Slim Pickings

Other than Indy/Cincy, there aren't very many compelling games this Sunday. If you're in need of earning some points with a girlfriend, wife, or mistress, this might be a good day to skip the tv and go out. Or you could be a man, throw back a few beers, and sit through KC and Houston.

Two weeks ago, the favorites weren't given enough respect by the bookmakers. Last week, they overcompensated, and the dogs were the better bets. This week, it looks like the lines are pretty much where they should be, which really annoys me. But there are still a few games out there that I like:

New Orleans +9 at New England. I never thought there'd come a day when I would pick an Aaron Brooks led team over Tom Brady. But if Gus Frerotte could go pass for over 300 yards against the Patriots' secondary, then Joe Horn, Donte Stallworth, Devery Henderson, and Az Hakim should be able to put up big numbers. The Patriots will also be starting Heath Evans, the greatest white Patriots' running back since Craig James, since Dillon and Pass are both still out. The Patriots will still win because they're the Pats and the Saints are the Saints, but it should be a close one.

Jacksonville -4 at Tennessee. In the past, the Titans had the Jaguars' number. In the past, the Titans also had Eddie George, Derrick Mason, Jevon Kearse, and a healthy and mobile Steve McNair. The Titans only two wins this season have come against the Ravens and the Texans, two of the worst teams in the league. Jacksonville is hitting its stride. Jacksonville's quarterback turned WR, Matt Jones, will have a touchdown. Tennessee's quarterback turned WR, Drew Bennett, will struggle. I think this one will be a blowout.

Pittsburgh -3.5 at Baltimore. How bad are the Ravens? So bad that even Tommy Maddox will beat them.

...13 straight road picks from me....noticing a tendency here.

Philadelphia at New York under 41. Up until last week, Eli Manning had quietly been stinking up the joint, only to be saved by his teammates. Then the Vikings came to the Meadowlands, and Manning's funk was so pungent that he was forced to apologize to the city. The Eagles have a few well-publicized components missing from their offense. This is going to be an ugly game. The worst part is that this game is only about the 6th least interesting game of the week.