Sunday Smash- Week 15
Hello sports fans, thanks for coming back to the show. Just as a matter of reference, my weekly NFL preview/picks section is titled, as you can see, the Sunday Smash. This is followed by the Monday Mash, a recap of all the hustle and bustle from Sunday's action. It's unfortunate that this blog has come into existence so late in the NFL season, but we'll make do with what we got. A few Sunday Smashes are better than no Sunday Smashes. At least I hope you will all feel that way...
So without further ado, off to the picks. Similar to Chris, these will all be against the spread. I will go ahead and pick every game of the week, then give a brief synopsis of explanation. Of course, we always need one upset per week...an underdog that I'll pick not just to cover but to win outright. It's the Upset Perfiction (Perfect Prediction) of the Week. That one comes last. I'll put the home teams in bold and put the spread in parenthesis-- you know the drill. Our first game is happening in just a couple of hours, so let's get this show on the road.
Saints (-7.5) over Cowboys
Dallas can't get out of its own way, while the Saints made it absolutely clear that they are going full-speed for an undefeated season. Already hearing the Giants' footsteps behind them, the Cowboys are going against the best homefield advantage in the NFL.
Titans (-5) over Dolphins
Yes, the Dolphins are playing for a whole lot and the Titans are playing for very little, right? SHOOSH! That's what you think! Because Tennessee running back Chris Johnson (and his offensive line) are dying for him to go for over 2,000 yards rushing. Miami won't handle their running ferocity.
Bills (+7) over Patriots
Remember the opening week of the season? Of course you do. Buffalo has the Pats completely and utterly beaten until their stupidity results in a New England escape? The Bills will come to play for their home fans in their biggest game of the season. Seven points is too many.
Cardinals (-13.5) over Lions
One of the monster spreads this week, and it is justified. San Francisco (emphatically) put a hold on the Cardinals clinching the NFC West last week. Arizona will take out a lot of anger on the lowly Lions.
Jets (-6.5) over Falcons
Will the weather be a great equalizer? Matt Ryan probably isn't playing for Atlanta, but nobody's going to throw in a blizzard anyway. But with Michael Turner also banged up, New York's running game holds the decisive edge.
Browns (+2) over Chiefs
Oh heavens this one will be graphic. These teams combined have a majestic record of 5-21. The Browns cover with a projected score of 3-2 Chiefs.
Texans (-14) over Rams
Before this season started, you were either drinking the Houston kool-aid or you weren't. Many of you are new readers, so you should know that I have been guzzling the kool-aid all year. I think they can win every game they play. A couple of Schaub-to-Johnson bombs will end this one early.
Packers (+2) over Steelers
Um, did I miss something? Pittsburgh lost to Oakland and Cleveland in the span of 5 days. And they are favored over a team on the fast-track to the playoffs. This is probably a big-time trap. But I can't justify picking otherwise.
Seahawks (-6.5) over Buccaneers
Watching the Jets-Bucs game last week, we were all witness to how low Tampa can sink. Their fans are treating first downs like touchdowns. They began rebuilding a long time ago, and traaveling across the country to play this game won't be good for their cause.
Raiders (+14) over Broncos
This week, there are three spreads over 13.5 points. It's just not in my blood to take the favorites in all of them. Charlie Frye is starting at QB for Oakland. Maybe he will catch Denver by surprise? (Yeah, that's all I got as far as justification. Oh boy...)
Eagles (-7.5) over 49ers
The first of this week's Snow Bowls. Originally scheduled for an early start, winter dearest had different plans. Those California boys won't be in the mood to play in freezing conditions.
Bears (+11) over Ravens
Is me being a Jets fan a part of this? Maybe a little. But in Snow Bowl #2, eleven points seems like an awful lot. And these are the Bears here...they won't be uncomfortable. Bears QB Jay Cutler puts his kamikaze duties on hold for just one game.
Vikings (-9) over Panthers
Brett Favre in primetime? I can already hear Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth verbally bowing before him. He'll make some plays against an indifferent Carolina defense.
