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My wife read this before I posted it and pondered divorcing me for picking against the Patriots (for the first time in three years, by the way).Either that, or it was because I constantly force her to read these things, most of the time against her will..

The NFL Picks Column, Week Six: Crowe Shocks World, Picks Against Patriots

by Sean Crowe (Senior Writer)

15

800 reads

Preview/Prediction

October 11, 2008


My wife read this before I posted it and pondered divorcing me for picking against the Patriots (for the first time in three years, by the way).

Either that, or it was because I constantly force her to read these things, most of the time against her will.

(Home team in CAPS)


NEW ORLEANS (-7) over Oakland

Al Davis finally woke up from his nap and fired Lane Kiffin. I, unlike most, feel that Kiffin deserved at least a portion of the blame here. He didn’t come out of this looking good at all. Most NFL owners saw him openly bashing his team, its talent, and its ownership.

That won’t go over well in the old boy’s network that is the NFL’s ownership club.

But that press conference. Good God. Al Davis is a rambling, insane mess. From telling the world he doesn’t plan to pay Kiffin a penny (effectively destroying any chance he had of hiring a decent coach after this season), to blaming the Patriots for tampering last year with Moss—it was a wreck.

He’s a wreck. Kind of like the team he put together.


INDIANAPOLIS (-4) over Baltimore

The Colts have to win in their new stadium eventually, right?

Baltimore will keep this game close, and Peyton could take an absolute beating in this game, but in the end I expect the Colts to get the job done. They know they’re approaching must-win time.

Plus, I have trouble taking rookie quarterbacks on the road against good teams.


Cincinnati (+8.5) over NEW YORK JETS

I have a rule. When a team as mediocre as the Jets is favored by more than a touchdown, I take the other team. Every time. Regardless of the situation.

Unless the Rams or Lions are involved.

Though against the Bengals without Carson Palmer…let’s just say I was tempted.


Carolina (+1.5) over TAMPA BAY

Jake Delhomme leads his Panthers into Tampa Bay, adding an exclamation point to what is going to be a tremendously disappointing weekend in Tampa Bay.

I’m not sure why the Devil Rays are everyone’s favorite team now. I’m rooting for Philadelphia in the National League, even though the Dodgers would be the better story. The reason I’m rooting for them is because their fans are tremendous and they deserve to win.

By that standard, how could anyone outside of Tampa root for the Rays? Their fans just recently discovered there’s still baseball in Florida after spring training ends.


MINNESOTA (-13) over Detroit

Good God, Detroit is terrible. Awful. Humiliatingly porous.

Matt-Millenesque, if you will.


Chicago (-3) over ATLANTA

I’m not 100% sold on this. I could be talked into switching this pick.

The fact is, I’m basing this on the “rookie quarterback against the Bears’ defense” rule. Which clearly states, the Bears will eat-up any rookie quarterback they face.

But Atlanta plays pretty well at home. So, like I said, I could be talked out of this.


HOUSTON (-3) over Miami

I’m curious. If anyone knows the answer to this, please post it in the comments. Can you, in Vegas or wherever

Author Poll

Which City has the best professional baseball / football combination?

  • Boston: Red Sox/Patriots
  • Tampa Bay: Rays/Buccaneers
  • Philadelphia: Phillies/Eagles
  • Los Angelos: Dodgers/Trojans
vote to see results
Author Poll Results

Which City has the best professional baseball / football combination?

  • Boston: Red Sox/Patriots

    57.9%

  • Tampa Bay: Rays/Buccaneers

    5.3%

  • Philadelphia: Phillies/Eagles

    26.3%

  • Los Angelos: Dodgers/Trojans

    10.5%
  • Total votes: 19
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14 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Andrew Kneeland 9 months ago

    I'm shocked. Beyond words.

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  2. Nick Nasiri 9 months ago

    al davis is a icon in the nfl building championship teams and this raiders is much better then people thinks are.

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  3. Michoel Botwinick 9 months ago

    No friggin' way: Call yourself a loyal Pats fan?! No, I'm just kidding...

    GO EAGLES!!

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  4. Shaun Ahmad 8 months ago

    I should have listened to you on the Pats game. I wouldn't have lost quite a bit of money... "if gambling was legal" of course.

    P.S.
    I hate Matt Cassell

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  5. Michael Brown 8 months ago

    Was the allusion to Pitino really necessary?

    Bad memories aside, how do you feel about Denver next Monday Night?

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  6. Bob Warja 8 months ago

    Good job as always Sean. But hey, where's Chicago on your poll? Cubs/Sox both win their divisions and the Bears are tied for first place? :)

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  7. William Berry 8 months ago

    May you enjoy eating crow.:)

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  8. William Berry 8 months ago

    BTW, that was not the first time your wife thought that. It was the first time she told you.:)

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    • Sean Crowe 8 months ago

      It's not the first time she thought it, or said it. And she'll say it again in a few minutes when I make her read my next one...

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