Click here to listen

Join our Pickem League!

Maybe even get some bragging rights to call in to the show with…

Pro Football Pick-Em – Picking against the spread

http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/pickem/

GROUP ID# 17828
Password – football12

Matchups
SEATTLE -3 OVER MIAMI (38.5) – After winning three in a row, the Dolphins have struggled losing their last 3 games.  Seattle travels cross country to Miami for what  in reality is a 10 am game for them.  Rookie QB Russell Wilson has been solid for the Seahawks throwing for a 91 QB rating but has been much better at home than on the road.  The Seahawks have lost 4 out of 5 on the road.  In RB Marshawn Lynch they may have the best RB in the league.  Miami should continue to have problems scoring against this excellent Seattle defense.  Rookie QB Ryan Tannehill has struggled at QB for the Dolphins.  He’s thrown for a 71 QB rating and thrown for only 6 TD’s and 11 interceptions.  If he does that against the Seahawks, Miami will go down for their 7^th loss of the season.  Miami’s RB Reggie Bush if he plays should get plenty of touches.  I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME.

ATLANTA -1 AT TAMPA BAY (50) – 7 of the last 8 games the Falcons have played has been decided by a touchdown or less, no matter WHO they are playing.  Falcons QB Matt Ryan is coming off of a 5 interception performance last weekend against the Cardinals but they WON!  I know. I released the Falcons as a big play last week.  The Bucs behind first year coach Greg Schiano have made huge strides this season.  Even though their defense is still a work in progress, they’ve won 5 of their last 6 games and have a 6-4 record.  Young Bucs QB Josh Freeman has been awesome, throwing for a 95 QB rating and 21 TD’s and only 7 picks.  Rookie RB Doug Martin has rushed for 1,000 yards already this season averaging 5.1 yards per carry.  In overtime last week against the Carolina Panthers, Martin carried the ball 5 times for 48 yards.  After last week, the Bucs were tied with the Saints for the league lead in points scored!   The Bucs on the defensive side of the ball will struggle against the Falcons when they throw the ball.  They are giving up 312 yards per game in the air.  The Bucs have scored 215 points over the last six weeks.  I’M GOING TO TAKE THE OVER HERE FOR 5 STARS!

TENNESSEE -4 AT JACKSONVILLE (44.5) – Talk about two lousy teams here…I think the only plus on both sheets when I rated these teams for handicapping purposes was a PLUS on the kicking game of Jacksonville kicker Josh Scobee, who is 18 for 19 in FG’s.  Because Jacksonville’s offense is so pitiful, Scobee has only attempted 11 extra points.  Two weeks ago after losing 51-20 to the Bears at home, Tennessee owner Bud Adams basically said EVERYONE might get fired if something didn’t improve. Can’t remember this ever happening before, but the next week the Titans went to Miami and DESTROYED the Dolphins 37-3.  They are coming off a bye week and the trip to Jacksonville isn’t a big deal so they are favored against the Jags this week.  Titans RB Chris Johnson is averaging 5.1 yards per carry this season after a slow start.  Jake Locker will be starting at QB for the Titans.  Last week in Houston the Jags almost won their second game of the season, only to fold up in OT by a score of 43-37 but was definitely the best game they played all season long especially on offense.  Backup QB Chad Henne played the entire game for the Jags and was stellar.  These two teams suck but you have to like the home dog here getting 4 points for some reason even though the Jags are 0-5 at home this year.  Call me a dumbass but I like the Jags here at home to win their first game of the year there.  Check the weather but I also like the OVER here for 3 stars.

INDY -3 OVER BUFFALO (51) – This is do or die time for the Bills with a loss making them 4-7 here.  Last week a punt return by Leodis McKelvin for a TD gave the Bills a 19-14 win at home against the Dolphins.  Defensively they’ve had a tough season but offensively they’ve moved the football especially with screen passes to their two RB’s C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson.  Jackson comes back from a concussion Sunday to probably get plenty of touches.  Both teams have been able to throw the football this season.  Rookie QB Andrew Luck had his toughest game of the season last week against New England.  The Pats put a lot of pressure on the rookie and forced several turnovers.  Defensively both teams are in trouble.  I’m going to play the OVER this week for 5 stars in this game.

