Just for Sport

Sorry for my lack of an NHL preview post. As I started to do research, I realized that I know nothing about any team except for the Stars, and I don’t even know much about that. This weekend I’m in class, so maybe next week I’ll tackle the Stars and some more baseball stuff. For now, though, there are this week’s NFL picks.

Last Week’s Record: 11-3 (.786)
Overall: 45-15 (.667)

Buffalo @ Chicago
It’s simple: Buffalo is improving, and J.P. Losman is starting to look like a real quarterback. But Chicago looks really good, and it’s not going to be enough. Look for Grossman to play really well again. This stretch of really weak schedule is going to give this offense a lot of confidence, which can be dangerous in the post-season. Pick: Chicago

Cleveland @ Carolina
Carolina gets the benefit of facing Cleveland as a warm-up for the Ravens in Week 6. I picked up Charlie Frye for my fantasy team because he’s a fairly consistent quarterback statistically, but a borderline fantasy quarterback does not a good team make. I’m looking at this game to see how Carolina does so I can handicap next week’s game. They’ve looked good since the return of Steve Smith, and I want to know if it’s for real. Pick: Carolina

Detroit @ Minnesota
I’m not as high on Minnesota as a lot of people seem to be, but they’re still worlds better than the lowly Lions. Roy Williams has been very vocal this week, so experience says they will lose. The Brad Johnson love-fest will continue, at least for the MNF crew, but fans won’t be able to justify it for long. Pick: Minnesota

Miami @ New England
When I first looked at the season, I was convinced that this would be a key match-up that could potentially decide the AFC East. Now, it’s looking like this will be a blowout. Miami has a chance because there defense hasn’t been all that bad, and Tom Brady has no receivers, but Daunte and the boys don’t seem to have a shot. Pick: New England

St. Louis @ Green Bay
Here’s what you need to know about this match-up: St. Louis has eight interceptions (er, “gunslings”) through four games, and Brett Favre hasn’t lost his job yet. I don’t think it’s going to be too much longer before Aaron Rodgers gets his shot. If St. Louis can be effective with their run game, they should dominate the clock and the game. Pick: St. Louis

Tampa Bay @ New Orleans
The Saints finish up their NFC South swing at home against the Bucs. At first glance, it’s easy to say that the Bucs will lose because they’ve got their back-up in. Please remember, though, that Chris Simms was the starter, and he was doing well. It’s obviously the system that’s working out for Tampa Bay quarterbacks. Nevertheless, Drew Brees is doing quite well, and the Saints will have a decided home field advantage. Pick: New Orleans

Tennessee @ Indianapolis
I don’t think I know anybody who thinks Tennessee has a chance here. Vince Young, Kerry Collins, it doesn’t matter who the quarterback is. Until somebody beats Indianapolis in a regular season game that matters (again, nobody has in the last 25 games), I will continue to pick them. Pick: Indianapolis

Washington @ NY Giants
The Giants have had two weeks to think about the load they dropped in Seattle. I don’t think it will be enough. Clinton Portis is getting his groove back, which opens up the field for Brunell. It’s tough for a team to come back after such a devastating loss, even after a bye week, and I can’t see Eli Manning pick up the team and carry them on his back. Pick: Washington

Kansas City @ Arizona
I’m not feeling Matt Leinart just yet. This game may be enough to prove the problem wasn’t Kurt Warner, but the offensive line. The Cardinals might give them a game, but they are going up against a very underrated defense. By the way, who would have thought that Damon Huard would do this well in place of Trent Green? Pick: Kansas City

NY Jets @ Jacksonville
Here are two teams on the rise that want to make a statement. Jacksonville had an impressive win against the Steelers two weeks ago, and New York almost pulled it off against Indy last week. This one should come down to the wire. I’m going with Jacksonville because of the home field advantage and questionable status of Laveranues Coles. Pick: Jacksonville

Oakland @ San Francisco
San Francisco is probably Oakland’s best chance to avoid the 0-16 season of ignominy that they seem to be destined for. San Francisco presents a relatively favorable match-up for the Raiders, but…it’s not going to happen. Pick: San Francisco

Dallas @ Philadelphia
A whole lot of ink has been wasted on T.O.’s return to Philly, creating a huge distraction from what ought to be a really good game between the top two teams in the NFC East. If distractions are a factor, I think they might bother Philly more. The entire team has to put up with this junk, and T.O. has always been able to handle criticism with a big game. All things being equal, I still think the Cowboys have an advantage. Westbrook isn’t going to be 100% (if he plays at all), and the Cowboys have what it takes to handle the Philly receivers. Pick: Dallas

Pittsburgh @ San Diego
I’ve gone back and forth on this game at least three times. These are great teams, but Roethlisberger has struggled, and Rivers hasn’t been tested. It’s tough to go against Cowher, because I don’t think Pittsburgh is a 1-3 team, but I believe that San Diego has the tools to take them out unless Big Ben plays out of his mind. Pick: San Diego

Baltimore @ Denver
It’s time for me to give Steve McNair some credit. Last week, I picked San Diego to win because I didn’t think McNair could get it done. Well, he did. I was wrong. Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, I don’t think McNair will get it done this week against the Broncos. The offensive line is way too suspect, and they haven’t been able to get the run game going. The defense is still very good, but not invincible. This team reminds me a lot of last year’s Bears. If the offense can score more than 14 points, they’ve got the win. Denver had a bye week to get ready, and you can bet that Mike Shanahan will try to control the clock and exploit some over-pursuit by the Ravens to wear them out in the thin air. Plummer has an anomalous game and the Broncos come out on top. Pick: Denver

Guaranteed Pick of the Week:
In this section I will pick the team that has the greatest chance of winning that week. The catch: I can only pick a team once for the whole season. Through Week 4, I’m 4-0. Here’s the rundown:
Week 1: SEATTLE, vs. Detroit. W 9-6
Week 2: INDIANAPOLIS, vs. Houston. W 43-24
Week 3: MIAMI, vs. Tennessee. W 13-10
Week 4: DALLAS, vs. Tennessee. W 45-14
Week 5: CAROLINA, vs. Cleveland.