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chicagotribune

Terry Bannon's NFL picks

October 28, 2005, 1:37 AM CDT


GAME OF WEEK: Eagles at Broncos
OFF: Falcons, Colts, Jets, Seahawks
Last week's record: 9-5.
Season record: 60-42.
Bears (3-3) at Lions (3-3)
NOON SUNDAY
TV/radio: WFLD-Ch. 32, WBBM-AM 780
Line: Lions by 3
Last meeting: Bears won 38-6 at Soldier Field on Sept. 18
Key stat: Lions have won last 3 meetings in Detroit.
Fantasy factor: Muhsin Muhammad leads Bears with 30 catches but has only 1 TD. Jeff Garcia now ensconced as Lions quarterback but doesn't have enough help.
The buzz: Rookie Kyle Orton has thrown only 1 interception in 3 weeks, and if he keeps that up Bears defense can control Lions.
Bannon's pick: Bears 17, Lions 13.

Vikings (2-4) at Panthers (4-2)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Panthers by 7½
Last meeting: Panthers won 21-14 at Minnesota on Sept. 22, 2002
Key stat: Vikings are 0-3 on road, losing by average of 24.7 points.
Fantasy factor: Mewelde Moore, who had 105 total yards and TD last week, gets chance to be Vikings RB. Panthers' Steve Smith could add to his NFL-leading total of 7 receiving TDs.
The buzz: Panthers are rested after week off and Vikings are terrible road team.
Bannon's pick: Panthers 27, Vikings 16.

Packers (1-5) at Bengals (5-2)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Bengals by 9
Last meeting: Packers won 13-6 at Cincinnati on Sept. 20, 1998
Key stat: Bengals outscored 1st 2 NFC North opponents—Bears, Vikings—61-15.
Fantasy factor: Donald Driver (31 catches, 3 TDs) becoming focal point of Packers offense. Chad Johnson leads Bengals with 43 catches, 5 for TDs.
The buzz: Injuries mounting for Packers, who are going without RB Ahman Green. Bengals have too much firepower.
Bannon's pick: Bengals 31, Packers 20.

Cardinals (2-4) at Cowboys (4-3)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Cowboys by 9
Last meeting: Cowboys won 24-7 at Dallas on Oct. 5, 2003
Key stat: Cowboys have allowed only 36 points in last 3 games.
Fantasy factor: Larry Fitzgerald leads Cardinals with 40 catches, 4 TDs. Cowboys' Terry Glenn has 33 catches, 3 TDs.
The buzz: Cowboys are playing suffocating defense and Cardinals don't have running game to keep them honest.
Bannon's pick: Cowboys 24, Cardinals 13.

Browns (2-4) at Texans (0-6)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Texans by 2
Last meeting: Browns won 22-14 at Houston on Jan. 2
Key stat: Texans' losses have been by 17.5 points per game.
Fantasy factor: Browns increasingly relying on Reuben Droughns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Domanick Davis has scored TD in 12 of past 15 games Texans.
The buzz: Are Texans bad enough to go 0-7? If their run defense makes stand, their skid ends.
Bannon's pick: Texans 17, Browns 16.

Redskins (4-2) at Giants (4-2)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: Giants by 2½
Last meeting: Redskins won 31-7 at Washington on Dec. 5, 2004.
Key stat: Giants 2nd in NFL with plus-8 turnover differential.
Fantasy factor: Redskins' Santana Moss leads NFL with 743 receiving yards (38 catches, 5 TDs). Giants' Eli Manning has thrown TD passes in 7 straight games (15 TDs vs. 5 interceptions in streak).
The buzz: Surprising quarterback, Redskins' rejuvenated Mark Brunell, meets surprising team. Giants and Manning learning how to win.
Bannon's pick: Giants 27, Redskins 23.

Jaguars (4-2) at Rams (3-4)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: OFF
Last meeting: Rams won 17-14 at St. Louis on Oct. 20, 1996
Key stat: Rams 41-10 at home since 1999.
Fantasy factor: Jaguars' Byron Leftwich has thrown 8 TDs vs. 4 INTs. Rams' Steven Jackson has 6 rushing TDs, at least 1 in 4 straight games.
The buzz: Rams regrouping after losing coach Mike Martz to heart ailment. After week off, Jaguars building momentum for playoff run.
Bannon's pick: Jaguars 24, Rams 20.

