This Week's Picks

This is the week, I’m wagering, that the Dolphins finally get off the schnied; they’re +3.5 at home against the Ravens, which I take to be pretty much of a lock; here are two teams without an offense between them, but I think the Fins will have a more to play for and my sense is that Baltimore has essentially packed it away for the season—as long as they keep playing Kyle Boller at quarterback, it’s hard to argue that there’s any fight left in them dogs.

I’m also banking on the Seahawks having a letdown against the Panthers; Seattle clinched their division last weekend; they never play well away from home, especially on the East coast; and Carolina is clinging to slim playoff hopes. So, even with Testaverde at quarterback, I’m taking the home team, +7.5.

Finally, I like the Saints -3.5 at home against the Cardinals. Arizona is reeling from last week’s trouncing at the hands of Seattle, and New Orleans has the added incentive of being on the wild-card playoff bubble. I think, therefore, that they’re good for victory by at least a touchdown; Drew Brees is due for a monster game and this could be it.

I’m sorely tempted to take the Steelers -3.5 at home against the Jaguars, but my superstitious nature prevents me from doing so. I’d hate to be dissatisfied with a three point victory on a last second field goal; I believe if I don’t just root for a win however it comes, it might undermine Pittsburgh’s chances of prevailing. And this game, perhaps more than any other one so far this season, is THE one. The Steelers need a victory—to clinch a playoff spot, but even more, to prove again to themselves (and their fans, me included), that they really are a good football team. After last week’s debacle against New England, there are some doubts.

But the vacuum cleaner is at ready and I’ll be listening online.