The Week 6 Picks

Those rumblings you hear coming from Irving, Texas? That’s TOFU about to reach his boiling point. Still steaming after last week’s embarrassing return to Philadelphia (hee hee), TOFU has done everything short of undermining Bill Parcells’ authority and calling Drew Bledsoe gay. This week’s tirade included calling for the ball more (even though 13 of Bledsoe’s pass attempts were directed at TOFU, only three went for receptions) and wondering why he was signed if he was going to be a decoy (then why don’t you go away, you piece of crap?). Can’t see why nobody likes this guy. In fact, TOFU is so hated that I had people coming up to me in the office and at a local shopping establishment as I proudly donned my Donovan McNabb jersey telling me how much they loved seeing him stomping around on the sideline like a third grader in time out. To be honest, it warms my heart.

Now, I don’t want this column to be all about TOFU, but I did want to make one more point - so far this season, the following wide receivers have more touchdowns than TOFU (and to further illustrate my point, I am purposely omitting household names like Torry Holt and Randy Moss, who would also qualify):

Reggie Williams, JAX (4)
Greg Jennings, GB (3)
Marques Colston, NO (3)
Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ (3)
Daniel Wilcox, BAL (2)
Rashied Davis, CHI (2)
John Gilmore, CHI (2)
Mike Furrey, DET (2)
Owen Daniels, HOU (2)
Bryan Fletcher, IND (2)
Chris Baker, NYJ (2)
Malcom Floyd, SD (2)
Arnaz Battle, SF (2)

And, for the record, there are four Eagles with more TD grabs than "The O.D.:"

Reggie Brown (3)
Greg Lewis (2)
Donte’ Stallworth (2)
Brian Westbrook (2)

Yes, last week was almost perfect, and not just the Eagles-Cowboys result. This guy almost recorded an unblemished week, posting marks of 13-1 straight up (losing only the Kansas City-Arizona game) and 10-1-2 against the spread. After such a great week, I’m hoping I’m not set up for a let down, and yes, I’m drawing a parallel to the Eagles. Read on, boys and girls.

Sunday, October 15th 2006

The Match-up: Cincinnati (-5.5) @ Tampa Bay
The Skinny: All jokes aside, Tampa’s Bruce Gradkowski actually looked alright last week, and the Bucs almost pulled off the upset in New Orleans. Cincinnati’s run defense, or the lack thereof, should allow Cadillac Williams and Tampa to hang around. But the Bengals have the weapons to exploit the Tampa D.
Straight Up: Cincinnati
Against the Spread: Tampa Bay

The Match-up: New York Giants (+3.0) @ Atlanta
The Skinny: The philosophy on how to beat Atlanta holds true - keep Ron Mexico in the pocket and make him beat you with his arm. The Giants have the linemen to do that. And, the G-Men are 2-2 with losses to undefeated Indianapolis and 3-1 Seattle and a win over 4-1 Philly. In other words, they’re better than you think.
Straight Up: New York Giants
Against the Spread: New York Giants

The Match-up: Tennessee (+10.5) @ Washington
The Skinny: When the Titans schedule came out, no doubt they circled last week’s game with division-rival Indianapolis. That was their Super Bowl. On the heels of that heartbreaking loss, the Redskins will blow them out.
Straight Up: Washington
Against the Spread: Washington

The Match-up: Houston (+13.0) @ Dallas
The Skinny: Would you believe that David Carr is the NFL’s top rated passer? Me neither.
Straight Up: Houston
Against the Spread: Houston

The Match-up: Carolina (+3.0) @ Baltimore
The Skinny: This game should give some indication as to whether or not the Panthers have turned the corner, and whether or not the Ravens have fallen off. My guess? Yes, and no.
Straight Up: Baltimore
Against the Spread: Baltimore

The Match-up: Buffalo (-1.0) @ Detroit
The Skinny: Based on Buffalo’s performance a week ago in Chicago, I almost took the Lions. But then I realized...they’re the Lions.
Straight Up: Buffalo
Against the Spread: Buffalo

The Match-up: Seattle (-3.0) @ St. Louis
The Skinny: People might be writing off the Seahawks with Shaun Alexander on the shelf. But they’ve still got Matt Hasselbeck, a bevy of talented receivers, and an above average defense. Loosely translated, Seattle should get by St. Louis.
Straight Up: Seattle
Against the Spread: Seattle

The Match-up: Philadelphia (-3.0) @ New Orleans
The Skinny: Tall order for the Eagles in the Big Easy this week. In Andy Reid’s tenure, the Eagles are 11-4 against the Cowboys and 8-6 the following week. And the atmosphere for Saints home games is outstanding. Still, the Eagles will make a big statement on Sunday.
Straight Up: Philadelphia
Against the Spread: Philadelphia

The Match-up: Miami (+2.5) @ New York Jets
The Skinny: They call this the "Squish the Fish" game in New York, and I think that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
Straight Up: New York Jets
Against the Spread: New York Jets

The Match-up: Kansas City (+7.0) @ Pittsburgh
The Skinny: Bizarre sequence for Kansas City - lose your starting quarterback, rally around Damon Huard (can’t believe I just wrote that), get fat on the NFC West (wins over San Francisco 41-0 and Arizona 23-20), seven point underdog to 1-3 Pittsburgh at Heinz Field. Sounds about right.
Straight Up: Pittsburgh
Against the Spread: Pittsburgh

The Match-up: San Diego (-10.0) @ San Francisco
The Skinny: Turns out this Philip Rivers kid isn’t too bad. Good things seem to happen when Marty Schottenheimer lets him throw the ball.
Straight Up: San Diego
Against the Spread: San Diego

The Match-up: Oakland (+15.0) @ Denver
The Skinny: I’ve got a funny feeling about this game. Not a feeling like the Raiders will steal a win or anything, but I could see them keeping it close, too close for Denver’s liking.
Straight Up: Denver
Against the Spread: Oakland

Monday, October 16th 2006

The Match-up: Chicago (-10.5) @ Arizona
The Skinny: Another week, another cupcake for the Bears. You want an impressive stat? In four of their five games, the Bears have outscored their opposition by 117 points (137-20), an average margin of victory of better than 29 points per game. Wow.
Straight Up: Chicago
Against the Spread: Chicago

Bye Week: Cleveland, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Minnesota, New England