By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Thursday football not only means fantasy football lineup submissions. It means brainstorming on that first game versus the spread. We’ve got week fourteen penned better than an Oprah book club nominee. Take a look at who we have with analysis on each pick.

Last Week’s Record: 7-9

Overall Record: 99-90-4

Indianapolis -3- As much as people want to see Manning lose and bring his woes up another level, everyone knows he is going to battle for this victory. As bad as the Colts issues have been, Tennessee’s is likely worse. They can’t get Chris Johnson back on track, and have switched quarterbacks more than the Oakland Raiders.

Oakland +4- Jacksonville’s played above their talent level all season long. They stay in games by controlling the ball, and limiting their turnovers. Oakland is riding high after their upset victory over the Chargers. Look for them to come out strong and force Jacksonville to get out of their slow attack.

Pittsburgh -8.5- We’re expecting a few defensive touchdowns in this one. Cincinnati is going to come out for the first few drives. Once those attempts don’t work, look for this team to pack it in. They have no heart and it’s showed all season. Blow out city.

New England -3- Tom Brady won’t have the ease of racing up and down the field as he did against the Jets. It’ll be a better battle. New England’s defense has to continue to show it’s growth in order for the Patriots to pull this one out. Yet, were taking the Patriots as they’ll win the turnover battle and make that extra big play.

Cleveland +1- Cleveland’s outing against Miami didn’t deserve a win, but they let the opposing team make the mistakes. This game has another sloppy outing written all over it. It’s been snowing like crazy in New York this week. Will see how the weather is on Sunday, but expect a low scoring punt fest here.

New York Giants- The line isn’t officially set here but the Giants are a playoff bound team. They’ve feasted on opposing quarterbacks with major weaknesses all season. There’s no doubt Brett Favre will start at the expense of the Vikings. He has nothing left out there but his streak.

Detroit +6.5- The Packers are the type of team that like to play close games. A lot of their wins they pull away at a point in the second half, but it takes awhile for them to get going. Detroit’s been hanging in all season against opposing teams. They’re ready for a signature statement win for 2010, and we think they’ll get it here.

Atlanta -7.5- This team wants to play at home in the playoffs. They’re not going to let a letdown happen against the Panthers to jeopardize that.

Washington +1.5-A team respects a coach that makes bold decisions. Shanahan did that by ending the tirade with Albert Haynesworth for the rest of this season. Washington’s had a rough go this past month, but is not nearly as bad as the team that took a butt kicking last week. Tampa Bay is reeling and we think they’ll have an after taste of last week’s crushing loss derail them.

St. Louis +9.5- There are people that keep saying the NFC West shouldn’t have representation in the playoffs. They’re not on national television much but St. Louis has played solid ball this year. Sam Bradford just doesn’t make mistakes. They have a few good drives a game and their defense has been a force.

Seattle +5.5- 13-10.….Which team wins, doesn’t matter. Seattle covers.

Miami +5.5- You can’t bet against the Dolphins on the road. It’s been a mistake all year as they just play better as a team. We all remember how Mark Sanchez ended last year on a tailspin almost costing the Jets a playoff spot. It won’t get that bad but Jets fans will be nervous in this one.

Denver– The difference in this game is one team has made a change. That’s Denver. The Cardinals have been horrific trying to move the football for five straight games.

Kansas City +6.5- Bettors can get ahead of the Chargers wagon jumpers now. Everyone’s betting on the fact that San Diego closes out years. Not this one, their play has been inconsistent due to numerous issues. The fact is Kansas City has played better this year, and will show it Sunday.

Philadelphia -3.5- Jason Garrett’s done this and that….yadda yadda yadda. How will he plan on disguising and blanketing against Mike Vick? He won’t. Then the game plan of running the ball twenty times each with Felix Jones and Tashard Choice will shift to air the ball. Everyone has seen when the Cowboys have been forced to throw they’ve struggled. With Dez Bryant out that spells double trouble, as he has been the only one to step up.

Baltimore -3- If Baltimore can get back to rushing the football, maybe they’ll get rolling again. Last year the Ravens rediscovered rushing the ball right about this time, and stormed over playoff opponents. Their play call to pass with three minutes to go just was atrocious. Watch them run and Ray Rice have his best game of the season.

By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

Last week should have been one of our best weeks to date. We started the morning games red hot going 7-2. Then the afternoon games came and we took a beating like everyone else. Games that looked like blowouts on paper took a reverse fortune as all underdogs covered and some won outright. It just goes to show the mediocrity of NFL teams this year and makes for a fun filled rest of the season. Still we have yet to have a week below .500 and are glad to keep providing winners for everyone.

Overall Record: 40-34-2
Last Week: 7-7

San Diego -8- They’ve disappointed versus the spread besides for a blowout against the Cardinals. Even though this is yet another road game, the Rams are what the doctor ordered. They’re banged up all over offensively and just gave up forty four points to a previously winless Detroit Lions.

