NFL Week #7 Pick 'em

I will have my comeuppance this Sunday Vegas, The Blanket does not go 5-3 ATS on NFL games. So I vow this week to make sure that does not happen. Plus I don't like using my own cash for paying my credit card bills, that is what Vegas is for. Here is what I have for my fans of tax free money this week.




49ers +3 I like the Texans as underdogs, just like the Bengals. However the Texans as a home favorite, not so much. I expect Singletary to have his team tuned up and ready for this contest after they suffered their worst loss in franchise history against the Falcons two weeks ago. Matt Schaub has alot of problems with the 3-4 defense and the 49ers have a pretty good one. Plus the Texans do not like winning two games in a row. I think the Texans will also have trouble in pass protection here as well, look for the 49ers to use Gore alot to give Hill the ability to move the chains in short yardage situations. The Texans have beaten the Raiders and the Titans, not impressive. Yes they beat the Bengals but Cincy had to flatten out soon its been a emotional season for them so far. I highly doubt Singletary will let his troops roll over and let Arizona walk with the NFC West. 2 units. Push.




Colts -14 The Colts are playing out of their minds right now, they have had a week to get healthy and I think the Miami game really motivated this team. Manning is so good that a conference rival head coach is rocking an 18 jersey to fundraisers saying "he wants to feel like a winner". Good stuff. Manning has new toys in Garcon, Collie and Brown, he enjoys this new trio. Donnie Avery the Rams "best receiver" is out for this contest and Steven Jackson can only do so much. The Rams put a ton of effort into the Jags game only to come up short and now they have to play the Colts. Somehow I get the feeling that Bulger will be hurt again in this game. 5 units. Win.




Vikings +4 Some people think that the Vikings will be flat for this game, not me. The Steelers are overrated in my opinion. Also they mysteriously never cover missing the point spread often by a 1/2 -3 points? Hmmmmmm..........is this a coincidence, remember the Rooneys got their money from a sportsbook, perhaps they are helping the teams finances with some cash infusion from Vegas. I'm not promoting a conspiracy theory here, but I have noticed a trend. Dick Lebeau's "awesome defense/ blitz schemes" have given up 28, 20 and 14 points to dreadful teams. I think the wrong team is favored here. The Vikings have a solid defense, excellent running game and Favre has been playing well. I don't see guys like Jared Allen and Favre rolling over for the Super Bowl Champs. 4 units.Loss.




Patriots -15 I should have bet some more units on this game, knowing the Patriots do not lose two games in a row. Also, Bellichek hates Jeff Fisher because Fisher was outspoken about the whole Spygate thing. It looks like the Pats are really coming together, I don't see how the Bucs can cover Welker or Moss. Hard to tell if both teams will be focused when they cross the pond, but I don't see the Pats looking past the hapless Bucs especially with the Dolphins coming to life all of a sudden. The Hoodie is known for coming after new QB's with reckless abandon. Johnson is in for a long day. The field at Wembly Stadium is usually in bad shape which could hurt the Bucs running game. Pats 30-10. 5 units. Win.




Falcons +4 The Cowboys are a public team, therefore the oddsmakers always put 2-4 extra points on the spread. This will benefit us here as the Falcons have discovered how to play defense all of a sudden and they have been doing well at cutting down on their opponents running game. The Cowboys will be starting Barber in this game and I doubt he has healed 100% from his quad injury. Romo could also have a rough day as Flozell Adams will have trouble handling Abraham. The Cowboys just do not have the weapons or the defense to keep up with the Falcons in this contest. 4 units.Loss.




Dolphins +7 I know the Saints are the greatest team ever. However Brees struggled mightily against the Jets and Bills, both who are lesser team then the Dolphins who are at home for this contest. The Dolphins weakness is against the pass and New Orleans has a great O-line, but how focused will they be after coming off a huge win versus the Giants and a Monday night contest looming with the Falcons. I doubt Payton has prepared much for the Wildcat and the Dolphins run it to perfection. Henne has been playing well since taking over and the Dolphins have been showing signs of life and a win here could put them back in the mix for the AFC East crown. The Dolphins will have to rely on their running game to chew up clock and keep Brees on the sideline. 3 units. Loss.




Giants -7 The Giants are a proud team who were embarrassed last weekend, they are in need of some home cooking. I feel bad for the Cardinals in this spot and we benefit from the odds makers discounting the Giants this week. The Giants weak secondary was exposed last week, that being said Warner doesn't have the arm that Brees does. Warners longest completion this year is 26 yards and Boldin is out for this game so the Giants will double Fitzgerald. The Cards had Hassellbeck running for his life all game last week, the Giants however have a great O-line and Eli will have time to throw to his emerging WR's. The Giants most likely won't have much running room against Arizona as the Cards are #1 against the run. Giants rebound here. 4 units.




Redskins +7 I pointed out to Billy Vegas on Saturday that the Eagles hate covering when they are favorites, but I figured it wouldn't matter because they were playing the Raiders whose players hate employment. Andy Reid hates alot of things, lets pa ruse a few shall? Here is my list of things Andy Reid hates: 1.) Offspring with no felony records 2.) Sandwiches he has not yet eaten. 3.) Running the football 4.) When his players tackle the other teams players. Both teams have horrendous O-lines and when the Eagles pass 600 times a game that makes a problem. Campbell is equally as bad, he will throw the short pass crap all game long, but the Redskins will run the ball, futile, but they will run it. Both teams have good D-lines and total defense so I see this being a low scoring affair. The Redskins will be playing their hated rivals who they have had success against recently and they will also be playing for Zorn's job who the players like having as their coach. Plus they are at home on a Monday night game. I see this as a 3 point game either way. 2 units.




Season Record 33-11-1
There you have it money lovers, enjoy the cash windfall as we recapture some of our lost winnings! A nice 8 game slate should be good for our bank accounts.