Sunday Smash- Week 7
Hello again, everyone!
Texas Rangers vs. San Francisco Giants.
If you were told on April 1st that this would be the World Series matchup, what's the first thought that goes through your noodle? Is this a joke (no.) Did all the high-budget teams crap the bed? (kinda.) Josh Hamilton must have been the best hitter on the planet this year? (Probably.) How did the Giants score runs? (still under review.)
Nonetheless, baseball has guaranteed us a fairytale ending to 2010. Texas hadn't won a single series in their history before this year. San Fran hasn't won since black and white televisions, culminating with their 2002 devastation at the hands of Los Anaheim. It's a feel good story for the sub-$100 million payroll community.
That being said, give me the Rangers in 5. MVP goes to Cliff Lee. The over/under on the Yankees offering Lee $150 million over 5 years after the final pitch of the series? Six minutes.
But back to the league that prides itself on such parody. The NFL season is whipping by, and the Jets have already reached their bye week. They sure are riding high, and so far have fulfilled Rex Ryan's prophecy of leading the league in f'ing wins.
So it's the one week in the regular season where every Sunday Smash pick is free of any bias. Quite exciting. But I'm not gonna give you the light. I'm gonna SHOW you the light! On to the picks for week 7...
Steelers (-3) over Dolphins
Looking at the NFL spreads, there are only two games where the home team is the underdog. This is one of them, and with good reason. The only way Miami keeps this one close is if Brandon Marshall has one of his circus days. Pittsburgh will move the ball on this Dolphin defense, and Chad Henne will have to play mistake-free as he tries to keep up. With Polamalu & co, I don't like his chances.
Jaguars (+9.5) over Chiefs
All I can think of is Jacksonville kicker Josh Scobee running around the field like a maniac after his kick beat the Colts. It can't escape my brain. With that in mind, 10 points just seems like too much to me. Kansas City is content to pound it with Charles/Jones and take care of business while keeping it close.
Titans (-3) over Eagles
A Chris Johnson supernova in the making. Kerry Collins will start for Tennessee...Lord knows whether or not the team actually trusts him. When in doubt, go to the guy with gold teeth that's dying to rush for 2500 yards this season. Without DeSean Jackson, Kevin Kolb and the bird offense won't keep pace.
Redskins (+3) over Bears
Donovan McNabb goes back home to Chi-town, where he's got some good history. The Bears are one of the shakiest 4-2 teams in recent NFL history. Matt Forte will probably go crazy this week, if only because I traded him from my fantasy team. I think the Skins are better top-to-bottom though, and the three points don't hurt either.
Saints (-13) over Browns
I took the Brown plus-two touchdowns last week and they embarrassed both me and themselves. More importantly, me. The Saints are still trying to prove to the football world that 'everything's fine' so they won't mess around and this one will be over early.
Bills (+13) over Ravens
I'm not going to be the guy that picks both the huge favorites. That's not good business. Buffalo had their bye last week...maybe they come out with some pride and with some rejuvenation. That still won't be enough to win, of course. But keeping it within 13 isn't asking for too much of a miracle...especially if Ray Rice is gimpy-er that we all are led to believe.
Panthers (+3) over 49ers
Buckle up, Carolina fans: the Matt Moore era is BACK. More importantly, Steve Smith is back for him as a receiver. The 49ers eeked out their first win last week...is it possible to have a hangover week at 1-5? I have a hunch, though, that Carolina's running game comes out of its season-long slumber today. Williams and Stewart used to be the most feared tandem in the game. After being dormant for most of 2010, I think one or both just explodes today.
Rams (+3) over Buccaneers
Consider this my apology to you, St. Louis. I ridiculed, I teased...I hurt. You are far better than I envisioned and I was too stubborn to admit it week after week. Go ahead and beat down Tampa, and continue the most improbably chase to the playoffs in NFL history.
Cardinals (+7) over Seahawks
No way. Never pass down 7 points in a game between ANY two NFC West teams. Nobody is better than anyone else. Seattle is my pick to win this division and to win this game. But seven points is way too steep. This same Cardinal team beat New Orleans this year.
