FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Cowboys (-1) @ Giants: The Game of the Year in the crappy NFC. The Giants are coming off an ugly game in jolly old London. That field was a joke. So were the Dolphins. Now after a bye week rest the Giants face their toughest matchup this season. A lot of people (myself included) feel the Giants are the beneficiaries of a weak schedule. But hey, don't all the NFC teams have weak schedules? It is the NFC after all. The Cowboys put a beatdown on the collapsing Eagles. They are flying high and are hitting on all cylinders. This is going to be a good game and it is going to come down to whose D plays best. I'm gonna take the Boys in a close game. Cowboys 24, Giants 21

Jaguars (+4) @ Titans: Being a Carolina Panther fan I witnessed the toughness of the Titans D. What a physical group of players they have.  That ridiculous D is covering up what is a horrible sophomore performance by Vince Young. Woof. He's been a dog. It has allowed LenDale White to step up his game big time. The Jags are another team spiraling downward. QB injuries and suspensions can do that to a franchise. Barring a huge day from Maurice Jones-Drew I see the Titans beating up on the withering Jags.  I'm taking the Titans. Titans 20, Jags 14

Broncos (+3) @ Chiefs: What can I say about the Broncos? Their injured list rivals that of any I've seen over the years. I can't even speculate as to who is playing for them this week with all the players rockin' the "game time decision" status. Jay Cutler, Champ Bailey, and John Lynch are among them although they will probably go.  Things aren't looking great for the Chiefs either with Larry Johnson's season looking bleak. He is definitely out for this game which means Priest Holmes (!!!) is back in the starting lineup after missing two years of action. The plan is for him to split some of the carries with rookie Kolby Smith. Somehow I think the Priest's ability to catch passes is going to make him get the bulk of  the plays between the two. Either way this is going to be an ugly game that the Chiefs will win. Chiefs 23, Broncos 17

Bills (-3) @ Dolphins: Believe it or not, the Bills are putting together a nice little run for themselves. Most of that has to do to the rough and tumble running style of Marshawn Lynch. He is playing great right now. Also, JP Losman had a nice game last weekend with his multiple connections to Lee Evans (a player who heats up in the 2^nd half of seasons).  As for the Dolphins? Well what can you say? They are a team in complete disarray. Now I've never been one to think a team could 0-16 but this squad is making me rethink that thought pattern. Wow is this a bad squad and with mighty mite Zach Thomas out again I don't see how Lynch will be contained. I think the Bills are going to win big. Buffalo 27, Dolphins 10

Browns (-9 ½) @ Steelers: First off I think the line is too big for this game. I understand the Steelers are riding high after that Monday Night beatdown they administered to the Ravens. But lets be real, a lot of that had to do with the field position all those B-More turnovers gave Pittsburgh. But hey that capitalized on it. Roethlisberger is really looking good and his passes are finding Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes in fine fashion. However, Cleveland has quite a quarterback/receiver trio of their own with Derek Anderson feeding Kellen Winslow and the suddenly dominant Braylon Edwards at an alarming rate. I think the Steelers D will play well enough to give their team the victory, I think Cleveland is definitely covering that spread. I'll take Pittsburgh in a game closer than Vegas predicts. Steelers 24, Browns 21

Rams (+ 11 ½) @ Saints: Another game with a spread that feels to large to me. I know, I know you're wondering how I can have any sort of faith in the lowly Rams (one of the biggest busts of the year). I'm just figuring with Bulger and Jackson getting a bye week worth of rest  they could possibly get something going against a very mediocre Saints D. I'm sure Brees, Bush, and Colston will do what they do but I  think the Rams will be able to move the ball as well. Look for Steven Jackson to break 100 and Bulger to get a few TD passes to beat the spread. However the Saints will score even more on their march to the top of the NFC South which will result in a satisfying, high scoring win for them. Saints 30, Rams 24

Falcons (+4) @ Panthers: Oh what tragedy will befall my beloved Panthers this week? Will Testaverde get injured yet again with a dinged up Carr there to hold his helmet? Some folks are clamoring for Matt Moore to get a shot which I think is silly. If Vinny can go you have to let him try (not that I think it will be too successful). This is going to be a game won in the trenches. DeShaun Foster usually has his best games against Atlanta (there is some fantasy advice for ya!). This is definitely the Waterloo game for the Carolina season. I feel that they are doomed if they win or not but hey I'm a pessimist. Atlanta stinks, plain and simple. Expect them to run a lot as well. Its going to be an ugly low scoring game. I actually think Carolina will win but they won't be covering. This might be their last win of the season. Panthers 17, Falcons 14

