The Crystal Ball

 

Last week was good, going 10 – 4 straight up and above against the spread as well, going 7 – 6 – 1; that brings the straight up the season record is now 84 for 130.  Against the spread we are creeping up to almost average at 61 – 62 – 7 for the season.  The spread is taken as it was 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 disclaimers.  These picks are for my pick’em league I participate in and are for amusement purposes only.  The choices here are preliminary for the week and changes are often made later in the week as more information comes in, particularly regarding injuries. (Last week I actually did worse because of my changes in my league so this isn’t always a bad thing.)  Because of the deadline for this column, those changes are not reflected in the weekly or the running totals.  This is my opinion only, not the actual informed football judgment of anyone else here and I am solely responsible.

 

Week 10

 

Atlanta at Carolina – Atlanta won at home last week, the beneficiaries of four turnovers.  Carolina is not in good shape, the defense misses Dan Morgan and they may be using their third string quarterback as Carr left last weeks game with a concussion, Panthers win 21 - 20.

 

Buffalo at Miami – Miami did not lose last week; they had their bye instead and perhaps enough preparation time for the various replacements they have in now.  Buffalo changed quarterbacks again, effectively it seems, Bills win 28 – 17.

 

Cleveland at Pittsburgh – Cleveland has been putting up points in bunches on offense and are a surprising second in the division behind this weeks opponent.  Pittsburgh has been playing solid on both sides of the ball with occasional lapses, Steelers win 28 – 21.

 

Denver at Kansas City – With Cutler and Larry Johnson both injured each team might be likely to be playing without their offensive centerpiece.  Kansas City has a few more weapons offensively but also has the clear defensive edge, Chiefs win 21 – 14.

 

Jacksonville at Tennessee – This could be the ugliest game of the weekend as neither team has a particularly elegant offense and both defenses are maulers.  Tennessee has been riding their running game of late, which looks to be just enough, Titans win 24 – 21.

 

Minnesota at Green Bay – Minnesota will possibly be changing quarterbacks again, of course that hardly matters when you roll up 378 rushing yards.  Green Bay continues to roll, despite having the worst running game in the NFL, Packers win 28 – 20.

 

St Louis at New Orleans – St Louis is another team that did not lose last week by virtue of their bye week; at least they are getting healthier.  New Orleans seems to have found their offensive rhythm and are playing at home, Saints win 28 – 17.

 

Philadelphia at Washington – Philadelphia has been playing inconsistently, to say the least.  Washington is coming off a sloppy win at the Jets last week still looking like they were in a fog from the blowout the previous week, the fog clears, Redskins win 24 – 20.

 

Cincinnati at Baltimore – The case of the resistible force meets the movable object.  Baltimore has no discernable offense and Cincinnati cannot seem to stop anyone defensively.  The weakness in the Ravens defense is the deep ball, Bengals win 28 – 20.

 

Detroit at Arizona – Arizona is struggling offensively, Warner is gamely trying but has been ineffective since his injury.  Detroit has been offensively strong but their defense has been catching up in recent weeks, Lions win 28 -20.

 

Chicago at Oakland – Oakland has been struggling, Chicago is coming off their bye week to travel to the west coast in what will likely be another ugly game.  The Chicago offense has not been doing much but their defense is getting healthier, Bears win 17 – 10.

 

Dallas at New York Giants – Dallas has their second division road game in as many weeks while New York is coming off a bye.  The Giants have the right tools to give Dallas problems with their pass rush, to force errors, Giants win 24 – 21.

 

Indianapolis at San Diego – San Diego was embarrassed last week but the real injuries were the loss of Castillo and Jammer both of whom will miss this week’s game.  Indianapolis lost last, week in case you have been living in a cave, but are still a pretty good team, Colts win 28 – 20.

 

San Francisco at Seattle – San Francisco has been offensively challenged all season, and without Gore they mange to be even less effective.  Seattle looks to be the best of the NFC West at this point, not currently a great distinction, Seahawks win 28 – 14.

 

Dale “at” footballforecasters.com