Raiders (2-4) at Titans (2-5)
NOON SUNDAY
Line: OFF
Last meeting: Raiders won 40-35 at Oakland on Dec. 19, 2004.
Key stat: Titans have held only 1 opponent under 20 points.
Fantasy factor: LaMont Jordan, with TD in 5 straight games, workhorse of Raiders offense. Steve McNair (4-1 vs. Oakland), due back from injury, has thrown 7 TDs vs. 6 INTs for Titans.
The buzz: Both teams are fighting off injuries, but Raiders secondary has been devastated. Titans have just enough offense.
Bannon's pick: Titans 20, Raiders 17.

Chiefs (4-2) at Chargers (3-4)
3:05 P.M. SUNDAY
TV: WBBM-Ch. 2
Line: Chargers by 6
Last meeting: Chargers won 24-17 at San Diego on Jan. 2, 2005
Key stat: It's Chiefs' No. 6 rushing offense vs. Chargers' No. 2 rushing defense.
Fantasy factor: Chiefs' Priest Holmes has averaged 114.2 rushing yards and scored 6 TDs in last 5 games vs. San Diego. Chargers TE Antonio Gates, who has 33 catches and 3 TDs, scored 2 TDs in last game vs. KC.
The buzz: Drew Brees, having another good year with 10 TD passes so far, should find room to pass against this defense. Chiefs' best hope is to control ball with running game.
Bannon's pick: Chargers 27, Chiefs 24.

Dolphins (2-4) at Saints (2-5) in Baton Rouge, La.
3:05 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Saints by 2
Last meeting: Dolphins won 30-10 at Miami on Nov. 29, 1998
Key stat: Dolphins 0-3 on road, losing by average of 10 points.
Fantasy factor: Rookie Ronnie Brown averaging 4.8 yards per carry for Dolphins. Saints' Az-Zahir Hakim has 17 catches for 293 yards and TD in last 3 games.
The buzz: Saints play 1st of 4 games in Baton Rouge, where Dolphins coach Nick Saban led LSU to national title 2 years ago. Saints have played tough amid adversity.
Bannon's pick: Saints 24, Dolphins 17.

Eagles (4-2) at Broncos (5-2)
3:15 P.M. SUNDAY
TV: WFLD-Ch. 32
Line: Broncos by 3½
Last meeting: Broncos won 41-16 at Denver on Oct. 4, 1998.
Key stat: Broncos have won 6 straight home games.
Fantasy factor: Terrell Owens tied for NFL lead with 44 catches, 5 for TDs. In last 2 games, Broncos' Ashley Lelie has 8 catches for 18.1 avg.
The buzz: 2 weeks after beating Super Bowl champ Pats at home, Broncos get NFC champ Eagles, who are having trouble running ball. Broncos have no such problem.
Bannon's pick: Broncos 27, Eagles 21.

Bucs (5-1) at 49ers (1-5)
3:15 P.M. SUNDAY
Line: Bucs by 11½
Last meeting: Bucs won 35-3 at Tampa on Nov. 21, 2004.
Key stat: 49ers were outscored 80-20 last 2 games under rookie QB Alex Smith.
Fantasy factor: Rookie Cadillac Williams, averaging 4.5 per carry, expected back from injury. Rookie RB Frank Gore getting more work for 49ers.
The buzz: Ken Dorsey likely to play for injured Smith, but Bucs' top-ranked defense will handle anything 49ers come up with, making it easy for QB Chris Simms.
Bannon's pick: Bucs 20, 49ers 10.

Bills (3-4) at Patriots (3-3)
7:30 P.M. SUNDAY
TV/radio: ESPN, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Patriots by 8½
Last meeting: Pats won 29-6 at New England on Nov. 14, 2004.
Key stat: Pats have won 8 of last 9 meetings.
Fantasy factor: Kelly Holcomb has completed 72.2 percent of his passes in 3 starts. Pats' Tom Brady has thrown 8 TD passes vs. 1 interception in last 3 games vs. Bills.
The buzz: Pats know how to find weakness, and it's Bills' rushing defense. Corey Dillon should let them control ball and game.
Bannon's pick: Patriots 27, Bills 17.

