Another Sunday has passed, and yet there still is the feeling or in at least my opinion anyway that the Lions are getting pumped by everyone once again after another win. I will say it again, it was okay when the Lions were on the receiving end of what they are now dishing out to other teams. SO MAN UP AND TAKE IT FANS IN OTHER NFL CITIES. As DETROIT LIONS fans, we have had to take it from you since Barry Sanders ended his Hall of Fame Career. I also realize that like the Kansas City Chiefs it was only the Denver Broncos, a team rebuilding through a young quarterback in Tim Tebow. In my opinion, if the Denver Broncos are serious about winning football games they should start Kyle Orton. If they are just looking to improve next season in the draft, they continue playing Tebow. It was a shame to watch this happen to him, for which I cannot believe I am saying this. Tebow was overmatched by the young Lions defense, and pretty much looked like a high school quarterback that did not belong in the NFL. If they continue to play Tebow, they may be in the running for both Orton's and Tebow's replacement in Andrew Luck. Now to get back to this lack of respect issue concerning the Detroit Lions, why is it when we beat someone by 35 we are rubbing it in, but when other teams were doing it to them it was okay? I sense the ghost of Matt Millen still lives on in Detroit, that piece of crap set the Lions back 10 years with his poor management and draft choices. I thought you were supposed to build your team around defense, it only makes sense that the Lions were 0-16 and he got canned. He was the only team president that I can remember that tried to build his team around wide receivers in 3 consecutive drafts. What an idiot!!!! I am glad to see that Martin Mayhew has got it right, he realized and has listened to Jim Schwartz and built the team around an awesome defense that is now starting to turn heads in the NFL because of their play, clean or dirty, its all football in the end. I had a huge smile on my face when I seen Cliff Avril run that ball into the end zone for a touchdown. So now its a week off to prepare for the Bears in Chicago on the 13th, I still wonder to myself what team will show up that day from time to time, but this team is apparently ready to challenge for the playoffs this year, instead of next year like most experts thought prior to the beginning of the football season. I will make a no brainer choice for NFC first half honors: "Megatron" Calvin Johnson. He leads the NFC in touchdown receptions with 11 and is at the top or near the top of most every statistic by a wide receiver. I know most will say Aaron Rogers, and deservedly so, the Packers are 7-0 and could be undefeated by the time they meet on Thanksgiving Day.

Before I leave this for you to read, I thought I would wish Tony LaRussa a happy retirement. Way to Go Tony, and not a bad way to go out World Champions. You gave all the credit to your team when they won, but all said they would not have even made the playoffs without you........

Thanks for reading my post, and I promise you there will be more to come out of my mouth in the near future....

Week 7 NFL

Near the halfway pole in the season and your humble scribe scratched out another 8-5 week, Im not complaining mind you, but some of the teams you think will break through don’t and there are other games you try to take a wild stab in the dark and hope to hit it and again the less you mention the Vikings to me the better. There are a bunch of good teams that are on their bye 5 of the 6 teams off this week have winning records. Once again submitted for your perusal and review are this weeks picks, odds courtesy of bodog.net and are strictly for entertainment and comparison purposes only. So the responsibility of paying off Freddie No-Neck is yours if you bet the lines and lose. All times shown are EDT. Cincinnati (4-2), New England (5-1), Philadelphia (2-4), New York Giants (4-2) Buffalo (4-2) San Francisco (5-1) have a bye this week

Sunday October 23

Seahawks (2-3) @ Browns (2-3)

Browns Stadium, Cleveland 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Browns by 3

Last Week Seahawks were on a bye, Browns lost to Raiders 24-17

Fast Fact The Seahawks have not won back to back road games since 2007

The weeks first game couldn’t be more of a snoozer, the Seahawks are coming off a bye that followed a stunning upset of the G-Men. The Browns are still searching for their offensive punch and that punch is getting weaker with the possible absence of Peyton Hillis. Though common wisdom says that the west coast team rarely wins coming east, the Seahawks might have just enough to overcome that. It’s a tossup game to be honest. I’ll go with the home team because I think its too much to ask the Seahawks to come east a second time and win.

