*Atlanta 23 - Washington 16
The Falcons face their second straight NFC East weakling, but they'll need all the running yards they can muster against the Redskins' solid defense. Atlanta won the last time they met, nine years ago.
*Baltimore 21 - Cleveland 14
An early huge test for the Ravens, who can't lose to the Browns at home if they hope to climb back into contention. Last season Baltimore won in Cleveland, 26-21, and Cleveland won in Baltimore, 14-13.
Buffalo 24 - *Jacksonville 21
Sure, they can throw all day, but the Bills will need to stop the Jaguars' ground game to win. They've battled four times; Jacksonville won the first two and Buffalo the last two, most recently in 2001.
Denver 28 - *San Diego 27
One of the factors in the Broncos' absence from the playoffs the past two years has been the Chargers: Denver hasn't been able to beat them in San Diego. In '02 the Broncos won at home, then lost in OT.
*Green Bay 35 - Detroit 14
There's no better evidence of how badly the Lions need to improve their woeful defense than last season's Packers series, in which G.B. took its fourth and fifth in a row from Detroit, 37-31 and 40-14.
*Minnesota 30 - Chicago 19
Speaking of woeful defenses, here are two -- and the Vikings' offense should go wild. After three straight losses to the Bears, including their first matchup of '02, Minnesota shut Chicago down 25-7.
*New Orleans 19 - Houston 16
Facing a Saints offense that's no great shakes, the Texans' decent defense should keep this close. For what it's worth (not much), the last time a team from Houston visited N.O. -- '96 -- it won 31-14.
*N.Y. Jets 21 - Miami 20
Every time the Jets and Dolphins get together it's a potential game of the week. After losing eight in a row to N.Y., Miami spanked the Jets last year, 30-3, but N.Y. got even seven weeks later, 13-10.
*Oakland 32 - Cincinnati 13
The Raiders will fill the air with passes, but their biggest weakness has been pass defense, so the Bengals should do the same. Oakland was a 27-10 winner five years ago, the last time they faced off.
*Philadelphia 27 - New England 17
After banging heads with Tampa Bay, the Eagles should be able to rip big holes in the Patriots' defensive line, one of the NFL's weakest, and run all day. Philly won its fifth straight over N.E. in '99.
Pittsburgh 29 - *Kansas City 24
But for the Steelers' awesome run defense, this would shape up as an offensive showcase. Pittsburgh and K.C. have traded wins in seven games since '92; two seasons ago it was the Steelers' turn, 20-17.
*St. Louis 26 - San Francisco 24
Speaking of run defense, the 49ers thrived last year because of it -- beating St. Louis 37-13 after six series losses in a row -- so we’ll find out about the none too refreshed-looking Rams in this one.
Seattle 17 - *Arizona 12
In their second NFC West season, the Seahawks and Cardinals will likely once again fight for third in the division, though Seattle has a first-rate passing game. In '02 they beat each other on the road.
*Tampa Bay 24 - Carolina 9
What can you expect when the league's best defense takes on one of its most anemic offenses? Results like last year's Buccaneers-Panthers series: two T.B. victories and a total of 19 Carolina points.
Tennessee 21 - *Indianapolis 19
Two solid clubs with complementary weaknesses: The Titans struggle through the air and against the pass, while the Colts don't run well or stop the run. Tennessee swept Indy in '02, 23-15 and 27-17.
*N.Y. Giants 25 - Dallas 16
The Giants, who are a lousy 15-27-1 on Monday nights, nonetheless have taken five of their last six games with the Cowboys, sweeping them 21-17 and 37-7 last year. N.Y. is better with or without the ball.
Opening Round Match # 1
Papa Joe Chevalier vs. Dave Malinsky
September 12, 2003
Papa Joe Chevalier's Selections
##### Penn State + 10 over Nebraska #####
Rutgers - 7 over Army
Auburn - 12 over Vanderbilt
Duke - 11 over Rice
Boise State - 23 1/2 over Idaho
Notre Dame + 10 1/2 over Michigan
Best Bet: Oregon - 12 over U of Arizona
Dave Malinsky's Selections
##### Nebraska - 10 over Penn State #####
Michigan State & Louisiana Tech UNDER 61
Miami Dolphins - 3 over New York Jets
Tennessee Titans + 2 1/2 over Indianapolis Colts
Buffalo Bills & Jacksonville Jaguars UNDER 43
Chicago Bears & Minnesota Vikings UNDER 45 1/2
(BEST BET) : Purdue Pick 'em over Wake Forest
##### OPPOSING SELECTIONS IN SAME GAME #####
***** BOTH HANDICAPPERS MADE SAME SELECTION *****
pretty much took it in the ass yesterday, but because they lost today was free.
NSA 1-5 sat: 20* stl, 10* hyj, tenn, 5* n.e., arz, 2* buff
TONY CAMPONE 0-3 sat: caddilac-hou, wiseguy-car, sharp- pitt
WILLIAM FOOTE 3-2 sat: 20* hou, 10* wash, arz, 5* car, minn
MICHIGAN SPORTS NETWORK 2-2 sat: big house 20* tenn, lockerroom 10* buff over, pressbox 5* nyj, clev over
SOUTHBEACH SPORTS 1-3 sat: zebra-balt, big action- minn, n.e., hilton-nyj
CHICAGO SPORTS GROUP 2-2 sat: fort 500-hou, exec-buff, directors- arz, car over
FRED CALLAHAN 1-3 sat: 20* hou, 15* n.e. over, 10* minn, 5* wash
HOLLYWOOD SPORTSLINE 0-3 sat: inside action-cinn, blue ribbon-nyj, wiseguy-hou, car
N.Y. PLAYERS CLUB 2-2 sat: inner circle-nyj, syndicate-n.e. under, data- detr, sea
VIP 0-4 sat: vip club-nyj, roxy's- denv, car, riverboat-hou
20* cons- hou
PLAYS LISTED STRONGEST TO WEAKEST
Anyone have cokins GOM? I have a feeling its Tennessee. Thanks for the posts and i also rode the hershey highway prison style with no vasoline, especially on Nebraska!!!!!!!!!!!!
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