Ravens (2-4) at Steelers (4-2)
8 P.M. MONDAY
TV/radio: WLS-Ch. 7, WSCR-AM 670
Line: Steelers by 10
Last meeting: Steelers won 20-7 at Pittsburgh on Dec. 26, 2004.
Key stat: Steelers have won 10 straight home Monday night games.
Fantasy factor: Chester Taylor averaging 6.0 yards per carry for Ravens. Steelers rookie tight end Heath Miller growing factor with 4 TD catches.
The buzz: Emergence of Miller gives QB Ben Roethlisberger another weapon, and Ravens' injury-depleted defense won't stop Steelers' running game.
Bannon's pick: Steelers 23, Ravens 10.

[Blackbeard]

Dallas News/Staff Picks

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...28nflpicks.pdf

[Blackbeard]

miami herald/greg cote

Greg Cote's Week 8 Picks

By GREG COTE

[email protected]


Dolphins this week
DOLPHINS (2-4) AT SAINTS (2-5)

• When: 4:05 p.m. Sunday • TV: Chs. 4, 12

• Line: NO by 2 • Cote: MIA 24-20

Call it the Hurricane Bowl, with displaced Saints chased from home by Katrina and playing their first game in Baton Rouge, vs. Dolphins leaving behind the ravages of Wilma. Perfect matchup for a Halloween weekend. I like Miami in a mild upset. It might be because of PWSS (Post-Wilma Stress Syndrome), or simply that I am a raging homer. In any case, Aaron Brooks is lousy, N.O. misses Deuce McAllister severely, and Dolphs' defense (though banged up) is due a bounceback from last week's manhandling by K.C. Nick Saban returns to the city and field of his LSU glory, and triumphantly.

Game of the week
EAGLES (4-2) AT BRONCOS (5-2)

• When: 4:15 p.m. Sunday • TV: 7, 29

• Line: DEN by 3 ½ • Cote: DEN 30-27

NFC was 6-0 last week in interconference games, a blow to the prevailing notion the AFC is hogging all the good teams. But here Denver strikes back on behalf of The Big A in a duel that will leave the winner credibly claiming Super Bowl hopes. Make it a venue pick; Broncs have won six straight at Mile High, where Jake Plummer is 15-3 as a home starter. Still, that extra half-point on the betting line makes the Phils a nice road dog against the spread. Donovan McNabb's pass-heavy attack will do some damage against a very suspect Denver air defense that made even Gus Frerotte look good.

Upset of the week
PACKERS (1-5) AT BENGALS (5-2)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: CIN by 9 • Cote: GB 28-24

``AAWWK!'' shrieks an evidently frazzled Upset Bird. ``Blame Wilma for this crazy pick. Blame stress and lack of electricitaawwk!'' This is a huge upset, granted, with Cincy nearly a double-digit fave. Here's why it'll happen: 1) Bengals are frauds. They have yet to beat anybody with a winning record. 2) Pack is way due a break, with their past four losses coming by a combined nine points. So watch an angry, hot Brett Favre surprise an overconfident home team. ``That's somewhat risky logic,'' admits U-Bird. ``We are placing a ton of faith in the reservoir of an aging Brett Faaavvaaawwwk!''

Dog of the week
BROWNS (2-4) AT TEXANS (0-6)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: HOU by 2 • Cote: HOU 18-14

If an ordinary bad game is a Dog of the Week, this one's a whole yapping kennel. Clevers have no offense and stick with Trent Dilfer only in the abject absence of anybody better. Likewise Houston and struggling David Carr. This game's only saving grace is to see whether Texans can finally stop being the NFL's only winless team. They don't have too many clearly winnable games left on the schedule (see column at left) to avoid the historic ignominy of 0-16; this is one. With trepidation, let's get out the sympathy vote, throw a pity party and see the forlorn Texans off the schneid at last.

