NFL Free Picks 04-05 Week 6

Lucky Lester was 8-6 with his picks last week making him 40-30-4 on the year. Super Picks were once again not even playoff material at 1-3. Lowlight of the week was Grandma’s favorites, the Seattle Seahawks, blowing a 27-10 lead with five minutes left in the game. She was up and dancing for hours but watched the ending with horror and disbelief. It proved too much and her mind snapped and she began repeating, “What’s left for me… the CFL!” She is in a very expensive HOME now. The good news is that they have a TV there so she can watch her precious CFL while I get ready for a dazzling week six in the NFL!My Super Picks sure have sucked lately so this week I’m just picking the games:
Lucky Lester’s Picks For Week Six
49ers @ Jets (+10) – Okay, unfortunately for the Niners, I think the best of their season is behind them. After pulling one out last week, I see the Jets blowing up in the Niners face this week. Chad Pennington can lead his team to victory and will dominate a Niner’s defense who’s best player is injured, (Julian Peterson), and tired because of the lack of offensive firepower. Game Date: 10/17/04 13:00 ET

Seahawks (+4) @ Patriots – The Patriots pulled off another win last week against a very sub par Miami squad. The Hawks lost an overtime game where they gave up two touchdowns in the final 5 minutes of regulation time to allow the Rams back in it. So it would seem that I would take the seemingly unbeatable Patriots here right? Wrong. The Patriots can’t stop the run and the Seahawks are best when running comes easy, setting up Hasselbeck. They’re getting four points, but I see the Hawks doing the unthinkable here and halting the Pat’s right before their 20th straight win. Game Date: 10/17/04 13:00 ET

Panthers (+9) @ Eagles – While the Eagles are tough, and possibly one of the best teams in the league, it’s hard to go against the theme that has me making money. Every week I’ve taken the Panthers as underdogs they’ve done me proud. This week they are nine point dogs, and that is too big to pass up. You’d think the eagles were playing the Niner’s with that kind of spread. Sure, the Panthers are banged up, but they have a ton of heart, and love to be underdogs, so I see them giving the Eagles a ride here, and maybe even coming out victorious. Stephen Davis is back, and that alone should get the Panthers within the spread. Game Date: 10/17/04 13:00 ET

Bengals (+3) @ Browns – It’s a no brainer for me. I bet against the poor Browns every week and this week they are giving points to a better team in the Bengals. Carson Palmer had a week to think about this one, and in only his first season he needed it and will show how much it helped. The Browns are a soft offense with a good defense. Take the points. Game Date: 10/17/04 13:00 ET

Packers @ Lions (+2) – I’ve got to take the Lions here. They are good and way better then the odds makers has made them. The Lions have played tough all year. Favre is customarily poor in domes, and the packers are terrible this year. After a big win in week one, they have yet to grab number two. It’s hard to imagine the Packers losing five straight, but not that hard. The Lions are getting points at home where they are at their best. The Packers are giving points in a dome where they are at there worst, and this year, that’s pretty bad. My money is on the Lions here. Game Date: 10/17/04 13:00 ET

Redskins (even) @ Bears – I see Clinton Portis bouncing back this week after sub par performances in his last few outings. The Bears are without their starting quarterback, who was average at best, so I can’t see their offense moving down the field. Lavar Arrington might be back and give the Redskins the boost they need to get another win this week. Take the Skins in this snooze fest.
Game Date: 10/17/04 13:00 ET

Texans (+6.5) @ Titans – The Titans rolled over a road kill Packer team last week in Green Bay, and any other year I’d be impressed. But they aren’t the first team to do it this year. The Texans fought one of the league’s toughest teams all the way into overtime last week, only to come out losers in the end. Don’t let their record trick you, they are a good team. David Carr has proven to me that he is a damn good football player and will always give his team a chance to stay in it. This will be a high scoring affair, but look for the Texans to get closer then 6, if not win the game outright in Tennessee.
Game Date: 10/17/04 13:00 ET

Chargers @ Falcons (-4.5) – As you know, I hate taking the Falcons when they are favored by any more than three, and in this situation, with the Chargers beating some good teams, it might look weird that I’m taking Atlanta here. But, you’ve got to see it my way. The Chargers are not as good as their record indicates, and Mike Vick has to be better then his numbers would tell you. He’ll be up to his old tricks in Atlanta on Sunday. He will be feeding the ball to Peerless Price, who finally caught some balls last week. Vick will finally show us the real Charger team, which will likely begin the slide we had all expected from San Diego since day one.
Game Date: 10/17/04 13:00 ET

Chiefs @ Jaguars (+2) – Hmmmmm… take the Chiefs in Jacksonville against a team that specializes in stopping the run and will be on their toes against the best back in the league, or, take the Jaguars who just got trounced by San Diego? This is tougher than I thought it would be. But, the Jaguars are getting two points at home, and the Chiefs are 1-3… it’s still too tough. Okay, two weeks in a row, the Jag’s D has given up a 100 yard rusher, even though last week the back who got 100 yards did it all on one run, they still gave up a hundred. So, on that note, I think they are motivated to halt The Priest, and lead their team to victory over Kansas City. Oh, did I mention the Chiefs’ defense is hideous? Absolutely terrible.
Game Date: 10/17/04 13:00 ET

Steelers (+3) @ Cowboys – The Cowboys overachieved last year, has anybody noticed that? Then why are they still getting odds like they are an 11 win team? The Steelers, on the other hand, have been wonderful this year with rookie star Ben Roethlisberger coming out and giving them a lift in Tommy Maddox’s absence. Duce Staley is showing us that he still has it, and the receiving corps in Pittsburgh is finally playing like they should be. Their D is solid too. The Boys under star coach Bill Parcels are finally playing down to their talent level and Keyshawn is showing everyone why he was not so loved in Tampa Bay. Eddie George hasn’t done much, but it’s not his fault… the team just isn’t that good. Game Date: 10/17/04 16:15 ET

Bronco’s (-2) @ Raiders – I just can’t bet on the Raiders here. I don’t know why, but they just don’t look like a team that’s going to take down Denver. I don’t think Denver is as good as their record, and usually love to bet against them, so lets just say this is a gut feeling. With Jerry Rice looking to be traded, the team can’t be in a loving mood. They will play like a team with questions on Sunday. Look for the Bronco’s to beat Oakland here. Game Date: 10/17/04 16:15 ET

Minnesota (-3.5) @ Saints – Are you kidding. Once again, the odds makers have to be up to something here. I’d still take the Vikings if they were 7 point favorites against a terrible New Orleans squad. Brooks might step up to his talent level and play well on Sunday, but I wouldn’t bet on it. The Vikings beat a tough Houston team in Houston last week, and they will be up for this game in New Orleans. Randy Moss will be looking to get this thing over quickly so he and Daunte Culpepper can go Mardi Gras after the game. Beads are good for everybody, so I’m betting my whole collection here.
Game Date: 10/17/04 20:35 ET

Buccaneers (+6) @ Rams – Last week, against Seattle was a fluke, and the Rams still are suddenly old. I see an interception fest happening here, and the Tampa Bay D scoring a couple touchdowns. The Buc’s, without a solid offense, will manage to keep it close. The 6-point spread is too large for me to go with St Louis.
Game Date: 10/18/04 21:05 ET
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Lucky Lester