Week 10 Picks

Well, it's about that time! I believe we had our first correct exact score pick last week!

St. Ides predicted Chiefs 27, Raiders 23. And, thanks to the gutsy last second call by Coach Vermeil (did anyone see him crying... yet again... after the game?), that was the exact final score! Maybe that will signify a turnaround for St. Ides' awful showing so far this season.

Samichlaus -
Last Week: 7-7
Previous Week: 9-5
Season: 69-60

St. Ides -
Last Week: 8-6
Previous Week: 6-8
Season: 56-73

It is a biological oddity in men: as we age, the testosterone / estrogen proportion shifts towards the estrogen. It's why men appear to "mellow out" as they get older. In a way I am grateful that dad was 43 when I was born. To this day my brothers resent the fact that I "had it easy" growing up, meaning dad only beat the living shit out of me three or four times (not counting the verbal abuse and the times my brothers interviened on my behalf). Dick Vermiel is a fine example of this phenomonon. I'd hate to be around the Vermiel residence during a showing of "Brians Song" or "It's a Wonderful Life".

...and kudos to my partner in crime for being dead on balls accurate on the KC score. Not too shabby!

On to the picks:

LIONS -4.5 over Cardinals
Cardinals stink. Warner is still starting at QB. They have no running game, and their best defensive lineman may be out for the season with a torn pec muscle from last week's game. Steve Hutchinson gave him a one-handed shove to the chest, which pretty much knocked him on his ass and somehow also tore his pec. Did I mention that Seattle offensive line is awesome? Lions 23, Cardinals 16.

We'll get the Samichlaus Stinker out of the way early. I'm assuming that Joey Harrington is still the Detroit QB, and recall that Kurt Warner had a pretty good career indoors. Detroit with Harrington is as bad as bad gets. I'm pickin the Cards: Arizona 23 - Detroit 13

Ravens +7.5 over JAGUARS
The Jaguars have had some quality wins, over the likes of the Seahawks, Bengals, and Steelers. They also kept is close against the Colts. However, they lost to a Rams team decimated by injuries, and needed a last minute winning drive to beat the hapless Texans. So basically, they don't put anybody away, no matter how good or bad the opponent. Ravens have Kyle Boller back at QB this week, which should marginally improve the offense. Jaguars 20, Ravens 16.

It's a sad day indeed when a professional football team has to laud the return of Kyle Boller. That's right up there with "Look! It's Jeff George!!!" Actually, Jeff George had a strong arm. His issues as a footbal player were most certainly hormonal. Christ, there's another house I don't want to visit during the holidays. The Ravens D will keep it close enough to cover. Jaguars 17 Ravens 14

Texans +17.5 over COLTS
Damn these huge point spreads. The Colts just won their biggest regular season game in years. The Texans are playing better of late. This might be one of those let down games. Or it could be a game the Colts put away early, and let their scrubs mop up in the 4th quarter. Either way, I have a hard time giving almost 3 touchdowns. Colts 31, Texans 14.

I'm biting. The Colts are the best team in the NFL, period. At home, coming off the big win against the team formerly known as the Patriots, you could certainly argue letdown. But the way I see it, the Colts are going to win by three TD's easy. Colts 37 Texans 10

Chiefs +2.5 over BILLS
Priest Holmes is done for the year, and his career could be over. Larry Johnson should be a capable replacement, he's played well this year. The Bills are weird. Their defense was supposed to carry them this year, but it hasn't. J.P.Losman was supposed to be their QB of the future but he's been benched for Kelly Holcombe. The Chiefs aren't great on the road, but I think the Bills kinda stink when you get down to it. Chiefs 30, Bills 20.

The Chiefs are the better team, right? Absolutely. But the stat that jumped out at me is 3 - 4 Buffalo is 3 - 1 at home. With the team fomerly known as the Patriots officially in the shitter, Buffalo has a legitimate shot at the division. I think Buffalo plays a spirited game and wins. Buffalo 27 Chiefs 24

Vikings +10.5 over GIANTS
Culpepper is done for the year. Which means they shouldn't have to worry about their QB throwing 5 picks in a game. The Giants are riding high and everybody is talking about them being one of the best teams in the NFC. Hell, there's even some talk of an Eli vs. Peyton Super Bowl. Don't buy your tickets for Detroit just yet, Giants fans. They're due for a few stinkers. They should beat the Vikings, but Minnesota has rediscovered their running game, and could keep it close. Giants 27, Vikings 23.

Man, that's a lot of points for a young team to cover. The Giants weak link is their passing defense, so IMHO the Vikings have no way to exploit the Giants weakness. Maybe the Vikings look like they've rediscovered their running game but this week they loose it somewhere near Jimmy Hoffa's burial grounds. Meanwhile the Vikes defense still sucks. I'll go with the Giants: Giants 31 Vikingas 10

Patriots -2.5 over DOLPHINS
The Dolphins are probably a bit better than most people expected. And the Patriots are probably a bit worse. But when was the last time the Patriots lost two games in a row? In fact, they've gone W-L-W-L all season this year. Time for a W. (Okay, I just looked it up. The last time they lost two in a row was in December, 2002, when they lost to the Titans and Jets. Almost 3 years ago.) Patriots 24, Dolphins 17.

