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GO ZIPS!!!! NFL Week 13
Week 13 has arrived. I apologize for not having the rest of week 12 uploaded, but a server issue caused all that mess and I didn't want to type it all out again. Call me LAZY!! Befre we get to it, A BIGTIME tip of the Guru Hat to my Alma-Mater, the University of Akron Zips for winning the MAC Championship last night in thrilling, edge-of-your-seat fashion. It becomes the Zips' FIRST football championship in any leage EVER! Forget the Cubs, that is a 90 YEAR streak that came to an end. Besides, who doesn't love a Kangaroo as a mascot. On to the Motor City Bowl for the UofA. It is a glorious day in Zips nation!
Now onto the picks for Week 13. I feel really good about them, so enjoy!
Straight -- Last Week: 10-6 Season: 116-58 .666
VS. the Spread -- Last Week: 7-9 Season: 92-82 .521
Green Bay +7 1/2 @ Chicago - Be honest, just like me you keep waiting for the Bears to shrivel up and fold. Come on, you can tell me....After big-time wins against the Panthers and Bucs, the Bears come home and face their arch-rival, The Green Bay Packers. In most cases you can throw the records out for a rivalry game, but I think the Bears would love nothing more than to slap the Pack and Brett Favre around a little bit. During the Favre era the Packers have onwed this series and taken many liberties to embarrass the Bears. The shoe is on the other foot and I expect the bears to tee off. Statistically, this Bears defense is ranking up there with the best ever. Unfortunitely, their offense cannot make the same claim. I like the Bears, bu 7 1/2 is alot to give with that Offense. Look for the Pack to cover, but lose.
Bears 17-10
Tampa Bay -3 1/2 @ New Orleans - Where the hell is this game being played anyway? I think in San Antonio. If the season hasn't gone bad enough, the Saints have been kicked out of the Alamo Dome while the Dome hosts the NCAA Women's Volleyball Tourney. The coaches will work from a water treatment plant, the weight room in a tent at a high school parking lot and the locker room will be built on a high school baseball field. Note to the NFL....FORGET THE SAINTS!!! Get this poor franchise somewhere they can call home. Bucs win big.
Bucaneers 27-13
Dallas +3 1/2 @ New York Giants - The last time they played, the Cowboys won in OT - 16-13. I look for the same type of game, especially with the Cowboys who seem to play a close game every week. The advantage here goes to the home team, the Giants, who have to be reeling after GIVING the Seahawks a win last week. Both teams missed huge field goals and have kickers that have been shaky at best. I will take the 3 1/2, but the Giants will win by 3 after Jeremy Shockey kicks a game winning FG.
Giants 24-21
Buffalo @ Miami -3 1/2 - Another example of a "What the Hell are these guys watching?" point spread. The Bills offensive output the last 5 games - 17, 16, 14, 10, 9. Not a good trend if you are a Buffalo fan. Miami is really starting to run the ball well with Ricky and Ronnie. They went out to Oakland last Sunday and dismantled the Raiders and are playing very hard every week. At home, Akron Alum Jason Taylor is going to eat J.P. Losman for lunch. Look for Miami to cover and win big.
Dolphins 27-7
Cincinnati +3 1/2 @ Pittsburgh - 6 weeks ago I predicted the Steelers would go into Cincinnati and punch the Bengals in the mouth, and they did. Then I predicted teh Colts would go into Cincinnati and do the same, and they did. The bengals are no doubt a team on the rise, and in every sport a rising team gets kicked around a little bit before finally breaking through. The Steelers are banged up and are limping into this one after getting slapped by the Colts on Monday Night. They are ripe for the picking and the Bengals are sick of getting punched in the face. I like the Bengals to get it done this time, break through for a big win and take control of the AFC North. A Steelers loss here, and the playoffs might be a longshot.
Bengals 24-20
Atlanta +3 1/2 @ Carolina - The NFC South is a wacky division. The Bucs own the Falcons, the Panthers own the Bucs, and the Falcons OWN the Panthers. This game has HUGE implications to this division and to the NFC playoff picture. The Panthers are coming off of two very tough road games(Bears, Bills) and come home to face the Panthers for the first time this season. After losing 2 in a row, the Falcons looked great on Thanksgiving Day. Mike Vick is playing the best QB of his pro career, and Algae Crumpler is becoming an elite TE. I like the Falcons in this one to continue their domination of the Panthers and take a big step towards the playoffs.
Falcons 26-23
Tenessee +15 1/2 @ Indianapolis - A few weeks ago, the Colts were favored by 17 at home over the Texans. I took the points and won. A simialr situation here. The Titans played a great game last weekend, with Steve McNair recapturing some of the glory days. The Titans are young and always play hard. The Colts have spent the week hearing how great they are, and are beginning to get the "Can you go undefeated?" questions every 30 seconds. I am tempted to pick the upset here, but I simply take the points and be happy.