Pick-Cleveland

Bears (3-3) vs. Buccaneers (3-3)

Wembley Stadium; London, England 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Bears by 1

Last Week Bears beat Vikings 39-10, Buccaneers beat Saints 26-20

Fast Fact The Bucs are the first team to play in London for a 2^nd time

I still wonder why the NFL insists on playing a regular season game in a country that is fairly ambivalent about American football. Londoners come to this game more as curiousity and social event that two see two solid teams play. Josh Freeman had a defining win in outgunning the Saints while the wildly inconsistent Bears swung the pendulum back their way in routing the Vikings. You’re never quite sure which team shows up on either side and 85,000 Londoners will see an interesting matchup. I think the Bucs are a little more consistent in what they want to get done and will be the benefactor of another one of the Bears mood swings.

Pick-Tampa Bay

Broncos (1-4) @ Dolphins (0-5)

SunLife Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Dolphins by 1½

Last Week Broncos were on a bye, Dolphins lost to Jets 24-6

Fast Fact Dolphins have start 0-5 for the second time in five seasons

The Broncos have finally given the car keys to the much heralded Tim Tebow and couldn’t have picked a better team to do it than the woeful Dolphins. Unless the Dolphins pound the ball with promising rookie RB Daniel Thomas they may end up behind and with a proclivity to fade when behind in the 2^nd half that does not portend well for the home team who for some reason is honoring Tebow for his college exploits. It seems that the Dolphins front office and marketing department is about as clueless as the coaching staff given Tebow went to school for the Florida Gators a team much loathed in Miami. In any case, knock the Broncos for their choice in starting QB but they do have some semblance of an offense, the Dolphins don’t and look more and more like they are keeping the seat warm for Andrew Luck.

Pick-Denver

Chargers (4-1) @ New York Jets (3-3)

MetLife Stadium, E. Rutherford, NJ 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Chargers by 2½

Last Week Chargers were on a bye, Jets beat Dolphins 24-6

Fast Fact Chargers seeking first 5-1 start since 2002

Getting a win in the worst way was what the Jets did last Monday grinding out a aesthetically putrid but nonetheless needed win over the sorry Dolphins. The grinning jeering Rex Ryan seems to think his ground and pound offense is coming to life but instead its stunting the growth of Mark Sanchez. The Jets wont be able to pound the ball on the Chargers rugged defense and will get a first hand look on how an effective ground game can wear out a defense. Oh and that Rivers kid at QB is no slouch himself.

Pick-San Diego

Falcons (3-3) @ Lions (5-1)

Ford Field, Detroit 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Lions by 3½

Last Week Falcons beat Panthers 31-17, Lions lost to 49ers 25-19

Fast Fact Falcons DE Ray Edwards has 8½ sacks against Detroit the most against any single team

The Falcons righted their listing ship with a badly needed win over the Panthers, the Lions lost a tight one against the Niners. We will now see how the Lions react to coming off a loss. I can see Matt Stafford bouncing back with a strong performance but without the strong running of Jahvid Best he will not have the safety blanket of a running game to open up the secondary. The Falcons defense has underachieved all season to begin with and with Julio Jones still hurting Matty Ice’s options are getting frighteningly limited. Im thinking the Lions show moxie and bounce back.

Pick-Detroit

Redskins (3-3) @ Panthers (1-5)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Panthers by 3

Last Week Redskins lost to Eagles 20-13, Panthers lost to Falcons 31-17

Fast Fact Panthers QB Cam Newton is the first NFL QB have six or more rushing and passing touchdowns in their first six games

To no one’s surprise, Rex Grossman finally realized who he was and turned back into good ol Wreck. Mike Shanahan yanked him after his fourth pick and inserted John Beck who will get the starting nod here. The Panthers are getting close, and though Cam Newton is still going through growing pains he has the Panthers competitive and fun to watch. I wasn’t wrong on the Panthers pick last week, just a week early. Unless the Skins lean heavily on Ryan Torain, I think the Panthers get a big performance from Newton and get a needed win.

Pick-Carolina (Upset of the Week)

Texans (3-3) @ Titans (3-2)

LP Field, Nashville 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Titans by 3

Last Week Texans lost to Ravens 29-14, Titans were on a bye

Fast Fact The Titans currently rank last in the NFL in team rushing, averaging under 67 yards a game.

