Last week was a complete disaster for my picks. The mediocre to poor streak I’d been putting together over the last month culminated in a losing week both straight up and against the spread. And not even a close week, but just complete dumpster fires.
But it’s a new week and it’s time for me to make my postseason run and avoid a triple-digit loss season at least. The Packers got me started with a win last night so let’s keep this thing rolling.
As usual, for what it’s worth, I’ll be posting my survivor pool picks as we go. And if you’re survivor pool league is still going, you and the people you play with are effing legends.
Early Games
New York Jets at New York Giants (+2)
I keep picking the Giants and they continue to let me down through their own crazy, inconsistent play. As Rocky once said to his Russian audience after defeating Ivan Drago and avenging Apollo Creed’s death in the ring…
But I can’t change. I still think the Giants are winning the NFC East and it has to start here. Giants 23, Jets 19
Arizona at St. Louis (+6)
The Cardinals are fighting for the No. 2 seed in the NFC. The Rams have stopped fighting and have opened a pottery store in the St. Louis arts district. Cardinals 24, Rams 13 (survivor pool pick)
Atlanta at Tampa Bay (even)
That even is a smack in the face. Not to the Falcons, who have lifted their skirts over their heads for the last month, but for the Bucs, who are actually playing legitimate NFL football. Bucs 31, Falcons 21
Seattle at Minnesota (+1.5)
There’s a temptation to think that the Seahawks have pulled it together. But when I look at the way Adrian Peterson is playing, I don’t see how this version of Seattle’s defense can stop him. A.P. has become a dark horse in the MVP race and while he won’t win, he should at least be mentioned in the conversation. Vikings 24, Seahawks 23
Houston at Buffalo (-3)
We have a few of playoff games before the playoffs and this one is a must-win for both teams. The Texans need to keep pace with the Colts in the AFC North and a Bills loss at this point all but realistically knocks them out of the postseason race. Since hitting the eject button on Ryan Mallet the Texans have improved as a team, while at the same time could be messing up the future of their franchise in April’s draft. Houston looks like a playoff team to me right now. A team that will lose in the wild card round, but a playoff team none the less. Texans 24, Bills 17
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Baltimore at Miami (-3.5)
Matt Schaub is such an automatic pick-six at this point, it’s become a drinking game. But you know what? I still like the Ravens here. Ravens 17, Dolphins 13
Cincinnati at Cleveland (+9.5)
Austin Davis not only changes the complexion of this game, but possibly the complexion of the rest of the Browns’ season and their upcoming draft plans. I don’t think Cleveland will beat the Bengals, but I think they can lose by less than 9.5 points. Bengals 31, Browns 24 (survivor pool pick)
Jacksonville at Tennessee (-2.5)
Here’s another surprising spread, considering how both teams have been playing lately. It was a close, fun game the last time these two teams met up a month ago and I assume that’s why the oddsmakers have given the Titans the edge in this one. I still don’t see it. Not this year and not with an interim coach. Jags 27, Titans 24
San Francisco at Chicago (-7.5)
Congratulations, Bears. You get a second bye this season with the Fightin’ Gabberts coming to town. There’s been some front-office drama this week as team president Paraag Marathe was demoted after butting head with head coach Jim Tomsula and with the size of Tomsula’s head, I’m surprised he didn’t need a trip to the brain trauma unit too. Bears 41, 49ers 10 (survivor pool pick)
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Late Games
Denver at San Diego (+3.5)
The Chargers get to be the third victim in the upcoming Brock Osweiler vs Peyton Manning power struggle, but I just had the feeling that maybe they won’t be so eager to roll over and take it. While Mike McCoy will definitely be fired at the end of the season, most of these Chargers players will be back. The nucleus of this team is solid and may still have some fight in them. Broncos 24, Chargers 23
Kansas City at Oakland (+3)
Here’s our third pre-playoff playoff game and I think the Chiefs are going to do the Raiders a real solid by beating them here and making sure Oakland gets a good, mid-round draft pick. Chiefs 28, Raiders 24
Carolina at New Orleans (+7)
It’s been a refrain from me when talking about the undefeated teams as they’ve dwindled throughout the season. No one is going undefeated in the modern NFL. But this Panthers team might prove me wrong. I see no one on their schedule that can beat them so maybe, like the 2007 Patriots, they might keep that goose-egg until the postseason. Panthers 38, Saints 28 (survivor pool pick)
Philadelphia at New England (-9)
Speaking of the Pats, they begin life without Gronk for the next couple of weeks or more and face an Eagles team with Sam Bradford back behind center for whatever that’s worth. If this game was on the road, I’d be tempted to go against that spread, but at Gillette and with this effed-up Eagles team coming to town? It may not be high enough. Pats 34, Eagles 20 (survivor pool pick)
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Sunday Night
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh (-7)
Ben Roethlisberger is out of the concussion protocol and practicing. Matt Haselbeck has been fantastic, but he’s only human. A 40-year-old human. Steelers 30, Colts 17
Monday Night
Dallas at Washington (-4)
I predicted last week that the Cowboys wouldn’t lose another game once Tony Romo returned. Romo went down again and they promptly lost. The Redskins suddenly find themselves in playoff contention and leading the NFC East. There’s no way they won’t screw that up. Cowboys 24, Redskins 21
This Week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last Week
Straight up: 6-10
Against the spread: 5-11
Survivor pool picks: 1-1
Overall
Straight up: 94-81
Against the spread: 83-92
Survivor pool picks: 31-16
