ARIZONA +1.30 over NY Jets<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>The oddsmakers are dissin’ the Cardinals once again and once again, we’re stepping in. The Jets hardly deserve to be favored here. This New York squad finds itself playing its third road game in four weeks, its second consecutive and they haven’t exactly been on anyone’s highlight film lately. The Jets have managed to score more than 17 points just once in past five games and that came against the hapless Dolphins. Even against Frisco, at home, they managed just 22 points with Chad Pennigton taking the snaps. They’ll miss Pennington despite the win last week where Quincy Carter had a measly 11 completions for 116 yards. Cardinals are much better at home where their only loss in four tries came against champion Patriots. Play Arizona +1.30 (Risking 1.5 units).<o
></o><o
></o>Buffalo +6½ over SEATTLE<o
></o>Seattle has played just one team this season that currently has a winning record. That would be New England and that game resulted in a 30-20 thumping by the Pats. The Bills arrive here with a losing record but they aren’t nearly as bad as some of the wretched teams that Seattle has had the pleasure of facing. Buffalo has won four of six, have an emerging running back in Willis McGahee and possess the league’s fourth-ranked defense. We saw Seattle get hammered twice by the same Rams team that Buffalo manhandled last week. We’ve also seen the Seahawks struggle against good runners. With Trent Dilfer likely to QB again and the Seahawks identity crisis, we’ll gladly take points. Play Buffalo +6½ (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).<o
></o><o
></o>Tennessee –1½ over HOUSTON
If you’ve been reading this section all year then you’re quite aware of our reluctance to spot points on the road. The fact that the Titans are favored here caught our eye immediately as frankly, they shouldn’t be. When wagering on NFL games, it’s important to “read between the lines” and this is a classic example of just that. The Titans beat Jacksonville last week and the Jags were without their starting QB Byron Leftwich. The week prior, they lost to the Bears. Prior to their bye week, they dropped two out of three, losing to both Minnesota and scoring just three points and losing to this same Texan team, in Tennessee, by 10. Meanwhile, the Texans were featured last Sunday night against the Pack. The whole nation saw them fight tooth and nails, build a 10-point halftime lead and eventually lose by three. Titans have gone virtually unnoticed all year, however, this team has tremendous talent and with McNair back and a win last week, they’re playoff hopes in the weak AFC are suddenly very alive. This is the game they make a statement and we’re calling this choice one of our strongest plays of the year. Play Tennessee –1½ (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).<o
></o><o
></o>The Rest of the Games<o
></o><o
></o>Tampa Bay –2½ over CAROLINA<o
></o>If the Bucs want to make a run at a playoff spot, and don’t think for a moment that they aren’t thinking that way, they’ll have to beat up on the weaker teams. Carolina qualifies just fine, thank you. The Panthers won their second straight but defeating the Cardinals at home and the Niners does not quite give you a pedigree. Carolina has been forced to go to a passing game after losing an array of runners and that plays right into the Bucs hand with their strong pass defense. After a dismal start, Tampa has won four of six and are getting healthier and more potent daily. Having said that, this is one of those games that looks to good to be true and that has us backing off. Red flags surround this game as the whole world is playing one side here and it’s not the home team. You’ve been warned, proceed with extreme caution. Play Tampa Bay –2½ (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>Jacksonville +6 over MINNESOTA<o
></o>Both teams get key players back as Byron Leftwich will start at QB for the Jaguars while Randy Moss will be back in his receiving role for the Vikes. Both make their respective teams vastly better but neither will change the defensive side of things. Jacksonville holds a distinct edge there as Minnesota allows an alarming 350 yards per game. That’s enough to sway us in the dog’s direction, as is the fact that Minnesota has been brutally awful for years in the second half of the season. Nothing has changed. Play Jacksonville +6 (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>Cleveland +6 over CINCINNATI<o
></o>Bengals appear to be improving while the Browns declining weekly. However, this will be only the second time all season that the Bengals are asked to spot points. The first attempt resulted in a failed cover against Miami. This assignment comes against a Cleveland team that hammered Cincy by a 34-17 earlier in the year. Bengals aren’t quite ready for this favorite role yet. Play Cleveland +6 (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>NY GIANTS +7 over Philadelphia<o
></o>Easy to side with an Eagles team here after they’ve shown a propensity for beating up on weaker teams. In fact, the Eagles won opening day contest over these same Giants by two touchdowns with Terrell Owens immediately putting his stamp on his new team and the Eagles have sailed ever since. However, the Giants are most dangerous when taking significant points as the Vikings and Packers both found out. Eli Manning has one under his belt and should feel more comfy today. Giants hurting without Strahan and Washington but it's been a couple of weeks and new guys should do better. Play NY Giants +7 (No bets).
