Sunday Smash- Week 6
Hello again, folks! Welcome back to the Sunday Smash. It's great to be back in this, a loaded weekend in the sports world. The Texas Rangers played flawlessly against the Yankees in 17 out of 18 innings, but only came away from Texas with a 1-1 split. But with the prophet Cliff Lee on the mound in game three, the Rangers are looking to take control in the Bronx tomorrow.
The Giants and Phillies might have played a good game last night...but I wouldn't know anything about it. Unfortunately, the cat fight between Cablevision and Fox robbed millions of viewers from game 1 of the NLCS, and the tussle has about two hours to get settled before the Lions-Giants game gets blacked out as well. In any case, Lincecum tops Hallday with the help of his friend Cody Ross, who did those great initials proud with two home runs.
But it's mid-October...let's move on from the boys of summer. It's week 6 in a quirky NFL season. Why quirky, you ask? Well, we currently live in an NFL world where Drew Brees has thrown five more interceptions than Mark Sanchez. Arian Foster has run for 200 more yards than Ray Rice. Larry Fitzgerald has two less receiving yards than...Danny Amendola??
So I'm going to stand behind 'quirky.' Week six features a some games that will dictate the elite of the NFl to this point. But enough talk-let me make you some money in Vegas. This picks for week six, with the home team in bold.
Chargers (-8.5) over Rams
The Rams already have one more win than they did in all of 2009. Sam Bradford looks like the real deal as he rolls with the punches of a rookie quarterback. That being said, I foresee an ugly one in St. Louis today. The Chargers have scored the most points in the NFL this year, and they are mad as hell about losing to Oakland last week. Perhaps they took the Raiders for granted. They won't do the same with the Rams.
Texans (-4.5) over Chiefs
A unique matchup in Houston. On paper, the Texans are likely a top-10 NFL team and are far superior to the Chiefs. Kansas City has done more with less than any team this year. The Weis/Crennel coaching duo is back with a vengeance. Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones will keep it competitive throughout, but Arian Foster and Andre Johnson will be a little too much to handle.
Ravens (+2.5) over Patriots
The post-Randy era begins in New England. I bet they wish it didn't come against this defense, though. The Pats have revenge on their minds, as the Ravens obliterated and embarrassed them in the 2009 playoffs. Baltimore has already beat the Jets and Steelers on the road this year. If they win this one, it will be tough to argue them as the team to beat. Deion Branch is back with the Patriots and will make his debut today. It's the most anticipated game of the day, and I say it's Baltimore by a touchdown.
Saints (-4.5) over Bucs
Oy. A little worried about this one. Tampa is sneaky-good and New Orleans has been creepily-underwhelming. Just a gut feeling here that New Orleans gives everyone a "we're going to be ok" victory. I still have no clue how the Bucs are 3-1...it can't go to 4-1. It just can't.
Falcons (+2) over Eagles
As the 4-1 record suggests, I'll take Altanta over any other team in the NFC at the moment. That includes Philly, who is hoping Kevin Kolb can live up to all the promise they saw in him. It will be a tough one on the road for sure, but the Falcons have enough to squeak one out. (BONUS PICK: Giants 6, Phillies 3 at Citizen's Bank tonight. The headline in Philly tomorrow morning: "Massacre Weekend in Philly: Please contact the authorities if anyone knows the whereabouts of missing Kevin Kolb.")
Giants (-10) over Lions
Calvin Johnson is a bit achy. The Big Blue defensive line will give Shaun Hill fits all afternoon. I'm seeing an explosion from the Giants receivers today and this one will be over early. But again, me and millions of my buddies probably won't be seeing the game due to the Cablevsion/Fox argument. So enjoy the game, the rest of America!
Bears (-6) over Seahawks
A darkhorse for the Upset Perfiction of the Week. I love Seattle and hate Chicago. Jay Cutler comes back for the Bears, and he's got nowhere to go but up after getting destroyed and injured against the Giants. The Seahwaks will be game for a while, But Chicago will take this one comfortably.
Dolphins (+3) over Packers
Will Aaron Rodgers still be feeling a little woozy? He is one of many banged up Packers going into this one. Miami is by far the most annoying team to play in the NFL. Wildcat, Chad Henne being either brilliant of disastrous depending on the day, a defense that isn't great but is capable. At home, the Packers have the ability to squash the fish early. But if Miami hangs around (and I think they will) they will pull it together enough to at least cover,
Jets (-3.5) over Broncos
A considerable amount of red flags here. Kyle Orton is on fire and the Jets gave up a billion yards to Favre late last week. Revis probably won't play. I hate to say it, but Sanchez is due for a sophomore meltdown. I'm hoping it's against a team bad enough so the Jets can overcome it. Is Denver that bad? Probably not. But we're confident the Jets go into their welcomed bye week on a high note.
Raiders (+7) over 49ers
Come on. The whole 'Niners not winning' thing is starting to get pretty funny. Admit it.
Vikings (-1.5) over Cowboys
For the sole fact that I picked these piles of poop to win the freakin' Super Bowl.
Colts (-3) over Redskins
It's boring, I know. But save your money and bet on Peyton at night. Or just don't bet at all. Put the money in the bank. You always win there.
Upset Perfiction of the Week:
Browns (+14) over Steelers
BOOM! By far, the biggest point spread of the week. We'll take it head on. Roethlisberger has a few hiccups in his return. Cleveland gets a couple of miraculous breaks (a la Arizona last week against New Orleans) and Colt McCoy has one fantastic game before being abysmal the rest of his career. This is no farce. The Browns are winning this game. And it's going to be 16-14.
