The Crystal Ball

 

A decidedly average week straight up (8 – 5) but a terrible week against the spread, going 4 – 8 – 1; that brings the straight up the season record is now 56 for 89.  Against the spread, I am now a miserable 39 – 44 – 6 so far for the season.  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 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.  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.  I do not bet football games (look at my record against the spread) using any of my predictions here in a wagering context is strongly discouraged.

 

Week 7

 

Atlanta at New Orleans – New Orleans finally looked a bit like their former selves as they generated offense. Atlanta has many issues on offense but quarterback pressure has been a major issue and New Orleans has found their pass rush, Saints win 21 – 14.

 

Baltimore at Buffalo – The Ravens has injury issues along their offensive line and the defense has shown that they are vulnerable over the top.  Buffalo just doesn’t seem to have the offensive weapons to expose the weaknesses here though, Ravens win 21 – 17.

 

Arizona at Washington – Arizona looks to be working on their third string quarterback this week usually a problem.  Washington has been playing excellent defense their offense has been a bit error prone but should have enough here, Redskins win 20 – 14.

 

Tampa Bay at Detroit – Tampa Bay has ridden a good defense to the lead of their division.  Detroit has the ability to put up a lot of points though; more than Tampa Bay can keep up offensively, but given the prospect of a defensive score, Buccaneers win 20 – 17.

 

Tennessee at Houston – Houston seems likely to get back Andre Johnson this week while Tennessee may not have Vince Young available.  The Titans defense has been playing well but the return of Houston’s best offensive weapon should be enough, Texans win 20 – 17.

 

New England at Miami – New England has the most potent offense in the NFL and Miami the second worse defense.  The question is will there be any let down by New England after their much-hyped game last weekend, perhaps a little, Patriots win 28 – 14.

 

San Francisco at New York Giants – New York has been on a run with their defense playing on a high level, mostly because of a resurgent pass rush.  San Francisco has a good defense that is still coalescing but their offense is too stagnant, Giants win 28 – 20.

 

Chicago at Philadelphia – Given their pass rush this is a good match up for the Bears, who are getting healthier on defense.  Philadelphia has been up and down and is a hard team to figure; a lot of talent but very uneven results but they should have enough here, Eagles win 24 – 17.

 

Kansas City at Oakland – Kansas City has been able to play solid defense and have generated a surprising amount of offense without Larry Johnson.  Oakland’s defense, with much the same players has not been very effective, Chiefs win 20 – 17.

 

New York Jets at Cincinnati – Cincinnati has severe defensive issues, they are playing well below their talent level at this point which wasn’t all that great to begin with.  Of course the Jets really don’t have the offense to really take advantage here, Bengals win 28 – 24.

 

St Louis at Seattle – Seattle has been playing poorly and even managed to lose at home last week.  Nothing to get your team back on track like a visit from the injury-riddled Rams, who may or may not have Bulger back, Seahawks win 28 – 14.

 

Minnesota at Dallas – Minnesota had an important division win but still have a one-dimensional offense.  Dallas was beaten by a clearly better team last week and should be ready to reassert their dominance in the NFC, Cowboys win 28 – 20.

 

Pittsburgh at Denver – Denver has problems including the inability to establish their own ground game and their porous run defense.  The Pittsburgh running game will be this week’s problem without a good enough solution, Steelers win 24 – 14.

 

Indianapolis at Jacksonville – Indianapolis looks to have everyone back in the lineup and rested coming off of their bye week.  Jacksonville plays well against the Colts and have been impressive of late but with two weeks to prepare, Colts win 21 – 17.

 

Dale “at” footballforecasters.com