Pittsburg -3 over BALTIMORE
Plays well on the road, positive point differential and Cleveland has a negative point differential. Should run the ball a lot. Maddox has arm to throw down field with big play WRs Burress, Ward and Randle-El. Razzle dazzle ability with former college QB Randle-El and backup Kordell Stewart to come in in special situations. Kendrell Bell is back for the Steelers, should be able to contain Todd Heap, Baltimore's chief offensive weapon. Injury factor should be no big deal with 2nd string C and 2nd string RB. Remember, Maddox played with the 2nd team before winning the QB and should be comfortable with those guys. Baltimore defense could wake up and stifle the Steelers. However, statisically, Pittsburg has a better defense. Another problem might be short week for the Steelers coming off MNF win. 24 - 13 Steelers
** solid play **
Detriot +7.5 over BUFFALO
Buffalo looked good against lost QB Lucas last week vs Miami. Lions QB Harrington will have trouble adjusting with his firm visit to Buffalo. Look for Detroit to have a slow start until Harrington can adjust at halftime. Travis Henry will be the workhorse for Bills O with Bledsoe hitting Moulds and Price with scores. Big plays will keep Detriot in the game, relatively. Bills give up a big 7.4 yard per pass and Detriot can't run so they will go through the air. Should be Bills 31 - 17 late in the 4th with Henry running the ball to kill clock. Has history of fumbling which might lead to a turnover in Bills territory which Harrington will convert for a final score to cover. 31 - 24 Bills
** risky play **
Tampa Bay -7.5 over CAROLINA
Rookie QB Fasani will start for the Panthers against a tough Tampa Bay defense. Will have big problems. Tampa beat Atlanta a few weeks ago and Carolina lost to Atlanta 30-0 last week. Panthers are nicked up defensively. Rookie head coach John Fox is smart defensive planner however and will devise a plan to keep Tampa's offense held back. Not that Tampa's offense has been impressive. TB is capable of blowing out weaker opponents, evidenced with a 35-7 win at Cincy opening week. Bucs take care of business. 23 - 10 Buccaneers
** solid play **
CINCINNATI +5.5 over Tennessee
Tenn D is very pororus giving up an amazing 5 yards per run and 8 yards per pass. Bengals big time RB Corey Dillon will try to take advantage of that. Will rely on John Kitna to get the ball to big play potential WR Warrick. Cincy D isn't that bad. "Cincinnati?s defense has been porous this season, allowing more than 30 points per game. Nonetheless, they are a physical group, one that Coach Fisher has been preparing to face by practicing his team in pads mid-week, something he traditionally hasn?t done in the past." Texans' offensive has been hurting with subpar performances from Eddie George, but this team still has playmakers and a lot of talent. Would not be surpised with Bengals out right win, but they still have to show something on offense. Averaging 6.8 POINTS per game at home. Will see how Kitna/Dillon perform. 27 - 24 Titans
** risky play **
DALLAS -2.5 over Seattle
Big fanfare in Dallas with Emmitt close to breaking Payton's record. Look for Emmitt and the OL to give it big effort so he can break record at home. Hutchinson will hand off the ball 75% of the time in the first half as he will need to adjust to NFL speed. He will not perform that bad has he has to practice against Cowboy's defense. Seattle has weapons in Shawn Alexander and Koren Robinson but both have been disappointing this year, especially Alexander. Dallas secondary is top notch and will work to put eight men in the box to stop Alexander. Look for All-Pro safety Darren Woodson to be all over the field. Hutchinson will become more comfortable 2nd half and make big throws to WR Antonio Bryant, former Big East star at Univ of Pitt and 2002 Steal of the Draft. 27 - 17 Cowboys
** solid play **
KANSAS CITY +3 over Oakland
Oakland secondary is hurting big time. No coincidence last two losses have occurred because Charles Woodson has been hurt. Team now can throw at will on Oakland secondary esp with playmaking rookie CB Phillip Buchanon out. KC will throw at will on Oakland and run the ball with Priest Holmes. He should have lots of space to run with Tony Gonzalez stretching the field underneath. Oakland has not been able to run the ball. Oakland has been able to win games by delivering the knockout punch with a special teams score, but that won't happen with Kirby and Buchanon out. Look for KC to stay close, gain the lead and grind out with Holmes' running. Oakland could win but Janikowski's off field problems will affect his kicking. 33 - 31 Kansas City
** solid play **
MINNESOTA -1 over Chicago
