Week 13 (Guts Week)

Ah, and we're back. Good start to the week. Brett Favre's ironman streak could for the first time be in jeopardy, but reports say he should be back next week. Positive news for Pack fans though, the running game is working and Aaron Rodgers might actually have talent. As for my picks this week I'm going to pull one over on you and not show the indexes that went into these picks, because I took the LSATs and I'm drained so I'll just give you the picks and spreads hard and fast. The indexes if you didn't notice are integral parts of my system but are in most part just a means for me to make fun of my narrow-minded counterpart.

San Diego at Kansas City
Pick: San Diego: The Chargers had a rough go the first time against KC allowing 24 unanswered points in the second half. The Chargers have hopefully realized that the playoffs are theirs to get in a weak AFC West and the Chiefs are reeling after a loss to the Raiders. The home team here will put up a fight and I think this will be closer than the experts think.
Spread: SD -4.5: I like Kansas City to beat the spread. 21-18

Jacksonville at Indianapolis
Pick: Indy: The first time these two teams played I went with the home team and Indy handled Jacksonville well. Jacksonville has a realistic chance to win the division if they continue to play well on both sides of the ball. However, Peyton Manning is at that point in the season where he sets in a groove. His bad games are behind him.
Spread: Indy -7: This will be a tough physical game, Jacksonville will keep it close until the 4th quarter. Indy covers.


San Francisco at Carolina
Pick: San Francisco: There was a long time where I said San Fran was the worst team in the league and that may be true, but they found something last week on offense. They are healthy and Carolina is not, both teams are out of playoff contention, but one team is in worse shape.
Spread: Carolina -2.5: San Fran takes this one.

Buffalo at Washington
Pick: Washington: This is an emotional game due to the loss of Sean Taylor. Washington is at home and they want this one. It will be hard for Buffalo to overcome that.
Spread: Washington -6.5: Big spread for such an even matchup, but the emotion factor takes it way behind a ballgame. Washington covers.

Houston at Tennessee
Pick: Houston: Either one of these teams is capable of winning any game because of the brand of football they play. Tennessee's offense though will not be able to keep up with Houston's.
Spread: Tennessee -4: Houston beats it.

Atlanta at St. Louis
Pick: St. Louis: After starting the season 0-8 the Rams won 2 in a row and lost a heartbreaker against the first place Seahawks. They proved themselves well enough even when hit with the injury bug to beat a weak Atlanta team.
Spread: OFF: St. Louis

Seattle at Philadelphia
Pick: Seattle: Philly played a hell of a game against the powerful Pats, and maybe just maybe they can win against anyone. One game with a pumped up AJ Feeley is not enough to run with this team. Seattle has found a new facet/wrinkle in their offense: The Passing game. They'll win through the air.
Spread: Philly -3: I think Seattle will beat this and then some as long as they can do better than the Pats did against the Eagles' middle of the field passing attack.

Detroit at Minnesota:
Pick: Minnesota: Adrian Peterson is back and the Vikings did fine without him. They'll do better than fine against a Lions team that has been disappointing since their fast start.
Spread: Minnesota -3: Cover

NY Jets at Miami:
Pick: Jets: This is the game to pick Miami. I just don't feel it, not in this gut. I wanted to, but I can't. I think the Jets will run the ball well and offset a reenergized Miami offense.
Spread: Miami -1: Jets beat it.

Cleveland at Arizona:
Pick: Cleveland: The Browns are on fire, they'll be in warm weather. This game could be a high scoring contest. I expect it to be. Shootout. Cleveland is a playoff team people.
Spread: Cleveland PK: Cleveland

Denver at Oakland:
Pick: Denver: Denver came off what might have been their toughest loss of the season and good for them they play the Raiders. Oakland needs to start thinking about the future which is what they did at the draft but a holdout negated that. While they're trying to find themselves, Denver is looking to catch San Diego.
Spread: Denver -3.5: Cover.

NY Giants at Chicago:
Pick: NY Giants: I really don't like picking the Giants after Week 9, but my gut tells me I should. This is what they do. They'll win this one and people will talk about them again, only to be horribly disappointed in the end.
Spread: NY Giants -2.5: They'll cover, but it will be ugly.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans
Pick: New Orleans: Tampa is playing well. But this is a game the Saints need and they're at home and everything points to an upset. Even though New Orleans is favored, this could still be considered a good win over a team that controls its destiny.
Spread: New Orleans: Cover, in a surprising rout. 35-20

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Pick: Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh scored 3 points in their win against Miami in a drenched monday night game. New sod was flown in to Heinz field and the Steelers will use it to their advantage. This one will be high scoring. The leg of solid Jeff Reed will win it.
Spread: Pitt -7.5: Cincy will beat this one. Close game.

New England at Baltimore
Pick: New England: The Patriots had an unexpected test against the McNabb-less Eagles. This is not a test. Kyle Boller has always been a joke, expect him to keep that up.
Spread: New England -20: New England will cover, score 56 points and reassert its dominance after a "humiliating" win against the Eagles.

There you have them. Gut Picks for Gut people. Stay Beautiful.