Week 12 Picks B

Week 12 Picks Against the Spread Part B (HOME teams in caps)

Titans (-1) over BENGALS:
Betting on Vince Young has killed me the last two weeks. Betting on the Bengals has killed everyone all year. In this week’s bad karma game, I’ll take the Titans… but I don’t have to feel good about it.

RAMS (+3) over Seahawks:
The Rams’ offense can score with anyone when it’s right. It’s getting right. Seattle’s passing attack is starting to click too as Maurice Morris has begun to give them a more consistent ground game. This one is going to be a slugfest and though it feels like a push, I’ll take the Rams and the points to cover at home.

Ravens (+9) over CHARGERS:
Last week was a mirage. The Ravens offense still sucks. However, there’s no way the Chargers have been consistent enough to warrant a nine point spread against anyone, even a team as miserable as the Ravens.

GIANTS (-7.5) over Vikings:
The loss of Mathias Kiwanuka will hurt the Giants pass rush, but the Vikings still don’t have a quarterback who can give them a legit passing threat. Look for 8 in the box for the Giants to stop Chester Taylor and/or Adrian Peterson. The Giants will jump out to an early lead and force the Vikings to throw to catch up. I’d expect at least 5 sacks as Tarvaris Jackson struggles against a formidable pass rush in the hostile environs of the Meadowlands.

Redskins (+3) over BUCCANEERS:
This looks like a throw back game. Expect a low scoring defensive struggle. This is another one that looks like a push, but I’ve got to pick someone, so I’ll take the team with the healthier offense.

Saints (-3) over PANTHERS:
Who is going to play QB for the Panthers this week? When you are hoping that Vinny Testaverde, who I’m told just turned 67 this week, will be healthy enough to start, you’ve got a problem. Not a lot to like about the Saints, but at least they know who will be starting under center.

Bills (+7.5) over JAGUARS:
You really have to discount what happened last week in Buffalo. The Patriots are just in a different stratosphere. The Jags offense isn’t fit to hold New England’s jock. The Bills had been one of the hottest teams in the AFC before the New England game, and they’ll play tough as this one goes down to the wire.

BROWNS (-3.5) over Texans:
This is going to be another shootout as two good offenses go up against two below average defenses. Cleveland’s weapons, especially Braylon Edwards, will make more plays than Houston’s to win this one by a touchdown.

Raiders (+5) over CHEIFS:
Don’t care, moving on.

CARDINALS (-10) over 49ers:
The 49ers continue their quest to hand the Patriots a top 3 draft pick.

Broncos (+2) over BEARS:
How are the Bears favored against anyone outside of Miami? This is a no-brainer.

Dolphins (+16) over STEELERS:
Sixteen points!? This is the team that lost to the Jets. I know the Steelers are good, but Miami has played tough defensively of late. Steelers will win, and the game will never be in doubt, but 16 points?