Vikings are been a team in turmoil but statistically haven't been that bad. Have been hurt by Culpepper's spotty play especially in the red zone. Bears are hurting with major injuries and have a good WR corps but cannot run the ball with 2.5 y/r in the last 3 games. This game could be a shootout in the dome with both teams getting major yardage through the air. Will take the home team here. 31 - 28 Vikings
** risky play **
NEW ORLEANS -4 over Atlanta
Cousins Vick and Brooks will cancel each other out in big play ability. However, Saints have more weapons especially with Deuce and Joe Horn. Saints will grab the lead on Deuce's running and Brooks' playmaking ability causing the younger Vick to get frustrated and gamble. Game will be close until Falcons lose when Vick tries to do too much. Then Saints will grind it out behind Deuce and a knockout long ball from Brooks. Public is on Atl with Vick. He CAN be stopped. 30 - 24 Saints
** solid play **
Cleveland +3 over NEW YORK JETS
Jets are starting to turn it around offensively with Pennington but the defense is still lacking allowing 5 yard per rush including 5.9 in the last 3 games! Look for the Browns to rush the ball with Jamel White and rookie William Green. Actually looke for Green to have a breakout game as he is from New Jersey and will run hard vs. the Jets porous defense. Jets will let last weeks win goto their heads. 24 - 17 Cleveland
** solid play ** GOW
Arizona +8 over SAN FRANCISCO
49ers are underrated and still a top team, but Arizona has a pretty good defense. Especially against the run. Look for an Arizona cover late. 31 - 26 49ers
** risky play **
JACKSONVILLE -10.5 over Houston
Carr will get sacked again and again like last week. Fumbles will kill scoring drives. Jacksonville has good talent on offense and defense. Will be able to contain Houston. 10 points is a lot however, be careful. 28 - 17 Jacksonville
** risky play **
Denver +3 over New England
Denver has Sharpe, McCaffery and Smith and will toast Otis Smith, the weak link in the Patriots secondary. Gary and Portis will have a great day running the ball against a Patriots front seven that is struggling giving up 4.7! yard per rush in the last three games. 31 - 17 Denver
** solid play **
WASHINGTON +1.5 over Indy
Indy is coming off a short week. Spurrier knows how to play against Manning from college days. Indy cannot stop the run and look for Davis to have a big game. Doesn't matter who is at QB as the Redskins will throw short and use up the clock. 24 - 23 Redskins
** solid play **
Plays well on the road, positive point differential and Cleveland has a negative point differential. Should run the ball a lot. Maddox has arm to throw down field with big play WRs Burress, Ward and Randle-El. Razzle dazzle ability with former college QB Randle-El and backup Kordell Stewart to come in in special situations. Kendrell Bell is back for the Steelers, should be able to contain Todd Heap, Baltimore's chief offensive weapon. Injury factor should be no big deal with 2nd string C and 2nd string RB. Remember, Maddox played with the 2nd team before winning the QB and should be comfortable with those guys. Baltimore defense could wake up and stifle the Steelers. However, statisically, Pittsburg has a better defense. Another problem might be short week for the Steelers coming off MNF win. 24 - 13 Steelers
** solid play **
Detriot +7.5 over BUFFALO
Buffalo looked good against lost QB Lucas last week vs Miami. Lions QB Harrington will have trouble adjusting with his firm visit to Buffalo. Look for Detroit to have a slow start until Harrington can adjust at halftime. Travis Henry will be the workhorse for Bills O with Bledsoe hitting Moulds and Price with scores. Big plays will keep Detriot in the game, relatively. Bills give up a big 7.4 yard per pass and Detriot can't run so they will go through the air. Should be Bills 31 - 17 late in the 4th with Henry running the ball to kill clock. Has history of fumbling which might lead to a turnover in Bills territory which Harrington will convert for a final score to cover. 31 - 24 Bills
** risky play **
Tampa Bay -7.5 over CAROLINA
Rookie QB Fasani will start for the Panthers against a tough Tampa Bay defense. Will have big problems. Tampa beat Atlanta a few weeks ago and Carolina lost to Atlanta 30-0 last week. Panthers are nicked up defensively. Rookie head coach John Fox is smart defensive planner however and will devise a plan to keep Tampa's offense held back. Not that Tampa's offense has been impressive. TB is capable of blowing out weaker opponents, evidenced with a 35-7 win at Cincy opening week. Bucs take care of business. 23 - 10 Buccaneers
** solid play **
CINCINNATI +5.5 over Tennessee
