Pay Homage to Gamblor - Week 13
Another week near .500 last week, and another loss for the lock of the week. I can't decide if I end up with a .500 record and going 9-8 for my lock if I should consider that a moderate success or horrendous failure.
Last week: 8-7-1
Season: 89-84-2
Lock of the week: 7-5
Home team in CAPS
Jets (-3) over BILLS
The Bills biggest advantage in December is playing games in miserably cold and often snowy Buffalo. And a night game would be especially chilly and rattle the Southern California QB of the Jets. Oh, wait, they are playing indoors in Toronto? Yeah, that's smart. The Saints should also play their games without any fans in the Superdome.
CHIEFS (+5) over Broncos
The Broncos gave fans a glimmer of hope last week, only to follow it up this week by coming into Kansas City and looking embarrassingly bad in a game that will cost them a spot in the playoffs.
Texans (even) over JAGUARS
I don't care about records: the Texans are significantly better than Jags, they should win this game. They need to win this game. But at the same time, I'm kind of pulling for the Jags (and Broncos) to make the playoffs so they can bring me a wealth of riches by losing their Wild Card game, 41-10.
STEELERS (-14) over Raiders
After three straight losses the Steelers will be angry in a must-win against the Raiders. If JaMarcus Russell was playing I would have predicted 18 interceptions. Maybe he'll find a way to throw them anyway. Do you think he somehow overthrows the plays he calls in as backup QB as well?
Titans (+7) over COLTS
Don't bet against Chris Johnson and Vince Young right now. Just don't do it. However, I do feel this season will end like Vince Young's rookie year, with the Titans making a great run after they put Young in at QB, but just missing out on the playoffs.
Lions (+13) over BENGALS
The Bengals just don't blow people out (minus that one game against the Bears). They'll win by 10 and completely outplay the Lions, but won't cover.
REDSKINS (+9.5) over Saints
As I've said before, the Redskins will close out their season by playing a bunch of good teams really close and the Saints could be in for a bit of letdown performance after playing near perfect against the Pats.
Buccaneers (+6) over PANTHERS
As bad as Jake Delhomme is, the Panthers are pretty much hopeless without him (ed. note: Matt Moore is starting at QB). This game will likely go down to the wire. And be boring.
BEARS (-9) over Rams
The Rams welcome the Bears to the NFL Suck Squad. A loss here and Chicago would secure its position as the most disappointing team in the NFL.
Patriots (-6) over DOLPHINS
There is still one thing that holds true about Tom Brady and the Patriots: after a loss, they usually bounce back with a comfortable win.
Chargers (-13) over BROWNS
There are seven or eight teams I wouldn't pick to cover a double digit spread against the Browns. The Chargers are not one of those teams. LOCK OF THE WEEK.
49ers (even) over SEAHAWKS
The 49ers will win here and set up a situation in which they could take control of the NFC West. But for that to happen, they'd need to beat the Cardinals again. Rest assured, this will not end up happening.
Cowboys (-2.5) over GIANTS
It's December, which hopefully means the demise of Tony Romo and the Cowboys, but sadly I think we might have to wait until the playoffs for the Dallas collapse this year.
Vikings (-5) over CARDINALS
Without Kurt Warner, the Vikings should be a lock to cover this spread. If Warner is in, then they should still cover. Also, the starting QB's combined age would be 78.
Ravens (+3) over PACKERS
The only teams the Ravens have lost to this season are ranked Nos. 2, 3, 5, and 6 in the RCS NFL Power Rankings. Also, it seems that whenever there is a big game for the Packers where they can make a statement, they lose.