VIKINGS (2-4) AT PANTHERS (4-2)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: CAR by 7 ½ • Cote: CAR 30-20

Carolina has won three close games in a row, so any suggestion of its superiority remains dubious. And having Tampa Bay on deck could make it a lookahead game. Still, at home and with a bye week to prepare, figure Carols bring enough to throw an anchor on the Love Boat Vikings' one-game win streak.

CARDINALS (2-4) AT COWBOYS (4-3)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: DAL by 9 • Cote: DAL 20-17

Like Cows getting by in The Big D, especially if underrated RB Julius Jones is healthy, but the betting number looks large. Redbirds have won two of past three in series, and Josh McCown's pass-happy offense can throw some points on you. Edge to Team Tuna, but bet it's a competitive game.

BEARS (3-3) AT LIONS (3-3)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: DET by 3 • Cote: DET 14-10

A battle of co-leaders in the sad NFC North, where a 7-9 division winner is not out of the question. Pandas throttled the Cowardlies 38-6 in Week 2, but Motown drives better with Jeff Garcia at the wheel instead of Joey Harrington. Detroit has won three straight at home in series. Saddle up that trend.

REDSKINS (4-2) AT GIANTS (4-2)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: 7, 29

• Line: NYG by 2 ½ • Cote: NYG 24-21

Game of the Week runner-up could be for outright NFC East lead, with tri-leader Philly in a losable game at Denver. Washers and NYG split last year, and this one's a toss-up, too. Skins are real deal, though Biggies may get an emotional goose from death of Wellington Mara. So stay home. But nervously.

JAGUARS (4-2) AT RAMS (3-4)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: Off the board • Cote: JAX 27-24

Franchises last met in '96. Game stayed off bet board because of St. Lou QB Marc Bulger's iffy status. Looks like he may return, but top receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce are hobbled. Go with the better all-round team here, not the venue. Jacksons are coming off a bye and have won four of past five on road.

RAIDERS (2-4) AT TITANS (2-5)

• When: 1 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: Off the board • Cote: TEN 28-24

Vegas set no line because of doubts whether perpetually injured QB Steve McNair would suit for up for Tenners, but he practiced late in week and it looked like he'd start. McNair is 4-1 vs. Oakland, so make it an anxious venue call. I don't trust either team but think Titan sackers can get to Kerry Collins.

CHIEFS (4-2) AT CHARGERS (3-4)

• When: 4:05 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: SD by 6 • Cote: SD 24-20

Game of the Week contender finds KC coming off an impressive manhandling at Miami and San-D coming off a tough loss at Philly. Like the Bolts, who've won past two in series and who should get a nice bounceback game from LaDainian Tomlinson after his 7-yard whisper last week. Line feels fat, though.

BUCCANEERS (5-1) AT 49ERS (1-5)

• When: 4:15 p.m. Sunday • TV: None

• Line: TB by 11 ½ • Cote: TB 30-10

Frans have won six straight at home over Bucs but are awful now. New starting QBs -- Chris Simms for Tampa, ex-UMer Ken Dorsey for SF -- throw in a wild card, but gotta love T-Bay, especially with Cadillac Williams' likely return. Tired of thinking Niners will cover big numbers.

BILLS (3-4) AT PATRIOTS (3-3)

• When: 8:30 p.m. Sunday • TV: ESPN

• Line: NE by 8 ½ • Cote: NE 37-16

Patriots could see emotional return of LB Tedy Bruschi in Sunday prime-timer, and in any case are on 8-1 series roll over Buffs and have not had consecutive L's in 39 games. Only concern is NE looking enough ahead to next week's mega-battle vs. unbeaten Indy to keep this one close. But doubt it.

RAVENS (2-4) AT STEELERS (4-2)

• When: 9 p.m. Monday • TV: 10, 25

• Line: PIT by 10 • Cote: PIT 34-7

Pitt could face a letdown after last week's big proving-ground test vs. Cincy, except the Monday stage (where Steelers have won 10 straight at home) doesn't allow letdowns. Balts D missing Ray Lewis and Ed Reed means the 'Burghers should be able to fry the Ravens on both sides of the scrimmage line.

