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Oct 08NFL picks, week 7.
Fair warning: I’ve gone 6-8 the last two weeks, so I strongly advise you to do the opposite of what I suggest.
San Diego Chargers @ Buffalo Bills
For some reason, west coast teams have been terrible in east coast 1PM games. Roscoe Parrish is supposed to be back, which’ll give the Bills special teams unit a boost. Buffalo’s better at home, too.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Willie Parker’s still out, but do you really want to take Fitzpatrick and LVP Chris Perry? How does Marvin Lewis still have a job?
Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs
This has the look of another epic 13-10 three-and-out-fest.
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
Discounting one long run, Baltimore held Dominic Rhodes to 35 yards on 24 carries. They overpursue at times, but they should be able to handle the Wildcat. Maybe Sparano will break out the A-11? Pennington’s infamous linguine arm gives Chris McAlister and the Ravens secondary a chance for redemption.
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
Marques Colston and (maybe) Jeremy Shockey are back. The Panthers have been good at home, but I don’t Delhomme outgunning Brees.
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
I wouldn’t start Matt Forte in any fantasy leagues. Nevertheless, Kyle Orton has been quietly decent this year and it can’t be a good sign that Vikings home crowds are chanting “Fire Brad Childress.”
San Francisco 49ers @ New York Giants
J.T. O’Sullivan on the road. Giants coming off an embarrassing loss. No need to overthink this one.
Dallas Cowboys @ St. Louis Rams
St. Louis managed 200 total yards against the Skins (43 on the long pass that set up the winning field goal), and their only touchdown came on an improbable fumble return. Also, since when has jamming Terrell Owens been a viable strategy? I remember announcers saying he would throw corners to the ground, stomp on their heads and then eat their livers. Am I misremembering an inaccurate/out-of-context quote, or is Owens getting soft in his old age?
Detroit Lions @ Houston Texans
I like this Texans team, even when they play against real NFL teams.
Cleveland Browns @ Washington Redskins
Can Derek Anderson pull off two great weeks in a row? Can the Browns keep Portis from gaining huge chunks of yardage on the ground, and can their secondary repeat their performance from last week? That’s too much to hope.
Indianapolis Colts @ Green Bay Packers
The Packers secondary is one of the most-penalized in the NFL. Come Sunday evening, the Colts will be relevant again.
New York Jets @ Oakland Raiders
Brett Favre’s apparently trying to make Tony Romo into Mini-Me (is that reference still relevant?) with his “Sure, play through pain, Tony!” crap. Next he’ll be slipping painkillers into Romo’s Lucky Charms.
Seattle Seahawks @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No Hasselbeck, no receivers, no hope.
Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots
Phil Rivers passed for 306 yards on the Pats with a hobbled Tomlinson. Do you trust New England’s back seven against Jay Cutler? On the other hand, you can count on the Broncos defense to make Matt Cassel look pretty good.