It was my worst week of the young NFL season, and I feel a little like Donovan McNabb, Cadillac Williams, LaMont Jordan, and the entire Ravens team combined. Yeah, my knee hurts, my head feels like I was in 12 car accidents, my back needs a back-e-odomy, and I am greatly underacehiving. A bad week? Like I said, this was a terrible week. This is how it went haywire.
Oakland Raiders @ Miami Dolphins (-3.5): LOSS
(Line: Monday, 1:00pm EST: Bet-Jam)
“I’m afraid of this game, because I’m not sure the Raiders can stop Ronnie Brown, and I’m almost positive that the Dolphins can’t stop any rushing attack starring a guy under 40 years old with 5 lineman of college experience or better. However, Miami has more riding on this game, with Cam Cameron yet to pull a victory out of his new team. With him done playing games with Ronnie Brown, and Trent Green starting to figure out Marty Booker and Chris Chambers better, I just have a gut feeling that the Dolphins take this game by a touchdown. However, there’s the Daunte Culpepper factor for the raiders, which really makes me want to steer clear of this game. How bad does he want to beat the Dolphins? If I were a betting man, and I had to pick this game, I would wager with the home team – but as a former player, I know how much hatred can raise your game. My advice, steer clear from this one, but if you must, take the Fins.” This was my assessment of this game. I hope you listened to me and didn’t wager on this one. I didn’t listen to me, and like many times before, that was painful.
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions (+3): WIN
(Line: Monday, 1:00pm EST: Bet-Jam)
“Believe it or not, I like the Lions in this one. I don’t know if they are the popular pick or what, but I don’t know why everyone thinks that Brian Griese is going to save the Bears.” What do you know, like I said, Brian saving the Bears wasn’t such a sure thing after all. Chicago needs to improve in a hurry if they want to get back to the playoffs, but I’m not sure the answer lies with Brian. The Lions win, and thank God, because little did I know, I needed a win something fierce.
Houston Texans (-2.5) @ Atlanta Falcons LOSS
(Line: Monday, 1:00pm EST: Bookmaker)
Matt Schaub had a big game, but the Texans couldn’t put the ball in the end zone. The Falcons and Joey Harrington, of all people, had an overall solid game, and they beat the suddenly tumbling Houston Texans. Without their stars on offense, the Texans didn’t finish drives, and thus took a loss.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5) @ Arizona Cardinals: LOSS
(Line: Monday, 1:00pm EST: Bet-Jam)
The Arizona Cardinals out-powered the Steelers. I never thought I’d say that. Arizona put some things together, and despite Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart both getting significant action, the Cardinals pulled it off and stalled a late Steelers’ attempt to tie the game.
Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers (-11.5): LOSS
(Line: Tuesday, 1:00am EST: Bet-Jam)
In the words (or lack their of) of LT, “I’ve done said it all. I don’t have much else to say.” The Chargers were brutal in the second half. Phillip Rivers struggled mightily. LT was abandoned, getting only 6 carries with his team up by 10 at half time, and the Chargers were shut out and outscored 24-0 in the 2nd half. I guess I did have more to say.
Denver Broncos (+11) @ Indianapolis Colts: LOSS
(Line: Thursday, 1:00am EST: 5-Dimes)
“I just don’t like the Colts to cover big spreads against run-heavy teams. Tennessee gave them trouble, because like usual, they don’t have the bulk to stop defense in short yardage instances. Travis Henry has beasted the Colts before, no doubt about that. Jay Cutler will be able to take advantage of the Colts deep, and Henry and that famous Denver offensive line will be able to keep the ball long enough to cover that 11 point spread. Plus, Denver’s secondary will force the Colts to run early and often, meaning there will be very few quick scores in this one. Long drives means a close game – so I’ll take the 11 points and Denver.” That was my analysis. Besides the 38-20 score at the end, I don’t know where I went wrong here. Henry had a huge game, the Broncos had 150+ yards on the ground, and the Colts didn’t score any deep touchdowns. The Colts are tough to figure out.
New England Patriots (-7) @ Cincinnati Bengals: WIN
(Line: Monday, 1:00pm EST: Bet-Jam)
Like I said, until the Patriots prove otherwise, in other words, prove that they aren’t the most dominant team we’ve seen in the last billion years, I’m taking them to cover. That means that even if they are giving 17 to Cleveland next week, I’m all over the Patriots. And, my advice would send you in the same direction. The Bengals have been solid all year long, but how bad did the Patriots make them look?