DETROIT +11 over Green Bay: What type of a person would I be if I picked any differently? I am certainly not advising you to lay down any money here. But, I think it's safe to say that all Americans outside of Wisconsin will be rooting for the Lions tomorrow.
Oakland +13.5 over DALLAS: Dallas hasn't had much time to regroup after their win that felt like a loss over Washington on Sunday, and Oakland is probably feeling pretty good about themselves after knocking off Cincinnati. Now, Oakland is much worse away from the black hole, but I just don't think the Cowboys are capable of blowing anybody out. I like Tony Romo to struggle against a stout secondary. The Cowboys win, but not by two touchdowns.
NY Giants -7 over DENVER: Denver is regressing to the mean as we speak. This is not a playoff team. They were playing over their heads for a long time. On the other hand, I think the Giants are back where they should be. I actually think, special teams aside, that they played a great game against San Diego up until the final minute, when they clearly felt as if they already had the outcome in hand. Eli Manning returned to his early season form on Sunday against Atlanta, and it wasn't just a matter of the Falcons secondary being woeful. For the most part, they had good positioning on the Giants receivers. Eli was fitting the ball into small windows where only his receivers could get it. Manningham, Nicks, Boss, and Steve Smith are growing more confident every week. I know this is a night game in Denver, and I might be letting my fandom get the best of me, but I really don't think so. The G-Men are back.
Indianapolis -3.5 over HOUSTON: Indy might lose a game this season, and my pick will be wrong that week. I won't pick against them.
CINCINNATI -14 over Cleveland: I don't expect the Bengals to take Sunday's loss lightly. They've done more than enough to earn our respect up until this point, but I think this team feels the pressure of doubters every week. As for the Browns, Brady Quinn is certainly looking like the future. But, he's more of a next year or the year after that future. Certainly not a this season future. They may not win another game this season, but hopefully his improvement can be something that they can hang their hats on in the offseason.
MINNESOTA -11 over Chicago: The Vikings very well could be the NFL's best team. There's really no way to definitively separate the teams at the top, but this team can just get you in every way possible. They are very scary.
Washington +9 over PHILADELPHIA: The Redskins have been tougher lately. They are really showing some resolve. I'm not sure if they are trying to play for Jim Zorn, or if they are simply just starting to gel. The performances of Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright over the past two weeks certainly don't reflect very well on Clinton Portis. But, it does mean that maybe he doesn't need to be the workhorse next season if Betts is able to recover from this knee injury. Splitting up the carries between the three next year could be a much more effective approach, as it would keep Portis more fresh. Even with Betts out and Portis in question, I like the Skins to keep it close. They won't win, though.
Miami -3 over BUFFALO: For the first time in my life, I can't get enough of watching the Miami Dolphins. Can we please get some more love for Ricky Williams? People can say what they want about his off the field actions, but we here at roomofzen have never held it against him. I know nothing about what it is like to be a major celebrity who has been diagnosed with clinical depression and social anxiety disorder. I would imagine it's difficult. I also believe that people are allowed to think that their job sucks. On the field, this guy is everything that you could ever want in a player. He is the ultimate workhorse. I don't think I've ever seen a guy more overworked than he was in Miami in his first go-round and he never seemed to wear down. Because the Dolphins run so much, people are worried that Ricky won't be able to take on the primary back responsibilities on his own. Well, he's done it before. And, he seems healthier and happier now than he ever was then. I think he'll be fine.
TENNESSEE -2 over Arizona: Are people really that surprised that Vince Young is playing well? I mean, I didn't think he was a sure thing to play well this season, but by no means had I written him off completely. People forget that he played in the pro bowl his rookie year. The ability has always been there. He just had to fix his head. If you want to see an example of a guy doing that, see above (Ricky Williams) or see the 36 year old quarterback who led the titans to the playoffs last season in Young's absence.
ST. LOUIS +3 over Seattle: Call me crazy. Kyle Boller is under center, and Steven Jackson will be limited with a sprained lower back. But I just have a feeling. That Seattle defense has not been great lately.
ATLANTA -12 over Tampa Bay: The Falcons impressed me on Sunday. Curtis Snelling is the real deal. I think Josh Freeman is too, but it's going to take a while.
NY JETS -3 over Carolina: I don't care about this game.
SAN FRANCISCO -3 Jacksonville: The Jags don't travel well, which is not something I'd expect from a team who never has any fans at its games. The last time they went West, Seattle hung 41 on them.
SAN DIEGO -13.5 over Kansas City: Whatever man. I guess San Diego doesn't suck at football the way they suck at life. The Chiefs aren't going to win three in a row.
BALTIMORE -2.5 over Pittsburgh: I didnt watch Pittsburgh on Sunday, so it was really weird to turn on ESPN and have them say "Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch is out for the season with a broken wrist" while they showed him taking snaps. They didn't mention anything about him being in because of roethlisberger's concussion. I felt like I was in a time warp. Was it 2003? 2005? What the hell was going on. I didn't even know Charlie Batch was still in the league.
New England +3 over NEW ORLEANS: The Patriots are really good. I feel extremely confident about this one.
Happy Thanksgiving:
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