ROCKBOXSPORTS
3 STARS: DALLAS –3.5
Is San Diego the better team here? Maybe. But this game exemplifies how situational factors tip us in favor of a specific team, namely the Cowboys. Everyone is all hyped on the Chargers due to their current seven game winning streak. Meanwhile, the public is overreacting, as usual, to a single loss last week by the Cowboys. In fact, Dallas is 6-2 in their last eight and 5-1 at home on the season. After playing on Thanksgiving, Romo and company will be as rested as a team can be this time of year, playing only their second game in the last 17 days. Conversely, the Chargers are playing their second consecutive road game- San Diego to Cleveland and back last week and now off for another plane ride to Dallas. Dallas stands an excellent chance of controlling the ball on the ground against a Charger defense that struggles against the run. The loss of NT Jamal Williams has left a gaping hole in the middle for the Bolts. Look for the three-headed attack of Barber, Jones, and Choice, behind a solid and rested offensive line, to wear down a tired defense and pull away late for a decisive Cowboy win.
3 STARS: OAKLAND +1
The switch to Bruce Gradkowski has made all the difference for the Raiders as they have won two of their last three. The public is having a hard time wrapping their minds around the fact that this Oakland actually has some talent and is not that bad with a decent QB at the helm as opposed to the horrific Jamarcus Russell. As for the Redskins, they are coming off a string of devastating losses and may well have a hard time getting in gear for this one against a Raider team that is in a much better state of mind with recent success. The Skins now have to travel across the country for a meaningless game against Oakland, hardly a winning proposition considering that Zorn’s crew is 0-6 on the road including losses at Detroit and Carolina.
2 STARS: DENVER/INDY UNDER 44
If anyone has a chance to at least slow down or contain the Manning Express it may well be Denver. The combination of pass rushing freak Elvis Dumervil and All-World DB Champ Bailey stands a decent chance pressuring Manning while holding Reggie Wayne somewhat in check downfield. On the other side of the ball, the Indy defense has the speed to match up with Denver’s playmakers. Look for the Broncos to emphasize the running game, eating enough clock to shorten the game and keep this one under the number.
1 STAR: JETS –4
Kellen Clemens steps in for Mark Sanchez at QB for the Jets which takes a weakness and makes it weaker. However, the Jets can really run the ball and they match up well against a Buc defense that is soft up the middle. If Clemens can hand the ball off effectively the Jets should be able to grind this one out with power offense and a strong defensive effort.
1 STAR: CINCY +6.5/CINCY UNDER 43.5
Brett Favre has a long history of breaking down as the season wears on and we may have seen the first signs of that with last week’s shaky outing against Arizona. We think Cincy can keep this one close, but the better play be the under. Bengals have allowed the least points in the league while the Vikes are #2 vs. the rush and #8 in overall yards allowed. Points could be hard to come by here.
1 STAR: CHICAGO +4
Packers are turning into the classic zig-zag team- when everyone gets on the bandwagon they disappoint and then when everyone forgets about them they get hot. They’re in an up-cycle now with the public all excited again now that they’ve ripped off four in a row after starting off a very mediocre 4-4. Lets not forget that three of these last four wins have come at home. The Pack is 3-2 on the road with the wins coming at St. Louis, Cleveland, and Detroit. They’ve lost at Minnesota and Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, the Bears, bad as they are, are 4-2 at Soldier Field. If they’re going to give one great effort before the season ends it will be here- at home against their most hated division rival. Bears are out of the running, but they’d love to rain on the Packer parade with a big win here.
1 STAR: SEATTLE +7
Morale cannot be good in Houston now that they’ve dumped four in a row after starting off 5-3. Gary Kubiak has to be feeling queasy about his future with the club after yet another fade from playoff contention. Seattle, on the other hand, has long since gotten used to the fact that they’re out of the running and they’re actually feeling cautiously optimistic about their progress coming off two consecutive wins. While Kubiak may well be on the way out in Houston Jim Mora Jr. is still in year one in Seattle and he’s looking to build momentum for a better tomorrow.
