NFL 2009 Week 6: Picks & Selections

Benjamin Lee Eckstein

Eagles (-14) over Raiders-x

Gotta be the Birds by at least 20.

The numbers on each side of this equation are so dramatically opposite that anything less than a three TD bulge would be shocking. Start with the quarterbacks. Donovan McNabb came back last week and hit on 16 of 21 for 264 yards, 3 TD's, and a RIDICULOUS QB rating of 157.2. Oakland's JaMarcus Russell is also RIDICULOUS, actually, make that PATHETIC. Last week, Russell was just 8 of 13 for 100 yards, and had three fumbles. And when you have QB numbers in the 40's, like a 42.1% completion ratio and a 47.1 QB rating, it AIN'T good.

Now you look at the weapons, and the Eagles are LOADED. Brian Westbrook is a given, but with Jeremy Maclin gobbling up 142 on 6 receptions with 2 TD's, defenses have NO idea where to turn. DeSean Jackson? Brent Celek? Since the Raiders have covered only three of the last 11 at home, VV has GOTTA make the BIRDS a BB, as in 35-10.

Chiefs (+6.5) over Redskins-x

Could the schedule makers have been kinder to Washington?

After opening against the Giants, the Redskins have played four winless teams. They barely beat St. Louis 9-7, lost to Detroit 19-14, squeezed past Tampa 16-13, then lost to Carolina, 20-17.

Just 2-2 against teams that were a combined 0-9. Yuch. Now the'Skins get another winless team, amazing, and if they win, which is in doubt, it ain't gonna be by more than a FG.

Kansas City wants to avoid the first 0-6 start in franchise history, and will bring all the guns to the table. Matt Cassel is one of those guns, and his effort against the Cowboys in the closing minutes last week was very solid, and we would take him over Jason Campbell every day of the week.

How about this little gem: Washington comes into this game with an ugly 1-7 spread mark at home the last eight, and is a working on a big fat 0-9 streak against the AFC. Another BEST BET.

Texans (+5) over Bengals-x

Like the fact that Houston never gave up against Arizona after dropping into a 21-0 hole in the first half.

Matt Schaub was 35 of 50 for 371 yards and 2 TD's, and is third in the NFL with 1,418 air yards, and tied for second in TD's at 10.

The Texans have done some fabulous spread work, covering nine of the last 11 on the road, coming off a road game. And since Cincy has covered only 3 of the last 13 as a favorite, we're all systems go with Houston.

Jaguars-x (-9.5) over Rams

Expected more from Jacksonville last week.

The Jaguars were coming off a 37-17 blowout against the Titans, then never showed up at Seattle, getting bageled, 41-0. This week, the Jags get healthy again because St. Louis is in town.

Leaving the Rush Limbaugh circus alone, all you have to know about the Rams is, they have scored a grand total of SEVEN points in three road games. If Jax can't whip a team that averages 2.3 ppg, it's time to close up shop.

Saints-x (-3) over Giants

Nice. You have 4-0 (N.O.) at home, against 5-0 (N.Y.) on the road. Both teams are also perfect against the spread.

So where's the edge?

Take a look at who the New Yorkers played to get to 5-0, and you see an Oakland, a Kaycee, a Tampa, a Dallas and a Washington. Combined record: 6-19.

At least New Orleans has played two solid teams (Eagles & Jets). And LOVE the Saints 8-1 spread record at home the last year and change.

Steelers-x (-14) over Browns

Cleveland covering only three of the last 14 overall, and with an ASTOUNDING 3.75 ppg average on the road the last four times out, ya gotta think that Pittsburgh bolts into the winner's circle by at least three TD's.

Falcons-x (-3) over Bears

Atlanta is a sweet 9-1 at home under Mike Smith (7-3 vs. the spread), and with a national TV audience watching, Matt Ryan and his crew are gonna jump on this Chicago team that has won only two of its last seven on the road.

Vikings-x (-3) over Ravens

Baltimore hasn't shown well against teams with winning records, so we'll stay on the Purple side.

Panthers (-3) over Bucs-x

Run as fast as you can to any other game on the NFL slate. This is a true STINKER.

Lions (+14) over Packers-x

Green Bay is on an 0-4 spread run as a favorite of eight points or more.

Cards (+3) over Seahawks-x

Arizona has covered six of the last eight on the road, and 75% is good enough for me.

Jets-x (-9.5) over Bills

Buffalo averaging 6.6 points per game the last three times out just ain't gonna get it done at the Meadowlands.

Patriots-x (-9) over Titans

Among other things, Bill Belichick's club is on a 6-1 run coming in off a loss.

Chargers-x (-3) over Broncos (Mon)

San Diego is on a 6-0 spread roll against Denver, and after a HUGE win over New England, the Broncs gotta throw in a clunker.

x-home team

Last week: 8-6

Season record: 39-37

 

2009 NFL WEEK 6 LATEST LINE

 

NFL 2009 Week 6 Schedule

(All times local)

Houston at Cincinnati, 1:00 PM
N.Y. Giants at New Orleans, 12:00 PM
Detroit at Green Bay, 12:00 PM
Baltimore at Minnesota, 12:00 PM
Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 1:00 PM
Carolina at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM
Kansas City at Washington, 1:00 PM
St. Louis at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Tennessee at New England, 4:15 PM
Arizona at Seattle, 1:05 PM
Philadelphia at Oakland, 1:05 PM
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 4:15 PM
Chicago at Atlanta, 8:20 PM (NBC)
Denver at San Diego, 5:30 PM (ESPN) - MNF

Bye Week: Dallas, Indianapolis, Miami, and San Francisco

 

NFL 2009 Week 5 Results

(Home Team in CAPS)
Cincinnati 17, BALTIMORE 14
Atlanta 45, SAN FRANCISCO 10
Cleveland 6, BUFFALO 3
ARIZONA 28, Houston 21
CAROLINA 20, Washington 17
DENVER 20, New England 17 (OT)
Pittsburgh 28, DETROIT 20
SEATTLE 41, Jacksonville 0
Dallas 26, KANSAS CITY 20 (OT)
Indianapolis 31, TENNESSEE 9
N.Y. GIANTS 44, Oakland 7
PHILADELPHIA 33, Tampa Bay 14
Minnesota 38, ST. LOUIS 10
MIAMI 31, N.Y. Jets 27

 

 

NFL FOOTBALL NEWS & ARTICLES

SPORTS

BASEBALL | BASKETBALL | COLLEGES | FOOTBALL | GOLF | HOCKEY | OLYMPICS | SOCCER | TENNIS

 

 

 

NFL Super Bowl History

NFL Super Bowl History, Scores, Summaries & Super Bowl MVP Articles

NFL 2009 Week 2 - Selections & Latest Line