NFL Picks

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

We're Nyquil free this week - considering how we did last week, we probably should have had a shot or two last night. If you have followed the page for a while, you know what the deal is with our NFL picks - spreads are locked down on Wednesday, weighted pool with 16 being your best pick. On to this week's games.

16) Indianapolis - 6.5 over CAROLINA - thanks to Brady and the Pats, little chance of the Colts taking this game lightly as they look ahead to the Pats. Manning and the Colts will find the Panthers D a lot more accommodating than the Jags were. Colts D has enough to keep the Panthers down.

15) NY Giants - 10.5 over MIAMI - neutral site game, which might as well be a home game for the Giants. This pick has more to do with Miami being absolutely awful than any faith we have in the Giants (they're counterfeit). Manning and Burress should have another big day this week against the Dolphins who can't stop anyone.

14) Pittsburgh - 3.5 over CINCINNATI - we don't think much of the Steelers, but their offence should be able to control the clock against a bad Bengals D. The heart says Cincinnati, but the head says "did you see what noodle arm Pennington did to them?" Pittsburgh wins this one easily, which means every annoying Steelers fan will think they're back.

13) New Orleans -3.5 over SAN FRANCISCO - two teams going in opposite directions, the Saints aren't the team they were last year, while the 49ers are looking more and more like they are the team they were last year. Brees and Colston have a big day today.

12) Green Bay +3.5 over DENVER - we still aren't sure how the Broncos managed to upset the Steelers last week, but we're sure they'll have a tougher time against Favre and the Packers. Green Bay has enough offence to keep it close and maybe sneak out a win.

11) Jacksonville +4.5 over TAMPA BAY - we're going with the Jags defence to keep this one close, everything about this game screams 10-9. We don't like Garcia's chances going up against that D.

10) Detroit +4.5 over Chicago - still aren't sold on the Bears. We aren't sold on the Lions either, but the Bears main weakness on D goes to the Lions main strength - throwing the ball. Kitna and the Lions should keep this one relatively close.

09) Cleveland -3.5 over ST. LOUIS - the Rams could quite possibly go 0-16 with the way they are going. Cleveland's D should be able to hold the injured Marc Bulger in check and the offence should be able to take advantage of a Rams D that is certain to tire in the second half.

08) NEW ENGLAND -16.5 over Washington - if the Skins had anything on offence, they would be a great pick to cover; but they have Jason Campbell and a very overrated Clinton Portis. Brady might have a bit more trouble against Skins secondary, but he should be able to pick up 24 points against them. Can you see Washington scoring more than 6?

07) Philadelphia -1.5 over MINNESOTA - the Vikings couldn't move the ball against Dallas last week, things are only going to get tougher against the Eagles (the 96 yard drive by Griese notwithstanding). You know what we say about how McNabb plays against bad teams - he'll look like a Pro-Bowler today...but we all know better now right?

06) NY JETS -2.5 over Buffalo - the Jets will be kicking themselves for blowing it against the Bengals. The Bills had a nice win over the Ravens last week - but something tells us that Pennington will have a good game today.

05) Oakland +7.5 over Tennessee - the Titans have a habit of playing down to their opposition so we are going to take the Raiders and the points in hopes of a backdoor cover.
04) Houston +12.5 over SAN DIEGO - too much turmoil in San Diego this week to think they will be 100% focused on the game. They'll win, but Houston will keep it close or get a meaningless touchdown late to cover the spread.


Road Warriors win in MSG
The Toronto Maple Leafs won their second straight game on the road - this time 4-1 over the Rangers. The Leafs survived a shaky first period thanks to Vesa Toskala who made a couple of great saves to keep the Leafs tied despite being badly outshot. The boys scored 3 goals in a span of 8 minutes in the second, with Nik Antropov's goal to make it 3-1 being the back breaker. Leafs played a perfect road game - keeping the Rangers on the perimeter for most of the night. Last night's game was a case of the Leafs playing well and the Rangers not playing very well - whatever, Leaf Nation will take it. In case Hazel didn't TIVO the game - our grades.

Goaltending B plus - as mentioned, Toskala was solid; his rebound control was as good as it has been all year and he came up big during a couple of crucial points in the first period. The Jagr goal was a little weak, but it would have been a different game without him.

Defence A minus - they gave up a lot of shots, but the majority were from the perimeter and they kept scoring chances down. Pavel Kubina's second period goal to make it 1-1 gave the team a big lift and the pairing of Hal Gill and Ian White kept Jagr in check. Anton Stralman didn't look out of place in his limited time on the ice. Tomas Kaberle set up two goals and made sure the Leafs got out of trouble by skating the puck out of the zone or making great outlet passes. The Leafs went into this road trip without Bryan McCabe and they play two very good games - go figure huh? TRADE MCCABE.

Forwards B plus - as a unit, they took care of things in their own end, and the forecheck led to a couple of goals. Sundin played a great two-way game and Nik Antropov controlled the puck every time he was on the ice. Jason Blake had a couple of great rushes up the ice to get the puck out of the zone (much to Hal Gill's relief). The line of Steen-Stajan-Tlusty created a few chances and looked good.

Hazel Karma last night? We'd like to think so.

As mentioned earlier this morning by our man Quikdraw, the Red Sox beat up on the Rockies last night by a score of 10-5. Julio Lugo saved the game last night when he snared that liner off the bat of Jeff Baker that would have scored two Rockies and perhaps changed the game. Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox, who are poised to win their second World Championship in the last three calendar years.

SATURDAY'S THREE STARS
Toronto Maple Leafs G Vesa Toskala stopped 31 of 32 shots last night - he should have had a shutout, but Leaf Nation would be happy if he continued to play the way he did last night.

Manchester United midfielder/winger Nani had the opening goal in Man U's 4-1 win yesterday. He deserved a star earlier this week for his play in Champions League action against Dynamo Kyiv.

Boston Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury had four hits last night, including three doubles, drove in two runs and scored twice for the Sox last night. Coco Crisp had to have been kissing his job goodbye.

SUNDAY THREE PLAY
Tough night last night with the Sharks and Penguins both losing games they should have won - unbelievable. We finished the night 3-2 and broke even - we'll get it straightened out today. Today's suggestions, we've already posted the "whys" behind our suggestions:
Philadelphia - 1 over MINNESOTA - Lay $100 on the Eagles.
NY Giants - 9.5 over MIAMI - Lay $100 on the Giants.

Indianapolis -7 over Carolina - Lay $100 on the Colts.

Cleveland -3 over St. Louis - Lay $100 on the Browns.

We'll check back later this afternoon for the 4:00 pm games.

That's it for today gang - thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one peeps!

Hazel, we hope things are groovy in your world; enjoy your NFL/Game 4 Sunday.

We're Out!