Believe it or not this is actually a battle for first place in the AFC South, both teams are blowing anyone away with their play. With Matt Schaub still hurting and Andre Johnson still out the Texans are leaning even more heavily on Arian Foster. Im liking the Titans even though Chris Johnson is still not getting the job done like he is expected to do. The Texans have been waiting for so long to make that “corner turning win” Though everything tells me that they are due for it, Im going with the home team in a close one.

Pick-Tennessee

Steelers (4-2) @ Cardinals (1-4)

University of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, AZ 4:05 (CBS)

Favorite Steelers by 4

Last Week Steelers beat Jaguars 17-13, Cardinals were on a bye

Fast Fact First meeting of these teams since their Super Bowl clash in 2009

The Steelers slugged their way to a win over an overmatched Jags squad last week and head to the desert to face a rested but underacheiving Cards. Im as puzzled as anyone why the Cards have played so bad despite the talent they have on the offensive side of the ball. The Steelers are getting the soft teams to sharpen themselves against before the deal with a tough November schedule

Pick-Pittsburgh

Chiefs (2-3) @ Raiders (4-2)

O.co Coliseum, Oakland 4:05 (CBS)

Favorite Raiders by 4

Last Week Chiefs were on a bye, Raiders beat Browns 24-17

Fast Fact Raiders RB Darren McFadden leads the league with 610 yards rushing

In front of an emotional home crowd still mourning the passing of Al Davis the Raiders edged the Browns but a a frightful cost as they lost emerging QB Jason Campbell with a broken collarbone, undaunted, The Raiders pulled off a blockbuster trade by acquiring the formerly malcontented Bengal QB Carson Palmer, though it is not entirely clear if he will be pressed into service or if Kyle Boller will be a temporary starter until Palmer gets up to speed. The Chiefs meanwhile have risen up and have cooled off  the one time hot seat that Todd Haley was on with a pair of wins ahead before their bye. If Boller is the starter, look for heavy doses of Darren McFadden. If Palmer gets the nod look for the Chiefs to try to take advantage of his rust and and throw all sorts of exotic schemes at him. I think that the Raiders run game and defense will be enough to carry the day.

Pick-Oakland

Rams (0-5) @ Cowboys (2-3)

Cowboys Stadium; Arlington, TX 4:15 (FOX)

Favorite Cowboys by 13

Last Week Rams lost to Packers 24-3, Cowboys lost to Patriots 20-16

Fast Fact All of the Cowboys games this season have been decided by 4 points or less.

The Pokes came out on the short end of a tense duel in Foxboro, while the Rams continue to regress badly. Cowboy fans happily predict that they will rip off a string of wins, and given their butta soft schedule upcoming, I grudgingly admit that they may be right. The Cowboys are far from world beaters but the Rams are scaring no one but themselves. This is a game that even Tony Romo shouldn’t screw up and will get his apologists fired up. In an ironic twist, the same cities are currently dueling for the baseball title and will do in the same ne. That Dallas (Texas Rangers)-St. Louis matchup that will follow this one just up the street will be a lot more entertaining and nowhere near as one-sided.

Pick-Dallas

Packers (6-0) @ Vikings (1-5)

Mall of America Field @ HHH Metrodome, Minneapolis 4:15 (FOX)

Favorite Packers by 9½

Last Week Packers beat Rams 24-3, Vikings lost to Bears 39-10

Fast Fact Packers seeking their best start since starting 10-0 in 1962

The Vikings are looking like a team that is already on a death march. I picked them to be a surprise team of the season and instead they have played horribly. Embarrasing themselves in primetime with a pitiful performance against the Bears, they now face a Packers team who have been smashing opponents with cold ruthless precision. The Packers defense isn’t all that, and rookie Christian Ponder will get some numbers and Adrian Peterson has traditionally performed well against the Pack. But Aaron Rodgers is on a whole other level, he will meticulously dissect the Vikings up and down secondary (I have a bad feeling that he will pick on Jamarca Sanford) and the Packers will pull away. I hope I’m wrong and it pains me to pick my teams hated rival but I know better.

Pick-Green Bay

Colts (0-6) @ Saints (4-2)

Mercedes-Benz Superdome 8:20 (NBC)

Favorite A Colts loss will break their NFL record streak of 10 win seasons at 9.

Last Week Colts lost to Bengals 27-17, Saints lost to Buccaneers 26-20

Fast Fact Saints owner Tom Benson is a Mercedes Benz dealer in Louisiana and helped broker the deal to rename the Saints home of 36 seasons.

