Handicapping by Liz

Well, I must start out by thanking the NFL network for putting the Giants/Denver game on their network Thanksgiving night because I’m sure all Giants fans would have had their Thanksgiving holiday ruined by watching the Giants self-destruct. Oh well, nobody said it was going to be easy being a Giants fan.

With that being said here are the rest of my picks for this week
I had over in the Packers game on Thursday that just missed.

My first best bet this week is the Minnesota Vikings at home giving the Chicago Bears 10 ½ points. The Minnesota Vikings are red hot right now and I just don’t see the Bears stopping this Vikings freight train. Brett Favre’s QB rating is currently at 111 with 21 TDs and only 3 INTs. Jay Cutler, who was brought in to lead the Bears to the playoffs, has a QB rating of 74 with 15 TDs and 18 INTs, sorry Bears fans. The Vikings beat the Bears in Minnesota last year by 20 and with the addition of Favre I can see the Vikings blowing away the Bears again. Lay the points this shouldn’t be close.

My second best bet this weekend is the Atlanta Falcons at home giving the Tampa Bay Bucs 11 ½ points. Atlanta is coming home after a 2 game road trip and the past 2 times this year this has happened the Falcons have won and covered the home game. Leftwich is on the IR and that leaves the Bucs with the 2 Josh’s (Johnson and Freeman) who have a combined 9 TDs and 13 INTs. The Falcons are in the hunt for a playoff spot and they will not lose this game to the Bucs to keep their playoffs hopes alive. Lay the 11 ½ points the Falcons will cover.

Well, this week I am on the San Diego Chargers at home giving the Kansas City Chiefs 13 ½ points. The Chargers 5 game winning streak started in Kansas City when the Chargers beat them 37-7 so I am not surprised this line is at 13 ½ as the Chargers are now in a race with Denver for the AFC Western Division crown. Philip Rivers, LT and company are averaging almost 30 points a game during this 5 game winning streak and they will easily score that against the Chiefs again. Look for the Chargers to keep their winning streak going and cover the spread in the process.

My last best bet this week is the Miami Dolphins on the road at the Buffalo Bills laying 3 points. Miami believe it or not is a good road team with a very impressive 9-3 ATS the past 12 on the road. The Bills are just in chaos right now after firing Jauron and Bills QB, Trent Edwards, is just not the same since his first concussion and Fitzpatrick just isn’t good enough to win against a very tough Miami defense. I look for Miami to win this game by at least a touchdown and that’s enough to cover the spread. Sorry, Sis, I just can’t back your team this week.

Other games I like as regular plays are the Baltimore Ravens at home giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a point. I like the Cincinnati Bengals to bounce back at home giving the Cleveland Browns 13 ½ points.

As for underdogs this week I like the Arizona Cardinals with the 3 points on the road at Tennessee. I also like the Carolina Panthers on the road getting 3 points from the New York Jets. And I can’t pass up the New England Patriots on the road getting 3 points from the New Orleans Saints.

As for over/under bets, I like the
over 55 ½ in the New England/New Orleans game,
over 47 ½ in the Indianapolis/Houston game,
over 47 in the Chicago/Minnesota game,
over 39 ½ in the Cleveland/Cincinnati game.

Well, that’s it for yet another week (this season goes way too fast).
As always bet with your head not over it :

(Admin Note)
Feeling in the Holiday mood, I thought I would add my two cents to the picks.

New England @ New Orleans
While Drew Brees was playing pitch and catch with the prez, Billy Belichick was busy in the basement of Gillette stadium, drumstick in hand, designing a few new looks for the Pat’s D that will keep Mr. Brees guessing. I’ll take the Patriots and the +3 , and bet the Over (O/U 56).

Chicago @ Minnesota
The Bears are already in hibernation, and Favre is on a mission. This is a no brainer. Vikings @ -10 will cover, and I’ll take the over (O/U 46).

Miami @ Buffalo
This is to easy – Expect Miami to have an easy day. I’ll take the Over (O/U 40)

Washington @ Philadelphia
Things are looking mighty sad in Washington, this ship has no rudder or captain to steer away from disaster. Expect the Eagles to drop a load and sink this ship. Philadelphia @ -9 will cover, and I’ll go with the Under (O/U 40)