Friday night. Can't say that I've been following football much this week. So, I'm gonna have to wing this one. Maybe look at the standings, read a few articles. Listen to the whisper in the wind.
Since I'm rather ignorant, I'll take a look at the headlines.
SI. Steelers Holmes had pot during stop. Idiot. These kids - can I call them kids when I'm only in my early 30s - are stupid. They most likely have rather nice places where they can do that sort of thing in the privacy of their own home. Instead, he gets caught in a traffic stop. BUT, I'm very pleased that Pittsburgh immediately deactivated him for the coming game. And no, not because they're playing the Jints. Dallas, pay attention to how you should be disciplining your players. Next... NFL fines Plax $45K. You know, I could go off on Plax's morony - made that one up - but what I see is the $45K. With the economy the way it is, I'm thinking more and more that athletes should consider donating some of their cash back to those people losing their houses and trying to care for children. Continuing on... Six to 10 players violate drug policy. First, I'm certain it's more than six to 10 - see first headline. Second, 'Six to 10'? Really? Terrible syntax...
ESPN. Two Saints test for water pills. Will Smith and Deuce McAllister have tested positive. Drugs, drugs, drugs. Again, I can't believe it's just these two. Or those six to 10. Bengals' Palmer done for the season? Bagels, bagels, bagels. Also, I haven't spoken much of my fantasy football teams. They're average at best. The first quarterback chosen for one of those teams? Tom Brady. The first quarterback chosen for the other? Carson Palmer. Are ya kiddin' me? Finally, Colts deny 2nd Manning surgery was staph related. What is it with good QBs and knee infections this week?
Ok, enough with the small talk, let's get to the picks:
Oakland @ Baltimore
2-4 @ 3-3. Both won last week against AFC East opponents. Oakland is settling down after the Lane Kiffin affair. Joe Flacco's a rookie, and you just don't know whether he's gonna be able to hold it together from week to week. But Baltimore can afford to rely on their running game, and they can run against Oakland. Interesting game. Even matchup. TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens
Arizona @ Carolina
Carolina has won all four home games thus far this season. The Cards haven't won five of seven since 1976. Arizona does play in the weakest division in football; BUT they beat Dallas last weekend. (Is that really a point of pride at this point?) Likewise, Carolina demonized the lowly Saints last weekend and are looking for their best record since 2005. It's still an interesting game. Something's telling me... And we know how much that's worth. TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals
Tampa @ Dallas
How low can Dallas go? Maybe it's just me - and remember that I haven't been following that closely - but doesn't Dallas feel like the recent Yankees? As if they're relying on the fact that the names on the field should themselves win games. But no intensity. No burning to win. No biting and scratching and clawing. Just bitching and fighting and stupidity. Meanwhile, Tampa's been winning with grit and determination. Sure, I think Dallas is annoyed, and they're still going to win more games than they lose. But they better find something else in their respective hearts in order to pull together as a contender. For principle's sake, TD chooses: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington @ Detroit
Washington's already had their 'duh' game of the year against St. Louis. They won't do the same against Detroit. And Detroit? Again, right direction, wrong year to expect anything (I'll probably say this every week until they win.) TD chooses: Washington Redskins
Buffalo @ Miami
Ooh. Big game for Buffalo. Hell, big game for Miami. There hasn't been an important game like this since Marino and Kelly were playing. Buffalo's one game ahead of New England and going into a stretch against three straight AFC East opponents. Miami's in a great position not only to play spoiler but to catch up a bit. Do not underestimate this team. Still, I think Buffalo wants it. TD chooses: Buffalo Bills
St. Louis @ New England
Haslett, love what you've done with 'em. I hear Jackson may be out this weekend. Not the best weekend for him to be out. You'll give 'em a game, I know. But I just don't think your team's strong enough. Even if the Patsies are on the other side of the mountain... coming down. TD chooses: New England Patriots
San Diego @ New Orleans (in London)
Reggie Bush. Hurt. Deuce McAllister. Steroids. Colston. Coming back from injury. Brees. Playing well. Shockey. Putz. Saints D. Worthless. Philip Rivers picks them apart in London. UNLESS it's raining like it was last year and it just becomes a mudbowl. In that case, LT and Sproles run over them. Either way, New Orleans yields in this mock home game. TD chooses: San Diego Chargers
Kansas City @ New York Jets
The Jets are coming off a very tough loss to the Raiders. Brett the Jet don't like dat. Meanwhile, in Kansas City, Steve DeBerg has been called in at age 54. And he's still better than both Huard and Croyle. Oh, and note to KC. Time to start thinking about other RBs too. TD chooses: New York Jets
Atlanta @ Philadelphia
Battle of the birds. Atlanta off to a surprising start thanks to a rookie QB, a solid RB, playmaking WRs, and an impressive D. They can win. But whether they do or not depends entirely on which Iggles team decides to show up. Is it the team that massacred the Steelers? Or is it the team that gave the game to da Bears? Okay, okay Iggles fans. You've lost to Chicago, Dallas, and Washington. Tough games. I understand. Not that the Falcons have beat slouches either. But I still think you have it in you to put up a monster game. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles
Cleveland @ Jacksonville
It's at Jacksonville. I don't know that one win against a terribly playing Jints team is enough to call it a resurgence. Especially when they lose - granted they played well - to the Redskins the following weekend. I once thought they were ready. I retract. They're not ready. TD chooses: Jacksonville Jaguars
Cincinnati @ Houston
Looks like Palmer might be gone for the season. And Fitzpatrick or Fitzgerald or Fitzsimmons or whomever just ain't gonna get the job done. Personally, I'm looking forward to the KC @ Cincy game coming to a trash heap near you on 12/28. I can't boast too much more about the Oilers... I mean Texans, sheesh... but they have a QB who can throw and some receivers who can catch. TC chooses: Houston Texans
Seattle @ San Francisco
The Seachickens keep sinking. Lower and lower and lower. Can they pull out of this nose dive? Yes. When? Matt Hasselbeck returns. And the receivers are healthy. And Mike Holmgren is in San Fran. And JMJ becomes the University of Washington's newest coach. So, give it a few years. As for San Fran, Nolan's out and Singletary's in. I'm personally interested in seeing how the former Bear great will do as a head coach. Nevertheless, I think San Fran's stronger than Seattle right now. TD chooses: San Francisco 49ers
Indianapolis @ Tennessee
Ooh... good game. Well, hold on. Good game if the Colts play like they did two weeks ago and not last week. Peyton can take it to any team at any time... when he's healthy. He's supposedly healthy. But he just doesn't look like himself. Everyone's saying it. Is there still something wrong? Or is it really just an abyssmal O-line? Meanwhile, Tennessee has something to prove against the reigning AFC South dominators AND on a national stage. We haven't seen Kerry 'Deer in the Headlights' Collins yet. I say it's this week. TD chooses: Indianapolis Colts
Pick of the Week
New York Football Giants @ Pittsburgh Steelers
And so it begins. The Jints couldn't keep playing the basement teams. Everyone knew they'd have to be challenged sooner or later. The time has come... The Giants. The World Champions. The team that won 3 straight playoff road games last year to get to the Super Bowl. And they won it against an 18-0 team. The Steelers. The 2005 World Champions. That team won 3 straight playoff road games that year to get to the Super Bowl. And they won against Seattle. Ben and Eli, both drafted in 2004. Both teams have smothering defenses. Plax visits Pittsburgh for the first time since leaving. Jints have the running game advantage. Pittsburgh has the defensive advantage. Pittsburgh also has home field. Tough, tough game to call. I'm going to be a homer; I think they come to play. TD chooses: New York Football Giants
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