When this matchup came out, many were anticipating a rematch of the thrilling Super Bowl of a couple years ago. But with native son Peyton Manning out and the Colts looking like a jumbled mess this is looking more like an early Halloween horror show. Add that the Saints are coming off a tough loss to a divisional rival, they will be looking for someone to take it out on. The Colts have played all their losses competitively but asking Curtis Painter to match numbers with Drew Brees is asking for a miracle that aint gonna happen.

Pick-New Orleans (Lock of the Week)

Monday, October 24

Ravens (4-1) @ Jaguars (1-4)

Everbank Field, Jacksonville 8:30 (ESPN)

Favorite Ravens by 8½

Last Week Ravens beat Texans 29-14, Jaguars lost to Steelers 17-13

Fast Fact Jaguars trying to avoid their first six game losing streak since their inaugural season in 1995.

Giving points up at miserly clip the Ravens are winning games in the mold of the Super Bowl winning crew of 2000, but their offense is much more aesthetically pleasing to watch with the bruising Ray Rice and the workmanlike passing of Joe Flacco. The Jags showed heart in losing effort in Pittsburgh but in their lone primetime date the Jags will be made to bear the brunt of the relentless and withering Ravens defense something that a lot of the talented teams in the NFL cant handle. Some wonks will say well since the Jags beat the Titans and the Titans beat the Ravens, the Jags have a shot to win th…naaaah.

Pick-Baltimore

Last Week: 8-5 (Lock Correct, Upset Incorrect)

Overall: 58-32

Locks: 4-2

Upsets: 2-4

Musings returns on Tuesday...Until Next Post Fellow Sports Fans!

  Monday I spoke of my disgust with the Browns, but I blew past it...So lets get into what has been happening...

Pat Shurmur was brought in as the new head coach...Another dope who has never been a head coach...Great! Oh, and he decided to not hire an Offensive Coordinator...He's doing that too...He under the watchful eye of Mike, "the fat walrus" Holmgren, is implementing "The West Coast Offense"...But for some reason their version doesn't believe in running the ball...Umm I remember the 49ers running the ball well and often back in the day...Same with Gruden's Tampa Bay Buccaneers...So why aren't the Browns running?

Now they have Madden cover-boy Peyton Hillis...He rushed for over 1,000 yards last year...He was also the teams second leading receiver, with over 60 receptions...Yet Hillis is hardly on the field lately...WHY? So many reasons...The Browns publicly opened contract talks with Hillis...The fans were behind Hillis getting big money...They love this guy...Then he got strep...Or did he? The story has changed a few times...The team said they "sent him home, he was too sick to play."...Then he said his agent told him not to play...Hillis and his agent took to every radio show that would have them...

Then the next two games, Hillis hardly saw the field...Instead they had stone-hand Hardesty out there...(6 dropped passes in 2 games)...Shurmur keeps saying Hillis is their guy, but he's never out there...Then he had a hamstring injury...But Shurmur said he didn't know about it...Shurmur often seems confused in his press conferences...So now what?

Fans aren't behind Hillis much anymore...Many were hoping the Browns would trade him Tuesday...But they aren't behind Shurmur either...He's in over his head, and the fans are getting restless...

Evan Moore was said to be the team's pre-season MVP...He's without a doubt, the best pass catcher on the team...But he, like Hillis is not getting on the field enough...They say he doesn't block well...So he is only out there foe pass plays...Way to tip your hand dummies!

Brian Robiskie was one of the two starting WR's this season...WHY? He is awful...Through the first 4 games he no catches, and 2 targets...He' can't get away from coverage...He sucks...He sucks! Mo Mass (I'm not trying to spell his whole name) isn't that good either, but he has potential, if healthy...Greg Little has tons of potential, but was suspended last year, and of course the lack of an off season hurt all rookies...

The O-line is shit...Clearly with injuries, they have shown they have no depth...And Joe Thomas is grossly overrated...Just ask,Colt McCoy's back side...Thomas has been getting beaten like Michael Vick's dogs all year long...

And McCoy...Well, he hasn't impressed...But that's hard to do when running for your life, or laying on your back...And when your team doesn't run the ball, and your WR's can't get open...McCoy hasn't throw a pass longer than 20 yards, which is killing people...Just one or two long balls a game would be nice...And when the coach calls a play with an empty backfield, why doesn't he have McCoy in the shotgun, just to give him an extra second from the pass rush?