DENVER -10.5 AT KANSAS CITY (43) – These two teams couldn’t be farther from each other talent wise.  Denver behind Peyton Manning has played very well all season long and are getting better by the week.  If K.C. doesn’t beat New Orleans early in the season in OT, they’re 0-10.  Brady Quinn gets the start at QB this week for Kansas City.  Isn’t it fitting that Romeo Crennel is forced to start Quinn after benching Cassel, who never really has learned to play the game after making it to the NFL after starting at QB under former New England OC Charlie Weis.  Quinn couldn’t even start in Cleveland.  The Chiefs, even though they have a RB who has averaged 4.8 yards per carry, Jamaal Charles, are the worst team in the league.  They have lost their five home games by a combined score of 140-72.  The Broncos have won 6 of their last 7 games and their last 3 road games.  Bronco starting RB Willis McGahee is out for the season.  Ronnie Hillman and Knowshom Moreno will be replacing him there.  If the pass rushers for the Chiefs can’t get any pressure up the middle on Manning, and there’s no reason to think they will, it’s gonna be a long game for the Chiefs.  On the other side of the ball, the Denver pass rush should have a fun time rushing Brady Quinn.  Even though it’s a double digit home dog, I’m gonna pass on the game completely. Denver in another win probably.

PITTSBURGH -1.5 AT CLEVELAND (34.5) –  To give you some kind of idea what is going on in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, all you have to do is look at the betting line here.  It’s basically a toss up.  Cleveland is 2-8.  The Steelers are 6-4.  It’s a division slugfest and either team can win this game.  Big Ben is out for at least another week and after Byron Leftwich got hurt last week and only was able to put up one score on the scoreboard, Charley Batch gets the start here for the Steelers.  Batch is 5-2 when he starts a game in the place of Ben.  The Steelers will keep it pretty vanilla and simple and probably run the ball quite a big behind their offensive line.  The Browns have played tough most of the season.  Even though offensively they’ve been a work in progress, their defense has kept them in almost all of their games.  Rookie RB Trent Richardson is the key to moving the football to the Browns.  If Richardson has success running the ball, then rookie QB Brandon Weeden will have more success throwing the ball.  Browns kicker Phil Dawson is 19-19 in FG’s.  Steelers K Shaun Suisham has only missed once and is 21-22.  This game will probably come down to a MADE field goal it looks like to me.  I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME BUT WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE BROWNS GET THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON HERE.  TOO CLOSE TO CALL THOUGH.

CHICAGO -6 OVER MINNESOTA (38.5) – This is a tough call. I’m going to pass on the game for sure but let me throw out some quick thoughts.  Christian Ponder may be the best QB on the field on Sunday.  Adrian Peterson has 5 runs of 50 yards or more against the Bears.  WR Percy Harvin is OUT for the game.  The Bears OL looked HORRIBLE against the 49ers with their pass rush.  Cutler will be a game time decision even though he passed an independent neurologist’s test on Saturday for a concussion he received last week.  It looks pretty good that Jay will play.  The Bears are 14-5 WITH Cutler, 1-6 without him.  That might be all you need to know on Sunday. Check his status.  Jason Campbell is questionable with sore ribs but will probably start if Cutler isn’t ready.  Big test for Bears OL with Jared Allen rushing the passer for the Vikings.  PASS.

CINCINNATI -8.5 OVER OAKLAND (45) – This is my “Straight Cash Homey” Randy Moss play of the day. The Bengals have looked much better as of late especially on the defensive side of the ball.  Oakland looks like a team with no talent, no offense, and no defense.  They do have a great placekicker but I’m not sure that will mean much.  Carson Palmer returns to his old home in Cincy where he led the Bengals for years.  He was traded to Oakland last season for draft choices and the man that traded him, Hue Jackson, was fired and coaches in Cincy where the draft picks lay in waiting.  Last week the Bengals got 101 yards from the Law Firm, Benjarvus Green-Ellis, his first of the season.  Running the football has been a problem all year for the Bengals.  Bengals QB Andy Dalton has quietly had a good season.  He’s thrown for a 93 QB rating with 20 TD’s and 11 picks and has one of the premier WR’s in the league in A.J. Green.  Green has 10 TD’s and 64 receptions for 911 yards.  TE Jermaine Gresham is becoming a force as of late giving Dalton a reliable guy for 3^rd down.  Since losing to the Browns over a month ago, the Bengals have shown improvement and have won 2 in a row against the Giants and Chiefs by a total of 40 points.  This is a huge game for Cincinnati with a win putting them a game over .500 and in the playoff hunt.  Lose and the remainder of the schedule probably won’t allow them to make it.  Raiders’ RB’s McFadden and Goodson are both out. So is Richard Seymour on the defensive side of the ball.  The Raiders effort will be easy to calculate here.  If the game stays close, they’re playing hard. If not, Cincinnati could blow them out.  I like the OVER here also because I don’t see Palmer coming home and not putting up some big numbers even in defeat.  I’M GOING TO TAKE THE BENGALS FOR 5 STARS AND THE OVER FOR 5 STARS ALSO. CHECK THE WEATHER FOR THE OVER.

