It's like freaking clockwork. I plan an overnight Saturday trip such that I don't know how early I'll be back on Sunday (like I did in Week 4) and then the NFL puts both the Giants and the Jets on at 1pm. But hey, this way I get to watch the game between the HOLY CRAP CAN WE PLEASE SHUT THE HELL UP ABOUT BRETT FREAKING FAVRE. I promise, I won't even complain about the fact that several teams get to give the Wildcat their own name for the entire month of November if I just don't have to hear that name during whatever part of the 1pm games I get to watch.
Ranking watch: The top four remain constant: New Orleans, Denver, Indianapolis, New England. Arizona takes over #5 with a three-spot jump, which ties with several other teams for largest leap. Furthest fall goes to Chicago, dropping eight spots to #18, with Atlanta falling five spots to #11. Game of the week (sigh): #8 Vikings at #12 Packers, only separated by 2.5 points (#9 through #12 are all within a point). Games of the weak: #19 49ers at #3 Colts; #2 Broncos at #14 Ravens (more below); #24 Panthers at #5 Cardinals. Each is about a 32-point differential.
Ugh, Browns-Bears was a game I pegged at 13 points. Then the spreads are 13.5, 13.5, and 13. Screw it, Bears across the board.
Tuesday Morning Quarterback occasionally talks about how the Ultimate Final Score would be 2-0 (OT). If ever there was a game that deserved such a score, it would be Rams-Lions. Sadly, I don't think either defense has the talent required to pull off a safety (one can always hope for offensive holding in the end zone, though).
What a difference a month makes in the NFL. Entering October, the Jets were 3-0 and one of the feel-good stories of the season. Then they had a wake-up call against the Saints, a heartbreaking "this is why you need defense" loss to the Dolphins, and a brainbreaking "this is why you need offense" loss to the Bills. They quickly get the chance to avenge the second one of those. Hopefully the Jets have learned clock management.
My roommate Ali and his girlfriend were considering a day trip to Philadelphia on Friday but decided to just go to Morristown, NJ and leave Philly for the weekend. Then I reminded them about the World Series and the Giants-Eagles game. Best of luck finding a hotel room! Each team continues its trend from last week, and the Eagles pull off a narrow win at home.
When do people stop making excuses and start appreciating the Broncos? 'Cause it looks like it still ain't happening. Look at it this way: There are almost as many people on ESPN picking winless Tennessee to beat 3-3 Jacksonville (43.1%), as there are people picking unbeaten Denver to beat 3-3 Baltimore (44.4%). THEY'RE UN-FREAKING-BEATEN. And plus, Baltimore isn't an elite team.
Speaking of those Titans. There are losses that make you look at everything in a new way. There are losses that make you regroup and come back better than ever. And then there are 59-0 shitkickings that just make you lose all hope for yourself. Guess which one best describes the Titans' most recent failure. Jaguars by 10, take the points and don't apologize.
Whatever credit people are not giving to Denver seems to still be in the Chargers' corner. Yes, Oakland is a heinously bad team, but sixteen points? I had this pegged as a touchdown game, and when you remember that they came 20 seconds away from pulling off the upset in Week 1, the Raiders are an easy pick. Note, however, that even though this is the second largest prediction-spread differential on the board, it's not a best bet. Best betting a team like the Raiders is asking for trouble.
Survivor corner: Winning a massive Survivor pool means having the balls to pick a mediocre team at the right time and saving the good teams for a better spot. Of the five teams I have marked for double-digit wins, three I've already picked (CHI, IND, NO), leaving Jaguars @TEN and Cardinals vCAR. Ordinarily I'd take the home team, but the Cardinals still have two free wins on the schedule against St. Louis. So I'm taking Jacksonville. Another contender, the most common pick on ESPN, is San Diego, which may actually be a safer pick, but it's not one I'm as comfortable with.