OFF THIS WEEK

COLTS

(7-0; next at Patriots): Is Indy just very good? Or Super? The defending champ Pats, on deck a week from Monday, should tell.

FALCONS

(5-2; next at Dolphins): Countdown has begun. Nine days 'til overhyped, overrated Michael Vick brings his one-man circus to Miami.

JETS

(2-5; next vs. Chargers): Planes have used four QBs due to injuries. Vinny Testaverde should be ready next week, but is that a good thing?

SEAHAWKS

(5-2; next at Cardinals): Birds got lucky on Drew Bledsoe's bonehead pass, but Seattle quietly has a title shot in winnable NFC.

HOW THE DARTS LANDED

Dolphins, slight favorites, went limp against K.C. to open our week with a disappointing loss. Blame Hurricane Wilma. Better yet, blame an ineffective QB, a dominated offensive line and a defense looking more and more overrated. Saints also let us down vs. Rams on our Bird call ('Aawwk!'') despite a 14-0 lead that New Orleans treated like an unpinned grenade. Small shafts of brightness shone through on Chargers-with-points at Philly, and a bull's-eye on Lions' upset win at Cleveland.


OVERALL VS. SPREAD
Last week 10-4 .714 6-7-1 .464
Season 64-38 .627 53-46-3 .534

[Blackbeard]

nynewsday:

http://www.newsday.com/sports/footba...sports-utility

[Blackbeard]

....

[Blackbeard]

above post is NYdailynews staff picks

[Blackbeard]

espn bill simmons:

DOLPHINS (-1.5) over Chiefs
There's a very good chance that the Dolphins could go 0-8 on the road and 8-0 at home ... in fact, I think I'll predict it. By the way, is anyone else rooting for Ricky Williams to score a TD, just to see whether he'll blow a hit from a mock bong as part of his touchdown dance? I think I would pay $500 to see this happen during a game that Joe Buck was announcing -- his head would explode.



(Speaking of Ricky, doesn't his beard look like something that would be grown after somebody has been playing "Survivor" for five weeks? Does he just live in the wilderness? Does he own a house anymore? Does he shower? Does he sleep at the football stadium? Can somebody follow him around for a week?)



Steelers (PK) over BENGALS
This is the Kitchen Sink Game of all Kitchen Sink Games -- if the Steelers lose this one, they would be 2½ games behind a Cincy team with maybe two tough games left on its schedule. I'm covered in Bill Cowher's spit just thinking about it. And yes, if you're keeping score at home, Cincy's five victories came against teams with a 5-17 record ... so to paraphrase Winston Wolf, let's not start sucking each other's popsicles yet.



Packers (-1.5) over VIKINGS
A few thoughts on this one ...



1. The Daunte Culpepper Fantasy Support Group has appealed to FEMA for emergency federal funding. Stay tuned. In the meantime, do NOT start him. Do NOT watch Vikings highlights or glance at their box scores. If you're in a room and someone else brings up Daunte, immediately leave that room. If you have any other Vikings on your team, waive them. If your company has spam triggers for e-mails, make sure they add Culpepper to the list so you don't read any unsuspecting e-mails. And if your TV has a format feature, then change from the regular picture to "Zoom" -- this way, you won't see the stat lines from other games on the bottom of your TV screen. Remember, we can get through this. Our long national nightmare is almost over -- 11 weeks to go.



2. Mike Tice is like Michael Myers -- you have to chop off his head to kill him. And even then, he might come back to coach the following week.



3. From Tulsa reader Dwyane Davis: "If I were running the PA system for an opposing NFL team, I would play the Love Boat theme music everytime the Vikings did anything." Dwayne, you're officially the funniest person in Tulsa.



4. Does anyone else feel like Brett Favre could be entering one of those Letterman-like resurgences, when you think he's washed up and suddenly the show is brilliant again, and there's no rational explanation for it?