BALTIMORE -1 AT SAN DIEGO (47) – Two teams that most picked for the playoffs when the season started but it only looks like like the Ravens will be there somewhere but probably not the Chargers.  If the Chargers lose this game convincingly, it wouldn’t surprise me to see A.J. Smith fire HC Norv Turner in one of the only moves Smith will be able to make this season before he’s fired either soon or at the end of the season.  Even though Ravens QB Joe Flacco doesn’t usually play as well on the road as he does at home (65 QB rating on road), he has won 3 of his last 4 road games.  Even though the Ravens lost a starting LB and CB their defense is only giving up a 76 QB rating, one of the highest in the league.  The offense and Cam Cameron seem to be “pacing” RB Ray Rice as he has only carried the ball 164 times for 697 yards.  He has caught 40 passes for another 337 yards.  WR Torrey Smith will challenge the weak San Diego secondary with his speed. Smith has 7 TD’s and has averaged 17.3 yards per reception.  The Chargers have lost 5 of their last 6 games.  Phillip Rivers has averaged almost 2 turnovers per game during this span.  Usually reliable TE Antonio Gates has only 30 catches for 355 yards and 4 TD’s so far.  WR Malcolm Floyd has only 4 TD’s so far.  RB Ryan Matthews has underachieved with only 522 yards and just one TD so far this season.  No defense and underachieving offense is not going to line up to too many wins in San Diego this season.  Personally, I think it’s a personnel problem but Norv hasn’t really won anywhere he’s been a HC.  Traveling cross country can’t be good for the Ravens here and with the Chargers needing the game so badly, I’m going to PASS on this game completely.  Ravens the better team, Chargers will an upset possibility and a game they need desperately.  PASS.

ARIZONA -1.5 OVER ST. LOUIS (43) – The Rams CRUSHED me in my pick last week.  I had no idea they’d come out and play so poorly especially on the defensive side of the ball.  They made Mark Sanchez look like Joe Montana.  I can’t believe that practice was fun for them this week.  HC Jeff Fisher probably got his defense to make some changes this past week.  WR Danny Amendola is OUT this week however so that isn’t going to help the Rams offense.  The LOSER of this game is probably done for the year.  The winner still has a chance, but a longshot.  The Cards have lost 6 consecutive games after starting the season 4-0.  I’m not sure ANYONE has ever done that before in the NFL.  Rookie QB Ryan Lindley makes his first NFL start after coming in last week and looking horrible.  HC Ken Whisenhunt must know something or maybe he just wants to see what this kid has.  What can it hurt?  He’s lost 6 in a row.  Zona RB Beanie Wells will start Sunday coming back from a knee injury.  This game is a GREAT spot for the Cardinals but can you play a rookie QB here?  I’m going to PASS on this game.  Neither of these teams have won a game since playing each other 7 weeks ago.  That’s pretty pitiful.  St. Louis has gone 5 CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITHOUT FORCING AN OPPONENT TURNOVER. THAT HASN’T HAPPENED SINCE 1950, BEFORE I WAS BORN!  Two good head coaches. Two teams that desperately need to win a game.  I’M GOING TO PASS ONTHIS GAME BUT ARIZONA IS PROBABLY IN A GREAT SPOT HERE.  I JUST DON’T TRUST THE ROOKIE QB IN HIS FIRST GAME.

SAN FRANCISCO -1 AT NEW ORLEANS (49) – This is going to be one of the best games of the day.  The 49ers, coming off an assault of the Bears this past week, go into the Superdome to play the red hot Drew Brees and the Saints offense.  The Saints defense has played better, but their defense is still giving up huge chunks of yardage on the ground.  Colin Kaepernick is probably going to start at QB for the 49ers.  He did a great job last week with Alex Smith sidelined with a concussion.  Even though the Saints were beaten by the 49ers last season in the playoffs, they have won 6 regular season games in a row.  Brees is 5-0 in the regular season with a 107 QB rating against the Niners.  I really like the OVER here.  Not many people give the Saints much of a chance to score over 30 here, but they’re going to have to light up the scoreboard to have a chance against a 49ers team that can run AND throw.  First team to 38 wins this game, IMHO.  Look for Saints TE Jimmy Graham to have a big game today.  It will be interesting to see how the Niners attack on offense.  If they come out throwing the ball, this could be a shootout.  If not, the OVER might be a dead issue.  TAKE THE OVER HERE FOR 5 STARS.  IF YOU PLAY THE GAME, TAKE THE BETTER TEAM, THE NINERS.