Then there is fan favorite, and team leader, Josh Cribbs...Cribbs came out this week, and basically said, since the offense isn't using him, he wants to get back on special teams...He wasn't just talking about returns, he wants to get back to covering kicks...Cribbs pointed out the team hadn't given up a kickoff return for a touch down when he covered kicks...But when he wasn't Sunday, the Browns gave one up...

The defense has played well, but they have been gashed for some big yards on the ground...Again, injuries are popping up, and showing off the lack of depth...That said, I do like how GM, Tom Heckert has worked the draft...Trying to build up the defense...

As I said, Shurmur seems in over his head, and confused in front of the press...The walrus Holmgren has avoided the local press, but some how, that fat bastard thought it would be cool to talk about the Browns on a Seattle Radio show...




Fucking asshole! Way to make time for your pals in Seattle...

I just want to make this clear...So many people in Cleveland have a in Holmgren we trust attitude...I never understood why...He won one "Super Bowl" as a head coach, and 2 as an assistant coach...He never has in his roles in the front office...As a matter of fact, Seattle got worse when he moved to the front office...

Wake up Cleveland! Fatty isn't going to save this team...He hired another in a long line of shitty coaches...And they have pinned their QB hopes on a short guy who can't throw a deep bowl, and will be physically, and possibly mentally broken in two years...

Later, The Beeze.
 

Week 6 NFL

Well last week just was about as confounding as one could ever hope for. There are some game that went totally opposite for reasons I cant even begin to fathom. 8-5 isnt a totally devastating week and it could have been worse, so I wont complain. Submitted for your perusal and review are this weeks picks. Lines are provided by bodog.net via USA Today and are for entertainment and comparison purposes only. With Princess Katie’s quincenera only a couple weeks away, I have no money to spare you to pay your bookies if you bet these lines and get took.

Note: Arizona, Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, Seattle, Tennessee all have a bye this week.

Sunday October 2

Colts (0-5) @ Bengals (3-2)

Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Bengals by 7

Last Week Colts Lost to Chiefs 24-21, Bengals beat Jaguars 30-20

Fast Fact The Bengals have not beaten the Colts since 1997 (0-7)

The Bengals looked uneven at times but rallied in the 4^thto beat the Jags, while the Colts are looking worse and worse every week. Im liking the rookie combo of Andy Dalton and AJ Green and the Bengals defense plays scrappy. I don’t like the fact the Bengals are such a favorite in this game, the minute that you think that they will play good they fail to live up to expectations. But that was the case last week in Jacksonville and they came up aces. Could they do it again? The Colts already look like they want it to be all over and get Andrew Luck as a future protégé to Peyton Manning. Im probably gonna regret this but…

Pick-Cincinnati

Panthers (1-4) @ Falcons (2-3)

Georgia Dome, Atlanta 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Falcons by 4

Last Week Panthers lost to Saints 30-27, Falcons lost to Packers 25-14

Fast Fact Falcons QB Matt Ryan has thrown 6 interceptions this season, compared to 9 in all of 2010

Though steadily improving, the wins are not coming for the young Panthers. They take the fight to the opponent only to fade at the end. The Falcons are a puzzling team, making mistakes that they didn’t in years previous and not playing as loose as they used to. All doubts about the viability of Cam Newton should be as silly as his supposed recruiting scandal at Auburn. The Falcons are hurting more than one would suspect and the loss of promising wideout Julio Jones further hampers a Falcons offense that is struggling to get their act together. This has the makings of an entertaining shootout, one I think the Panthers will steal.

Pick-Carolina (Upset of the Week)

Bills (4-1) @ NY Giants (3-2)

MetLife Stadium; E. Rutherford, NJ 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Giants by 3

Last Week Bills beat Eagles 31-24, Giants lost to Seahawks 36-25

Fast Fact The Giants lead the NFL with 18 sacks

Bouncing back after their first loss to beat the Eagles, the Bills quickly shook off the notion that they were an early season flash. The G-Men’s loss to a weak Seahawks team was extremely puzzling, given the strong performance by Eli Manning. This is a tough game to call, cause you are never quite sure which Giants team shows up on a weekly basis. In a game that is otherwise a dead draw matchup wise, I think the G-Men are doing it with mirrors and the Bills will expose them in front of another sullen crowd in Gotham.

