Who wants to challenge the all-knowing Rexx!? Come and meet your maker if so hell bent on taking up the challenge and crossing this line. Another stellar week has me rolling along at over a 60% success rate. Of course, I'm only picking the games based on the Money Line (straight up), but .600 ball will get you into the playoffs in the NFL, right? I have realized that I have not been picking the Thursday night games, which started last week, and if I did, to be honest with you, I'd add two losses to my total as I picked Cleveland over Denver last week and the Pats over the Jets this past Thursday. Anyway, on to this week's selections.
Atlanta over Denver: The Falcons continue to be perfect at home and both Matt Ryan and Michael Turner figure to put up nice numbers against a Broncos defense that just can't stop anyone this season, as this one should be a high scoring game.
Philadelphia over Cincinnati: I'd love to see the Bengals defeat the Eagles in Philly's first of two road games that have them coming to Baltimore next week. However, let's not get out of control and start wishing for ALL our fantasies to come true. McNabb and Westbrook should be enough to take care of Cincinnati.
Green Bay over Chicago: The Packers have lost two really close games in a row and should get back on the winning track at home this week. The Bears have been putting up points and stopping the run, but their pass defense has been awful.
Indianapolis over Houston: I'd love to see the Texans help us out in the playoff hunt by getting revenge for blowing their previous game against Indy. However, let's be real, it ain't happening.
Kansas City over New Orleans: This is my Special Upset Pick of the Week! The Chiefs get bad boy Larry Johnson back and the Saints have not played defense all season, but can score points behind Drew Brees. However, Tyler Thigpen to Tony Gonzalez has been money lately and should continue this week.
Miami over Oakland: The Dolphins continue to impress the league while the Raiders continue to depress the league. 'Nuff said.
Minnesota over Tampa Bay: This is an upset of sorts as well, as I like the Vikings who have quietly put together a decent streak behind AP's running and Gus Frerotte's mistake-free passing. The Bucs offense is challenged and I dont think they can put enough points up to keep track of Minnesota.
Carolina over Detroit: The Panthers are among the top teams in the NFC while the Lions are trying to get into the record books for all the wrong reasons.
San Francisco over St. Louis: In a battle of two disappointing 2-7 teams, the 49ers should be able to regroup from that awful example of clock management and play calling in their Monday Night Football loss to Arizona this past week. The Rams will be without RB Steven Jackson, and they need all the help they can get.
Arizona over Seattle: I'd love to see Matt Hasselbeck come back in this game to defeat the Cardinals, but still can't see his presence making the difference between the Seahawks and the Kurt Warner-led Cardinals that are finally flying high in the NFC West.
Pittsburgh over San Diego: Once again, I have to go with my head rather than my heart in this game. The Chargers have played terrible on defense and the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and Willie Parker were not on the injury report this week. Hopefully, Philip Rivers can outgun Big Ben and put some long TD passes up early and hope Roethlisberger throws a few more interceptions.
Tennessee over Jacksonville: Many people are looking at this game as the one where the Titans perfect season comes to an end. I'm not sure how the Jaguars plan to run against Tennessee and if not, David Garrard is not the answer. Meanwhile, the Titans two headed running attack is finely complemented by the veteran QB Kerry Collins, who can pass if he needs to, as seen in last week's win.
Washington over Dallas: With or without Tony Romo, no way the Redskins lose twice in a row on prime time television. The Redskins may be without Clinton Portis, but Jason Campbell will find a way to get the ball in the end zone, while the Cowboys offense has been average at best, despite their superstars.Romo's return might help, but he was making critical mistakes even before he got injured.
Buffalo over Cleveland (Monday night): The football powers that be were sort of hoping that this game would matter when they scheduled it. Just like last week, there have been two poorly scheduled Monday Night Football games in a row. The Browns were the darlings of the league last year, but have been almost everyone's bitches so far in 2008. The Bills showed promise earlier in the season but have tanked recently. I'm picking the Bills at home, but will probably be asleep by halftime.
(NOTE: As always, I'll pick & pan the Ravens-Giants game in Sunday's post.)
Last Week: 9-4
Season Record: 93-54