NFL Office Pool Picks - Week 7

Presented by Dale Sims

The Crystal Ball

I think I could grow to dislike kickers, as the so called song asked “Who let the dogs out?”  A very bad week for favorites and again a number of games decided in the last minute or even after.  Also a tough weekend for quarterbacks and prognosticators, I went a terrible 5 – 8 for the week.  So I am now 60 – 40 on the year, 48 – 47 against the spread.  I think that rates as my worse ever, until this week at least which features some very tough matches and injury replacements and uncertainties in several match ups.

I have my own views and pick the games independent from anyone associated with football forecasters.  These picks are used as my preliminary selections for a pick’em league I participate in but this is the early week version; I make changes based on injury reports and other information that comes out after this is submitted.  Looking at my recent results anyone even thinking of using this for purposes other than entertainment is obviously out of their mind.

Week 8

Arizona at Green Bay – Green Bay got a win on the road while Arizona fell to the worst team in the NFL last weekend.  Apparently firing the offensive coordinator did not suddenly fix the turnover problems or the offensive line, Packers win 28 – 24.

Atlanta at Cincinnati – Both teams need to keep winning if they expect to make it to the playoffs and both teams have issues they need to work around.  The Cincinnati line is really banged up creating issues with the offense while Atlanta defense has problems too; Falcons 24 – 21. 

Baltimore at New Orleans – New Orleans and Baltimore are both coming off byes and need to get a win to keep on top of their respective divisions.  Can Baltimore field an effective offense off their bye week, or any other week for that matter; Saints win 24 – 17.

Houston at Tennessee – Well the good news is that one of these teams is going to get two wins in row this week; both actually are coming off victories in their last game.  Houston actually goes in as a road favorite but the Titans get the win at home 21 – 20.

Jacksonville at Philadelphia – This is a game between two contenders who have fallen on some hard times.  Jacksonville is contending with various injuries and Philadelphia just keeps coming up short.  This week and at home the Eagles should get the win 28 – 20.

Seattle at Kansas City – Seattle without both their starting quarterback and running back now head into play at Kansas City this week.  This is one of the more difficult places for an opposing quarterback to have his first start; Chiefs win 24 – 21.

San Francisco at Chicago – This looks like a mismatch and played in Chicago it almost certainly will be.  Chicago typically does poorly coming off of byes but they should be focused for this outing, Bears win 30 – 10.

Tampa Bay at N.Y. Giants – Tampa Bay has to travel to the Meadowlands after winning two difficult home games.  The Giants are off of an emotional division win on Monday night and rate to be a bit off but still have enough to handle this one, Giants win 28 – 21.

St. Louis at San Diego – San Diego continues to develop their offense but their defense has taken some critical injuries and will need to step up against what is proving to be one of the better offenses in the league which they will, Chargers win 21 – 17.

Indianapolis at Denver – Indianapolis travels to Denver in a game with playoff implications that both would like to win.  Denver has been playing outstanding defense but that is not likely to be enough against Indianapolis, their offense can not keep up, Colts win 28 – 24.

N.Y. Jets at Cleveland – Cleveland fired their offensive coordinator in keeping with the current trend in the league and it does nothing to help them compensate for a lack of talent.  The Jets also are not a very talented group but they are doing well with what they have, Jets win 24 – 20.

Pittsburgh at Oakland – Pittsburgh has to travel to the west coast to play against Oakland fresh off their first win of the season and quite possibly their last.  No Roethlisberger (still unclear at this point) no apparent problem, the Steelers win 27 – 10.

Dallas at Carolina – Things do not get any easier for Dallas after the home loss and a short week they travel to play Carolina.  With Romo at quarterback there at least is a moving target which actually should make the offensive line more effective but the Panthers win 24 – 17.

New England at Minnesota – New England plays in the dome at Minnesota in what could be a trap of sorts if they look forward to next weeks annual game against the Colts.  With Seymour nicked up this suddenly looks like a very dangerous game, Vikings win 21 – 20.