GIANTS -3 OVER GREEN BAY (48) – There are so many things to like about this game.  Hard to not pik the hot Green Bay Packers who have won  5 games in a row.  Hard to pick the Giants who have looked a bit dysfunctional especially on the offensive side of the ball.  Eli Manning has put up horrible numbers recently, having NOT thrown for a TD in his last 3 games.  I can’t remember that ever happening to Eli.  On the other side of the ball, Aaron Rodgers has been on fire.  This game is a rematch of the playoff game last season when the Giants upset Green Bay in Lambeau.  Payback is a given but these guys don’t think that way.  Whoever moves the ball both on the ground and in the air and whichever DEFENSE plays the best will probably win the game.  Neither team can afford turnovers.  The Giants are 25^th in the league against the pass.  The Giants do get 3 defensive players back from injury Sunday.  Kenny Phillips will make a big difference if he’s healthy.  The Packers have won 3 games in a row on the road but they were all indoors.  That is where Rodgers is at his best.  The Packers have FOUR CONSECUTIVE ROAD WINS VS. THE GIANTS.  The Giants ARE coming off a bye week which can’t hurt.  EVERYONE IN VEGAS IS ALL OVER THE PACKERS.  THE MONEY AND STRAIGHT LINE IS ENORMOUS.  SO IS THE OVER.  If I was a conspiracy theory bettor, which I am at times, I’d take the Giants and the UNDER.  It is cold.  It is outside.  Both defenses must play better.   I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS THOUGH.

MONDAY NIGHT GAME

CAROLINA -1 OVER PHILLY (48) – If this isn’t the WORST Monday Night game in the history of MNF, it’s in the worst 2 or 3 games.  GIVE ME A CALL ANYTIME MONDAY OR TEXT ME AT 1-800-466-4748 FOR MY MNF PLAY!!

Click here to listen

Join our Pickem League!

Maybe even get some bragging rights to call in to the show with…

Pro Football Pick-Em – Picking against the spread

http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/pickem/

GROUP ID# 17828
Password – football12

Matchups

GREEN BAY -3 OVER DETROIT (52.5) –  The Packers have won 5 of their last 6 games and are chasing the division leading Chicago Bears who are 8-2 and just lost their starting QB this past week.  If they’re going to compete for the crown in their division, they’ll need a win here in Detroit.  4 of Detroit’s last 5 games have been on the road.  The Packers will line up on defense without two of their best players, S Charles Woodson and LB Clay Matthews on Sunday.  If the Lions are to have a chance this season to go to the playoffs, they’ll need a win here more than likely. Their schedule is brutal the rest of the way.  If you are ever going to go against the Packers in any situation, going against them when they lose their pressure on the opposing QB like tomorrow is the time to do it.  If Matthew Stafford has time to throw, this one could be very interesting.  Rodgers has a phenomenal record indoors and this one is indoors.  I’m going to play the OVER 52.5 here for 4 stars.  I don’t bet against Aaron Rodgers indoors.

CINCINNATI -3.5 at KANSAS CITY (43.5) – After losing 4 in a row the Bengals came back last week with a HUGE win at home against the New York Giants at home.  Andy Dalton threw for 4 scores last week.  The Chiefs are probably the worst team in the league.  Last week on Monday Night they played the Steelers tough but lost 16-13 in OT.  This game just stinks to look at.  I’m going to PASS on it.

ST. LOUIS – 3.5 OVER JETS (43.5) – THIS IS MY BHS PLAY OF THE WEEK! Jets are overrated even here as both teams are going different directions.  The Rams have beaten the Redskins, Cardinals, and the Seahawks at home so far this season.  The dome is comfortable for them and their new HC Jeff Fisher.  Last week coming off a bye, they TIED the 49ers who have a very good team.  Now they take on a  team that doesn’t seem to have a clue.  Their talent level is down and their QB play is atrocious.  The locker room is full of idiots sniping at one another and Tim Tebow.  They haven’t won a game in the past 7 weeks.  The Rams have a better starting QB (Sam Bradford), defense, and running game (Steven Jackson). Oh yeah, they have a better head coach in Jeff Fisher also. They got their best receiver back last week in Danny Amendola. Rams OC Brian Shottenheimer was the OC for the Jets for 5 seasons and was let go last year like it was his fault they sucked. It was the best thing that ever happened to him. Big time revenge here no matter what he says.   Add the fact that they are playing at home and I’M GOING TO TAKE THE RAMS MINUS THE POINTS FOR 5 STARS! STRAIGHT CASH HOMEY!!

