NFL 2008 Picks: Week 9

I’d just like to thank everyone’s support as I’ve once again climbed out of the gutter of negativity to reach .500. Now, how bad of a beat was that last week when the ref blew that muffed punt call against Atlanta and Philadelphia picked up the garbage time TD? Yeah? Anyone with me on that one? No?

Bye week for the Niners, so I won’t have to glue myself to the television/seat screaming at Manny Lawson to do something with his life. Also, the Chargers are off this week, so no Norv Turner Rule in effect. For those of you scoring at home, The NTR (”If you have the opportunity to pick against Norv Turner, take that opportunity.”) is 6-2 this season. I think it’s about 43-2 lifetime. I counted it.

Last week: 8-6
Overall Season Results: 57-57-2

Sunday

HOU (+4.5) at MIN
Minnesota hasn’t really showed anything impressive yet and the Texans have looked surprisingly explosive on offense. I would probably bet on Houston on the Money Line in this game.
Pick: HOU

JAX (-7.5) at CIN
Just not really that impressed by Jacksonville right now. They’re not running the ball, their offensive line is horrible, and their D is giving up 100+ yards per game. Cedric Benson actually looks like a real NFL player for Cincinnati
Pick: CIN

TB (-8) at KC
Where did that performance from Tyler Thigpen come from last week? Maybe this team has some fight in them after all. Tampa’s offense was awful last week against the Crappy Cowboys.
Pick: KC

BAL (+1.5) at CLE
Cleveland’s defense has been really fantastic lately and Anderson’s coming around. Kellen Winslow back in this game and Chris McAlister might still be out for Baltimore. I’ll take the home team.
Pick: CLE

NYJ (+5.5) at BUF
I think Buffalo gets back on track against Favre’s old gunslinger self. Jets have not played well on the road.
Pick: BUF

ARI (-3) at STL
I’d rather bet on the o/u on this game. 48? Seems low. St. Louis looks like a completely different team under Haslett. Note: I was officially on the Donnie Avery bandwagon before it got crowded.
Pick: STL

DET (+13) at CHI
Since getting battered by these Bears four weeks ago, Detroit has actually put up a pretty good fight against their next three opponents. 13 points just seems like a ton.
Pick: DET

GB (+4.5) at TEN
Picking Tennessee has been pretty much a lock for me every week so far, but for some reason Green Bay (off a bye, Bigby and Harris back) seem like they’re putting things together. Rodgers, do not screw me again.
Pick: GB

MIA (+3.5) at DEN
Biggest slide in spread of the week, down from 6 points early. Both defenses have been pretty bad, Cutler is healthy with most of his full complement of receivers back off the bye.
Pick: DEN

ATL (-3) at OAK
The Tom Cable era, not going great. Picking a rookie quarterback on the road is scary, but picking the Raiders is scarier.
Pick: ATL

DAL (+8) at NYG
Brad Johnson won’t be finishing this game for the Cowboys. He’ll either get knocked out on one of 40 sacks or he’ll just get benched. Huge win last weekend by the Giants.
Pick: NYG

PHI (-6.5) at SEA
I hate to say it, but the Seahawks somehow blew the Niners out last week without looking impressive.
Pick: PHI

NWE (+6) at IND
Six points is a lot to give to a team that seems to be getting its bearings. The Pats are getting back to their old style of play, which won them Super Bowls before Brady made a deal with the Devil and turned it into the Evil Empire. Something just seems off about Indy.
Pick: NWE

Monday

PIT (+2) at WAS
Game of the week, on a monday night no less. Santonio and Willie Parker back for the Steelers should help on offense and I think their defense will do just fine.
Pick: PIT