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I had another mediocre week finishing 3-3. Switching it up to six games didn’t do me any good so I’m going back to just picking four this week.
Let’s see if I can get back on the winning side this week:
Against the Spread:
1. San Diego Chargers (-2) over the Philadelphia Eagles
Probably my favorite game on the schedule this week. Both team are looking to make a statement and could use this win bad. The Chargers are trying to inch closer to the Broncos while the Eagles are looking to rebound after falling to the Cowboys last week.
The Eagles were without Brian Westbrook last week and it looks they will be without him again this week. Although LeSean McCoy filled in nicely, the offense simply isn’t the same without a healthy Westbrook in the lineup.
Phillip Rivers has really stepped up this season despite receiving virtually nothing out of the running game. Him and Vincent Jackson have combined to form one of the most lethal duos in the league. I expect this game to come down to the wire and I like Norv Turner calling the shots in a close game rather than Andy Reid.
2. Tennessee Titans (-6.5) over the Buffalo Bills
I’ve picked against the Titans the past two weeks and they’ve burned me, but I’m on the bandwagon now. Don’t let me down Vince.
The past two weeks the Titans are playing like the team we expected them to be before the season. Vince’s presence is opening up the running game even more for Chris Johnson who has absolutely dominated the past two weeks. The key for the Titans has been turnovers. They have not turned the ball over in their last two games.
Getting back to the animal known as Chris Johnson. The man is simply too fast for opposing defenses. He hits the outside in a flash and is gone before you know it. He get the Bills this week, who are ranked dead last in the league against the run giving up 173.6 yards a game to opponents. This game has mismatch written all over it.
3. Denver Broncos (-3.5) over the Redskins
The Broncos can’t possibly lose this game. They’ve los two in a row and now everyone is hopping off the band wagon. We’ll I’m staying on.
The Redskins are a complete mess right now and is doesn’t look like it’s getting any better. Michael Turner abused them last week and while the Broncos have no Turner, the combo of Buckhalter and Moreno can be potent. To top it off the Redsksins are missing their best offensive player, Clinton Portis, due to a concussion.
The ‘Skins can’t score like the Ravens and Steelers, which won’t force the Broncos to play catch up. This is the type of game the Broncos can dominate. They will control the ball, play good defense, and take chances only when necessary. I expect a easy victory for the Broncos as they get back on track.
Upset Special
1. New England Patriots (+130) over the Indianapolis Colts
The marquee matchup of the week. Brady vs. Manning. Belichick vs. Dungy, o wait he retired. Belichcik vs. Caldwell? Doesn’t sound as good. Anyway back to the game.
The Colts may be undefeated, but they have had their fair share of bumps in the road. They dodged a bullet last week against the Texans in a game they should have lost and barely escaped agaisnt the 49ers the week before. The Pats are a lot better than both of those teams and won’t let them get away with playing the way they did.
The Patriots don’t have a real signature win yet, but this looks like the week. The Colts secondary has been depleted by injuries. They are missing 3/4 of their normal secondary (Marlin Jackson, Bob Sanders, Kelvin Hayden). Matt Schaub couldn’t take full advantage passing for over 300 yards, but also tossing two picks. Tom Brady is on a different level than Schaub I expect him to pick apart the secondary all night long as the Pats squeeze out a close one. Is it ever a blowout when these two team meet?
