Last Week — Straight up: (4 – 9) vs. Spread: (4 – 9)
 YTD — Straight up: (63 – 46 – 2 ) vs. Spread (51 – 58 – 2)
Okay, no more guarantees. I said I’d hit ten wins, and I almost lost ten instead. It was a strange week, and the record reflects it. After a major push to the Mendoza line following a dreadful start, we’ve taken two steps back. This is a big week if we plan to finish in the black. Here we go:
Chiefs at Rams (-3)
The Rams are a decent team especially at home. The Chiefs need home cooking to beat decent teams.
Rams 34 Chiefs 27
Bengals at Ravens (-3)
I like the way the Baltimore offense responded to Brian Billick taking over. There is little to like about the way the Bengals are playing.
Ravens 23 Bengals 13
Texans at Giants (-13)
The Giants defensive line is a bad matchup for the Texan’s offensive line. This is a tune-up for next week’s Bears game for NY.
Giants 33 Texans 12
Titans at Jaguars (-9)
The Jags are hard to figure. I certainly didn’t see them playing well at Philly last week. This is too many points though.
Jags 28 Titans 21
Cowboys (-3) at Redskins
The Redskins are just too beat up.
Cowboys 26 Redskins 17
Packers at Bills (-3)
The Packers have had success of late against the league’s cellar-dwellers. This is a road game though, and the Bills aren’t that bad.
Bills 28 Packers 21
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Saints (-1) at Buccaneers
The Saints are banged up, and the Bucs are a difficult bunch at home.
Bucs 23 Saints 20
Falcons (-5.5) at Detroit
The Falcons new-found passing game should be enough to overwhelm the Lions.
Falcons 38 Lions 24
Dolphins at Bears (-13.5)
It’s another junior varsity game for Chicago.
Bears 38 Dolphins 0
Vikings (-5) at 49ers
The Pats exposed enough holes in the Vikings defense last week for the Niners to keep it close.
Vikings 24 49ers 21
Browns at Chargers (-12.5)
The Bolts will dominate the punchless Brownies.
Chargers 31 Browns 6
Broncos at Steelers (-2.5)
It’s hard to pick against the Steelers when their backs are against the wall at home.
Steelers 16 Broncos 13
Colts at Patriots (-3)
The Pats have the same stranglehold on the Colts as the Colts have on the Broncos.
Patriots 34 Colts 27
(Monday) Raiders at Seahawks (-8)
The Raiders defense will hold them in it against the depleted Seattle offense.
Seahawks 21 Oakland 14