Right on Upsets, Even Overall;
If it wasn’t for the Packers’ ability to do just enough to lose and still take my money, I would have been 8-6 on the week. As it stands, I played par pick-em, 7-7. I picked the huge upset in New England, and Philly’s domination of the Chiefs. I took my fourth Monday Night strike, looking of course, as Brett Favre and the Packers decided they wanted to play with about 11 minutes left in the game. 0-4 on Monday’s, I can’t believe it… that’s usually my money game. Next week, Monday’s mine… as for now, admire my week 4 heroics and shun my follies.

Buffalo at New Orleans (E) – I hit this one right on the forehead. The Saints didn’t play masterful ball, but the Bills can’t put enough together with Losman running the show. Until he sits, or figures it out, don’t bet a bundle on Buffalo.
Denver at Jacksonville (-4) – The Broncos took me out for the second, no, third straight week. After crapping the bed against Miami in week one, the Bronco’s are 3-0, with wins against some pretty good teams. Jacksonville was held to 12 yards rushing. I don’t care who you are, Dan Marino and the fire it down field Dolphins, you can’t win football games with 12 yards rushing. Jake Plummer’s photograph for introductions is the filthiest thing I’ve ever seen. Damn them Broncos!

Detroit at Tampa Bay (-7) – Not only did Detroit play well, they almost took down the undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Joey Harrington had two almost-touchdown passes in the final seconds as Marcus Pollard and Mike Williams each stepped out of bounds by an inch in the end zone on consecutive passes. Which team are the Lions? Are they the 17-3 winners over Green Bay in the opener and the near winners at Tampa? Or, are they the 34-10 losers to the Bears? Like Harrington, I think they will differ from week to week. This week they tricked me good in week 4. What can you say, I thought they were the Lions who played the Bears.

Houston at Cincinnati (-9.5) – The Bengals couldn’t even pull off a win for good Ol’ Lucky. The Bengals won the game, going to 4-0, but couldn’t score enough to even me out at 2-2 early. In fact, this win (but loss for me) marked the second game the team I picked didn’t win by enough. This was a theme all weekend. The Texans showed life, and did their best to end mine. 1-3 isn’t a nice start.

Indianapolis (-7) at Tennessee – “This week should mark another close contest right? No chance. I’m sure Peyton Manning is sick of all the “Where’d Peyton go?” talk that’s circulating. I’m expecting a huge week from Manning and the rest of the Colt offense. The Titans don’t have the fire power to play with the Colts.” (me) This is exactly what happened. Chris Brown didn’t play well for the Titans. The Colts D is too good right now. Manning had 4 touchdown passes, two to My Favorite Marvin. This is a scary thing for the rest of the league, as Peyton and his offense look to be back to their old tricks.

San Diego (+5.5) at New England -. “I don’t think the New England defense, minus their starting linebackers from a year ago, minus their best defensive player Rodney Harrison, will be able to stop Antonio Gates or the leagues best running back, Ladainian Tomlinson. I think LT just remembered what it’s like to dominate at the highest level. I think he’s going to continue to dominate. I think the Chargers are going to upset the defending Champs in New England. I think Jessica Biel is hot. Take the Chargers.” (me) What can I say, sometimes my genius comes out in a brilliant output of precise predictions. The Chargers scored over 40 points for Rodney’s sake. The Chargers made me big bucks as I took them to win, plus they got me back to 3-3.

Seattle (+2) at Washington – Are the Redskins really good enough to be 3-0? I don’t think so, but they are definitely 3-0. I looked it up on NFL.com just to be sure. Mark Brunell? He’s damn near fifty. The Skins offense looked solid against Seattle. When the Seahawks don’t get a solid game out of Alexander, they struggle to survive. (In two wins this season Shaun has rushed for about 140 yards… In two losses, he hasn’t gotten close to the century mark) So, I’ve learned to be wary of taking the Hawks against ferocious front sevens like the Redskins have. Unfortunately I needed this game to show me that.

St. Louis (+3) at N.Y. Giants – I should have gone with my gut. The Rams got me again, those sly bastards. Eli Manning matched his brothers 4 touchdown mark with a 4 spot of his own. These New York Giants are showing me more than I had expected of them. Is Eli this good already? I know he was good enough to take my money this week. The Giants blasted the constipated Ram team that played as if they were sitting on the toilet all morning.

N.Y. Jets at Baltimore (-7) – See my week 4 prediction article for a complete analysis of what happened in this game. It was another moment of genius in an otherwise .500 week.
Dallas at Oakland (-3.5) – “Dallas doesn’t have the testis to take down the Raiders in Oakland.” Haha. It was my good old buddy, Drew Bledsoe back to save my ass in week 4. He played like the Drew I’ve learned to love. One play Drew must have thought he was Mike Vick or something because he saw a blitzing linebacker and starter running away from him like he was going to make it. Fooled him. He got sacked for like the 6th time, and the Cowboy’s spiraled downward. Still, it came down to the last play of the game. Drew dropped back, when he finally set his turtle hooves ten seconds later, he threw a low and short pass to Terry Glenn. It nearly bounced to the goal line, and the Raiders came out victorious. Oh, Drew, where have you been all season? Back to .500 with a Cowboy loss.

Minnesota (+6) at Atlanta – Baby Hands was back in fine fashion against the Falcons, accounting for three turnovers in week 4. Thumb tacks Pep. Take some tape, wrap your fingers, but put tacks on the ends so you can hold on to that ball a little later. (My flag football referee taught me that this weekend) It should help. Either that or light a fire under your offensive line’s asses so they block for you for longer than a second. Mike Vick was limited to one quarter of play, as he re-injured his hammy, but the Falcons did just fine without him. Warrick Dunn had a huge day, and the Vikings were trounced by the Vickless Falcons.
Philadelphia (+2) at Kansas City – I was a little worried when I turned the channel to this game and found the Eagles down 17-0. But have no fear, McNabb was there. Donovan and his little talked about receiver, Terrell Owens, had a huge second half as they brought the Eagles back in a hurry. A late score brought the Chiefs back within a touchdown, but the failed onside kick sealed another victory for Lucky and the Eagles.

San Francisco at Arizona (-2.5) – The Cardinals proved to be a much better team than the 49ers, as most teams prove to be. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are one of the best pass catching tandems in the league. Marcel Ship ran the rock well, and Josh McCowen had the people in Mexico asking why the Cards didn’t bench Kurt Warner earlier. If Joshy Woshy continues to play like this, Kurt might be stuck as a back-up again. The Cads took me over .500 with another sure win on Monday Night.
Green Bay at Carolina (-8) – Why do the Packers start playing so well when the game is already over? All it does is break my hear, my pocketbook, and my balls. For God’s sake! Brett Favre actually played a Favre-like game, but his receivers dropped a ton of his passes. The Panthers had a gaggle of opportunities to blow this game wide open but they settled for field goals often. Just often enough to let Green Bay storm in late and rip my first Monday Night payoff from my happy little hooves. Green Bay better not make a habit of this.

Big Money Bet of the Week

What was I thinking? I have no idea… Don’t worry, I’ll never take my Uncle John’s advice again. Even without Vick, Daunte made this bet look really poor.

Good Luck with your NFL Football Betting!
Lucky Lester – Free Football Picks