Every Friday, Mr. Popularity makes his weekly NFL picks. You can take his recommendations with a grain of salt, but Chris is holding him accountable for his own showing in his fantasy pick-em league. But don’t consider this an endorsement of gambling. It may be his money, but it’s really just a chance to embarrass him.
The Sportsblahg debut of It Is My Money was not disastrous. I went 6-7 overall and 1-2 in the Best Bets. I know those are not great records, but considering how I had been doing, I’ll take it. Chris may disagree. I narrowly missed a better week with the Tennessee-Houston game, as Sage Rosenfels’ comeback was neutralized by eight Rod Bironas field goals, an NFL record. But almost doesn’t count.
The most notable thing this week, as we patiently await the most important regular season game in the history of the National Football League, Super Bowl XLI1/2, is that the Giants and Dolphins are playing this week in London. Normally, nobody would pay attention to the stank-ass Dolphins getting rolled up by the Giants, but it will be interesting to see the reaction a regular-season NFL tilt gets in London. More interesting the reaction Cleo Lemon will get, that’s for sure.
But it does give us a chance to talk about the G-Men, the New York/New Jersey football team I do not root for. I declared them dead after the Green Bay Packers debacle in Week 2. I agreed with my buddy Adam that Tom Coughlin was a goner. Tiki Barber was taking weekly shots at his former team, his former quarterback, and and his former coach.
Now they’re looking almost every bit the equal of the Dallas Cowboys. Michael Strahan has a book out that is every bit the doorstop that Tiki Barber’s is. Eli Manning is somewhat competent and a viable fantasy starter. Brandon Jacobs has adequately replaced Barber. Plaxico Burress has finally begun to reach his potential, and the pass rush has been phenomenal.
The important thing appears to be that instead of squawking about their talent and their abilities, the Giants finally seem to be showing it. And they apparently don’t completely hate Tom Coughlin. He likely just merely annoys them. In any case, they’ve emerged as the second-best team in the NFC in my opinion (until the Packers show me a running game, the Lions show me a defense, and the Seahawks show me some fire.).
As a Jet fan, yes, this saddens me. Luckily the Kellen Clemens Era is finally under…what? Oh hell no!
On to the picks before I throw something. Byes this week: The Falcons work on restoring Joey Harrington’s confidence, the Cowboys work on revising Tony Romo’s black book, the Chiefs work on pulling more surprises out of Herman Edwards’ ass, the Cardinals work on how not to always be the Cardinals, the Seahawks working on looking for Shaun Alexander, and Baltimore works on whatever Ray Lewis will tell them to work on.
The lines, as always are from World Sports Exchange as of publication.
Browns (-3) over RAMS: Steven Jackson says he’s back and you should start him in your fantasy league. Sure, if you are also going to block for him, because no one from the Rams will.
BEARS (-5.5) over Lions: Has Brian Griese turned a corner with his John Elway impersonation last week? I’m not so sure about that, but you won’t be able to tell against the porous Lion “defense”.
Colts (-6.5) over PANTHERS: How dare the Panthers dare try to draw attention to themselves by intimating that they may go to a QB rotation this week! You are mere pawns in the runup to Super Bowl XLI1/2! Go with one quarterback and lose with dignity!
Giants (-9.5) over Dolphins (at Wembley Stadium, London, England): These Giant blokes can bloody rush the passer, despite the presence of that total wanker Tom Coughlin. Look for the the Giants to look like they’re on holiday by the fourth quarter.
Raiders (+7.5) over TITANS: Vince Young will be back, and they’ll win, but it won’t look pretty.
Eagles (-1) over VIKINGS: Really, the Vikings should not be the underdogs at home to a team whose coach was asked to resign by the local paper. That’s a testament to just how bad Tarvaris Jackson has been. Maybe we should ask the presidential candidates, if torture could make you find out why Brad Childress is still starting Tarvaris Jackson and still giving Chester Taylor more than half the carries, would you do it? I’m beginning to lean towards yes.
BENGALS (+3.5) over Steelers: I get the feeling the Steelers will be suckered into a shootout instead of playing their game. Okay, now it’s time for this week’s Mike Tomlin Kinda Looks Like Omar Epps Joke. Mike Tomlin wasn’t always the hardworking, responsible coach you see before you today. Once, he got into minor trouble and was considered something of a delinquent. Then a cop helped him turn his life around by making part of a special police detail to bust a drug ring, along with two fellow at-risk kids. Mike not only looked and exuded cool, but he learned valuable life lessons that he now brings to the sidelines, along with those awesome shades.
JETS (-3) over Bills: Well, of course you start Chad Pennington. A young guy like Kellen Clemens is too capable of making bad game-killing throws in critical spots. Oh, wait….
Texans (+10) over CHARGERS (site to be determined): They’ll get the game in this week, it just won’t be possible not to. It just is a matter of where. In any case, you have to expect San Diego to be a little distracted. Yes, picking this game makes me feel like a soulless ghoul.
BUCCANEERS (-3.5) over Jaguars: Okay, cutting Byron Leftwich has turned out to be a good move. Not finding a better backup than Jean Grey, er… Quinn Gray? Foolish.
Saints (-3) over 49ERS: Thought you’d never be so happy to see Alex Smith back, huh, Niners fans?
PATRIOTS (-16) over Redskins: The Redskins have a pretty good defense, and Jason Campbell may be able to take advantage of a few holes in that New England defense. But there’s no way they are going to be able to ruin the most important regular season game in the history of the National Football League, Super Bowl XLI1/2, and the Patriots will not be looking past anyone.
Packers (+3) over BRONCOS: The Broncos had better hope there’s a Game 5 in the World Series.
Best Bets: Patriots, Colts, Browns
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