Colts 24-17
Minnesota -2 1/2 @ Detroit - The Lions are a MESS. Mooch is gone, Millen somehow isn't, the lockerroom is divided and bickering and Jeff Garcia is the QB. Mix all that up and it equals a win for the hard-charging Vikings. Can Mike Tice really get fired if he somehow leads the Vikes to the Playoffs? Has a coach ever gotten the Coach of the Year award and been fired in the same year?
Vikings 21-10
Houston +7 1/2 @ Baltimore - The worst game in the history of the NFL! Seriously. Maybe we can watch Heidi in stead. Felons should be forced to watch this game as a form of cruel and unusual punishment. I still have no idea how the Texans lost to the Rams and a rookie 7th Round Harvard QB. David Carr played pretty well however and Kyle Boller is a joke. The Ravens are really starting to tune out Brian Billick. In my upset special, I take the Texans to win.
Texans 17-9
Jacksonville @ Cleveland +3 1/2 - It is snowing in Cleveland. Has been for the last 24 hours. Is supposed to for the next 24 hours. It is cold, miserable and the Perfect weather for football. The Jags have to go with a backup QB, with Byron Leftwich gone with a broken ankle. The Browns will also start their backup, Akron Alum Charlie Frye. I like Fry in this matchup. With the weather equalling everything out, I like Reuben Droughns to have a big day as well. It's time for the Browns to make the bad weather an advantage. If you can't beat a Florida team in the snow, just pack it up and quit.
Browns 16-13
Arizona -3 1/2 @ San Francisco - The first matchup was in Mexico, a game the 49'ers led 14-0 before losing 42-14 or something like that(Does it really matter) Another prime reason to have the NFL Sunday Ticket, this game does feature two exciteing young receivers for the Cards, and a rejuvenated Kurt Warner. Alex Smith will get the start, and won't play well. Take the points, Cards Win!
Cardinals 33-20
Washington -3 1/2 @ St. Louis - The circus that is the Rams continues to entertain, with Coach Mike Martz beggin to come back to work and the team essentially saying Thanks, but no thanks. He is still the Head Coach, but the team doesn't want him around. After the improbable play of Ryan Fitzpatrick in bringing them back against the Texans, he'll face Gregg Williams' defense that tends to make things very difficult on Rookie QB's. The rook falls back to earth a little bit as the 'Skins try to salvage their season.
Redskins 23-13
Denver -1 1/2 @ Kansas City - Denver is 1-12 in their last 13 trips to KC in December. The Chiefs haven't lost a home game in December since 1996. What does all of that mean? A Bronco win of course. This is a different Denver team, Thanksgiving Day proved it. They were dominated all day, but never trailed and took advantage of mistakes and won in OT. To me, Dallas is a better coached football team and Texas Stadium is alot harder to play in on Thanksgiving than Arrowhead is in December. Time for Jake Plummer to go and win a BIG game for the Bronc's as the Chiefs will not let the running game get going. I like Jake to do just that.
Broncos 24-21
NY Jets +10 1/2 @ New England - I know the Pats are banged up, but that defense is AWFUL. If anyone watched Tom Brady last week, I think it is starting to wear on him just a bit. Remember, Brady came into this as a guy that relied on not making mistakes. He had a solid defense that would keep him in games. That D isn't doing any of that anymore and brady is starting to press. The Pats will win this game, but they aren't 11 points better than any team right now. Take the Points, Pats are heading to a first round beat down.
Patriots 27-20
Oakland @ San Diego -10 1/2 - Unlike the Patriots, the Chargers ARE 11 points better than alot of teams. The Raiders included. Norv Turner, who should have never gotten the job in the first place, is in big trouble. Half the defense is hurt, Randy Moss has been banged up all year and Kerry Collins is playing like, well, Kerry Collins. The Chargers are really hitting their stride and can't slip up or they could find them selves out of the payoffs. The Chargers won 27-14 in Oakland when both teams were still in it. The Raiders are done, and the Chargers take advantage.
Chargers 34-17
Seattle @ Philadelphia + 3 1/2 - The Seahwaks were gift wrapped a win last week against the Giants that I looked at as a statement game. Though you never apologize for a win, it raised more doubts with me than supplied answers. At half-time the Eagles will retire the late Reggie White's number in a ceremony involving many of White's former teammates. It will be an emotional night and strange things always happen during these circumstances. Just like Brett Favre against the Raiders last year, it will seem a higher power is in charge. Take the points, the Eagles upset the 'Hawks
Eagles 24-20
Enjoy you Football Sunday everyone! Go Broncos!
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6/22/06 12:39 PM
Nick "ESPN Nut"
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