Chargers (-2.5) over Patriots
Remember when I said this Sunday Smash would be 100% free of bias? My bad. Great chance here for the Jets to get some breathing room in the AFC East without even taking the field. The Chargers pass defense has been stellar this year and, ya know, the Pats like to do that pass stuff. San Diego has stunk this year, but they still have some venomous hatred for the Pats that's been brewing for many years. A cross-country trip is never easy (Jets in Denver last week?) and the Chargers will stay consistent in perplexing the NFL world with their play.
Broncos (-7.5) over Raiders
Kyle Orton vs. Kyle Boller...the prophecy has been fulfilled. Denver showed me a lot when I watched them against the Jets last week. Oakland has been awfully feisty though, and 7.5 points puts a shiver down my spine. But Denver will come out pissed that they lost the game last week. In front of their home fans, they will put on a show and keep pace in the division.
Vikings (+3) over Packers
Brett Favre's had a long couple of weeks. The NFL season has been maddeningly hard to figure out. After the 'Panic Bowl' against Dallas, Minnesota will win this one and all the sudden be virtually tied atop the NFC North. The Vikings aren't done, and they will play like it tonight. Plus, the Pack ravaged by injuries. Favre will find a way in his home that used to be home.
Upset Perfiction of the Week:
Bengals (+3.5) over Falcons
The last stand for Cincinnati. Actually, this is probably the first of many last stands for Cincinnati in 2010. If Pittsburgh wins today over Miami, the Bengals are looking at a 3-game hole in the division if they lose. I just don't see that happening this early. Terrell Owens has been incredible so far in the Bengal offense. If He, Ocho, and Cedric Benson can have everything click together, they could be a top-5 offense in the NFL. Atlanta looked bad against Philly last week. Were the exposed at all? To be determined. Today.
Bengals 27, Falcons 20. Book it.
Thanks for reading, everyone. Enjoy your football Sunday.
Texas Rangers vs. San Francisco Giants.
If you were told on April 1st that this would be the World Series matchup, what's the first thought that goes through your noodle? Is this a joke (no.) Did all the high-budget teams crap the bed? (kinda.) Josh Hamilton must have been the best hitter on the planet this year? (Probably.) How did the Giants score runs? (still under review.)
Nonetheless, baseball has guaranteed us a fairytale ending to 2010. Texas hadn't won a single series in their history before this year. San Fran hasn't won since black and white televisions, culminating with their 2002 devastation at the hands of Los Anaheim. It's a feel good story for the sub-$100 million payroll community.
That being said, give me the Rangers in 5. MVP goes to Cliff Lee. The over/under on the Yankees offering Lee $150 million over 5 years after the final pitch of the series? Six minutes.
But back to the league that prides itself on such parody. The NFL season is whipping by, and the Jets have already reached their bye week. They sure are riding high, and so far have fulfilled Rex Ryan's prophecy of leading the league in f'ing wins.
So it's the one week in the regular season where every Sunday Smash pick is free of any bias. Quite exciting. But I'm not gonna give you the light. I'm gonna SHOW you the light! On to the picks for week 7...
Steelers (-3) over Dolphins
Looking at the NFL spreads, there are only two games where the home team is the underdog. This is one of them, and with good reason. The only way Miami keeps this one close is if Brandon Marshall has one of his circus days. Pittsburgh will move the ball on this Dolphin defense, and Chad Henne will have to play mistake-free as he tries to keep up. With Polamalu & co, I don't like his chances.
Jaguars (+9.5) over Chiefs
All I can think of is Jacksonville kicker Josh Scobee running around the field like a maniac after his kick beat the Colts. It can't escape my brain. With that in mind, 10 points just seems like too much to me. Kansas City is content to pound it with Charles/Jones and take care of business while keeping it close.