5. Is Ziggy the Vikings' owner the first-ever "Ziggy" who wasn't a limo driver, bookie or low-level mafioso?



Saints (+3) over RAMS
Has a game ever turned faster on one play than Bulger's interception at 17-0 on Monday night, followed by the Colts linebacker gleefully steamrolling him and hurting Bulger's shoulder? Have you ever picked a team that was getting 13 points and winning by 17 in the first half and felt like you were out of the game before? Me neither. Steven Jackson and Torry Holt could have challenged each other to a duel in the second quarter and shot one another and it wouldn't have been as damaging as that Bulger play. Good golly.



(And yes, this is a pick exclusively against Jamie Martin and the interim coach with the NASCAR mustache. As it should be.)



WORLD SERIES PICK
White Sox in six, for three reasons:

1. They just finished a 10-game stretch where they played against three teams in must-win situations (Cleveland, Boston, LA) ... and went 9-1. That's pretty good.

2. If Clemens wins another World Series, I might be forced to rewrite "Why Clemens is the Anti-Christ" and I'm not emotionally prepared to do that.

3. I'm starting to think that the Baseball Gods just plain hate the Cubs.



Colts (-15.5) over RICE UNIVERSITY
One of the highlights of the TV season: ABC miking Peyton Manning last Monday. My favorite part was when he saw Dominique Rhodes after the fumbled kickoff, and he knew he had to say something because he was miked, so he ended up muttering in a robotic voice, "Hey, shake it off, you need to shake it off" as Rhodes stood there with a "What's going on, this guy hasn't talked to me in three years?" look on his face. That killed me. My second favorite part was when Manning got into the argument with the O-line coach and Tarik Glenn, and things became so heated that ABC decided they couldn't show the video, then all tapes were subsequently destroyed by NFL Films. Wouldn't want anything to get in the way of the "Manning vs. Manning" Super Bowl in four months, you know?



(Speaking of the Colts, they seem very unhappy to me for a team that's 7-0. Now here's the team that needed a sex cruise.)



Chargers (+3.5) over EAGLES
I'm down on the 2005 Eagles: They can't run the ball. Not only is Westbrook a glorified third down back, not only do they have trouble controlling the clock at the end of games, but McNabb always gives them 2-3 big scrambling plays per game -- always at crucial times -- only he's so banged up right now, he's a complete nonthreat (10 carries, 9 yards). Plus, the other teams know he's a nonthreat, so they don't have to waste an extra defender on him. Throw in the lack of depth at receiver and a competitive division (maybe the best in the league) and it seems like Philly is in some major trouble this season. I don't think they have the horses.



(Which raises a bigger question: Imagine if the Eagles finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs ... but the Bears win the NFC North with a 5-11 record? Would that be 10 times worse than the 2005 Padres debacle, 20 times worse or 50 times worse?)



BEARS (-2) over Ravens
Any time a good defense with a crappy quarterback is battling a good defense with a crappy quarterback, I have to go with the good defense with the crappy quarterback. That's just one of my rules.



BROWNS (-2.5) over Lions
So the Lions get two interception touchdowns at home, as well as a convoluted situation in which Chris Weinke (Chris Weinke!) has to orchestrate a game-saving drive for the Panthers ... and they STILL lose. That's pretty bad. Meanwhile, I love the Browns at home. I'm giving this the John Locke of the Week.



Just for Zhitniks and giggles, two Joey Harrington thoughts:



1. My favorite part of the Joey Era is when they come back from commercial during Lions games and an assistant coach is showing him those overhead pictures with a "How did you not see they were in Cover 4?" look on his face, and Joey is on the defensive like a 16-year-old kid who can't explain why there are eight Heinekens missing from Dad's fridge, and the cameras just show them arguing for five seconds. That kills me.



2. From Miami reader Jason Miller: "Forget about Joey Harrington changing his name to 'Joe.' If he really wants to pull a Castor Troy and change how people view him, then he needs to change his name to 'Albert' (like Joey/Albert Belle did). And with Halloween right around the corner, the timing is perfect! Of course, if he is visited at home by a bunch of egg-throwing kids, then they'll probably have a better completion percentage with his car and house than Joey/Albert will have with his receivers in any game this season."



Bills (+3) over RAIDERS
Kelly Holcomb on the road, Norv Turner and Kerry Collins at home. You figure it out. I'm going with the Bills simply because of Willis McGahee, the best player on the field for two straight weeks. As teammate Chris Villarrial said, "He's been really spunked up these last couple games." Um, let's move on.