All incendiary Patriot bashing aside, if they lose this week watch out. The Dolphins are marginally better than the Dave Wannstead version from last season, but I'm not sure they're better than the Jim Bates version they trotted out for the last five games.BTW, that would be the Jim Bates version that beat the Patriots last year. Do you think that the Fins can beat them two in a row? Yeah, me eiter. Patriots 30 Dolphins 20

Niners +13.5 over BEARS
Uhhh, last I checked the Bears didn't exactly have an explosive offense. And the Niners defense isn't THAT bad, it's their offense that stinks. I'll take the points in this one, guessing the Bears barely crack 20 points total. Bears 23, Niners 14.

I'll bet you the Bears score 30% of their points on defense. I think that's the only way they cover in a game like this. Truthfully, I don't think the Bears are 13.5 points better than anybody, even the pathetic Niners. Oh where have you gone Joe Montana? Bears 24 - Niners 13

BUCCANEERS +1.5 over Redskins
Redskins had a nice win over the Eagles last week. Time for Brunell to collapse against a good defense. The Bucs are still feeling the aftershocks of embarassment by losing to the Niners. Buccaneers 20, Redskins 17.

Let me get this straight... Tampa's lost it's last two, and the Redskins had a big win over the Eagles, and so the pick is Tampa? Ahh, OK. This week Jon Gruden gave Chris Simms the proverbial "Vote of confidence". That's another kiss of death. I like the Redskins in this game to win easy. Skins 27 Bucs 17

RAIDERS +3.5 over Broncos
Who was that bartender that said the Broncos are awful on the road? The entire league is waiting for Jake Plummer to regress into his usual awful decisions. A game in Oakland may be just what the doctor ordered. Raiders 23, Broncos 20.

I have to stop living in my glorious past. Mike the bartender was circa 1990, and when you get old like Ol' Samichlaus, 15 years seems like yesterday. The Broncos at 6 - 2 have proven they can win anywhere. Randy Moss is hurt, and is nowhere near 100%. I'm taking the Broncos on the road. Denver 31 Oakland 17

PANTHERS -9.5 over Jets
If the Panthers are the Super Bowl contender that everybody is claiming they are, then they demolish the Jets this week. Personally, I'm not quite convinced yet. But I don't really trust the Jets to disprove it. Panthers 27, Jets 10.

Cats at home against a pathetic Jets team. Nuff said. Panthers 34 - Jets 10

Packers +9.5 over FALCONS
The Packers will win another game this season, right? Uhhhhh, right? As much as I continue to believe Vick is overrated, the Falcons defense is pretty good. And the sad truth is the Packers offense is starting practice team players at key skill positions. Not good. Though mayeb Favre still has some magic left. Falcons 31, Packers 24.

The Packers will win the following games: Minnesota, Detroit, Chicago, at Chicago. They might beat Seattle on January 1st, and ONLY becaust the game is on January 1st in Green Bay. The have a shot against Baltimore at Baltimore, less of a shot against Philly at Philly. But they do not have a chance against Vick's clap infested penis. I'm betting that they keep it close, because they've kept it close all year. Falcons 34 - Packers 31

Rams +6.5 over SEAHAWKS
Reverse jinx time! If the Seahawks win this game, they have a 3-game lead in the division with 7 games left. Actually, it's more like a 4-game lead, since they'd own the tie-breaker over the Rams. Seahawks 7-2, Rams 4-5. Let's do a little baseball style "magic number" math, shall we? Worst Seattle can go if they win is 7-9. That's only 4 more losses than the Rams already have, so the magic number would be 4. 4 more Seattle wins or Rams losses would clinch the division. So basically, splitting that up, all Seattle would have to do is win 2 out of their last 7 (to go 9-7 at worst) and Rams lose 2 out of their last 2 (to go 9-7 at best) and Seattle wins the division. I'd say that's pretty much a done deal. Now, all that said, it doesn't matter. Because Seattle never coasts into the playoffs like that. Therefore, with Bulger, Holt, and Bruce all finally healthy this week, they march into Seattle and win. Rams 30, Seahawks 27.

Man, that is a gutsy call. I give you credit, and I respect the logic. However as an unemotional outsider I see the Seahawks as one of the top 5 teams in the NFL. Holmgren has his magic again... or is it that the receivers are actually hanging on to half the passes? Anyway, I'll take the Rams and the points. Seattle 31 Rams 27

STEELERS -8.5 over Browns
I was tempted to go against the Charlie Batch-led Steelers this week. But it cost me last week. And the Browns stink. The Steelers are just going to run it down their throat, and play solid D. Steelers 23, Browns 13.

The only reason the Steelers won was because the Packers played terribly. The Steelers showed me nothing. Well, that's not true. They've got a stud on defense, Troy Polamalu. The guy is the best safety I've seen all season. If Batch it the QB, and I'm assuming St. Ides has it right, then I'm taking the Browns. Steelers 20 - Browns 17

EAGLES -3.5 over Cowboys
TO is gone. They stuck around in that game last week in Washington. McNabb and the Eagles have something to prove and show they can win without Owens. The Cowboys are as unpredictable as any team in the league, and it's still hard to put much confidence in Bledsoe. I think the Eagles D steps up a notch, Brian Westbrook demonstrates that he deserved that juicy new contract, and Parcells is screaming at people on the sidelines. Eagles 26, Cowboys 20.

I like the Eagles at home on Monday night. I'm not happy about the 3.5 though, because this one could come down to a field goal. Tell you what, I'm taking the Eagles by a TD
Eagles 24 - Boys 17