WASHINGTON -3 OVER PHILLY (42.5) – The Redskins have lost 3 in a row. The Eagles have lost 5 in a row but have played a TOUGH schedule.  Michael Vick is out indefinitely with a concussion and has taken a big time beating so far this season.  Rookie Nick Foles will start at QB for the Eagles.  The Redskins have LOST 8 GAMES IN A ROW WHEN FACING A ROOKIE STARTING QB BELIEVE IT OR NOT!! Boy do they suck lately. The Redskins are coming off a bye week and when that has happened here in D.C. for Shanahan, he’s 0-2. The Eagles have won 5 of their last 6 games in Washington. Even though I was all over the Skins earlier in the week, the line moved 2 points to 3.5 and that’s not enough for me to trust the Skins horrible defense against a Philly team desperate to save Andy Reid’s job.  I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME BECAUSE JUST THINKING ABOUT THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS MAKES ME SICK TO MY STOMACH. You see….I’m a Redskins fan and that’s the hardest thing in the world to be the last 14 years.  Sell the team please Mr. Snyder….please?

TAMPA BAY -1.5 OVER CAROLINA (48) – The Bucs have won 4 out of their last 5 games and have scored more points this season than they have in the history of the club.  HC Greg Schiano has his offense scoring through the air with QB Josh Freeman, who has thrown for over 100 QB rating 5 games in a row, and on the ground with the running of rookie RB Doug Martin who has 862 yards, 7 TD’s, and a 5 yard per carry average.  Since beating New Orleans at home the second game of the season, the Panthers have only beaten Washington in their last 7 games. Speaking to their defense, the Panthers have played one hell of a schedule losing to Tampa Bay, the Giants, the Falcons, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, and Denver.  Those teams have a combined record of 44-22 so far this season.  The Bucs losses come against teams with a combined record of 17-20. Personally, I’m not completely sold on Tampa Bay, but they sure have been able to do what they need to pile up some wins.  I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME JUST BECAUSE IT COULD GO EITHER WAY.  CAROLINA NEEDS THE GAME SOME KIND OF TERRIBLE.

ATLANTA -9.5 OVER ARIZONA (44) – After a 4-0 start the Cards have lost 5 in a row but they are coming off a bye week.  They are having a hard time running the football at all.  They have replaced their starting left tackle because they’ve given up a league leading 41 sacks so far.  Atlanta is coming off its first loss of the season in New Orleans.  Both teams face a tough closing schedule after this game.  Last week Atlanta RB Michael Turner was held to 15 yards on 13 carries and is questionable to play today.  Even though this game looks like a trap, I think that Atlanta holds serve here and dominates a beat up, struggling Arizona team at home. Julio Jones is questionable.  The Cards need the game much more than the Falcons do, but I’m going to play small move here of 3 STARS ON THE ATLANTA FALCONS.

DALLAS -9 OVER CLEVELAND (42) – With any luck at all, the Cowboys could be undefeated after their bye week this season.  Last week their defense and special teams helped out their offense and beat Philly 38-23.  Tony Romo didn’t have a turnover.  Romo has been horrible at home this season with a 60 QB rating so far in three games. He has thrown 2 TD’s and 10 picks there.  The Cowboys are just a game and a half behind the Giants who are reeling right now but on their bye week.   RB DeMarco Murray should be playing some this week after injuring his knee. Felix Jones has done a good job in his place.  Opponents have a 90 QB rating against the Cowboys this season.  Cleveland is a better team than their record suggests.  The Browns have been in EVERY game this season so far.  For the Cowboys at home to be favored by almost 10 points is a joke, in my opinion. The boys play much better on the road than they do at home.  Hopefully that will change sometime but so far, that’s the rule.   Oh yeah, the Browns are coming off a bye week also.  Cleveland 29 year old rookie RB Brandon Weeden has been struggling as of late.  RB Trent Richardson is doing a decent job running the football.  The Cowboys DB’s should take care of the Brown’ WR’s and win the game easily but until the Cowboys win consistently at home, I’m leaving them alone.  I ACTUALLY LIKE THE COWBOYS HERE BUT I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME.

