The Week 10 Picks

I’m a little disappointed about the whole Terrell Owens situation. My loyal readers (both of you) know I’ve been a supporter of Owens as recently as two weeks ago in this space, but this entire ordeal has really showed me the guy’s true colors. The sad thing is, this all started last December when Owens broke his leg and Donovan McNabb said in a press conference that he still thought the Eagles could win without him. T.O. took that as a personal slight, and the relationship deteriorated from there.

A couple of points that should be made:

a) What exactly was Owens expecting McNabb to say? “T.O. is hurt, so we might as well shut it down for the season.”
b) Owens claims he came back to play in the Super Bowl for the team, but its apparent that he did it for himself, as evidenced by the fact that he used that as a negotiating ploy to try and get more money.
c) T.O. claims he’s not being selfish, but everything he pulled was done with the intent of milking more money out of the Eagles. He personifies selfishness.

All of these actions virtually guarantee that Owens will never get the big money he so covets, from the Eagles or any other team. Not only is he selfish, he’s also ignorant, misguided, and not very bright. Oh, and his agent is a weasel (next question, next question, next question…what a spineless coward). Owens is the ultimate ‘Me’ player in the ultimate team sport.

But the guy can ball.

In his year and a half as an Eagle, Owens averaged almost 100 yards and a touchdown per game. So while the popular line is that the Eagles will be better off without him, I guess I’m torn. In the clubhouse, yes, they’re probably better off. But on the field, it will be tough to account for an extra seven points per game. Especially when a 4-4 record is bringing up the rear in the suddenly-stacked NFC East, and there are teams like Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Chicago that the Eagles would have to leap frog to make the playoffs.

It could be a long, cold winter in Philly.

The Match-up: Kansas City (+2.5) @ Buffalo
The Skinny: Props to Kansas City head coach Dick Vermeil for his decision to go for the touchdown from the one yard line while down three with five seconds to go and no timeouts in last week’s game against Oakland. Don’t get me wrong, I’m pissed because I had KC -4.5 and was hoping for OT. The football Gods will get me back this week.
Straight up: Buffalo
Against the Spread: Buffalo

The Match-up: San Francisco (+13.0) @ Chicago
The Skinny: Even if Thomas Jones sits out with bruised ribs, I like the Bears to win. But Frisco plays with some tenacity, and I like that.
Straight up: Chicago
Against the Spread: San Francisco

The Match-up: Baltimore (+6.5) @ Jacksonville
The Skinny: Kyle Boller is back under center for the Ravens, but unless he had a transplant and became Johnny Unitas, it won’t make a difference in Jacksonville.
Straight up: Jacksonville
Against the Spread: Jacksonville

The Match-up: Arizona (+4.0) @ Detroit
The Skinny: Two quarterback controversies, four marginal quarterbacks, one crappy game.
Straight up: Detroit
Against the Spread: Detroit

The Match-up: Houston (+18.0) @ Indianapolis
The Skinny: Classic trap game for the NFL’s only remaining unbeaten team. The Colts finally got that gorilla off their back on Monday, and I could see them sleepwalking through the first half on Sunday. That could keep Houston in cover range.
Straight up: Indianapolis
Against the Spread: Houston

The Match-up: New England (-3.0) @ Miami
The Skinny: While last year’s NFC champion Eagles are 4-4 and struggling to make the playoffs, the equally 4-4 Patriots are still in first place in their division. So much for the AFC being the dominant conference.
Straight up: New England
Against the Spread: New England

The Match-up: Minnesota (+9.5) @ New York Giants
The Skinny: Anybody know the pre-season odds on the Giants to win the NFC? Not nearly as good as Minnesota’s, I’m sure. A gimpy quarterback, a drugged-up running back, and a sex cruise can do that to a team.
Straight up: New York Giants
Against the Spread: New York Giants

The Match-up: New York Jets (+9.0) @ Carolina
The Skinny: During their recent five-game winning streak, the Panthers have resembled the contender everyone predicted them to be. And, their cheerleaders know how to party.
Straight up: Carolina
Against the Spread: New York Jets

The Match-up: Denver (-3.0) @ Oakland
The Skinny: Still waiting for Jake Plummer to turn into, well, Jake Plummer. I mean, everybody else on my fantasy team has thrown it in the tank, why not “The Snake?”
Straight up: Denver
Against the Spread: Denver

The Match-up: St. Louis (+7.0) @ Seattle
The Skinny: This one’s for the division, so you can bet it will be close. Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt are both expected back for the Rams, thus I feel they’re going to be in the ball game. But Shaun Alexander and the ‘Hawks are money at home.
Straight up: Seattle
Against the Spread: St. Louis

The Match-up: Green Bay (+9.0) @ Atlanta
The Skinny: Anybody remember which team drafted Brett Favre out of Southern Miss in 1991? The answer is my pick in this game.
Straight up: Atlanta
Against the Spread: Atlanta

The Match-up: Washington (-1.5) @ Tampa Bay
The Skinny: If anyone but Mark Brunell wins the NFL’s comeback player of the year award, I’m calling for a formal investigation.
Straight up: Washington
Against the Spread: Washington

The Match-up: Cleveland (+8.0) @ Pittsburgh
The Skinny: Ben Roethlisberger is still on the shelf for the Steelers, but Willie Parker will play. The combination of Parker and Duce Staley should be enough to get it done at home for the ‘burgh.
Straight up: Pittsburgh
Against the Spread: Pittsburgh

The Match-up: Dallas (+3.0) @ Philadelphia
The Skinny: Next question.
Straight up: Philadelphia
Against the Spread: Philadelphia