Tenn D is very pororus giving up an amazing 5 yards per run and 8 yards per pass. Bengals big time RB Corey Dillon will try to take advantage of that. Will rely on John Kitna to get the ball to big play potential WR Warrick. Cincy D isn't that bad. "Cincinnati?s defense has been porous this season, allowing more than 30 points per game. Nonetheless, they are a physical group, one that Coach Fisher has been preparing to face by practicing his team in pads mid-week, something he traditionally hasn?t done in the past." Texans' offensive has been hurting with subpar performances from Eddie George, but this team still has playmakers and a lot of talent. Would not be surpised with Bengals out right win, but they still have to show something on offense. Averaging 6.8 POINTS per game at home. Will see how Kitna/Dillon perform. 27 - 24 Titans
** risky play **
DALLAS -2.5 over Seattle
Big fanfare in Dallas with Emmitt close to breaking Payton's record. Look for Emmitt and the OL to give it big effort so he can break record at home. Hutchinson will hand off the ball 75% of the time in the first half as he will need to adjust to NFL speed. He will not perform that bad has he has to practice against Cowboy's defense. Seattle has weapons in Shawn Alexander and Koren Robinson but both have been disappointing this year, especially Alexander. Dallas secondary is top notch and will work to put eight men in the box to stop Alexander. Look for All-Pro safety Darren Woodson to be all over the field. Hutchinson will become more comfortable 2nd half and make big throws to WR Antonio Bryant, former Big East star at Univ of Pitt and 2002 Steal of the Draft. 27 - 17 Cowboys
** solid play **
KANSAS CITY +3 over Oakland
Oakland secondary is hurting big time. No coincidence last two losses have occurred because Charles Woodson has been hurt. Team now can throw at will on Oakland secondary esp with playmaking rookie CB Phillip Buchanon out. KC will throw at will on Oakland and run the ball with Priest Holmes. He should have lots of space to run with Tony Gonzalez stretching the field underneath. Oakland has not been able to run the ball. Oakland has been able to win games by delivering the knockout punch with a special teams score, but that won't happen with Kirby and Buchanon out. Look for KC to stay close, gain the lead and grind out with Holmes' running. Oakland could win but Janikowski's off field problems will affect his kicking. 33 - 31 Kansas City
** solid play **
MINNESOTA -1 over Chicago
Vikings are been a team in turmoil but statistically haven't been that bad. Have been hurt by Culpepper's spotty play especially in the red zone. Bears are hurting with major injuries and have a good WR corps but cannot run the ball with 2.5 y/r in the last 3 games. This game could be a shootout in the dome with both teams getting major yardage through the air. Will take the home team here. 31 - 28 Vikings
** risky play **
NEW ORLEANS -4 over Atlanta
Cousins Vick and Brooks will cancel each other out in big play ability. However, Saints have more weapons especially with Deuce and Joe Horn. Saints will grab the lead on Deuce's running and Brooks' playmaking ability causing the younger Vick to get frustrated and gamble. Game will be close until Falcons lose when Vick tries to do too much. Then Saints will grind it out behind Deuce and a knockout long ball from Brooks. Public is on Atl with Vick. He CAN be stopped. 30 - 24 Saints
** solid play **
Cleveland +3 over NEW YORK JETS
Jets are starting to turn it around offensively with Pennington but the defense is still lacking allowing 5 yard per rush including 5.9 in the last 3 games! Look for the Browns to rush the ball with Jamel White and rookie William Green. Actually looke for Green to have a breakout game as he is from New Jersey and will run hard vs. the Jets porous defense. Jets will let last weeks win goto their heads. 24 - 17 Cleveland
** solid play ** GOW
Arizona +8 over SAN FRANCISCO
49ers are underrated and still a top team, but Arizona has a pretty good defense. Especially against the run. Look for an Arizona cover late. 31 - 26 49ers
** risky play **
JACKSONVILLE -10.5 over Houston
Carr will get sacked again and again like last week. Fumbles will kill scoring drives. Jacksonville has good talent on offense and defense. Will be able to contain Houston. 10 points is a lot however, be careful. 28 - 17 Jacksonville
** risky play **
Denver +3 over New England
Denver has Sharpe, McCaffery and Smith and will toast Otis Smith, the weak link in the Patriots secondary. Gary and Portis will have a great day running the ball against a Patriots front seven that is struggling giving up 4.7! yard per rush in the last three games. 31 - 17 Denver
** solid play **
WASHINGTON +1.5 over Indy
Indy is coming off a short week. Spurrier knows how to play against Manning from college days. Indy cannot stop the run and look for Davis to have a big game. Doesn't matter who is at QB as the Redskins will throw short and use up the clock. 24 - 23 Redskins
** solid play **
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