Early picks: Buffalo, minus-3; Green Bay, plus-3
With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, there are 11 teams over .500. The NFL blueprint is working.
Two of the best, Oakland and Miami, hook up in South Florida. This is one of those "sandwich" situations that the handicappers seek. The Raiders, fresh off the battle for first in the West, traveling across the country to face a non-division opponent, with Denver coming up. Under Dave Wannstedt, the Dolphins are 16-4-2 spread-wise at home. It's their defense that plays so much better there. Sunday, it tackles the No. 1 offense, which could be road weary.
Atlanta has a 10-point impost to cover against Seattle, which is missing four of its front seven on defense. Michael Vick should have a field day back on his home turf.
San Diego visits chilly Buffalo. Remember what happened to Miami there? It just doesn't work for teams from warm weather climes. Moulds, Price and Bledsoe should make big plays against the Chargers' secondary.
The Bears are bad news. Their offensive line can't protect the quarterback (Chris Chandler this week). They have too many injuries to count and are coming off a Monday nighter, which doesn't help. The Jets smell playoffs and have covered seven of their last eight.
The last time Minnesota won in New Orleans, Archie Manning was quarterbacking the Saints. The Vikings were all out in a losing effort at Green Bay. Current New Orleans QB Aaron Brooks is ready, as is Deuce McAllister, who should have no trouble running against the Vikings defense. This will be a high scoring game, over the fifty points.
Kansas City has outscored Arizona and St. Louis 98-10 the last two games. The Chiefs step up when they face Denver. Although the Broncos have lost three straight. K.C. took Denver to overtime before losing 37-34 earlier, and the Chiefs are 9-0-1 their last 10 as a 'dog. They're getting 3?.
There are a shortage of healthy defensive backs in the Bay area. The Niners host Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers with their DBs nicked. The Pack has fared well against San Fran, going 8-2-1 against the spread since 1989.
Monday Night fans should have a good one when New England goes to Tennessee. The Titans have won seven of their last eight, the Pats five of six. Steve McNair was too sore too practice again this week. That's good news for Tennessee. Last week, he dragged his sore bones to a 19-for-23, 237-yard performance. The week before, he threw for three touchdowns and ran for one. New England has not covered against a team with a winning record since Week 2.
With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, there are 11 teams over .500. The NFL blueprint is working.
Two of the best, Oakland and Miami, hook up in South Florida. This is one of those "sandwich" situations that the handicappers seek. The Raiders, fresh off the battle for first in the West, traveling across the country to face a non-division opponent, with Denver coming up. Under Dave Wannstedt, the Dolphins are 16-4-2 spread-wise at home. It's their defense that plays so much better there. Sunday, it tackles the No. 1 offense, which could be road weary.
Atlanta has a 10-point impost to cover against Seattle, which is missing four of its front seven on defense. Michael Vick should have a field day back on his home turf.
San Diego visits chilly Buffalo. Remember what happened to Miami there? It just doesn't work for teams from warm weather climes. Moulds, Price and Bledsoe should make big plays against the Chargers' secondary.
The Bears are bad news. Their offensive line can't protect the quarterback (Chris Chandler this week). They have too many injuries to count and are coming off a Monday nighter, which doesn't help. The Jets smell playoffs and have covered seven of their last eight.
The last time Minnesota won in New Orleans, Archie Manning was quarterbacking the Saints. The Vikings were all out in a losing effort at Green Bay. Current New Orleans QB Aaron Brooks is ready, as is Deuce McAllister, who should have no trouble running against the Vikings defense. This will be a high scoring game, over the fifty points.
Kansas City has outscored Arizona and St. Louis 98-10 the last two games. The Chiefs step up when they face Denver. Although the Broncos have lost three straight. K.C. took Denver to overtime before losing 37-34 earlier, and the Chiefs are 9-0-1 their last 10 as a 'dog. They're getting 3?.
There are a shortage of healthy defensive backs in the Bay area. The Niners host Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers with their DBs nicked. The Pack has fared well against San Fran, going 8-2-1 against the spread since 1989.
Monday Night fans should have a good one when New England goes to Tennessee. The Titans have won seven of their last eight, the Pats five of six. Steve McNair was too sore too practice again this week. That's good news for Tennessee. Last week, he dragged his sore bones to a 19-for-23, 237-yard performance. The week before, he threw for three touchdowns and ran for one. New England has not covered against a team with a winning record since Week 2.