Pick-Buffalo

49ers (4-1) @ Lions (5-0)

Ford Field, Detroit 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Lions by 4½

Last Week 49ers beat Bucs 48-3, Lions beat Bears 24-13

Fast Fact The Niners have won the last seven meetings (Lions last win was 1995)

If you had’ve told anyone 5 weeks ago that this would be one of the marquee matchups of week 6, you would have been fast tracked to the looney bin or asked who gave you the bad herb. But believe it, the Niners have quietly built a solid if unspectacular squad that stunned a lot of pundits (your humble scribe included) by punishing the Bucs mercilessly last week. The Lions are the feel good story of the season and made their primetime debut a memorable one by pounding the Bears. I see the Lions having no real trouble bumrushing the Niners young front line and Alex Smith has long proven that if he is pressured he makes mistakes. Ford Field is fast becoming a place no visitor wants to go to and the Lions will continue to stun the league with this fast start

Pick-Detroit

Rams (0-4) @ Packers (5-0)

Lambeau Field, Green Bay 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Packers by 15

Last Week Rams were on a bye, Packers beat Falcons 25-14

Fast Fact Rams are a league worst 4-21 on the road since 2008

The young Rams cant catch a break, coming out of their bye they face a Packers team that is bordering on the downright scary. They methodically wore down the Falcons in primetime and broke their will after trailing early. Aaron Rodgers is starting to get that elite look about him and against a so-so Rams defense could mean points a plenty. I like Sam Bradford but asking him to keep up with Rodgers and figure out the ruthless Pack defense is asking way way too much.

Pick-Green Bay (Lock of the Week)

Eagles (1-4) @ Redskins (3-1)

FedEx Field; Landover, MD 1:00 (FOX)

Favorite Eagles by 2

Last Week Eagles lost to Bills 31-24, Redskins were on a bye

Fast Fact The Eagles are trying to avoid their first five game losing streak under head coach Andy Reid’s lengthy tenure

The Eagles are in full panic mode and are return to the scene of Michael Vick’s most jaw dropping performance. The Redskins ruefully remember the single man that delivered the woodshed beating on a national stage last year. Though the Redskins have improved on both sides of the ball, I just have that odd feeling that the Eagles are due for a breakout win. Beating their despised divisional rivals is just the tonic they need to jump start their season. If they don’t win here, their playoff chances get frighteningly slim.

Pick-Philadelphia

Jaguars (1-4) @ Steelers (3-2)

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh 1:00 (CBS)

Favorite Steelers by 13

Last Week Jaguars lost to Bengals 30-20, Steelers beat Titans 38-17

Fast Fact The Jaguars have won the last four regular season meetings

The Jags are getting the roughshod treatment, they fall apart in the 4^thagainst the Bengals and now face a Steelers team that just seem to find a way to win. They pounded the Titans as Ben Roethlisberger shook off a bum foot to throw for five scores. Pity poor Gabby Gabbert, he will spend the majority of the afternoon dodging a withering Steelers rush which is still formidable despite being thinned by injury. The Steelers have only to be patient, the Jags will find away to crack under the pressure.

Pick-Pittsburgh

Browns (2-2) @ Raiders (3-2)

O.co Coliseum, Oakland 4:05 (CBS)

Favorite Raiders by 7

Last Week Browns were on a bye, Raiders beat Texans 25-20

Fast Fact The Raiders late owner Al Davis spent 52 years with the Raiders as a coach, general manager and owner.

Inspired by the passing of their iconoclastic owner, the Raiders knocked off the Texans with a heroic inside the 10 stand in the games final seconds. In the games crucial final play, the Raiders had only 10 men on the field. The Browns are a team that had high aspirations but their uneven play as well as the growing discontent by Peyton Hillis is hurting their growth. Look for the Raiders to play top notch in front of a emotionally charged home crowd. The Raiders may not win pretty, but will win baby just the same.

Pick-Oakland

Texans (3-2) @ Ravens (3-1)

M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore 4:05 (CBS)

Favorite Ravens by 8

Last Week Texans lost to Raiders 25-20, Ravens were on a bye

Fast Fact The Ravens are holding opponents to an NFL low 14.3 points per game.

