Ringer's Record
Last Week ATS: 8-6
Last Week SU: 7-7
Season ATS: 66-63-1 (51%)
Season SU: 87-43 (73%)
Oakland (+7.5) at San Diego
The winner of this game will have at least a share of 1st in the AFC West. Despite being on top of the division, neither of these teams have been playing well of late. Sand Diego has lost their last 3, and Oakland has lost their last 2. Something has got to give in this Thursday night battle in Southern California. This game could come down to the QB play. Phillip Rivers has struggled mightily all year, as has Carson Palmer since joining the Raiders. I have the Chargers winning a close game to end their losing skid and continue Oakland's.
Prediction - San Diego 26 Oakland 20
New Orleans (-1.5) at Atlanta
This is another game that will give the winner a spot on top of the division. This time in the NFC South. New Orleans has been wildly inconsistent in their 6-3 start. Which Saints team will show up this week? Atlanta started the season slowly, but they are now searching for their 4th straight win. The Falcons are confident that they have their season back on track. They get the Saints in the friendly confines of the Georgia Dome. That is why I like Atlanta to take over the lead in the NFC South.
Prediction - Atlanta 28 New Orleans 24
Tennessee (+3.5) at Carolina
Cam Newton has said recently that he thinks his rookie year is a failure to this point. He says this due to the Panthers 2-6 record. Newton has been spectacular though despite his team only having 2 wins on the year. expect more wins to finish the season. They play host to Tennessee on Sunday. The Titans were once thought to be competitors in the AFC South, but they look to be fading quickly. I like the Panthers to start off the 2nd half of the year with a W.
Prediction - Carolina 26 Tennessee 21
Pittsburgh (-3.5) at Cincinnati
Has anybody realized that the Pittsburgh Steelers currently reside in 3rd place in the AFC North? That is because they trail Baltimore and Cincinnati. The Bengals have been one of the best stories in the entire NFL. Marvin Lewis has his team playing terrific defense, and they have gotten stellar play from the duo of Andy Dalton and AJ Green on offense. Those rookies will face their stiffest test to date against Pittsburgh. the Bengals may be for real, but they will have to prove it another week.
Prediction - Pittsburgh 24 Cincinnati 17
St. Louis (+3.5) at Cleveland
This game has stinker written all over it. St. Louis and Cleveland are undoubtedly 2 of the worst teams in the NFL. The Rams come in at 1-7 and the Browns are 3-5 and playing much worse than their record indicates. Neither offense has any playmakers. Both defenses give up huge chunks of running yards. Cleveland will need to pass the ball to win and keep Steven Jackson out of the end zone. This sure isn't like the college days when Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford would square off. Give me Colt at home in a doozy.
Prediction - Cleveland 19 St. Louis 16
Buffalo (+5.5) at Dallas
When I see these teams against each other on the schedule I still think back to their Super Bowl battles in the early 90s. Unfortunately for Buffalo they haven't been back to a Super Bowl since their last meeting with Dallas, while the Cowboys went 2 years later and haven;t been back since. The Bills need a win here to prove to themselves and others that they are going to make a run at the playoffs. As do the Cowboys. Dallas gets Buffalo in "Jerry's World" so I like the Cowboys to move above .500.
Prediction - Dallas 26 Buffalo 17
Jacksonville (-3.5) at Indianapolis
This is definitely the Colts best chance to get a win this season. Both of these teams are bad. The Jags have been playing with much more heart though, and still have one of the league's premier runners in Maurice Jones-Drew. Jacksonville is 0-4 on the road this year, so someone will get their 1st win of some variety. Indy has just looked far too dreadful for me to pick them again until I have reason to. Give me the Jags to get a rare victory in Indianapolis.
Prediction - Jacksonville 23 Indianapolis 17
Denver (+3.5) at Kansas City
It is hard to believe that the Denver Broncos are just 1 game out of 1st place in the AFC West. It is also hard to believe that despite playing unbelievably poorly in half of their 8 games, Kansas City is tied at the top of the division at the moment. Time Tebow has revitalized the Broncos and lead them to a 2-1 record with him under center. But he hasn't played in this rivalry game at this stadium. Arrowhead will give Tebow trouble, and the Chiefs will find a way to get it done.
