ROCKBOXSPORTS
3 STARS: DALLAS –3.5
Is San Diego the better team here? Maybe. But this game exemplifies how situational factors tip us in favor of a specific team, namely the Cowboys. Everyone is all hyped on the Chargers due to their current seven game winning streak. Meanwhile, the public is overreacting, as usual, to a single loss last week by the Cowboys. In fact, Dallas is 6-2 in their last eight and 5-1 at home on the season. After playing on Thanksgiving, Romo and company will be as rested as a team can be this time of year, playing only their second game in the last 17 days. Conversely, the Chargers are playing their second consecutive road game- San Diego to Cleveland and back last week and now off for another plane ride to Dallas. Dallas stands an excellent chance of controlling the ball on the ground against a Charger defense that struggles against the run. The loss of NT Jamal Williams has left a gaping hole in the middle for the Bolts. Look for the three-headed attack of Barber, Jones, and Choice, behind a solid and rested offensive line, to wear down a tired defense and pull away late for a decisive Cowboy win.
3 STARS: OAKLAND +1
The switch to Bruce Gradkowski has made all the difference for the Raiders as they have won two of their last three. The public is having a hard time wrapping their minds around the fact that this Oakland actually has some talent and is not that bad with a decent QB at the helm as opposed to the horrific Jamarcus Russell. As for the Redskins, they are coming off a string of devastating losses and may well have a hard time getting in gear for this one against a Raider team that is in a much better state of mind with recent success. The Skins now have to travel across the country for a meaningless game against Oakland, hardly a winning proposition considering that Zorn’s crew is 0-6 on the road including losses at Detroit and Carolina.
2 STARS: DENVER/INDY UNDER 44
If anyone has a chance to at least slow down or contain the Manning Express it may well be Denver. The combination of pass rushing freak Elvis Dumervil and All-World DB Champ Bailey stands a decent chance pressuring Manning while holding Reggie Wayne somewhat in check downfield. On the other side of the ball, the Indy defense has the speed to match up with Denver’s playmakers. Look for the Broncos to emphasize the running game, eating enough clock to shorten the game and keep this one under the number.
1 STAR: JETS –4
Kellen Clemens steps in for Mark Sanchez at QB for the Jets which takes a weakness and makes it weaker. However, the Jets can really run the ball and they match up well against a Buc defense that is soft up the middle. If Clemens can hand the ball off effectively the Jets should be able to grind this one out with power offense and a strong defensive effort.
1 STAR: CINCY +6.5/CINCY UNDER 43.5
Brett Favre has a long history of breaking down as the season wears on and we may have seen the first signs of that with last week’s shaky outing against Arizona. We think Cincy can keep this one close, but the better play be the under. Bengals have allowed the least points in the league while the Vikes are #2 vs. the rush and #8 in overall yards allowed. Points could be hard to come by here.
1 STAR: CHICAGO +4
Packers are turning into the classic zig-zag team- when everyone gets on the bandwagon they disappoint and then when everyone forgets about them they get hot. They’re in an up-cycle now with the public all excited again now that they’ve ripped off four in a row after starting off a very mediocre 4-4. Lets not forget that three of these last four wins have come at home. The Pack is 3-2 on the road with the wins coming at St. Louis, Cleveland, and Detroit. They’ve lost at Minnesota and Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, the Bears, bad as they are, are 4-2 at Soldier Field. If they’re going to give one great effort before the season ends it will be here- at home against their most hated division rival. Bears are out of the running, but they’d love to rain on the Packer parade with a big win here.
1 STAR: SEATTLE +7
Morale cannot be good in Houston now that they’ve dumped four in a row after starting off 5-3. Gary Kubiak has to be feeling queasy about his future with the club after yet another fade from playoff contention. Seattle, on the other hand, has long since gotten used to the fact that they’re out of the running and they’re actually feeling cautiously optimistic about their progress coming off two consecutive wins. While Kubiak may well be on the way out in Houston Jim Mora Jr. is still in year one in Seattle and he’s looking to build momentum for a better tomorrow.