Beating the House--Week 4

It figures, doesn't it? I start posting here just last week and wind up taking a beating instead of beating the house! Such is life in the world of gambling...if it was easy (and legal), everyone would do it...for every brilliant call like the Chiefs and Jags, there were duds like Rams and Saints...just horrible. Time to move on...it probably goes without saying but, while I try to pick every game each week, there are some that I would stay away from altogether if I were (wink, wink) "playing"...


Oakland (+4) at Miami--Cam Cameron finally figured out he needs to run the ball more in order to win...hey, they came close...Raiders already know they have to give the ball to Lamont Jordan...if Daunte doesn't fall apart, this is probably a field goal game...pick: Raiders.


Houston (-3) at Atlanta--Perfect example of a game that I wouldn't bet on with your money...Harrington wasn't terrible last week...did I really just say that? I'll give 'em another chance at home...D'Angelo Hall gets to cover Texans top WR which is...who? pick: Falcons.


Baltimore (-4) at Cleveland--Browns were in for their letdown last week but should get up for the divisional tilt...still, it won't be enough as Ravens D will make an impact that will decide game...pick: Ravens.


Chicago (-3) at Detroit--Are you kidding me? Do the oddsmakers have that much respect for Brian Griese and the Chicago D? Romo carved them up so Kitna will follow suit against a secondary that will be missing Tillman and Vasher...Detroit atones for last week's atrocity in front of home crowd... this is my pick of the week: Lions.


Green Bay (-1.5) at Minnesota--Another road favorite...but I actually like this one...Pack showed me up last week and proved they were for real...Brett Favre is my age, has been getting pummeled by NFL defenses for seventeen years, and still moves better than me...pisses me off...pick: Packers.


St. Louis (+13) at Dallas--This looks easy, right? Rams let me down last week but will be in desperation mode...Boys are coming off a huge win in Chicago on national TV...hunch here is they come out flat but still pull away in second half...pick: Cowboys.


New York Jets (-3) at Buffalo--Bills will also be in desperation mode but it won't matter here...Mangini may be snitch but he is a good coach...Pennington to Coles all day and Thomas Jones running at will...pick: J-E-T-S.


Tampa Bay (+3) at Carolina--Panthers own the Bucs, winning seven out of the last eight...I'd feel better about them if Delhomme were playing but their running game and defense are enough to win it...pick: Panthers.


Seattle (-2) at San Francisco--49ers came crashing back to reality last week...this just in: they're not that good...they'll play the Hawks close here but come up short again...Hasselbeck impressed me last week going toe-to-toe with Carson Palmer...I think he can outduel Alex Smith...pick: Seahawks.


Pittsburgh (-6) at Arizona--My good friend Kurt Warner (see picture above--for the record, I'm not a Born Again Christian) insists he'll play again this week despite Whiny Boy Leinart's comments...Cards will be confused and might not have Boldin...bigger hit to them than Pitt minus Hines Ward...sorry Kurt...pick: Steelers.


Kansas City (+11.5) at San Diego--Chargers are second most-disappointing team in football (Hello Saints!)...someone send a memo to Norv: Use LT more...a lot more! They should be good and pissed and embarking on the road to respectability...first stop is here...picks: Chargers.


Denver (+10) at Indianapolis--Cutler and Walker are dinged up and Broncos offense sputtered at home last week...can't afford to do that here...Indy went through the motions last week but will be fired up for this one...Addai will open up passing game for Peyton & Co. against the most overrated defense in football...pick: Colts.


Philadelphia (-3) at New York Giants--If Plaxico plays, this ought to be a good one...Giants defense is horrible but came through last week to preserve the victory...can they do it against a team that put up 56 points against Detroit? Westbrook is the wild card here but is likely a game-time decision...curse of Tiki continues as I'm 0-3 in Giants game so...pick: Giants.


New England (-7) at Cincinnati--The Pats are the best team in football top-to-bottom...this should be their toughest test to date but can't see any reason not to pick them every week, especially against a team that has a sieve for a defense...prediction: Chad Johnson scores one TD and pulls a can of Chunky New England Clam Chowder out of his pants and starts eating it with a fork...pick: Patriots.


Last week: 6-7-3 To Date: 26-18-4