Prediction - Kansas City 23 Denver 17
Washington (+3.5) at Miami
It's the John Beck bowl! Not really, but Beck has managed to go winless as a starter for each of these teams throughout his career. Beck currently plays for the Redskins, who have been brutal since starting the year 3-1. Miami got off the schnide last week by dominating Kansas City. The Dolphins return home where they haven't fared well in recent years. I think Miami rides the momentum of last week and will now get their 1st home win of the year.
Prediction - Miami 24 Washington 17
Arizona (+14.5) at Philadelphia
This was a much anticipated game when the lockout ended and the Eagles dealt Kevin Kolb to Arizona. Many thought that Kolb would go to Arizona and get the Cardinals back into playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Eagles would be soaring through the regular season on their way to a Super Bowl run. Well everyone who thought that was wrong. Instead Kolb is injured and probably won't play as the Cards come in at 2-6. The Eagles have a 3-5 mark and will need to play impeccable football to have a shot at making the playoffs.
Prediction - Philadelphia 28 Arizona 13
Houston (-3.5) at Tampa Bay
Houston is getting contributions from every aspect of their team. They have a dangerous passing game, dominating running game, and hard-hitting defense. You put that all together and you get a team that is very likely to win their division. In Houston's case it would be their 1st playoff appearance in team history. They will play at Tampa Bay on Sunday. The Bucs have been very hot and cold, and will need to be hot if they want to beat a very good Texans team. I don't see it happening.
Prediction - Houston 30 Tampa Bay 21
Baltimore (-7.5) at Seattle
The Ravens got a last second victory over their hated rivals in Pittsburgh last week. That gave Baltimore the season sweep and the inside track to home-field advantage in the AFC. They have had a let down before though. Remember the game at Jacksonville. That is what I fear in this game. Seattle has no business playing with Baltimore. But then again they should have never beat the Giants either. Will there be a case of deja vu for either team? Not this time.
Prediction - Baltimore 28 Seattle 7
Detroit (+3.5) at Chicago
This is a critical game in the NFC playoff race. With Green Bay off to an 8-0 start, these teams are in all likelihood playing for a Wild Card berth. A Chicago win means that both teams stand at 6-3 with 7 games to play. A Detroit win means they have a 2-game lead on the Bears. Chicago hasn't lost a game since the Lions beat them in Detroit a month ago. This should be a very tight game. I will give the Bears a slight advantage because they will be playing outdoors in the Windy City.
Prediction - Chicago 21 Detroit 20
NY Giants (+3.5) at San Francisco
There is a great chance that one of these teams is the 2nd beat team in the NFC behind Green Bay. Nobody saw a 7-1 start coming from the 49ers. Jim Harbaugh has them playing tough hard-nosed football, depending on the running game and defense. The Giants have been getting their wins with a dominating defensive line, elite QB, and key fill-ins in the secondary. Eli will need to continue his stellar play for the Giants to travel cross country and win here. The G-Men keep it close but lose in the end.
Prediction - San Francisco 21 NY Giants 19
New England (+1.5) at NY Jets
This is what I'm talking about. Sunday Night Football will air one of the league's biggest rivalries for the 2nd week in a row. Rex Ryan's squad will want to kick New England while they're down. The Patriots have lost 2 straight and enter this game as an underdog. New England and the Jets are 2 teams heading in opposite directions. The Patriots have had trouble keeping Tom Terrific clean, so you can bet the Jets will be coming after him. I can't believe I'm taking New England to lose their 3rd in a row but I am.
Prediction - NY Jets 23 New England 16
Minnesota (+13.5) at Green Bay
As I gave out my mid-season awards earlier this week, Aaron Rodgers was the unquestioned MVP. He is without a doubt the best QB in the NFL right now. He has this Green Bay offense playing at a sky-high level. Unfortunately for the Packers, their defense has been shaky all year. That D has the task of stopping the league's best RB in Adrian Peterson. The Vikings don't have much else to pair with AP, however. Green Bay will score lots of points and Minnesota won't keep up as the Packers move to 9-0.
Prediction - Green Bay 35 Minnesota 20
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