ARIZONA +1.15 over NY Giants<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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></o>It’s anybody's guess why the Giants are favored in here. They’re forced to travel to the desert without the services of leader and top defensive player Michael Strahan, who suffered a season-ending injury in last week's home loss to the Bears. They also lost defensive end Keith Washington. To replace those guys, New York has activated Lorenzo Bromell from the physically unable to perform list and signed defensive end Chuck Wiley, who was released recently by the Minnesota Vikings. Comforting, huh? We understand that injuries are factored into the number, however, the loss of Strahan is a major, major blow that the Giants aren’t good enough to overcome. Remember, this is the same team that has a horrible offensive line and Kurt Warner is suddenly playing like, well, Kurt Warner. He’s holding onto the ball too long, he’s making bad decisions and as a result, they lost to the Bears at home last week and to the Lions, at home, on Oct. 24. Arizona plays a very aggressive defense and to top that off they’re good too. Cardinals' confidence high after rare road win and only home loss this year occurred to champion Patriots. We’re very interested in any team, getting anything at home, playing against a team that has lost to both the Bears and Lions. Giants are wrongly favored here. Play Arizona +1.15 (Risking 1.5 units).<o
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></o>JACKSONVILLE –3 over Detroit<o
></o>This price is largely predicated on the absence of Byron Leftwich as starting QB for the Jaguars. Lest we forget that there were rumblings for David Garrard to be the starter out of training camp and now the youngster will get to showcase some of the reasons for that. This is a good opponent to be flaunting your wares against. The Lions offer very little defensively and will also have trouble scoring. Detroit's running game is non-existent as this group has reached 65 yards on the ground just once in past four games. Lions keep getting too much credit and we have no idea why. This team has shown very little the past month after getting smoked by the Pack 38-10 and losing to both Dallas and Washington. Jags are rested and ready to dominate this one and with a new QB handling the snaps, expect the Jaguars to be extra motivated. Play Jacksonville –3 (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).<o
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></o>Tampa Bay +4 over ATLANTA<o
></o>Bucs have new life after winning three of its past four and a big reason for the turnaround is the reemergence of Brian Griese. Griese always had the talent but didn’t have his head screwed on right until he was given a second chance in Tampa. Now he’s responded and so have his teammates. In fact, the Bucs only loss the past month was in St. Louis on a Monday night in a game they were clearly the better team. Bucs are just 3-5 on the year, however, a playoff spot is well within reach as they have the easiest schedule remaining of any team. Bucs remaining schedule features home games against Frisco, Atlanta, New Orleans and Carolina and road games in Carolina, San Diego and Arizona. A loss here would be devastating to their playoff hopes and they’re absolutely aware of the importance of this one. Bucs have new life to go along with a balanced attack and a very good defense. Line is tad too fat and we’re on it. Play Tampa Bay +4 (Risking 1.65 units to win 1.5).<o
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></o>The Rest of the Games<o
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></o>NY JETS +1 over Baltimore<o
></o>Ravens found a way to win once again but artistic impression still quite low. We're concerned with Jets being forced to go with Quincy Carter as quarterback but prefer New York as home dog to inept Raven offence having to spot road points. Jets weak against pass but that’s not an issue here. Still, the whole Jets team has got to be disappointed with the loss of Pennington and one has to wonder about the current state of mind of these Jets. Not willing to gamble on how they’ll respond and as a result want no part of this game. Play NY Jets +1 (No bets).<o
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></o>Kansas City –3½ over NEW ORLEANS<o
></o>This was originally slated to go in our top choices, however, we see the line moving in the Chiefs direction and that has us concerned, so does laying road points. Sometimes things look too simple and that’s usually a reason to be wary. The Saints are a bad team with no direction whatsoever and to make matters worse, coach Jim Haslett has one foot in the gutter. Now their 32nd ranked defense must try to stop the league's 3rd ranked offense. Granted, the Chiefs will be without superstar RB Priest Holmes but that's not deterring us in the least. In fact, it only means we have to spot less points. The Kansas City offense has scored 56, 45 and 31 points in its past three games. New Orleans has given up 107 points in its past three and to opponents not as formidable as this one. Still, the fact that the money is coming in on the Chiefs and that the line seems low has our caution flags flying high here. We can’t endorse the Saints but urge K.C backers to proceed with extreme caution. Play Kansas City –3½ (No bets).<o
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></o>CLEVELAND +3½ over Pittsburgh<o