Caught off guard by an emotional Raiders the Texans frittered away another game and another chance to really stamp their legitimacy as a for real contender. The road gets no easier as they face a rested Ravens team that is looking as sharp as ever. The Texans suffered a devastating loss with stud DE Mario Williams going down for the season with a pectoral injury taking a critical run stopper and QB harasser out of the Texans defensive scheme. With Matt Schaub also nursing an injury, this is not the best time to be face the hard hitting, ballhawking uber stingy defense that grudgingly gives points away.

Pick-Baltimore

Saints (4-1) @ Buccaneers (3-2)

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa 4:15 (FOX)

Favorite Buccaneers by 3½

Last Week  Saints beat Panthers 30-27, Buccaneers lost to 49ers 48-3

Fast Fact The Saints have won in their last two trips to Tampa by a combined score of 69-13

The Saints weren’t expecting a tough battle up in Charlotte but showing their veteran savvy pulled out an impressive rally to win late, while the Bucs took an awful beating out on the West Coast. No one can be real sure which is the real Bucs team, the one that show grit and determination in holding off the Colts or the team that looked lost and generally disinterested. Im thinking with a divisional rival in town that they will play more interested but I think the Saints eke out another hard fought road win.

Pick-New Orleans

Cowboys (2-2) @ Patriots (4-1)

Gillette Stadium; Foxboro, MA 4:15 (FOX)

Favorite Patriots by 7

Last Week Cowboys were on a bye, Patriots beat Jets 30-21

Fast Fact The Patriots have scored 30 or more points in every game this season, and have a 13 game 30+ points streak dating back to last November the last time they faced a Rob Ryan coached defense.

The Pats are dissecting opponents with surgical precision and smacked around their despised divisional rival last week. The Pokes have had almost two weeks to wonder where a 24 point home lead to the Lions got away to. The questions about the capability of Tony Romo have resurfaced, with his poor decision making and questionable throws the Pokes seem to go as he does. Facing a leaky Pats defense the Pokes will score points, but I cant see Romo outgunning Brady not in Foxboro.

Pick-New England

Vikings (1-4) @ Bears (2-3)

Soldier Field, Chicago 8:20 (NBC)

Favorite Bears by 3

Last Week Vikings beat Cardinals 34-10, Bears lost to Lions 24-13

Fast Fact Vikings DE Jared Allen leads the NFL with 8½ sacks, he also has 8 ½ sacks in six career matchups against the Bears

The Vikes finally figured out that they have a decent running back at their disposal and utilized him fully as Adrian Peterson ran for over 100 yards and had three scores. The defense didn’t hand the points back and got their first win. The Bears got knocked around rather rudely in Detroit and their offense has seemed to regress badly. Jay Cutler for once is not to blame, he stood tall and took a number of nasty hits but did not shirk his duties in a losing cause. Im thinking the Vikings defense can produce the same type of hard rush on Cutler and rush his already limited offensive options. There is a part of me that doesn’t trust the Vikings to stay with the winning formula but I cant hand the game to the Bears due to their anemic offense. This is another call Im probably going to regret

Pick-Minnesota

Monday, October 17

Dolphins (0-4) @ Jets (2-3)

MetLife Stadium; E. Rutherfod, NJ 8:30 (ESPN)

Favorite Jets by 7

Last Week Dolphins were on a bye, Jets lost to Patriots 30-21

Fast Fact The Dolphins have won the last three meetings in New York

Suddenly the grinning jeering Rex Ryan looks more and more like the buffoon, especially after taking a sound beating from the Patriots to cap an 0-3 road swing. They will get healthy at home though as the anemic Dolphins come to town. Tony Sparano is likely finding For Sale signs in his front yard. The Dolphins look lost on both sides of the ball and are jousting with the Colts to win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. The Jets bounce back strong against a weak opponent.

Pick-New York Jets

Last Week: 8-5 (Lock & Upset Incorrect)

Overall: 50-27

Locks: 3-2

Upsets: 2-3

 Musings returns on Tuesday...Until Next Post Fellow Sports Fans!

The Expert Had his Internet, and Cable knocked out last weekend,The Expert could not post my picks, The Expert did get them into the pool he was in, He went 8 wins and 5 losses