Sliced Spread: 2012 NFL Football Week 7 Picks Against The Spread and Score Predictions

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Welcome to SLICED SPREAD, the place on Inside Pulse Sports for weekly NFL picks against the spread, head to head survivor picks, and score prognostications.

Again, I have no time for the full breakdown of last week’s action, so I may just make that a biweekly or monthly feature so I can at least give you my picks every week without a huge time delay.

Last week, I posted a 5-9 record ATS, but it could have been worse. Thank you Dallas and Denver for two miraculous covers that staved off some of the bleeding.

SLICED SPREAD: NFL WEEK 7 PICKS
Home teams are shown in CAPS
Point spreads shown in ().

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:

SAN FRANCISCO (-7.5) over Seattle – The Ninerswill be refocused this week and on a short week the Seahawks will be traveling into a bad situation. I think San Francisco will take Russell Wilson out of the equation early and this will be a blowout. Of course, wackier things have happened on Thursday nights already, so no lock on this one. Niners win 31-16

SUNDAY:

Cleveland (+3.5) over INDIANAPOLIS – The Browns had their coming out party last week, and while they will not be setting the world on fire, I do like them to keep this one close. The Colts are still a good team but I like the points even if Indy defends their home turf here. Colts win 17-14

*LOCK IT UP: Baltimore (+7.5) over HOUSTON –Yes, the Ravens are hobbled if not desecrated by injuries. However, they are still a spirited bunch and even if they lose to a solid Texans team, they will go down swinging. Texans win 24-20

*LOCK IT UP: Green Bay (-4.5) over ST. LOUIS –The Packers are back, and in the dome on the road I love their chances to really prove to the Rams and everyone watching that they aren’t throwing away 2012 just yet. Packers win 34-20

*LOCK IT UP: New Orleans (-2.5) over TAMPA BAY – I knew the Bucs would pounce on the horrid Chiefs last week. I also suspect that the Saints are more rejuvenated right now and I like Drew Brees’ chances (just like Aaron Rodgers) for a nice little comeback story this season. Saints win 27-24

Washington (+6.5) over NY GIANTS – Yes, the Giants just CRUSHED the Niners last week in San Francisco, proving that last year’s NFC title win was no fluke. New York also lost to the Redskins twice last year, and that was before the RGIII era was in effect. Giants win but this one’s closer than everyone thinks.Giants win 27-24

CAROLINA (+1.5) over Dallas – The Cowboys miraculously covered the spread while simultaneously blowing the game last week. After that big of a heartbreaker, I feel a letdown coming that will benefit the well-rested home dogs. Panthers win 23-19

Tennessee (+3.5) over BUFFALO – Chris Johnson woke up last week. I think this one will be a tight battle of solid RBs and mistake-prone QBs squaring off against each other up north. The Bills take it late.Bills win 24-23

Arizona (+6.5) over MINNESOTA – The Arizona Cardinals seem to always play in close contests this season. Given that trend I have to take the points (barely) regardless of the QB switch. Vikings win 26-20

OAKLAND (-4.5) over Jacksonville – Many folks think Oakland will be too heartbroken from last week’s tough loss to bounce back. I disagree given that they are playing the near-hapless Jaguars of all teams. The Raiders roll out west at home. Raiders win 29-17

*UNTOUCHABLE SPREAD OF THE WEEK: NY Jets (+10.5) over NEW ENGLAND – The angry Pats could demolish the Jets by 30 points … or the Jets can show up to play some hardnosed football against their no longer invincible most hated rivals. It really could go either way, but I think the Jets hang around on this one. Patriots win 31-24

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:

CINCINNATI (+2.5) over Pittsburgh – The Steelers are just as banged up as the Ravens, but I think after last week’s trap game loss the Bengals will be ready to conquer Big Ben in an upset. Bengals win 20-17

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:

*H2H SURVIVOR PICK: CHICAGO (-5.5) over Detroit – The Bears are well-rested and even though I know the Lions are a solid team, I just have that feeling that Chicago will pull out all the stops on Monday night defensively while Jay Cutler shines on the offensive side of the ball. I can’t call it a complete route, but it is my survivor pick of the week. Bears win 28-16

That’s all for this week’s edition of SLICED SPREAD.

See you next week – CB.

CB is an Editor for Pulse Wrestling and an original member of the Inside Pulse writing team covering the spectrum of pop culture including pro wrestling, sports, movies, music, radio and television.