Upset Perfiction of the Week:
Bengals (+7) over Chargers
Make no mistake: I like this Chargers team a lot. They were my preseason pick to be AFC champions. But Cincinnati has been on a wave all season. With the tragic death of receiver Chris Henry, they will ride their emotions to a victory. The Chargers can afford a loss without taking a huge hit.
Well there you have it. Enjoy the games everyone!
-Conor
So without further ado, off to the picks. Similar to Chris, these will all be against the spread. I will go ahead and pick every game of the week, then give a brief synopsis of explanation. Of course, we always need one upset per week...an underdog that I'll pick not just to cover but to win outright. It's the Upset Perfiction (Perfect Prediction) of the Week. That one comes last. I'll put the home teams in bold and put the spread in parenthesis-- you know the drill. Our first game is happening in just a couple of hours, so let's get this show on the road.
Saints (-7.5) over Cowboys
Dallas can't get out of its own way, while the Saints made it absolutely clear that they are going full-speed for an undefeated season. Already hearing the Giants' footsteps behind them, the Cowboys are going against the best homefield advantage in the NFL.
Titans (-5) over Dolphins
Yes, the Dolphins are playing for a whole lot and the Titans are playing for very little, right? SHOOSH! That's what you think! Because Tennessee running back Chris Johnson (and his offensive line) are dying for him to go for over 2,000 yards rushing. Miami won't handle their running ferocity.
Bills (+7) over Patriots
Remember the opening week of the season? Of course you do. Buffalo has the Pats completely and utterly beaten until their stupidity results in a New England escape? The Bills will come to play for their home fans in their biggest game of the season. Seven points is too many.
Cardinals (-13.5) over Lions
One of the monster spreads this week, and it is justified. San Francisco (emphatically) put a hold on the Cardinals clinching the NFC West last week. Arizona will take out a lot of anger on the lowly Lions.
Jets (-6.5) over Falcons
Will the weather be a great equalizer? Matt Ryan probably isn't playing for Atlanta, but nobody's going to throw in a blizzard anyway. But with Michael Turner also banged up, New York's running game holds the decisive edge.
Browns (+2) over Chiefs
Oh heavens this one will be graphic. These teams combined have a majestic record of 5-21. The Browns cover with a projected score of 3-2 Chiefs.
Texans (-14) over Rams
Before this season started, you were either drinking the Houston kool-aid or you weren't. Many of you are new readers, so you should know that I have been guzzling the kool-aid all year. I think they can win every game they play. A couple of Schaub-to-Johnson bombs will end this one early.
Packers (+2) over Steelers
Um, did I miss something? Pittsburgh lost to Oakland and Cleveland in the span of 5 days. And they are favored over a team on the fast-track to the playoffs. This is probably a big-time trap. But I can't justify picking otherwise.
Seahawks (-6.5) over Buccaneers
Watching the Jets-Bucs game last week, we were all witness to how low Tampa can sink. Their fans are treating first downs like touchdowns. They began rebuilding a long time ago, and traaveling across the country to play this game won't be good for their cause.
Raiders (+14) over Broncos
This week, there are three spreads over 13.5 points. It's just not in my blood to take the favorites in all of them. Charlie Frye is starting at QB for Oakland. Maybe he will catch Denver by surprise? (Yeah, that's all I got as far as justification. Oh boy...)
Eagles (-7.5) over 49ers
The first of this week's Snow Bowls. Originally scheduled for an early start, winter dearest had different plans. Those California boys won't be in the mood to play in freezing conditions.
Bears (+11) over Ravens
Is me being a Jets fan a part of this? Maybe a little. But in Snow Bowl #2, eleven points seems like an awful lot. And these are the Bears here...they won't be uncomfortable. Bears QB Jay Cutler puts his kamikaze duties on hold for just one game.
Vikings (-9) over Panthers
Brett Favre in primetime? I can already hear Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth verbally bowing before him. He'll make some plays against an indifferent Carolina defense.
Upset Perfiction of the Week:
Bengals (+7) over Chargers
Make no mistake: I like this Chargers team a lot. They were my preseason pick to be AFC champions. But Cincinnati has been on a wave all season. With the tragic death of receiver Chris Henry, they will ride their emotions to a victory. The Chargers can afford a loss without taking a huge hit.
Well there you have it. Enjoy the games everyone!
-Conor
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