NFL Supercontest, Week Seven

My weekend in Las Vegas was a resounding success, though I spent so much time at the sportsbook that I couldn't tell you how nice the desert heat was.  I hit two out of my three parlays, which I can guarantee you would be a once-every-five-seasons occurrence, so I picked a good weekend to travel.  The Packers seemed to win everyone big money on Sunday night, and it was awesome being part of a friendly crowd during such a big victory.  Picking these games will be a bit anticlimactic now, but I could certainly use more practice for the next time I find myself in Sin City.  These lines and picks are for entertainment purposes only.

(Home team in CAPS)

BILLS (-3.5) over Titans

The Bills absolutely needed that win in Arizona on Sunday, and the guess here is that they recognize the importance of beating up on the Titans at home.  Chris Johnson is beginning to regain his form a bit, and Matt Hasselbeck seems more adept at finding him in the flat than Jake Locker was.  Still, it will be hard for the Titans to recreate the defensive energy they exhibited against the Steelers, and it seems highly likely that Ryan Fitzpatrick will be able to hit a couple deep balls that will put the Tennessee offense behind the eight ball.

COLTS (-2.5) over Browns

Andrew Luck has shown flashes of brilliance (against the Vikings and Packers) and the ability to miss big throws (against the Bears and Jets).  Cleveland would be wise to pound Trent Richardson so as to slow down the Indianapolis pash rush, which can be lethal at home.  I like taking the precocious rookie QB at home when he's getting less than a field goal, especially when he's going up against a Browns defense that has been wildly inconsistent from week to week.

Packers (-5.5) over RAMS

I generally don't like taking the Packers when they're giving points on the road, especially against a Rams team that is vastly improved.  However, the Rams are simply too one-dimensional on offense to move the ball against the Packers defense.  I see this as the game in which Jermichael Finley finally breaks out, as the Cortland Finnegan/Janoris Jenkins corner combo may prove stingy against Jordy Nelson and James Jones.  In the end, this is a total QB mismatch, and I fully expect the Packers to be 6-3 heading into their week ten bye. 

Redskins (+6) over GIANTS

The Giants are coming off a monstrous victory in San Francisco and are in prime position for a letdown.  RGIII is gaining momentum and provides a rare offensive dimension that can be tough for even an experienced New York defense to counter.  Six points seems to be too many for a divisional rivalry that may well become the most important NFC East matchup in the years to come.

RAIDERS (-4) over Jaguars

I was devastated when I found out that I scheduled my Vegas trip for the Jaguars' bye week.  How could I be so shortsighted as to lose the opportunity to bet against Blaine Gabbert, especially when he's guaranteed to be a benchwarmer the next time I'm in the desert?  Oh well, picking against him all season on Patch will have to suffice. 

Last Week's Record:  4 - 1

Season Record:  19 - 11

Games That I Didnt' Pick:

VIKINGS (-6.5) vs. Cardinals

TEXANS (-6.5) vs. Ravens

Cowboys (-2.5) vs. PANTHERS

Saints (-2.5) vs. BUCCANEERS

PATRIOTS (-10.5) vs. Jets

Steelers (-1.5) vs. BENGALS

BEARS (-6.5) vs. Lions