Well, this week’s off to a smashing start. Thanks to my gross overestimation of the Titans, I’m headed into Sunday’s game at an 0-1 deficit both straight up and against the spread. That’s fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Week nine was no great shakes for me either. I finished 9-5 straight up, 8-6 with the points to land at season records of 76-47-1 (.643) and 60-69-4 (.466) respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not sure there’s much more to be said at this point, except here’s what not to expect today and tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Houston<\/a> (+4) at<\/strong> Cleveland<\/a><\/strong> Washington<\/a> (+3) at<\/strong> Detroit<\/a><\/strong> Jacksonville<\/a> (+13.5) at<\/strong> Green Bay<\/a><\/strong> Philadelphia<\/a> (-4) at<\/strong> NY Giants<\/a><\/strong> Tampa Bay<\/a> (-6.5) at<\/strong> Carolina<\/a><\/strong> Denver<\/a> (+3.5) at<\/strong> Las Vegas<\/a><\/strong> LA Chargers<\/a> (+1.5) at<\/strong> Miami<\/a><\/strong> Buffalo<\/a> (+2.5) at<\/strong> Arizona<\/a><\/strong> Seattle<\/a> (+2.5) at<\/strong> LA Rams<\/a><\/strong> San Francisco<\/a> (+9.5) at<\/strong> New Orleans<\/a><\/strong> Cincinnati<\/a> (+7.5) at<\/strong> Pittsburgh<\/a><\/strong> Baltimore<\/a> (-7) at<\/strong> New England<\/a><\/strong> Minnesota<\/a> (-3) at<\/strong> Chicago<\/a><\/strong>
I don’t know that the Browns are quite there yet, but they’re at least solidly average (and probably a bit better than that). The Texans are clearly awful. Cleveland by seven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What happens when you don’t have a defense and your opponent suddenly develops an offense? That’s right, you lose. Brand X by a field goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try not to look too closely at this one. Packers by 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We’re halfway through the season and a win here would land the 2-7 Giants just behind the 3-4-1 Eagles for the NFC East title. So, yeah, it’s one of those. If New Jersey can keep it close enough to lean on their ground game, they can win this. And they kept it close in Philly a few weeks back. So I’m thinking Giants by three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Bucs need to get right. The Panthers won’t make it as easy as some might expect, but the visitors should still manage a win. Tampa by four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m not entirely convinced that the Raiders have developed a defense. But that shouldn’t present too much of a problem this week since the Broncos don’t have an offense. Las Vegas by six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There’s a possibility that the Dolphins are turning into an actual football team. If they could only figure out how to stop the run they might be semi-dangerous. Miami by a point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When these teams are good, they’re very good. I think the Cards are bit more consistent. Arizona by a field goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Seahawks more than likely are the better team here. But not by all that much. And they’re playing a second straight road game. Rams by four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There’s no mystery here. The Niners are in no condition to keep up with the Saints. New Orleans by 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Steelers have their quarterback. That’s about what you need to know. Pittsburgh by 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ravens are a challenge for the Patriots when the Patriots are good. And the Patriots aren’t good. Baltimore by 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This game almost looks like it matters even though it doesn’t. Bears by six.<\/p>\n