BY SAMIR NAWAZ – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
We are officially on a roll this 2012 NFL season. Although 9-1 over the last two weeks is fantastic, we are a dubious offensive pass interference call late in the Giants game from being 10-0. Even if I was psychic I could not do better. Ok now that I’ve sufficiently jinxed myself I will get to this week’s picks.
WARNING: I am serving up this week’s picks with a hefty caveat; there are few juicy lines this week so please govern yourselves accordingly.
AROUND THE LEAGUE (HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
Chargers (+3.5) over SAINTS
Without question the Saints are really hurting right now and the entire city of New Orleans has Commissioner Goodell to thank for that. However, at 0-4 even if Sean Payton were only suspended six games it would not have made much difference, they are still done this season. I remember watching a game not long ago in which Sean Payton tore his ACL on the sidelines and was forced to leave the game. You want to know what happened next? The Saints collapsed without him on the sidelines. As such this wasted season should come as no surprise to anyone. Drew Brees is good, but the unquestioned leader of this squad is Payton. Without him they are gone.
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The Chargers however, are a team moving in the opposite direction. Although they lost in a big way last week, San Diego has played well this season and usually plays well until the playoffs. And seeing as how we are still many weeks away from them, feel confident taking the Chargers (especially if you are given points like this).
BRONZE PICK:
STEELERS (-3.5) over Eagles
I still cannot get over how the Eagles won last week’s game, or rather how the Giants lost it. Either way, the Eagles continue to ride an incredible wave of good fortune or won a game they had no business winning. Although the Steelers are favoured in this one, they are also playing at home and favoured, a fact that to this point has ironically played into the hands of the Eagles. Unfortunately for the team from Philly, the Steelers are getting back two of their best players on defence in Troy Polamalu and James Harrison.
They are also getting back their star running back in Rashard Mendenhall, and Ben Roethlisberger is one of the best closers in the business. As such, while 3.5 points is a lot to give up, the Pittsburgh run defence should shut down Vick and McCoy on the ground and having Polamalu will likely be enough to boost an already solid defensive backfield. The Eagles good luck is bound to run out sometime, and I’m thinking this Sunday.
SILVER PICK:
PATRIOTS (-6.5) over Broncos
That sound you’ve been hearing in your ears Sunday is only one thing, the sound of the Buffalo Bills imploding. The game was right there for the taking, the Bills were up 21-7 going into halftime and all seemed good in Buffalo. However, something happened in the second half that always seems to happen when it comes to the Patriots. They played lights out and won a game they absolutely had to have.
This Manning-led Broncos team looks ok, but this is not the same Peyton Manning we are used to seeing as he cannot even throw the ball 35 yards down field with any kind of certainty as this point. However, even if he could I do not think it matters. This Patriots squad is playing at home and after their dirty loss to the Cardinals in their last home game, there is no way they lose another one this early into the season. I don’t know if the Patriots will cover the spread for certain, but I am pretty sure that barring some mercy on Brady’s part, a fluke injury or some annoying meaningless score late, that they will. The smart move would be to take the Moneyline on the Pats victory, but who is smart enough just to do that?
GOLD PICK:
Seahawks (+3) over PANTHERS
I’m not really sure what Carolina has shown to this point to justify them being the favorites against a (thus far) solid Seahawks team, but Vegas must know something I don’t. The Seahawks are coming off a brutally close loss to the Rams last week, and have probably been stewing all week looking to get back on track. The Panthers on the other hand are coming off another loss in which Cam Newton danced around and pretended to be Superman, only to have his ass handed to him like Clark Kent. I like Cam Newton, but not only should the theatrics stop, they should be put on permanent hiatus until his team closes a season with a winning record. If he did that I’m guessing we wouldn’t be seeing Superman for a very long time. Although they aren’t playing at home, be smart and take the Seahawks.
Good luck this week and please gamble responsibly.
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