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the personal site of eric a. Farris
Results: 8-6 (spread), 7-7 (pick’em)
Lots of big spreads this week. While it looks like we’ve got a lot of dud teams this year, I just don’t buy it.
Bengals are a playoff team, and could just win the toughest division in football. I really like the Texans, but they’re not there yet. I’ll take the Bengals, giving the points. Results: Texans 28, Bengals 17 (L, L)
I’m not at all sold on the Vikings. The Ravens are playing mad after the loss last week, and they’re certain the striped shirts have some sort of conspiracy against them. I wouldn’t want to be in their way, even on the road. Give me the Ravens, straight up. Results: Ravens 31, Vikings 33 (W, L)
Fourteen is a lot, but the Steelers have had a week to think things over. Mangini can’t even pick a starting QB, because he doesn’t have one. Nevertheless, fourteen is too many. Browns against the spread, though they’ll lose. Results: Browns 14, Steelers 27 (L, W)
This should be pick’em. And I’m still trying to think of how the Skins won two games. Washington wins, but I want the Chiefs against the spread. Results: Chiefs 14, Redskins 6 (W, L)
Another two touchdown game. No way. The Lions are much improved over last year, and the Pack have their own set of problems. Packers will win, but by much less than 14. I’ll take the Lions. Results: Lions 0, Packers 26 (L, W)
This might be a preview of the NFC Championship game. But I’m not convinced the Saints are for real quite yet. They could show me something this week, but I’ll take the Giants for the straight up win. Results: Giants 27, Saints 48 (L, L)
Wake me when this one’s over. How far have the Panthers fallen? Look at this spread. But I agree with it. Panthers, even giving the Bucs 3. Results: Panthers 28, Buccaneers 21 (W, W)
Of course the Jags are better than the Rams. But are they nine-and-a-half points better? I don’t think so. Give me the Rams to beat the spread. Results: Rams 20, Jaguars 23 (OT) (W, W)
We haven’t seen a team as bad as this year’s Raiders in a long time. And yes, I remember last year’s winless Lions. Oakland’s playing in a different league right now. I think they call it Pop Warner. While the Eagles have been a bit of an enigma, I’ll bite. Eagles win by more than 14. Results: Eagles 9, Raiders 13 (L, L)
This is the closest game of the week, IMO. Reverse the home and away teams, and the spread moves with it. I’m very tempted to push here, but I won’t. The Seahawks are up and comers, and I’ll take them at home, giving 3. Results: Cardinals 27, Seahawks 3 (L, L)
While the Panthers have had a surprising crash, the Titans are this year’s consummate underperformers. I was very excited about their chances this year, even after the opening night loss to Pittsburgh, but they’ve shown no life at all this year. Even though the Pats aren’t what they used to be, the Titans are even less. I’ll take the Patriots by ten or more. Results: Titans 0, Patriots 59 (W, W)
The Jets are good, the Bills are not, but that spread gives me pause. I think that’s too much for a divisional game. While the Jets win the game, I’ll take the Bills with those points. Results: Bills 16, Jets 13 (W, L)
We will find out a lot about these teams Sunday night. But, as a longtime fan of the Broncos, I know Jay Cutler. And what we can say about Jay is that we have absolutely no idea how he’ll perform week to week. Falcons have a lot of confidence, and are a playoff team this year. The Bears are not. I’ll give those points to Chicago and take the Falcons. Results: Bears: 14, Falcons 21 (W, W)
Yes, I’m a Broncos fan. Not as far back as when they last wore those throwback unis, but not much less. The Chargers are in must-win mode, but three-and-a-half is way too many points to spot Denver. When the Chargers get a coach I’ll have another look at them. Give me the Denver Broncos straight up. Results: Broncos 34, Chargers 23 (W, W)