REDSKINS (-12) over Niners
San Fran's quarterback depth chart this week ...



1. Alex Smith
2. Ken Dorsey
3. Cody Pickett



(In other words, give the points.)



SEAHAWKS (-3.5) over Cowboys
The Cowboys are due for a bonafide stinker, aren't they? And since I have nothing else to add, it's time for my fantasy horror story of the week:



In my West Coast league, the STD's (owned by myself and Tony Barbieri) lost the fantasy equivalent of a Stomach Punch Game last week. Three things you need to know about our team. First, we have Daunte Culpepper, who has pretty much given us fantasy SARS at this point. Watching him on the Vikings every week is slowly killing my soul. I'm not even kidding. I am going to rob a liquor store or something soon. I'm filled with hate. Second, we have Mike Anderson, who had a TD reversed in the Pats game even though there was no real evidence to overturn it, plus he's losing his job to a guy who rushes for 10 yards a carry. And third, we have Marvin Harrison, suddenly the No. 12 option in the Colts offense, who was running in for a meaningless touchdown during the Rams game that would have won us the week ... and ended up getting tackled on the 1-foot line. We lost by three points.



(Our response: A panic trade of Harrison for Clinton Portis, who has a stripper's pole, a red hot tub, a waterbed and mirrored ceilings in his basement. Basically, we needed him on the STD's. It was destiny.)



CARDS (-3.5) over Titans
I love how Denny Green is playing coy with this Sunday's starting quarterback, like the Titans are going to be totally flustered if they're expecting Josh McCown and Kurt Warner lines up behind center. Oh, no, it's Warner! This changes everything! Instead of the young kid who sucks, we get the washed-up old guy! Now what do we do? In fact, it's so ridiculous, I think I have to take them.



GIANTS (-2) over Broncos
During the fourth quarter of the Giants-Cowboys game, Eli unveiled the Eli Manning Face for about 15 minutes ... then it went away and he turned into a young Tom Brady down the stretch. But it was fun to see the Eli Face again -- all that was missing was the Chargers hat and the awkward handshake with Paul Tagliabue.



Anyway, I still believe in the Giants. And in case you believe in the Broncos, lemme remind you of three things: they started 5-1 each of the past two seasons; Tatum Bell rushed for nearly 10 yards a carry (25 for 241) over the last two games, which would almost certainly shatter every rushing record known to man if it continues; and there's a reason they call Jake "The Snake." Let's see them win a tough one on the road before we pull out the popsicles here.



(Random Denver note: The city obliterated the record for "Most stoned people at a Simmons signing" on Wednesday night. Next time, I'm handing out complimentary Visine with each book.)



FALCONS (-7) over Jets
Vinny on the road ... Vinny on the road ... Vinny on the road ... Vinny on the road ...



Last week: 7-7
Season: 47-39-1

[Blackbeard]

SI.com/peter king

Week 8 Matchups


1 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Cleveland (2-4) at Houston (0-6)
The Expansion Bowl. Or "The You-Can't-Stop-Joe-Pendry's-Offense-You-Can-Only-Hope-to-Contain-It Bowl." My only prediction here is Pendry will allow David Carr to throw it more than the nine times he did last week.
Houston 17, Cleveland 9

1 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Jacksonville (4-2) at St. Louis (3-4)
These two teams haven't met since 1996. Why do I get the feeling that the game doesn't mean as much to Rams Nation as does the intrigue between the Ram front office and coach Mike Martz, who will be watching the game at home and not phoning his offensive coordinators from his suburban home?
Jacksonville 20, St. Louis 13

1 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Arizona (2-4) at Dallas (4-3)
The Dallas D has 21 sacks and eight interceptions. I expect both totals to double against young and very nervous Josh McCown at Texas Stadium on Sunday.
Dallas 20, Arizona 3

1 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Minnesota (2-4) at Carolina (4-2)
I don't know what's wrong with Daunte Culpepper. I saw him at his best--crushing the Saints in Week 3. But he's already thrown more picks in six games (12) than he threw in 16 last year (11). You can't tell me it's all Randy Moss.
Carolina 24, Minnesota 10