Jim Feist
15-Star Pro Shocker
CINCINNATI BENGALS VS MINNESOTA VIKINGS
PLAY: CINCINNATI BENGALS
Minnesota limps home from a loss at Arizona getting exposed: The way to attack this team is by going after the secondary. The Cardinals tore them up, and now a very strong passing game comes to town with another star QB in Carson Palmer (16 TDs, 10 INTs). They have good balance on offense with RB Cedric Benson (969 yds, 4.4 ypc) back, but have outstanding WRs in Chad Ochocinco and Andre Caldwell. The offense ranks 18th overall, and the defense is 4th in the NFL. They had huge 18-12 victory at Pittsburgh that put them in control of the AFC North, as Cincinnati is 4-0 against the Steelers and Ravens this season.Another reason for Palmer’s improvement is the Bengals’ offensive line. He has been sacked only 22 times and rarely has been hit while attempting to pass. The way to beat Minnesota, as the Cardinals showed, is to take away the ground game and force 40-year old Brett Favre to win it. The Bengals are No. 2 in the NFL against the run. Minnesota lost LB E.J. Henderson Sunday night, a huge loss. A great spot for the dog. Play the Bengals!
WAYNE ROOT
Perfect Play - Vikings
No Limit NFC GOY - Dallas
Billionaire - Chicago
Millionaire - Jacksonville
Anthony Redd
20-Dime - Bills
20-Dime - Falcons
20-Dime - Texans
Northcoast Sports
PACKERS at BEARS
Pick: PACKERS -3
The Packers beat the Bears 21-15 on SNF to start the season thanks to a 50 yd TD pass by Rodgers to Greg Jennings with 1:11 left for the win. CHI had a 352-226 yd edge but Cutler threw 4 ints (& lost Urlacher - brkn wrist for the year) which GB only turned into 7 pts. Rodgers is now 2-1 SU & 3-0 ATS vs CHI avg 224 ypg (66%) with a 5-2 ratio. GB is 6-1 SU & 5-2 ATS vs teams with a losing record with a 405-259 yd edge & 29-16 avg score. Rodgers has passed for 290 ypg (66%) with a 15-4 ratio in those & gets to face the #9 pass defense that isn’t as good as its ranking as teams can run on them (126 ypg 4.4) & they have a 21-11 ratio. CHI is 1-6 SU & ATS vs teams at or above .500 being outgained 369-307 and outscored 29-15. Cutler has avg’d 251 ypg (63%) with an 11-13 ratio but the defense has allowed 246 ypg (67%) with a 19-5 ratio. GB was solid on MNF vs a better defense than what the Bears have & Chicago may not have Devin Hester (calf strain) here & even if he plays he won't be at full speed. We’ll side with a Packer team in the playoff hunt with the #6 & #2 units (+17 TO’s) vs the Bears that have the #24 & #15 units (-4 TO’s).
National Sports Service
4* GB -4
3* Houston -6.5
3* Dallas -3
Teddy Covers
Big Ticket Dallas -3
Dolphins
Bills
Champion Sports
New Orleans -10 Game of the Week
The Falcons came up short a month ago when they were healthy and a little more evenly matched; Atlanta has injuries.The wrong time for a banged up team to encounter what might be the leagues' best.The NFL's best offense is coming to town, and the Saints do not care about Atlanta's problems, which go beyond J. Babineaux and extend into the offense, where the starting QB and go-to running back are both doubtful again. The Saints' strong ground game will prevent the Falcons from providing enough extra support to their poor pass defense. New Orleans should have its way offensively yet again.
NY Jets -3
This game is made-to-order for the Jets, whether M. Sanchez is able to play or not. The Jets can run the ball, the Buccanneers can't stop the run. That spells domination and no pressure for the rookie quarterback.
Green Bay -3
The Bears can't slow any team down or run the ball very effectively. The Bears have a number of key injuries.
Both teams have had offensive line problems, but the Packers are better than the Bears in the two key areas around which Chicago supposedly built its team: running the ball and playing defense. And Aaron Rodgers is outplaying Jay Cutler by a wide margin.
Payne Sports
10 Units Jacksonville -2
Tom Freese
10* "NO BRAINER" SIDE WINNER
Chargers
10* 'TOTAL' WINNER TONIGHT!
Calgary/Colorado Under
The Booooj
50 units on Minnesota (-6.5) over Cincinnati
25 units on Miami (+2.5) over Jacksonville
20 units on Seattle (+7) over Houston
10 units on Dallas (-3.5) over San Diego
15 units on Boston College (-4.5) over Rhode Island
Kiki-Sports
5* GOY - Oakland
King Maker
10* Washington Redskins -1
10* New Orleans -10
Lenny Stevens
20* Bears
20* Cowboys
10* TB
10* Oak
10* Philly
TEDDY JUNE
10* Denver +7
10* Dallas -3