NEW ORLEANS -5 AT OAKLAND (55) – The Saints are maybe the hottest team in the NFL right now.  Drew Brees is in late season form and he has a RUNNING GAME to go along with his passing yards .  I’m recognizing more and more people on their sidelines each week which is a good thing.  RB Chris Ivory is looking unstoppable.  They get Darren Sproles back this week which will just make them tougher.  After starting 0-4 and looking horrible, in the last 5 games they’ve beaten San Diego, Tampa Bay, Philly, and undefeated Atlanta!  They are still giving up 5.1 yards per carry on defense but are improving there.  In the LAST TWO GAMES THE RAIDERS HAVE GIVEN UP 97 POINTS! It’s gonna be hard to keep up with Brees and the Saints offense playing like that.  This is as bad as it’s been for the Raiders defense since 1961.  Both teams pass the ball more than any other teams in the league.  I don’t see how the Raiders stay with the red hot Saints here, but if they do, they’ll have to score a ton of points.  I’M GOING TO TAKE THE OVER 55 POINTS HERE FOR 5 STARS.  Call me at 1-800-466-4748 between noon and 4 pm to see if I release the Saints here.  I’m hearing nothing but good things right now.  CHECK THE WEATHER!

DENVER -8 OVER SAN DIEGO (53.5) – The Broncos have won 5 of their last 6 games.  Peyton Manning just gets better and better. If anything happens to him, the Broncos are in trouble.  They have averaged over an 18 point winning spread in those 5 games.  They beat the Chargers a month ago in San Diego 35-24. On the other side of the ball, Phillip Rivers has been struggling at times.  He’s thrown for 15 TD’s but he has 12 picks.  The Broncos defense has played well and they have stopped the run well the entire season.  Even more impressive for the Broncos is their 31 sacks.  They’ve only given up 11 sacks all season long.  Peyton Manning has thrown 21 TD’s and has only 5 picks and 4 were in one game early in the season.  The Chargers after starting 3-1 have lost 4 of their last 5 games with their only win being against lowly Kansas City.  San Diego HC Norv Turner is on his last legs.  It’s just a matter of time before he’s relieved of his duties in San Diego.  With one more win Peyton Manning will tie Broncos GM John Elway for 2^nd place all time in victories by a starting NFL QB.   TE Antonio Gates needs one TD to catch Lance Alworth with the most TD’s by a receiver in San Diego history.  The Broncos are playing as well if not better than every team in the NFL right now. The Chargers not so much.  I’M GOING TO TAKE DENVER HERE for 3 stars and the OVER for 5 stars.

NEW ENGLAND -9.5 OVER INDY (54) – The Patriots have a turnover margin of +16.  The Colts turnover margin is -9.  That alone is the difference in the spread.  Now you add to that a Colts defense which is improving but not dominating against Tom Brady, at home with his set of receivers and you’ve got trouble for the Colts.  After losing to the Jets 6 weeks ago by a score of 35-9, the Colts have won 4 games in a row rallying behind their head coach who is battling cancer.  Now they travel to Foxboro where it is nearly impossible to beat the cheating Pats.  I can say that because I’ve read the book, but this game might not be so easy for the Patriots, even if they are playing at home.  The Colts are giving up a 96 QB rating to opposing QB’s.  Pats RB Steven Ridley already has 814 yards rushing and 6 TD’s.  On the other side of the ball, the Pats will have to double Reggie Wayne who has 69 catches and 3 TD’s this season.  I PREDICT A LOT OF DAMN POINTS HERE TODAY..  I’M GOING TO TAKE THE OVER 54 FOR 5 STARS HERE. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Pats dominate and the surprising 6-3 Colts to take a breath and lose here.

BALTIMORE -3.5 AT PITTSBURGH (45.5) – Ben Roethlisberger is out for this game.  Byron Leftwich will start for the Steelers. It is his first start since 2009.  Without Ben Roethlisberger the Steelers are 0-4 against the Ravens.  The Steelers defense has played great as of recently.  The Steelers are tougher at home than they are on the road.  I look for a big dose of running the football from the Steelers no matter who is doing the running.  This game even with Ben out could go either way.  Ravens RB Ray Rice has started 35 consecutive games but he needs to get more touches.  The Ravens have struggled on the road no matter where they have played. I’M GOING TO PASS ON THIS GAME EVEN THOUGH THE STEELERS NEED THE GAME DESPERATELY.