D'boyz Week 4 Picks

[D'BOYZ]

THE DON'S
Crystal Ball

WEEK 4 PICKS

By DonCanabis
CP Analyst/Godfather

This was a great week against the spread (11-5). Vegas is beginning to submit to my wisdom. Arizona and a guy named Warner almost pulled my upset pick, but fell through in the last minute. Of my hot picks, once again Indianapolis let me down in the fourth quarter, and Washington apparently decided they could win with backups in the second half, because they just didn't show up.

It looks like my early surprise team of 2007 is picking up, as Tampa Bay sits with a 2-1 record with a high chance of being 3-1 by Monday.


On with the picks...

Houston at Atlanta +3 Ovr/Und 39

Houston is playing with a lot of heart, but they miss all their players. It looks like Schaub will be without his top two WRs (Johnson and Jones) and RB (Green), but their defense is still there and will make it hard for an Atlanta team that prefers to do their talking on the sideline rather than the field...Expect a low-scoring game because of the injuries.

Straight: Houston
Spread: Atlanta
Ovr/Und: Under


Baltimore at Cleveland +4.5 Ovr/Und 40

I don't like what I'm seeing out of Baltimore. That defense is letting teams get back in the game, and the offense has been awful two weeks in a row. They just barely win. Cleveland is making Dallas sweat each week, because what at first looked like an easy chance to take McFadden next year is starting to look not so good.

Straight: Baltimore
Spread: Baltimore
Ovr/Und: Over


Oakland at Miami -4 Ovr/Und 42

Porter guarantees victory. We know what that means: Miami loses. Culpepper against Trent Green...just because I don't want McNabb to call me biased, I'll take Culpepper... (I would anyway!)

Straight: Oakland
Spread: Oakland
Ovr/Und: Under


Green Bay at Minnesota +2 Ovr/Und 38

Favre has had trouble against the Vikings his whole career, but that was when they had a team. I don't see this week as the one that GB falls. This is usually a close game between the two and high-scoring. Take GB and the points.

Straight: Green Bay
Spread: Green Bay
Ovr/Und: Over


New York Jets at Buffalo +3.5 Ovr/Und 37

If Buffalo keeps this rhythm, it will be looking for players in the AF2 league. Chad looked good against Miami. He shouldn't have any problems against Buffalo.

Straight: N.Y. Jets
Spread: N.Y. Jets
Ovr/Und: Under


St. Louis at Dallas -13.5 Ovr/Und 46

Another team filled with injuries. Jackson is out, most of their O-line is out, and their QB is hurt. I hate given games, because they somehow always turn on you...take the Cowboys, and take the points.

Straight: Dallas
Spread: Dallas
Ovr/Und: Over


Chicago at Detroit +3 Ovr/Und 45
UPSET OF THE WEEK

There are two pieces of good news for Detroit...one, Griese isn't McNabb, so their defense can breathe a little, and two, half of Chicago's defense will sit this one out.

Straight: Detroit
Spread: Detroit
Ovr/Und: Under


Tampa Bay at Carolina -3 Ovr/Und 39.5

There's something about Delhomme's injury I just don't like, and if Carr goes in, it's game over. Each week it looks like my surprise team of '07 will take the division.

Straight: Tampa Bay
Spread: Tampa Bay
Ovr/Und: Under


Seattle at San Francisco +2.5 Ovr/Und 40.5

Until Smith can prove he can lead this offense and score points, I just won't believe in them. Even with a banged-up Alexander, Seattle takes the division lead.

Straight: Seattle
Spread: Seattle
Ovr/Und: Under


Kansas City at San Diego -12 Ovr/Und 39

The Chiefs took their first win...don't hold your breath for the next one. Norv has proved to us so far that he's just a good OC, nothing more at this rate. He could be gone next year.

Straight: San Diego
Spread: San Diego
Ovr/Und: Over


Pittsburgh at Arizona +6 Ovr/Und 41.5

Can you ask for an easier first month for the Steelers? Let's see...Cleveland, Buffalo, San Francisco, and now the Cardinals. Who makes these schedules?? And, looking at the rest of the games, they could easily be looking at a 13-3 record. Right now Leinart is proving why he wasn't the first QB taken in the draft last year.

Straight: Pittsburgh
Spread: Pittsburgh
Ovr/Und: Under


Denver at Indianapolis -9.5 Ovr/Und 46.5

I told you that Denver's offense doesn't look good, but long gone are the days when the Colts just overpower their competition with offense. We're now seeing more close games for them and a better use of the clock. Expect Indianapolis to take the W, but they won't cover.

Straight: Indianapolis
Spread: Denver
Ovr/Und: Under


Philadelphia at New York Giants +3 Ovr/Und 48

Philadelphia last week looked like the powerhouse it used to be for many years. New York played a good second half, but their top WR is hurt. I don't know, but McNabb has a tendency to make any guy from the street look like an all-pro WR.

Straight: Philadelphia
Spread: Philadelphia
Ovr/Und: Over


New England at Cincinnati +7 Ovr/Und 52.5

Brady and Moss against that defense...man, the spread is too low! Add that Cincinnati's offense has become one-dimensional without Rudy...it's not even close.

Straight: New England
Spread: New England
Ovr/Und: Over


Hot Picks
Green Bay
New York Jets
Dallas
Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh
New England


60% Overall for the Season, 1-4 Upsets

And if it turns out any other way, I'll deny I said this!