The football game of the week this weekend has nothing to do
with the NFL so forgive me if I can’t seem to concentrate.
Just give me a few minutes and we’ll get down to business.
As I’m writing this there are 26 1/2 hours remaining until
kickoff between No. 2 Michigan and No. 1 Ohio State.
The anticipation for this game is immense for football fans
across the country. It is being touted as the college football game
of the century and many believe it will ultimately decide this
season’s national champion.ð
This Michigan fan sees the outcome of this game at Michigan
65-3. Just kidding.
OSU has the advantage at QB and Michigan at RB. The wide
receiver battle is a push. The Wolverine defense gives UM the edge.
MICHIGAN 26-24.
So, is it me or are NFL games harder to pick than ever? It’s
probably me. But the parity in the league is unbelievable. It’s
also great.
It’s been particularly refreshing to see the Patriots knocked
off their high horse in the AFC East. Thank you Eric Mangini and
the Jets (although the Pats still do lead by one game).
Speaking of that game and the handshake incident … Pats coach
Bill Belichick offered Mangini just a cursory handshake after the
loss and has refused to refer the Jets coach by name. Mangini left
the Pats’ staff last season for the head coaching job in New York
and apparently there are still some hard feelings.
Belichick may be a football genius and repeat Super Bowl winner,
but that’s pretty classless.
PITTSBURGH AT CLEVELAND – Anything can happen in this rivalry.
Last year the Steelers crushed the Browns 41-0. The Steelers may
have turned things around. PITTSBURGH 23-12.
ST. LOUIS AT CAROLINA – Last week’s win over Tampa Bay put the
Panthers back in contention in the NFC South at second place in the
division. The Rams, meanwhile, are in third in the NFC West.
CAROLINA 27-17
ATLANTA AT BALTIMORE – Steve McNair finally provided what
Baltimore ‘s been missing. They’re impressive at 7-2 and the
Falcons are struggling. BALTIMORE 20-7
WASHINGTON AT TAMPA BAY – The last two weeks I picked Tampa to
win and they lost both times. Let’s try again. TAMPA BAY 17-13
TENNESSEE AT PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia is solid and Brian
Westbrook is en fuego. PHILLY 31-20
CHICAGO AT NEW YORK JETS – The Jets are a very respectable 5-4
right now and are coming off of an upset win over the Patriots in
Foxborough last week. Bears beware. CHICAGO 24-20
CINCINNATI AT NEW ORLEANS -The Saints should rebound from last
week’s close loss to the Steelers with a win over the Bengals at
home on Sunday. NEW ORLEANS 27-20
MINNESOTA AT MIAMI – Heads, home team. Tails, visitors. Heads it
is. MIAMI 23-19
OAKLAND AT KANSAS CITY – Oakland did, indeed, manage to muster
some points last week. I’m still never picking them again. KANSAS
CITY 34-13
BUFFALO AT HOUSTON – Bills fans can’t just look at the schedule
and mark the Texans down for at least one W anymore. But, my
husband Kyle gets irritated with me because I’ve been picking
against the Bills (even though we’re both fans). So, here you go
Kyle. BUFFALO 20-14
NEW ENGLAND AT GREEN BAY – Here’s this week’s upset. Or maybe I
just hate the Patriots. GREEN BAY 21-17
SEATTLE AT SAN FRANCISCO – Both Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun
Alexander may return for this game. Regardless, the Seahawks will
return to Seattle with the win. SEATTLE 31-13
DETROIT AT ARIZONA – The Lions (2-7) and Cardinals (1-8) have
three wins between them. Arizona should even the score at two each
this week. ARIZONA 17-7
INDIANAPOLIS AT DALLAS – Last week the Colts became the first
team in NFL history to begin two consecutive seasons at 9-0. This
week they’ll become the first team in NFL history to begin two
consecutive seasons at 10-0. INDY 28-21
SAN DIEGO AT DENVER – What a game this should be. Do you give
the edge to the veteran Denver quarterback Jake Plummer or to the
phenomenal Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson? Well, when
you put it that way… SAN DIEGO 28-27
NEW YORK GIANTS AT JACKSONVILLE – I never have anything to say
by the end of the list. Next week I’ll start from the bottom and
work up. NEW YORK GIANTS 14-10