></o>Steelers flying high after knocking off undefeated Patriots and Eagles in consecutive weeks. Of course, this one reeks of letdown and price has reflected that by dropping all week. This game has generated a lot of interest as most bettors are expecting the inevitable letdown by Pittsburgh, however, we’re not too sure. The Steelers are playing with a ton of confidence and they can’t wait to get back on the field. Big Ben is the talk of the NFL and so he should be, the guy’s play has been flawless. Lastly, the Steelers are aware of the letdown theory as it’s mentioned in every fish wrap article, television piece, and radio talk show that has discussed this upcoming game. Don’t be surprised to see this Steeler train keep rolling but one of our rules is not to lay road points under any circumstance in divisional games and as a result, we’ll have to take the home points. Play Cleveland +3½ (No bets).<o
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></o>Houston +9 over INDIANAPOLIS<o
></o>Prime example of how a potent offense has a big impact on the number and we have to believe this line is way too high. Yeah, the Colts can score but that’s all they can do and thus, can’t be recommended laying big lumber against this almost equally potent offense led by David Carr. Carr has just 300 less yards then Peyton Manning and this Colts defense are about as intimidating as a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest. Carr will definitely get his yards here. Furthermore, the Colts are coming off that Monday Night win and teams coming off a big Monday night win seldom perform well the following week. In fact, the winning Monday night team is just 1-7 straight up this year the following week and that's not a coincidence. The Colts are going to have to perform exceptional here to cover this number and we just don’t see it happening. Play Houston +9 (No bets).<o
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></o>Seattle –1.10 over ST. LOUIS<o
></o>Revenge will tip the scales in this one as Seattle's wheels fell off after blowing huge fourth quarter lead in previous meeting. Since then they just haven’t been the same and even had trouble putting away the 49ers last week. However, the Rams desperately miss defensive coach Lovie Smith as St. Louis has allowed an alarming 205 points thus far and show very little semblance as a stop unit. Additionally, until the Rams do something about Mike Martz and his idiotic game plans we want no part of this circus. Does Martz even know what day it is? Does he ever know what the score is during the game? We think not. Play Seattle –1.10 (No bets).<o
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></o>Cincinnati +3 over WASHINGTON<o
></o>Seldom is it a good idea to be laying points with an offense as inept as this one and we make no exception here. Moving the ball 10 yards for the Skins seems like 10 miles. Sure, they have a very good defense that has kept them in every game, however, they threw for a lousy 78 yards last week in Detroit and have now gone five weeks without a 200-yard passing game. In addition, the Skins have the Eagles and Steelers up next and that could be in the back of their collective minds. Meanwhile, the Bengals are gaining steam and manhandled the Boys last week and did the same to the Broncos just three weeks ago. Carson Palmer is looking better each week and so is this Bengals defense. Funny, isn’t it, how a confident QB and a good defense came together at precisely the same time. We’re calling the upset here. Play Cincinnati +3 (No bets).<o
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></o>GREEN BAY –4 over Minnesota<o
></o>Hardly seems fair that the Vikings had to play a road game on Monday night and now must travel to Green Bay on a short week to play a Packers squad that has had a week off. The bye was just what the doctor ordered for this tattered host and with the Vikes missing Randy Moss again, this one could be lopsided. It’s déjà vu all over again for the Vikings as a loss last year to the Giants started a downward spiral that got progressively worse all year. A loss two weeks ago to those same Giants has had the same impact and until this team shows us that they can compete in the second half of the season, we want no part of them. Play Green Bay –4 (No bets).<o
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></o>SAN FRANCISCO –1.10 over Carolina<o
></o>They should play this one in the parking lot of the local hospital because that's where the majority of starters from both teams are currently. Oddsmakers couldn't even favor one team so that we could have gone against them. Niners are at home so we'll go with that. Play San Francisco –1.10 (No bets).<o
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></o>Buffalo +7½ over NEW ENGLAND<o
></o>Inclined to back Bills squad that has now won consecutive games and will face a familiar foe that returns home battered and bruised. First meeting resulted in 14-point victory for Patriots but score was not nearly indicative of play and similar efforts today will result in a Buffalo cover. The Bills have looked very capable the past few weeks and even in their losses they were just a play or two from winning outright. We’d be more comfortable if Drew Bledsoe made wiser choices but with the way the Bills defense has played, we’re very comfortable endorsing taking back the points here. Play Buffalo +7½ (No bets).<o
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