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.
I don’t even want to talk about last week’s debacle (4-12, 0-3 in locks). Alas, that’s what happens a couple of times per year over 17 weeks when you try to not always go with all the favorites and the big favorites cover. Let’s hope Week 15 turns that win / loss record on its head.
Anyway, onto the picks!
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL:
Cincinnati (-3.5) over PHILADELPHIA — I got crushed last week, and it started by picking an inferior team to cover as home dogs last Thursday night. The Bengals are still fighting for their AFC Playoff lives and are the superior team, so… Bengals win 28-13
SUNDAY:
CLEVELAND (+1.5) over Washington — The Browns have been playing tough lately and even winning. I sense a trap game for the Redskins. Browns win 23-20
Green Bay (-2.5) over CHICAGO — The Bears are reeling and the Packers love it. Packers win 34-16
*UNTOUCHABLE SPREAD OF THE WEEK: NEW ORLEANS (-3.5) over Tampa Bay — I don’t trust either of these teams anymore, and as bad as the Saints have been these past two weeks, they were facing much stiffer competition (Falcons and Giants). Saints win 26-20
ST. LOUIS (-2.5) over Minnesota — The Rams have impressed me with their gritty play this year. The Vikings are also a tough team but after last week’s demolishing of the Bears, Minnesota could be a little flat here. Rams win 27-24
*LOCK IT UP: NY Giants (+1.5) over ATLANTA — Love the Giants here as underdogs. In fact, I think it won’t even be close. Giants win 38-20
*H2H SURVIVOR PICK: MIAMI (-7.5) over Jacksonville — If you’re still alive in Survivor, chances are you used up all the good teams by now. That’s why I’m throwing out the Dolphins as my head to head Survivor pick this week, as they really should take care of the Jaguars with ease. Dolphins win 21-9
Indianapolis (+9.5) over HOUSTON — The Texans will want to bounce back quickly from the New England debacle, but the surging Colts will beg to differ. This will be close, but in an upset… Colts win 28-27
Denver (-2.5) over BALTIMORE — The Ravens are good, just not as good as the Broncos. Broncos win 34-24
SAN DIEGO (-3.5) over Carolina — Both teams burned me last week. I think the Panthers had their adrenaline pumping Super Bowl last week, so they will be at an emotional low on the west coast. Chargers win 28-13
Detroit (-5.5) over ARIZONA — The Cardinals are that bad. And finally, the Lions catch a break. Lions win 17-6
See you next week — CB.
