45<o
></o>All we can say is thank God for the World Series or we might have had to watch this on Sunday Night, but alas, there is no Sunday night football this week. Having said that, we can’t even pick a winner here because these two teams are getting worse each week with about the worst two defenses that we’ve seen for quite some time. What that equals up to is plenty of scoring by two teams that have offensive talents but absolutely do not care how many points they surrender. It’s a old fashioned shoot-out here and don’t be surprised to see guest appearances by Dan Fouts and Don Coreyell. What an ugly game but we can’t see it going under. Play it over 45 (No bets).