Titans (-3) over Eagles
A Chris Johnson supernova in the making. Kerry Collins will start for Tennessee...Lord knows whether or not the team actually trusts him. When in doubt, go to the guy with gold teeth that's dying to rush for 2500 yards this season. Without DeSean Jackson, Kevin Kolb and the bird offense won't keep pace.
Redskins (+3) over Bears
Donovan McNabb goes back home to Chi-town, where he's got some good history. The Bears are one of the shakiest 4-2 teams in recent NFL history. Matt Forte will probably go crazy this week, if only because I traded him from my fantasy team. I think the Skins are better top-to-bottom though, and the three points don't hurt either.
Saints (-13) over Browns
I took the Brown plus-two touchdowns last week and they embarrassed both me and themselves. More importantly, me. The Saints are still trying to prove to the football world that 'everything's fine' so they won't mess around and this one will be over early.
Bills (+13) over Ravens
I'm not going to be the guy that picks both the huge favorites. That's not good business. Buffalo had their bye last week...maybe they come out with some pride and with some rejuvenation. That still won't be enough to win, of course. But keeping it within 13 isn't asking for too much of a miracle...especially if Ray Rice is gimpy-er that we all are led to believe.
Panthers (+3) over 49ers
Buckle up, Carolina fans: the Matt Moore era is BACK. More importantly, Steve Smith is back for him as a receiver. The 49ers eeked out their first win last week...is it possible to have a hangover week at 1-5? I have a hunch, though, that Carolina's running game comes out of its season-long slumber today. Williams and Stewart used to be the most feared tandem in the game. After being dormant for most of 2010, I think one or both just explodes today.
Rams (+3) over Buccaneers
Consider this my apology to you, St. Louis. I ridiculed, I teased...I hurt. You are far better than I envisioned and I was too stubborn to admit it week after week. Go ahead and beat down Tampa, and continue the most improbably chase to the playoffs in NFL history.
Cardinals (+7) over Seahawks
No way. Never pass down 7 points in a game between ANY two NFC West teams. Nobody is better than anyone else. Seattle is my pick to win this division and to win this game. But seven points is way too steep. This same Cardinal team beat New Orleans this year.
Chargers (-2.5) over Patriots
Remember when I said this Sunday Smash would be 100% free of bias? My bad. Great chance here for the Jets to get some breathing room in the AFC East without even taking the field. The Chargers pass defense has been stellar this year and, ya know, the Pats like to do that pass stuff. San Diego has stunk this year, but they still have some venomous hatred for the Pats that's been brewing for many years. A cross-country trip is never easy (Jets in Denver last week?) and the Chargers will stay consistent in perplexing the NFL world with their play.
Broncos (-7.5) over Raiders
Kyle Orton vs. Kyle Boller...the prophecy has been fulfilled. Denver showed me a lot when I watched them against the Jets last week. Oakland has been awfully feisty though, and 7.5 points puts a shiver down my spine. But Denver will come out pissed that they lost the game last week. In front of their home fans, they will put on a show and keep pace in the division.
Vikings (+3) over Packers
Brett Favre's had a long couple of weeks. The NFL season has been maddeningly hard to figure out. After the 'Panic Bowl' against Dallas, Minnesota will win this one and all the sudden be virtually tied atop the NFC North. The Vikings aren't done, and they will play like it tonight. Plus, the Pack ravaged by injuries. Favre will find a way in his home that used to be home.
Upset Perfiction of the Week:
Bengals (+3.5) over Falcons
The last stand for Cincinnati. Actually, this is probably the first of many last stands for Cincinnati in 2010. If Pittsburgh wins today over Miami, the Bengals are looking at a 3-game hole in the division if they lose. I just don't see that happening this early. Terrell Owens has been incredible so far in the Bengal offense. If He, Ocho, and Cedric Benson can have everything click together, they could be a top-5 offense in the NFL. Atlanta looked bad against Philly last week. Were the exposed at all? To be determined. Today.
Bengals 27, Falcons 20. Book it.
Thanks for reading, everyone. Enjoy your football Sunday.
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