I'm starting to think I should just take the three games I feel the least strongly about every Friday, take the opposite of what I think will actually happen, and then make those picks here.
Then maybe I would have a modicum of success in this regard. Whatever I'm doing now just ain't working. This is brutal. I liked the Raiders last week. I give up. Five-hundred yards and they are down like 49-13 entering the fourth quarter. I just can't get on any kind of a roll. If you took me to Vegas with you right now we would both get hit by a car on the way into the casino. Not good.
Anywho, I'll give it another shot this week, with these three games:
Lions (-2½) at Bears: Chicago's defense is a problem. Even with Green Bay operating without a semblance of a quarterback for much of Monday night it was still a close game. Give me Matthew Stafford off a bye against Chicago on a short week. The never-die Lions have a chance to make some noise in the NFC North now and I do not believe the Bears can keep pace with that offense, Jay Cutler or not. I think the Lions also run the ball on them and remain balanced.
Panthers (+6) at 49ers: I believe in Cam Newton. I believe in the Panthers' defense. I believe they can go to the West Coast and make a statement. ... Oh, and I believe I can fly.
But seriously, the 49ers, off a bye or not, are in for a physical game here. This reminds me a little bit of when the young Colts went into San Francisco earlier this year and pounded away for a win. The Panthers should have a pretty good feel for Colin Kaepernick and I like the speed of that front seven. How much will Aldon Smith contribute? Ditto for Mario Manningham.
Bills (+3½) at Steelers: The Bills are going to win one of these games and they'll end up having a quarterback start and finish a few games in a row, right? EJ Manuel will stabilize that offense, I believe they can run the ball on the Steelers and the speed guys for Buffalo should be in good shape.
This is the kind of game where Mario Williams goes off against a struggling offensive line. It seems like Pittsburgh is spiraling away into the abyss and the atmosphere in that stadium could turn quickly if the Bills get off to a fast start.
