By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

It was only a matter of time before a string of games caught us late. We took some bad losses with Cleveland giving up a touchdown instead of a field goal. Buffalo squeezing out only a two point victory and the flipside of a couple of blowouts. Staying above .500 on a weekly basis was almost done but last week’s 6-8 record put a halt to that. Were poised for a ten win week to bounce back.

Overall Record: 76-65-4

Last Week’s Record: 6-8

Miami -1- Miami is poised to start their first home win streak of the season. Even with Tyler Thigpen starting, Miami’s style of play doesn’t change. They’re a game managing team each week. As long as Thigpen gets protection and doesn’t turn the ball over, they will come out of this short week with another win.

Oakland +7.5- Pittsburgh seems to be having issues sticking to the run game since Roethlisberger has came back. In fact, they’ve been fortunate to win games against Miami and Cincinnati as of late. Oakland is playing some great football right now that just hasn’t been seen on a national level. Will take the points and this might be one of the better money line plays of the week.

New York Jets -7- We think Schaub will be out there, if not this line may get up to the double digit range. Either way we are anticipating a blowout. The Texans have struggled versus solid defenses all season. Rex Ryan’s been waiting for this type of matchup where his defense can win the game outright.

Baltimore -10- The Ravens have been awful in double digit favorite games, losing against the spread versus Buffalo and Cleveland. With Clausen in the game, you figure that the Panthers probably won’t score more than ten points. This could be one of the uglier games of the season as the Panthers have nothing to play for. With key injuries to star players that lessens the effort emphasis.

Washington +7- The Redskins have to overlook last week’s Monday Night nightmare. They’re still a .500 team and have a shot just like numerous teams at getting into the playoff picture. A loss here will crush those chances. Tennessee has been one of the more erratic teams this year. One week you think they can be an AFC favorite contender and the next they look like a bubble team. We like this to be one of the closer games of the week decided by a kicker with no time left.

Dallas -6.5- Now they’ll start rolling off some wins to cause a stir on whether Garrett should be named permanent head coach.

Green Bay -3- As much as we don’t want to root against Brett Favre, his year and career is done Blame it on Childress or whomever, but the Vikings lone wins have come by dramatic fashion against the Cowboys, Cardinals, and Lions. Green Bay’s played fabulous all season and is coming off a bye week.

Cincinnati -5.5- Carson Palmer and Ryan Fitzpatrick might combine for six or seven interceptions this game, but Palmer will neutralize his turnovers a tad bit better.

Jacksonville -1- As we said last week, over the last six to seven weeks, David Garrard is playing at a top ten quarterback level. He has had these type of spurts throughout his career, and then fades into slumps like an NBA shooting guard. We think he’ll keep his magic rolling another week.

Arizona +8- Kansas City’s record all season has been better than their talent on the field. With their defense finally exposed it’s only going to show the glaring weaknesses of Matt Cassel. A big slide to end the year is forthcoming.

Seattle +12- Until New Orleans shows us a game where they play four quarters of football than will keep taking the points.

Atlanta -3- The way Matt Ryan and Roddy White are connecting the lines makers must be wanting to give this game to sports bettors. They exposed the vaunted Ravens defense by scoring in forty seconds. There may be strikes and drives quicker than that in this game.

Tampa Bay +3- The miracle talks of Mike Singletary and the 49ers winning the division at 7-9, or whatever other imaginary scenario will come to a screeching halt this week.

New England -3.5- For the first time in the matchups between the two, Peyton Manning may be overwhelmed. The Colts are to banged up to compete with one of the elite teams in the NFL. Maybe by playoff time this can be a good matchup. Manning’s even struggled in his last few wins due to lack of weapons.

Philadelphia -3- Let the Mike Vick all world MVP season continue.

Denver +10- The dink and dump offense gets stopped by no one. It’s frustrated opposing defenses so much that Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney are now catching deep balls for touchdowns.