I'm back to make a strong push over the last few weeks and into the playoffs. I've lost track of my YTD but it's still under .500. The dogs led me to a marvelous profit last year, but haven't showed me too much love this time around. So, without further ado, here goes nothing.
Oakland +7
The Ravens have looked prety good lately, having won 5 of their last 7. But those five W's all came at home. But they've lost three road games in a row, albeit against pretty good teams; Miami, St. Louis, and Cincy.
Now they head far west, after a big revenge victory, against a team everyone has assumed has given up. Huge letdown here.
Much has been made of the horrible Raiders run D. But the fact is, Anthony Wright hasn't faced anything resembling these two CB's since a bad outing in Miami a month ago. Lewis will get his, but the Oakland D will be staunch enough not to get completely trampled.
There are still plenty of Raiders left over from the AFC championship game where the Ravens knocked them out of the Super Bowl.
They may be the dumbest team in the league, but a team with revenge in mind vs. a team expecting a cakewalk is a bad combination.
Lots of defense here as the Ravens barely escape with a win.
New Orleans -7
Among teams that have cashed it in, the Giants lead the way. This week they will be playing with only 4 of their 11 regular offensive starters. Among the missing will be Collins, Hilliard, Shockey, and four fifths of the opening day offensive line. In addition, the CB Wills, Allen and Peterson, are both out for the year, and Omar Stoutmire is the only healthy secondary starter.
LeCharles Grant, Willie Whitehead, and Darren Howard have been getting good pressure lately, and with a beat up offensive line and a QB that's thrown 19 career passes, that will be the Giants downfall.
I've always said Aaron Brooks sucks, particularly against teams that generate a good pass rush from their front four. So with Strahan and Co. coming hard this is a little worrisome. But Deuce should get back on track, and the defense should give him good field position.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Saints absolutely destroy them. It's definitely worth a play.
Cincinnati -2.5
I am so glad the Bengals got pounded in Baltimore last week. Without that, this play wouldn't be possible.
It doesn't take much for everyone to jump off your bandwagon when you're the worst NFL franchise of the last 15 years. With a win last week, we'd be looking at a probable 5 point spread with the Niners being the sure play, but thankfully it hasn't worked out that way.
Cincy, like all teams, get in trouble when they lose the turnover battle. But the home cookin' is sweet for Cincy, as they've had averaged only one TO a game in the friendly confines while forcing more than twice that.
San Fran allows 153 rushing YPG away from home, and Cincy will take advantage of that early, opening up Chad Johnson and Warrick, who are facing obvious mismatches against the Niner CB's.
San Fran has scored a TOTAL of 28 first half points in their six road games to date, against such stellar defenses as St. Louis, Minnesota, and Arizona, etc.
They've proven nothing on the road yet, and I for one won't be betting they will this week either.
Cincy by two touchdowns.
May add something in the morning.
Good luck,
Space.
Oakland +7
The Ravens have looked prety good lately, having won 5 of their last 7. But those five W's all came at home. But they've lost three road games in a row, albeit against pretty good teams; Miami, St. Louis, and Cincy.
Now they head far west, after a big revenge victory, against a team everyone has assumed has given up. Huge letdown here.
Much has been made of the horrible Raiders run D. But the fact is, Anthony Wright hasn't faced anything resembling these two CB's since a bad outing in Miami a month ago. Lewis will get his, but the Oakland D will be staunch enough not to get completely trampled.
There are still plenty of Raiders left over from the AFC championship game where the Ravens knocked them out of the Super Bowl.
They may be the dumbest team in the league, but a team with revenge in mind vs. a team expecting a cakewalk is a bad combination.
Lots of defense here as the Ravens barely escape with a win.
New Orleans -7
Among teams that have cashed it in, the Giants lead the way. This week they will be playing with only 4 of their 11 regular offensive starters. Among the missing will be Collins, Hilliard, Shockey, and four fifths of the opening day offensive line. In addition, the CB Wills, Allen and Peterson, are both out for the year, and Omar Stoutmire is the only healthy secondary starter.
LeCharles Grant, Willie Whitehead, and Darren Howard have been getting good pressure lately, and with a beat up offensive line and a QB that's thrown 19 career passes, that will be the Giants downfall.
I've always said Aaron Brooks sucks, particularly against teams that generate a good pass rush from their front four. So with Strahan and Co. coming hard this is a little worrisome. But Deuce should get back on track, and the defense should give him good field position.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Saints absolutely destroy them. It's definitely worth a play.
Cincinnati -2.5
I am so glad the Bengals got pounded in Baltimore last week. Without that, this play wouldn't be possible.
It doesn't take much for everyone to jump off your bandwagon when you're the worst NFL franchise of the last 15 years. With a win last week, we'd be looking at a probable 5 point spread with the Niners being the sure play, but thankfully it hasn't worked out that way.
Cincy, like all teams, get in trouble when they lose the turnover battle. But the home cookin' is sweet for Cincy, as they've had averaged only one TO a game in the friendly confines while forcing more than twice that.
San Fran allows 153 rushing YPG away from home, and Cincy will take advantage of that early, opening up Chad Johnson and Warrick, who are facing obvious mismatches against the Niner CB's.
San Fran has scored a TOTAL of 28 first half points in their six road games to date, against such stellar defenses as St. Louis, Minnesota, and Arizona, etc.
They've proven nothing on the road yet, and I for one won't be betting they will this week either.
Cincy by two touchdowns.
May add something in the morning.
Good luck,
Space.
