By Paul Schmidt
Yes, yes, it’s the triumphant return of Take It To The Bank! I know you all missed me. But this is what happens when you get married and then have a baby. Time is no longer yours. Just don’t have kids! They scream and poop and you can’t watch football. Or gamble. Does that sound like fun???
Ahem. No no…being a dad is great. It really is. I promise.
But now, yes…I’m back. Picking all the games. And I’m here for you.
Detroit -3 over Cleveland – The worst game of the year. I’m not convinced either of these teams can win by three points…or even 1 point…but I said I was picking all the games, didn’t I?
Jacksonville -8.5 over Buffalo – Well, suddenly Jacksonville is knocking the door of the playoffs. And Buffalo is knocking on the door of the top five. This game gets both of them closer to their goals.
Pittsburgh -10 at Kansas City – I’m actually making these picks while the baby is screaming, and I’m still not distracted enough to pick Kansas City. Even if they are at home.
Baltimore +1.5 over Indianapolis – Baltimore’s defense isn’t their strength anymore. Won’t a diverse offense featuring Joe Flacco and Ray Rice be able to pick the Colts apart like the Patriots did last Sunday night?
New York Giants -7 over Atlanta – Suddenly the Falcons are reeling and the 50 times I’ve said Matt Ryan is an overrated QB finally pays dividends…
Green Bay -6.5 over San Francisco – After watching the Bears crap out against the Niners last week, it occurred to me that despite 4 picks, Jay Cutler STILL almost led the team to victory.
Minnesota -11 over Seattle – My drive to pick all the favorites as much as I can goes on. Seattle is pretty good at home with the advantage that Qwest Field provides…but they have been abysmal on the road.
Dallas -11 over Washington – Banged up Washington team, and it looks like Dallas has finally tured a corner.
Tampa Bay +10.5 over New Orleans – The Saints have struggled to cover the last couple of weeks, and Tampa looks frisky with Josh Freeman at QB.
Arizona -9 at St. Louis – I know that the Rams have been a little tough lately, and that Stephen Jackson has been running out of his mind. But the Cards seem like they really are back and, deep down, the Rams still really suck.
Patriots -10 over NY Jets – The Jets are floundering and the Pats are looking to kill someone this week after last week’s…umm…let’s go with debacle.
Cincinnati -9 over Oakland – This probably could have been twice as high and I would have gone for it.
San Diego -4 at Denver – With Orton most likely out, I like this line a bunch. Chris Simms is not, nor has he really ever been, ready for prime time.
Philadelphia -3 at Chicago – Mark down November 22nd, 2009 as the time when I turned violently against the Bears.
Tennessee +4.5 over Houston – This looks like a great football game now, but three or four weeks ago it looked terrible. If Vince Young wants to prove he is back, this is the place to prove it.