1 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Washington (4-2) at New York (4-2)
I love this game. Just love it. Santana Moss (and his 19.6-yards-per-catch average) is licking his chops at facing the 31st-rated pass defense in football. I say with big brother Peyton in the house (and Peyton will be at Giants Stadium Sunday), Eli shows off another ending. I think Eli's going to get a patent for impossible finishes pretty soon.
New York Giants 21, Washington 20

1 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Chicago (3-3) at Detroit (3-3)
I was at the game the last time these teams met. Joey Harrington bought his ticket out of Detroit that day, throwing five interceptions to hand the Bears a win they barely deserved. I expect Jeff (Don't Call Me Karim) Garcia to manage the game a little better in this one.
Detroit 16, Chicago 10

1 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Green Bay (1-5) at Cincinnati (5-2)
Guess who's leading the NFL in touchdown passes? Brett Favre. Fourteen. Guess who's second? Carson Palmer. Thirteen. Knowing how respectful Palmer is, I expect him to do a Wallace Cleaver impersonation when he meets Favre before the game.
Cincinnati 23, Green Bay 21

1 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Oakland (2-4) at Tennessee (2-5)
The temptation is to say: Hey, the Raiders, at 2-4, aren't dead yet. And then you look at the next 25 days: at Tennessee, at Kansas City, Denver, at Washington. Oooof.
Oakland 27, Tennessee 20

4:05 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Miami (2-4) at New Orleans (2-5)
Well, they're not going to be the New Orleans Saints anymore. Why retard progress? Let's just give 'em a new name in their new city right now.
Miami 20, Baton Rouge 10

4:05 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Kansas City (4-2) at San Diego (3-4)
On my tombstone will be the words: Stubbornly, he didn't know when to take San Diego out of his Fine Fifteen.
San Diego 22, Kansas City 17

4:15 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Tampa Bay (5-1) at San Francisco (1-5)
Chris Simms has the benefit of a bye week and faces a pass defense allowing 329 yards a game. If he doesn't throw for 300 and three scores, I'll be stunned.
Tampa Bay 34, San Francisco 10

4:15 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Philadelphia (4-2) at Denver (5-2)
The most notable stat of the day will be the total of Philadelphia rushes: 28. I asked Andy Reid the other day: "Who do you think you are, Mouse Davis?" But I think he'll start to tilt more toward 60-40 run-pass from now on.
Philadelphia 16, Denver 13

8:30 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Buffalo (3-4) at New England (3-3)
Poor Buffalo. Coming off a crushing loss at Oakland, traveling west to east, traveling again to Foxboro, and facing a team that's been off for two weeks. A Belichick team that's been off two weeks. This one could be ugly.
New England 24, Buffalo 10

9 p.m. ET
Preview | Matchup Baltimore (2-4) at Pittsburgh (4-2)
Not to rub it in, but the offense run by Brian Billick and Jim Fassel is averaging 11.5 points per game. In six games, the Ravens have run for one touchdown. Gentlemen, polish your resumes.
Pittsburgh 17, Baltimore 3

[Blackbeard]

NY Post/Staff Picks NFL

..

[Blackbeard]

sportsnetwork:

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.../tsn-picks.htm

[Blackbeard]

Fades

Record: 45-24-3
CFB: 28-11-1
NFL: 17-13-2
------------------------------------

5-0 yesterday, but I'm not feelin these NFL fades, so I'm only putting up the early games, and will post the others later, good luck if you bet them:

Lions -2.5
Vikings +7.5

Opinions: Rams +4, Redskins +2

[griffey_mojo]

If you want Hammerin Hank's picks here~

NYG -2.5
NO -2
KC +6
Den -3.5
NE -9.5

GL today BB! Nice job yesterday.

[Blackbeard]

Just got back, other picks were:

Chargers -6

Opinion: 49ers +11

[CoverBoy]

Bb

Thanks Man ... Excellent work

I know you're busy with work and all but when you see your way clear I know we can all use one of your Mad - Libs

-cb