I’ve been avoiding picking my bets for the week, in part because the lines have looked so unappealing to me.  But, as any good(?) gambler should, I’ll throw something out there.

Andy and I both went 2-2 last week, which isn’t so surprising I guess, when we both had the same upset of the week.  Unfortunately, 2-2 was still pretty much the highlight of our football week’s–we didn’t quite lose all of our fantasy football match-ups, but most of the bigger ones.  This week, in addition to our betting picks, we’ve got some pride on the line as well, as we go head-to-head in the one fantasy league that we both have teams in.


Andy:

New York Giants (-10) vs Miami: It’s hard to trust the Giants, especially after a loss at home to Seattle. But the Dolphins are winless and the rhetoric coming from the team following the comeback loss to Denver leads me to believe this is a unit that is about to come unglued altogether. Giants get up early and coast to a comfortable win.

Indianapolis (+9.5) @ Tennessee: The Titans opened up as a 6.5 point favorite over the Colts. Both teams are reeling from whoopins last weekend, but the money seems to be coming in on Tennessee. Is that due to the Colts losing 62-7 on national television? Thing is, anyone could be made to look like a fool playing against New Orleans, particularly in the Superdome. I don’t know that Indy wins this game but I don’t think the Titans are 10 points better than the Colts, even at home. The Colts will man-up and make a game out of this one.

Cincinnati @ Seattle: Under 38 – I was stunned in the offseason when Seattle acquired Tarvaris Jackson and immediately installed him as the starting quarterback over Charlie Whitehurst. Turns out it was because Whitehurst is a terrible quarterback. In three career starts he’s thrown for two touchdowns and barely over 400 yards (Thanks to the good folks at Fantasy Football Weekly for the heads-up on these stats). And last week against Cleveland he produced three points in a very winnable game. He’s the likely starter this week against Cincinnati. His presence alone means this game has a good shot at going under.

Upset of the week: Dallas (+3.5, +170 money line) @ Philadelphia: DeMarco Murray has another great matchup for the Cowboys. He should gash the Eagles’ nonexistent run defense. And that will set up enough of a passing game where Dallas should keep Philly off balance all night. Philadelphia should be rested from the bye week and prepared to put some points on the board against Dallas. But it remains to be seen whether the Eagles can figure out a way to get the best from the talents of Nnamdi Asomugha. I think it’s going to be a high-scoring affair with the Cowboys prevailing on the road. I also like the over-51.

Tony:

Indianapolis (+7.5) @ Tennessee – I’m just going to keep picking them every week, so I can say I was right when they finally cover/win.  If they finally cover/win.  By the way, someone I follow on Twitter referenced Andrew Luck sounding kind of like Andre The Giant after last night’s 3 overtime win over USC–wouldn’t it be fun for Colts fans to go from cheering for Frankenstein to Andre The Giant?

Baltimore (-11) vs. Arizona – Baltimore lost an embarrassing one last week–seems like when they do that, they come back to kill their next opponent.  Especially when their next opponent is even weaker than the one the lost to the previous week.

Minnesota @ Carolina: Over 47 – I don’t really even know why…just a feeling that the Vikings will have trouble stopping Cam Newton (not a shock), but that the Vikings also may continue to put up some big plays (somewhat of a shock) against the Panthers.

Upset of the Week: Denver (+3, +160 money line) vs. Detroit – I still think Detroit is on a mini-implosion, started by handshake-gate.  And, In Tebow We Trust, after all.