The Crystal Ball

 

Wow did I get killed last week four for ten straight up here (I did change a couple in my pickem league looking at the late injury reports six and eight versus the spread.  The season record is now 37 for 62 straight up and 28 – 30 – 4 versus the spread.  A word here about the spread, it is the line as of Tuesday morning when I put these picks together, your mileage may vary.

 

For anyone new to this feature the please note the following disclaimer. These picks are for a pick’em league I participate in and are for amusement purposes only.  (Looking at last weeks results, even the amusement value is decidedly limited.)  The choices here are preliminary for that league and I do make changes later in the week as more information comes in, particularly regarding injuries.  Because of the deadline for this column, those changes are not reflected in the weekly or the running totals.  This is my opinion, not the actual informed football judgment of the rest of the staff here.

 

Week 5

 

Arizona at St Louis – St Louis has been hit hard with key injuries on the offense and is struggling to get any kind of offensive rhythm going.  Arizona has become a much better running team largely because of improved play from their offensive line, Cardinals win 24 – 17.

 

Miami at Houston – Miami has a number of problems, aging defense and an inconsistent offense that will make it a long season.  Houston is looking to get back an offensive player or two this week and playing at home, Texans win 20 – 10.

 

Atlanta at Tennessee – generated some surprising offense with a solid performance from Harrington.  Titans are off of a bye and their pass rush should be effective in getting pressure while there offense will control the ball with the run, Titans win 21 – 14.

 

Jacksonville at Kansas City – Kansas City is a difficult team to play at Arrowhead stadium but still have some fundamental issues offensively despite last weeks performance.  Jacksonville had a bye and is in need of a win here but need to get their running game on track, Jaguars 24 – 14.

 

Cleveland at New England – Cleveland looks like a yoyo up one week down the next, especially on the road.  New England is one the best teams in the NFL and they are unlikely to overlook this game, Patriots win 31 – 14.

 

Carolina at New Orleans – New Orleans is hoping that the bye week gave them a chance to figure out what has gone wrong with their once vaunted offense.  Carolina missed Delhomme this past weekend but are hoping to have him back for this one, Panthers win 21 – 20.

 

New York Jets at New York Giants – Well this one is easy, New York wins.  The Jets are finding the going this season a little bit tougher, they really don’t have the right personnel for the three-four defense that they run, and that will be exploited  Giants win 24 – 17.

 

Seattle at Pittsburgh – Seattle doesn’t travel well and won’t this week either.  Pittsburgh is undoubtedly going to be a bit upset about their rather sloppy effort last week and looking to take that out on someone, Steelers win 28 – 20.

 

Detroit at Washington – Washington lacks a great pass rush and won’t be able to stop the Detroit passing attack from putting up points.  The Redskins lack the offensive punch to keep up with Detroit, Lions win 28 – 24.

 

Tampa Bay at Indianapolis – Tampa Bay has really come along well this season but they don’t match up well in this one.  Manning knows how to play against this type of defense, has the patience, and weapons to keep exploiting the Tampa zone, Colts win 28 – 21.

 

San Diego at Denver – San Diego has some serious issues their offense is so one-dimensional at this point and too much of the burden is on Rivers at this point.  Denver really is not that much better off at this point their running defense has taken a beating, Broncos win 28 – 24.

 

Baltimore at San Francisco – The Ravens secondary has been exposed as mediocre.  San Francisco will be playing without their starting quarterback.  Trent Dilfer probably does not have the arm or receivers to exploit the defense Ravens vertically, Ravens win 21 – 20.

 

Chicago at Green Bay – The Bears have changed quarterbacks, they are unfortunately stuck with the same offensive line.  Green Bay has been winning with a one-dimensional offense but their defense is the real thing, Packers win 28 -21.

 

Dallas at Buffalo – Dallas has been looking solid generally unstoppable offensively.  Buffalo is beat up on both offense and defense but played well at home to win last week.  It is unlikely they will do as well this week, Cowboys win 31 – 17.

Dale “at” footballforecasters.com