NFL - 1:00 ET
Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots
3* New England -3 (-130)
Not so fast my friends. Everybody and their brother this week are supposedly "going out on a limb" and calling for New England's winning streak to end at 19. That's a sure sign to me to play the Patriots. A team off a demoralizing losses and then traveling across the country doesn't sound like a point spread triumph waiting to happen. What's remarkable about New England's winning streak is how few times they are challenged on paper. But make no mistake, when Coach Belichick wants a game, he usually gets it. The jury is still out about Coach Holmgren. I mean take Brett Favre out of the equation, and what has this guy really ever accomplished? Why do I suspect that since New England only had Miami and Buffalo the past two weeks, Coach Belichick has been scheming for the Seahawks for a while. He must have seen that big zero in the loss column until last Sunday's 4th quarter collapse and has probably had Seattle on his mind. So many spreads are determined in football by coaching. We pointed out on Saturday with Coach Ferentz at Iowa. I can't tell you how impressed I was with the Hawkeyes last year in that bowl blowout of Florida. That guy can really coach and of course who is better in the NFL than Belichick. New England is 16-1-2 ATS in their last 19 regular season games. Are you ready to go against that? I know I'm not. Another intangible is travel in these mid-season games. We saw it with Jacksonville at San Diego the other week. I never like small dogs going cross-country in the middle of a season. Tom Brady threw for only 76 yards last week. Don't be surprised if he unleashes the cannon on Sunday. I'd like to see Troy Brown and Deion Branch play and because they are question marks along with Corey Dillon, I'll only make New England a 3* release especially knowing the Jets are on deck for the champs.
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The Animal, winner of the prestigious NFL Hilton SuperContest, has been the "voice of reason" for 24 years on nationwide telephone scoreboards. His analysis is famous for offering unique personality and insight. All selections provided will be pay premium picks.
Brian Urlacher is back. That means Chicago has a huge edge over Washington. Let’s list the defensive players not playing for the Redskins on Sunday: LB Arrington, safety Bowen, LB Barrow, DE Daniels, DE Warner. No wonder Coach Gibbs can’t win. Placekicker John Hall is even hurt. The Bears had last week off and were within 15 yards of covering against Philadelphia two weeks ago. Nobody else can make that statement this year. Washington averaged 1.8 yards per play on Sunday night. They have become extremely predictable on offense. The Redskins have next week off but are 1-7 ATS before a break. Mark Brunell has an embarrassing 73.3 QB rating and Portis is down to 3.6 yards a carry. Jonathan Quinn is no medicine man but he did complete 72 percent of his 2nd half aerials against the Eagles two weeks ago without a pick. I have to think an extra week will have Quinn better prepared. Here’s a sign that Coach Gibbs might not be the best prepared coach in the league. According to Clinton Portis, the opposition is barking out what plays the Redskins have before the snap is completed. I’ve heard of stealing signs in baseball, but football? The auto racing industry has never looked better to Gibbs right about now considering his offense has scored 55 points in four consecutive defeats. Yikes! Take 'Da Bears -1 1/2
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Good luck men....Mark
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