(But don't be shy to go to the bank instead of betting this one, too.)
The Giants and Phillies might have played a good game last night...but I wouldn't know anything about it. Unfortunately, the cat fight between Cablevision and Fox robbed millions of viewers from game 1 of the NLCS, and the tussle has about two hours to get settled before the Lions-Giants game gets blacked out as well. In any case, Lincecum tops Hallday with the help of his friend Cody Ross, who did those great initials proud with two home runs.
But it's mid-October...let's move on from the boys of summer. It's week 6 in a quirky NFL season. Why quirky, you ask? Well, we currently live in an NFL world where Drew Brees has thrown five more interceptions than Mark Sanchez. Arian Foster has run for 200 more yards than Ray Rice. Larry Fitzgerald has two less receiving yards than...Danny Amendola??
So I'm going to stand behind 'quirky.' Week six features a some games that will dictate the elite of the NFl to this point. But enough talk-let me make you some money in Vegas. This picks for week six, with the home team in bold.
Chargers (-8.5) over Rams
The Rams already have one more win than they did in all of 2009. Sam Bradford looks like the real deal as he rolls with the punches of a rookie quarterback. That being said, I foresee an ugly one in St. Louis today. The Chargers have scored the most points in the NFL this year, and they are mad as hell about losing to Oakland last week. Perhaps they took the Raiders for granted. They won't do the same with the Rams.
Texans (-4.5) over Chiefs
A unique matchup in Houston. On paper, the Texans are likely a top-10 NFL team and are far superior to the Chiefs. Kansas City has done more with less than any team this year. The Weis/Crennel coaching duo is back with a vengeance. Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones will keep it competitive throughout, but Arian Foster and Andre Johnson will be a little too much to handle.
Ravens (+2.5) over Patriots
The post-Randy era begins in New England. I bet they wish it didn't come against this defense, though. The Pats have revenge on their minds, as the Ravens obliterated and embarrassed them in the 2009 playoffs. Baltimore has already beat the Jets and Steelers on the road this year. If they win this one, it will be tough to argue them as the team to beat. Deion Branch is back with the Patriots and will make his debut today. It's the most anticipated game of the day, and I say it's Baltimore by a touchdown.
Saints (-4.5) over Bucs
Oy. A little worried about this one. Tampa is sneaky-good and New Orleans has been creepily-underwhelming. Just a gut feeling here that New Orleans gives everyone a "we're going to be ok" victory. I still have no clue how the Bucs are 3-1...it can't go to 4-1. It just can't.
Falcons (+2) over Eagles
As the 4-1 record suggests, I'll take Altanta over any other team in the NFC at the moment. That includes Philly, who is hoping Kevin Kolb can live up to all the promise they saw in him. It will be a tough one on the road for sure, but the Falcons have enough to squeak one out. (BONUS PICK: Giants 6, Phillies 3 at Citizen's Bank tonight. The headline in Philly tomorrow morning: "Massacre Weekend in Philly: Please contact the authorities if anyone knows the whereabouts of missing Kevin Kolb.")
Giants (-10) over Lions
Calvin Johnson is a bit achy. The Big Blue defensive line will give Shaun Hill fits all afternoon. I'm seeing an explosion from the Giants receivers today and this one will be over early. But again, me and millions of my buddies probably won't be seeing the game due to the Cablevsion/Fox argument. So enjoy the game, the rest of America!
Bears (-6) over Seahawks
A darkhorse for the Upset Perfiction of the Week. I love Seattle and hate Chicago. Jay Cutler comes back for the Bears, and he's got nowhere to go but up after getting destroyed and injured against the Giants. The Seahwaks will be game for a while, But Chicago will take this one comfortably.
Dolphins (+3) over Packers
Will Aaron Rodgers still be feeling a little woozy? He is one of many banged up Packers going into this one. Miami is by far the most annoying team to play in the NFL. Wildcat, Chad Henne being either brilliant of disastrous depending on the day, a defense that isn't great but is capable. At home, the Packers have the ability to squash the fish early. But if Miami hangs around (and I think they will) they will pull it together enough to at least cover,
Jets (-3.5) over Broncos
A considerable amount of red flags here. Kyle Orton is on fire and the Jets gave up a billion yards to Favre late last week. Revis probably won't play. I hate to say it, but Sanchez is due for a sophomore meltdown. I'm hoping it's against a team bad enough so the Jets can overcome it. Is Denver that bad? Probably not. But we're confident the Jets go into their welcomed bye week on a high note.
Raiders (+7) over 49ers
Come on. The whole 'Niners not winning' thing is starting to get pretty funny. Admit it.
Vikings (-1.5) over Cowboys
For the sole fact that I picked these piles of poop to win the freakin' Super Bowl.
Colts (-3) over Redskins
It's boring, I know. But save your money and bet on Peyton at night. Or just don't bet at all. Put the money in the bank. You always win there.
Upset Perfiction of the Week:
Browns (+14) over Steelers
BOOM! By far, the biggest point spread of the week. We'll take it head on. Roethlisberger has a few hiccups in his return. Cleveland gets a couple of miraculous breaks (a la Arizona last week against New Orleans) and Colt McCoy has one fantastic game before being abysmal the rest of his career. This is no farce. The Browns are winning this game. And it's going to be 16-14.
(But don't be shy to go to the bank instead of betting this one, too.)
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