The Kid, The ‘Cane, and the Old Timer Pick Week 8

Another week of white hot action between your three favorite handicappers, and another week of sub-.500 picking between the Kid, the ‘Cane, and the Old Timer.  The O.T. went from first to worst in one bad week in which he went 2-11 including a loss of his pick of the week.  Meanwhile the Kid and the Cane kept everything close between them as they both won their picks of the week and went 6-7 in Week 7.  I know what you all are thinking.  What the hell am I still reading this crap for?  Let’s be honest, none of these guys are even picking at .500 for the season.  Well, our response to that is this:  Well, I can’t put our response in this article, this is a family web site.  But, seriously, think of this:  how many teams in the league do you really know what you are going to get every week?  I count three.  Lions, Chiefs, and Titans.  So you pretty much know a couple teams are going to suck, and the Titans will play an ugly game that they will most likely win.  I have never seen a season that it has been more unpredictable, and thus nearly impossible to pick.  So, without any further excuses, let’s get to Week 8.

I email the lines to my fellow competitors each week, and I just want to clue you in on what kind of responses that I get back. This was the first line in the email that I got back from the Old Timer:

Okay Folks, The O.T. Is In The House With His Breakthrough Week

I want to put that into print so everyone knows that we can laugh at him if he pulls another 2-11 week.  The other question is: why does my father feel the need to capitalize the first letter of every word?  The answer:  I have no idea.  I’ve spoken to him before about it, but hey, at least he knows how to turn the computer on!

From the Hurricane, after typing the lines I gave them all the standings, and then I said what everyone knows.  We are pathetic.  The ‘Cane’s response:

yes, but I suck a bit less than you guys

Ok brother man, let’s see if you suck less than us in Week 8.  I, on the other hand, will remain humble and realize when you see these standings below, that none of us have the crutch to stand on to be cocky.  It is still incredibly close for the season, and it is time to get to the standings and the picks.  Enjoy.

Scott “The Hurricane” Hallam:  40-42-3
Ryan “The Kid” Hallam:             39-43-3
Donn “The Old Timer” Hallam:  37-45-3

PITTSBURGH STEELERS -3 vs. New York Giants
The Old Timer says: Giants +3 I’ll Take The New Yorkers With Points Against Anyone
The Kid says: Steelers. This is the game of the week and should be an old school football game. Taking the Steelers for no other reason besides they are the home team.
The ‘Cane says: Pitt-Overrated Giants get a dose of reality. Pick of the Week.

NEW YORK JETS -13 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Old Timer says: Chiefs + 13 As Bad As The Chiefs Are, (Throw It Up For Grabs) Favre Will Find A Way Not To Cover.
The Kid says: Chiefs. I don’t feel comfortable giving 13 points with the Jets, but the Chefs are absolutely horrible.
The ‘Cane says: Chiefs-Come on, when should the Jets be giving anyone 13. Never, ever.

BALTIMORE RAVENS -7 vs. Oakland Raiders
The Old Timer says: Raiders + 7
The Kid says: Ravens. The smothering defense should give virtual rookie JaMarcus Russell a tough time. Shouldn’t be a lot of points, but I see the Ravens D scoring in this one.
The ‘Cane says: Raiders-Oakland showed a pulse against the Jets last week, should be able to keep within a touch of the aging, anemic Ravens.

San Diego Chargers -3 vs. New Orleans Saints (in London)
The Old Timer says: San Diego - 3 These Teams Are Both Playing Way Under Their Head
The Kid says: Chargers. Saints now lose Bush after they are just getting their receivers back. Should be a shootout, but I’ll take Rivers and his boys.
The ‘Cane says: Chargers-Finally healthy Saints O will take a bit of time to find their groove. Chargers cover and take the over.

Buffalo Bills -1.5 at MIAMI DOLPHINS
The Old Timer says: Miami + 1.5 The Wildcat Strikes Again
The Kid says: Buffalo. I think the Dolphins had their few weeks of respectability, but the Bills are a legitimate team.
The ‘Cane says: Miami-Buffalo looks like they might be for real, but the Fish have been almost respectable and will steal one here.

DALLAS COWBOYS -2.5 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Old Timer says: Bucs + 2.5 I See Jessica Simpsons Mother Didn’t Help Brad Last Week So This Week They Are Bringing In Cher.
The Kid says: Tampa Bay. Their defense has just been smothering, and it isn’t like Brad Johnson is getting any better, he’s only going to be a week older.
The ‘Cane says: Cowboys-Dallas can’t be as bad as they’ve looked. Big rebound game here.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES -9 vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Old Timer says: Falcons + 9 Surprising Falcons Lose But Cover
The Kid says: Eagles. Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson will give rookie Matt Ryan all he can handle.
The ‘Cane says: Atlanta-Young offense of Atlanta should be able to stay within 9 of up and down Eagles.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS -7 vs. St. Louis Rams
The Old Timer says: Pats - 7 Cassel Starting To Get Comfortable PICK
The Kid says: Patriots. New England is the hardest team to gauge this year, but I think the Rams are not nearly as good as they have shown the past couple weeks.
The ‘Cane says: Rams-Patriots are not as good as they looked last week. Neither is St. Louis, but Rams seem to have turned the corner. Patriots injuries will start to take their toll.

CAROLINA PANTHERS -4 vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Old Timer says: Carolina - 4
The Kid says: Panthers. Their offense is consistent, their defense is nasty.
The ‘Cane says: Cardinals-Tough to give this team points. They put up a ton on their own.

Washington Redskins -7.5 at DETROIT LIONS
The Old Timer says: Skins - 7.5
The Kid says: Washington. C’mon, it’s the Lions. ‘Nuff said.
The ‘Cane says: Redskins-I don’t think any of the teams in the NFC East are as good as initially advertised, but Detroit is just too hard to take.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS -7 vs. Cleveland Browns
The Old Timer says: Browns + 7
The Kid says: Jacksonville. I have to see a lot more from the Browns offense before I pick them. That game against the Giants was a fluke.
The ‘Cane says: Browns-Cleveland has had a tough schedule thus far and this game isn’t going to be any better. Offense has begun to show flashes. A couple big plays will keep them within the spread.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS -5 vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Old Timer says: Hawks + 5 9ers Shouldn’t Be Giving Points To Anyone
The Kid says: Niners. I am nervous about this game because it seems like a game they should win. But the ‘Hawks offense has just been dreadful. If O’Sullivan can stop turning the ball over this shouldn’t be close. Pick of the week!
The ‘Cane says: 9ers-All seven fans who will be watching this game will tell you SF is a lock to cover.

HOUSTON TEXANS -9.5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Old Timer says: Cinci + 9.5 I Keep Betting These Bums & Losing HELLLLOOOOO
The Kid says: Houston. Seems like the Bengals should be able to keep it within 10 against the Texans. So I’ll take Houston.
The ‘Cane says: Bengals-Disfunctional Bengals played Dallas and NYG tough. Might be a bit better than winless record indicates.

TENNESSEE TITANS -4 vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Old Timer says: Colts + 4 What’s Up With Manning?
The Kid says: Tennessee. They haven’t let me down yet. I’m not confident, but I’m picking the Titans until they lose one.
The ‘Cane says: Colts-Can Tennessee be for real? I’m still going to go with the proven commodity.