week 14 picks

At some point I had to come back to the foundation and here I am again to reclaim my self respect and act like the last 7 weeks didn’t happen. Wait, I already did by not making the picks.

SAINTS (-10.5) over Falcons- In the 3 weeks that I was gone from America, I wasn’t surprised to find that the Saints had continued to reign as the NFL’s best team. But this season got serious “its destiny” luck last Sunday when it snatched victory from the strong grasp of defeat. It was a classic let down game and yet, the Saints had the good fortune of watching a kicker miss an extra point length field goal and also a strip recovery after an interception that could’ve given the Redskins an extra 3 points. Poor Jason Campbell. He’s actually playing well given the circumstances. Given all we know about how good the Saints have been, you expect a team without Michael Turner and Matt Ryan to beat the Saints? Yeah didn’t think so.

RAVENS (-13.5) over Lions- Dante Culpepper? against the Ravens defense? Usually it wouldn’t be a question but the Ravens defense has been an above average defense which would be an alright thing to describe a defense, but not a Ravens team that for the last decade has built a reputation for being a defensive minded team. Flacco’s regression has been alarming and was so apparent last Sunday when he made some puzzling decisions towards the end of that sloppy game against the Packers. Still, I like the Lions to begin to position themselves at the top of the draft board.

Packers (-3.5) over BEARS- Packers are getting serious Super Bowl buzz and justifiably so. They have one of those how the heck are they reputations about them. Like, how the heck are they the number one defense considering this is the first year in the 3-4. That kind of transition never goes as seamless as its happened. We just wish the Bears were as good as people tried to sell us on.

TEXANS (-7) over Seahawks- If this were in Seattle, it would be a different story. This is the classic get your hopes up about us next year game for the Texans that will make ESPN pick them next year, again, as the team to surprise everyone.

COLTS (-7) over Broncos- I think this will be a telling game for the next few weeks for the Colts. A lot of fuss made over the fact that the Colts will rest their players like they have been the last few years which has only resulted in one Super Bowl. I do think that the Colts will blow the Broncos out and totally shut down the running game.

Dolphins (+3) over JAGS- I love the Dolphins because they are built well (ahem Parcells). Their run game is good and their passing game is sneaky good as well (another Michigan QB in the AFC East ). Like the Jags but the Dolphins come out stronger with all the starters on defense missing on the Jags.

Bills (+1) over CHIEFS- Chiefs are just bad. Bills can cover receivers. Chiefs will foolishly throw the football and the Bills will shut that down quick. I’m sorry to keep it simple, but I don’t understand why teams like to throw overwhelmingly more against the Bills when its clear they can’t shut down a single running team.
Bengals (+6.5) over VIKINGS- Is it wrong for me to want the Bengals to win this game by a lot just for the chance to see Ocho Cinco come through on his promise to use the Viking mascot’s helmet as one of his props in his latest fine inducing TD celebration.

PATS (-13) over Panthers- Classic Patriots blowout game. A lot of pissed off Patriot players after a bizarre week of drama in New England.

Jets (-4.5) over BUCS- Front line of both sides of the ball will be dominant for the Jets.

TITANS (-13) over Rams- Big game for Chris Johnson. 200 yards rushing and 3 TD’s? Could be.

RAIDERS (+1) over Redskins- What about that win for the Raiders? I like Louis Murphy. Guys who come from stable programs in college seem to have a better understanding of how it is in the NFL. Finally Bruce Gradkowski will know his destiny to lead his team to meaningless victories in the NFL.

Chargers (+3) over COWBOYS- What’s great about this game is that on paper it should be a good game. Of course, I don’t expect anything less than an absolute blowout in Big D with the Chargers leaving a cloud of dust behind them and the Boys getting booed out of their own stadium.

Giants (pick) over Eagles- I’m staying mum on this one but I loved Coughlin’s idea to have the Giants practice outdoors despite having an indoor practice facility in the blistering cold earlier in the week.

Cardinals (-3.5) over NINERS- Classic let down game for the Cards but this will let us know if the Cards are going to be the enigma they were last year or a real legitimate scary team for the top two teams in the NFC and the NFL in general.