Eagles (+3) @ Redskins: This game is a tossup in my book. I can't tell who will pull this one out. Jason Campbell seems to be regressing to me. Clinton Portis is probably going to get a lot of carries again after his all-world performance last week against the lowly Jets. Donovan McNabb has again been surrounded in controversy with his comments about not being the one to blame for the disaster the Iggles season has become. Bottom line Donnie, feed Westbrook early and often and hope your D can contain Washington's running game. I'll grudgingly take the Skins in this one. Redskins 20, Eagles 14

Vikings (+6) @ Packers: This should be a decent test for the Packers. I understand the spread is a little high but one would think the improved Packers D (at home) should find a way to contain the scorching Adrian Peterson. And when I say contain I mean keeping him under 150 yds! Just kidding. I think AJ Hawk will be all over him but he better not let the pending R.O.Y. get by him because it will be lights out if he does. Brett Favre is synching up with all his receivers now, almost to the detriment of Donald Driver. But hey no one should be complaining if the surprise team of the NFC keeps winning. I think the Packers will cover (barely) with the help of some Lambeau magic. Packers 23, Vikings 16

Bengals (+4) @ Ravens: Do you think Ray Lewis will be up for this game? Judging by his post game comments after that debacle in Pittsburgh one would think so. The Chris Henry situation poses yet another mental road block for the lowly Bungles. This team can't get out of its own way. Their D is scary bad. Can the equally bad Ravens offense take advantage? Well I've seen some pretty bad offenses put points on the board against Cincy so I will say yes. This is looking like a pride game for B-More and Ray Ray will do his best in the locker room to get that point across. I'm feeling the Ravens this week. Ravens 24, Bengals 17

Bears (-3 ½) @ Raiders: Which Brian Griese will be showing up this week? That is the key for this one. Granted he has played well since being inserted as the starter but he played like a dog against the Lions two weeks ago (effectively killing my fantasy team that week! Those spot, hunch starts always kill me.) Anywho, with the Bears D being so banged up look for Justin Fargas to do some damage similar to last week. Heck that isn't much of a stretch seeing that Fargas is all they have. With horrible QBs and a mediocre line the Raiders don't do anything too impressive.  Not that the Bears are a thing of beauty in their own right. I'm taking the Bears but they won't cover. Bears 17, Raiders 14

Lions (+1) @ Cardinals: I just don't get the spread in this game. How the heck are the Cards favored in this one. I had to check the paper about 5 times to confirm this. This is the lock of the week. Unless there is some sort of historical problem with Detroit in Arizona I am going to have to say this is the easiest game to predict. The Lions are in the zone and the Cards are in a state of disarray. I predict a lot of scoring for the Lions and a lot of pass attempts for Warner in an effort to keep up. What the hell ever happened to the Edge? Didn't he predict a nice season for himself? I guess with the multiple QB injuries the opposing Ds have been able to load up in the box on him. Even if the Edge breaks free it won't make a difference. Detroit is streaking. Lions 30, Cards 17

Colts (-3 ½) @ Chargers: There will be no letdown game for the Colts this week. After suffering that loss to the mighty Pats I feel they are going to come right at the underachieving Chargers. With Marvin Harrison back in the mix you would figure they can move the ball against that overrated Chargers D. I think Adrian Peterson is still running on them. Expect Addai to have a nice day as well. LT will try to keep San Diego in the game but in the end Phillip Rivers will do something to lose this game. That has been his way this year and it is costing the Chargers big time. Plus that Indy D is a nice little squad. Bob Sanders is a stud and Freeney is putting a lot of pressure on opposing QBs as usual. Try as they may, San Diego is going to take a home loss in this one. Colts 27, Chargers 20

49ers (+10) @ Seahawks: Well at first glance you would think the Seahawks would be able to cover those 10 pts. But looking at their injury report I don't feel so confident. Sure the 49ers are pathetic on offense. Alex Smith is starting to look like an unwise #1 pick and Frank Gore is hurting. With the lack of quality wide receivers all they have to throw to is Vernon Davis who is finally making some sort of impact. It just isn't enough however in this one. I think Hasselbeck is going to be airing it out with Shaun Alexander apparently injured as well. Another game time decision in the making. The Niners have a decent secondary but I think Seattle understands this is a must win home game. The 12^th man needs to be loud in Seattle. I think the Hawks win the game but fail to cover. Seahawks 23, 49ers 13