By Ed Morrone
As another week passes, I fall further and further behind. I tried to strategize in weeks past and spent far too much time breaking down the games, only to suffer countless disappointing defeats-it’s no wonder I hail from Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Heartbreak. It’s getting so desperate that I’m beginning to consider picking the opposite of who I think is really going to win, or perhaps I’ll just start throwing darts at a sports section and get it done that way. Either method would be more successful than the present disaster that is this column. That, and Mr. Diamond is a freak of nature. Twenty-four games above .500 against the spread?! C’Mon! With that being said, here are the five things I learned during Week 6:
1) The Giants are a contender, Pittsburgh isn’t dead yet, New Orleans beat the Eagles, the Bengals lost to Tampa Bay, the Broncos play down to the poor competition and the Bears defeated Arizona by one. Basically, I was wrong about everything. What else is new.2) More on the Bears-Cardinals game…this was the saddest NFL game I think I’ve ever watched. The Cardinals had a 23-3 lead with a minute left in the third and still managed to blow it. Absolutely unbelievable-how Dennis Green hasn’t gone on a murderous rampage by now is beyond me.3) The San Diego Chargers, not the Bears, are the best team in the NFL.4) The Lions and Bills are completely inept and you can chalk up two losses for me every time they play. I haven’t gotten one game right from either team this year.5) I hate Terrell Owens. Oh wait, I already knew that.
Onto the games…
GAMES OF THE WEEK
N.Y. Giants (3-2) +3 at Dallas (3-2): As an Eagles fan, picking a winner is this game is like choosing death by drowning or suffocation-either way, you lose. When in doubt, go with the team with the better running game. Pick: Giants
Carolina (4-2) +3 at Cincinnati (3-2): Does anybody realize how big of a roll Carolina has been on since Steve Smith returned? This is still the best team in the NFC until someone proves me otherwise. Pick: Panthers
STINKER OF THE WEEK
Arizona (1-5) -3 at Oakland (0-5): This one gets its own special category as the worst NFL game of the year. The Cardinals have tons of talent but are so unclutch that no lead is safe with them, while the Raiders are just plain bad. As much as I can see Arizona blowing this (after Monday night, anything is possible), Matt Leinart looked great and I will not pick Oakland this season, even if Al Davis had kidnapped my mother. Pick: Cardinals
THE REST
Detroit (1-5) +3.5 at N.Y. Jets (3-3): A general rule of thumb in the NFL: when the Lions are on the road, pick the other team. Pick: Jets
Green Bay (1-4) +4.5 at Miami (1-5): Next to Arizona, Miami is the most disappointing team in the league. I think if Arizona and Miami played in the Disappointing Super Bowl, the game would end in a tie. Green Bay is no better, but they aren’t supposed to be good. Joey Harrington vs. Brett Favre? Too easy. Pick: Packers
Jacksonville (3-2) -9.5 at Houston (1-4): That’s right Jacksonville, take all of your frustration out on the Jets and Texans. You need to drain all of that anger before you come to Philly next week. Pick: Jaguars
New England (4-1) -5.5 at Buffalo (2-4): Again my friends, look to the quarterback match-up when you aren’t sure of which direction to go in. Tom Brady and his three Super Bowl rings vs. J.P. Losman and his three career wins? Hmm….Pick: Patriots
Philadelphia (4-2) -5 at Tampa Bay (1-4): If the Eagles lose this game to a quarterback whose name is Bruce, then I will officially give up on life: Pick: Eagles
Pittsburgh (2-3) -2 at Atlanta (3-2): A week after I declared Pittsburgh for dead, they demolish Kansas City by 38. Considering Cincinnati is stumbling and Baltimore has an unbelievably difficult schedule, Ben Roethlisberger’s bunch is only two more quality wins away from playing themselves back into contention. Oh, by the way, I hate you Overrated Vick. Pick: Steelers
San Diego (4-1) -5 at Kansas City (2-3): As good as San Diego has been so far, LaDainian Tomlinson only has one 100-yard game, and it came against Oakland in Week 1. Philip Rivers has been the offensive MVP of the team, but I feel a vintage L.T. game this week. You can sit this one out, Philip. Pick: Chargers
Denver (4-1) -4.5 at Cleveland (1-4): Cleveland is really bad, but you never know what version of this Denver team will show up. They beat Baltimore and New England, but hardly showed up in lethargic wins over Kansas City and Oakland. If the spread was bigger, I might take the Browies, but not this week. Pick: Broncos
Minnesota (3-2) +6.5 at Seattle (4-1): Here’s how to understand the Seahawks: if they’re at home, they win big; if they’re on the road, they struggle. Either way, they are a much better team than Minnesota.
Washington (2-4) +9 at Indianapolis (5-0): I’d like to personally thank all the “experts” that picked Washington to finish ahead of the Eagles in the NFC East-you all are truly hysterical. Peyton Manning won’t mess this one up. Pick: Colts