Kansas City +4.5- Houston seems to be regressing from their impressive fast start. Offensively with Andre Johnson not 100 percent they’ve had a tough time moving the football. Kansas City has got nothing out of Matt Cassel. If ever a week that he needs to step up it’s this.

Baltimore +2.5- Baltimore’s pass defense had their roughest outing against Kyle Orton last week, but they’re still number one in pass defense overall. Tom Brady will be able to dink and dump against them, but the Ravens have too much fire power offensively.

Tampa Bay +4- The Saints just look dismal offensively. Without Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, Drew Brees has struggled to find the balance to blend with an air attack. It should be a low scoring affair decided in the fourth.

Atlanta +2.5- We’re real high on the Falcons currently. Their defense is playing strong and offensively they’re imposing with the amount of talent they have. Matt Ryan seems to be finding that groove back as well as Michael Turner.

NY Giants -10- Teams favored by seven or more this year haven’t done so well in covering spreads. Scratch that by the wayside and lay it heavy on the Giants. Three weeks ago it looked like Tom Coughlin was out. Now the Giants look like they can take the NFC East.

Seattle +6- Seattle’s been atrocious on the road but we just don’t trust Jay Cutler. Coming back from a concussion and an outing that is still replaying in Vegas minds, will take the points here. Marshawn Lynch should give Seattle enough to stem a double digit loss.

Miami- Aaron Rodgers will likely play but they’ve got too many injuries to compete with a team fresh off a bye week. Miami will regroup from their Monday Night loss and get their second win against an NFC North team this year.

Pittsburgh -13.5- Colt McCoy starting? Did any of you catch him in preseason action. This could be worse than Jimmy Clausen’s debut. No it will be.

Denver +3- Look for the Broncos to draw out long drives to keep the Jets offense off the field. That dink and dump style works, and worked to perfection against the Titans a few weeks ago. The play calling of the Jets just doesn’t seem to have patience, as witnessed by them almost blowing a lead by mismanagement last week.

San Francisco -6.5- It’s time for the first win to happen for the 49ers. The battle of the bay will have this crowd rowdy and pumped.

Minnesota -1.5- One team is going to come out this game 1-4. Minnesota seems to slowly be rounding and showing flashes that they’re on the comeback. Dallas on the other hand continues to meltdown and find ways to lose every week.

Washington +3- Washington could easily be 4-1 right now. The team has bought in to Mike Shanahan and is virtually winning with the same talent as last year. In some areas you could say they’re weaker. Donovan McNabb keeps making the plays when he has to, and will in this matchup against Peyton Manning.

Jacksonville +2.5- Talk about a quarterback that’s held his composure and fought off bench rumors extremely well. David Garrard ignored newspapers and the media and got two tough victories for his team. This will be a great Monday Night battle for first place in the division. We think that Vince Young’s weaknesses will be exposed more than Garrard’s.

Listen in on Week Six’s Podcast

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Week one could have been a bit better against the spread but we will take 9-6-1. After all the goal is to be around 55-60%. Lets see how we fare for week two.

Last weeks Record: 9-6-1

KC +1.5- Time to find out if week one was a mirage or sign for a team turning the corner

Green Bay -13- No way Buffalo can come remotely close to matching the Packers offense

Baltimore -2- Ravens struggled last year versus Cincy. It’s a new year though.

Tennessee -5 – Dennis Dixon will have to show an exponential improvement in his ability to throw the ball for Pittsburgh to cover this.

Philadelphia -6 – Will see if the team is behind Vick by the way the defense, special teams, and offense supports him on the field.

Dallas -7.5- McNabb did one thing Jay Cutler can never do last week and that’s protect the football

Tampa Bay +3.5- We’ll take the half point on this one, which should be a tight field goal winning game.

Atlanta -6.5- It’s a tough road for teams that lose a Hall of Fame quarterback. Arizona is learning that in one off-season and one regular season game thus far.

Miami +5.5- Miami’s defense should keep them hanging around in this one. Chad Henne will have to show his growth in a tough road environment.

Oakland -3.5- Campbell’s bounce back game

Denver -3.5- The true Seattle team will be awoken this weekend.

Houston -3- Houston is for real. McNabb and the Washington offense will not be able to score six points and walk away with a win.

San Diego -7- A bad performance here and the Norv Turner not lasting through midseason begins

New England -3- Will take the matchup of the quarterbacks and give the obvious edge to Brady.

NY Giants +5.5- A little too much points on the Colts side for our liking.

New Orleans -5- Mike Singletary tried to deliver a resounding message by calling a mandatory meeting. When the product on the field doesn’t meet expectations there’s nothing you can do about it. Alex Smith is not going to be a division winning quarterback…period.