<o
>Washington +10½ over PITTSBURGH<o></o>Plaxico Burress is out for the Steelers and that changes the tempo of this game dramatically. Hines Ward gets double teamed now and that forces Pittsburgh to concentrate on their ground game. The Redskins are capable against the run and that should allow them to hang around in what figures to be a low-scorer. Additionally, the Steelers have been way too high for way too long and after some emotional games and some big wins they finally get a chance to relax a bit here and chances are they will. Dangerous spot for the Steelers, both straight up and against the number. Play Washington +10½ (No bets).</o
><o
></o>San Diego +3 over KANSAS CITY<o
></o>Why is the 3-7 team favored over the 7-3 club? Ummm…we give up. While it smells fishy, we cannot resist taking these points with a Chargers team that remains unheralded despite their very solid season. Chargers have the leagues best running game and Drew Brees’ stock continues to rise. These Chargers keep coming up with big performances but nobody wants to give them credit. Arrowhead is a difficult venue to win at, however, the Chiefs are as bad defensively as any team in the business. With a powerful running game, a good defense and a solid passing attack, the Chargers are the smart play here. Show me a team that gives up less yards and wins the ground game and we’ll usually show you the winner. Play San Diego +3 (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>NEW ENGLAND –7 over Baltimore<o
></o>Yes, the Patriots are on a short week. Yes, they remained banged up in their secondary. Yes, they face one of the league’s better defensive units today. And yes, all they do is cover games having failed just once this season. After facing the Browns, Jets and Cowboys, the Ravens may not be prepared to face a real offence and Kyle Boller is about to get the lesson of his life. You can’t beat a Belichick coached team with an offense as anemic as this one. Play New England –7 (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>Miami +1 over SAN FRANCISCO
This one has the appeal of unsalted butter. Both teams are decimated by injury and have handed starting roles to players that aren’t ready for them. That said, we’ll lean to the visitor as they can at least play defense while the Niners can’t stop anyone, having not held any opponent to under 21 points. Miami showed some real life under new head coach last week and despite their awful record, they come to play every week. The same can’t be said for the 49ers. Play Miami +1 (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>New Orleans +9½ over ATLANTA<o
></o>The Saints are simply despicable and backing them must be considered self-torture. Gluttons that we are, we’re going to this well once again as the points here are too lucrative to pass up. New Orleans always brings their best against this enemy and if they play to their full potential, they’ll easily get the cover here. This one would have made our top plays but how can you wager on a team that not even the coach knows whether or not they’ll show up. If you were thinking of betting on the Dirty Birds here, don’t, this one is screaming of a Saint cover and don’t be surprised to see this sickening pooch win outright. Play New Orleans +9½ (No bets).<o
></o><o
></o>DENVER –11 over Oakland<o
></o>The only thing that prevents us from ranking this one up top is that the Broncos may get caught glancing to next week’s showdown with division co-leading Chargers. Mike Shanahan’s Broncos own Al Davis’ Raiders and that was again emphasized in 31-3 annihilation in earlier meeting in California. Expect more of the same today. There’s just nothing to like about the Raiders, nothing. Play Denver –11 (No bets).
IS ON ME....
