Week 12 Review/Week 13 Preview

For the Week/Season:vs. W/L: (11-5)/120-56
vs. ATS: (6-10)/91-85
vs. Aggregate:  (4-12)/92-84

vs. ATS:
CBS Judge 97-79-0
CBS Brinson 93-83-0
Postcards 91-85ESPN Simmons 88-82-7
CBS Prisco 84-92-0
CBS Richard 84-92-0
USAT Saraceno 83-88-5
CBS Freeman 83-93-0
Walter Football 80-90-8

vs. W/L:
ESPN Accuscore 123-53
ESPN Pick 'em 122-54
PFT Rosenthal 120-56
Postcards 120-56USAT Pete O'Brien 119-57
ESPN Schlereth 118-58
USAT Gary Mihoces 118-58
ESPN Allen 117-58
USAT Nate Davis 117-59
ESPN Wickersham 117-59
USAT Jarrett Bell 116-60
ESPN Golic 115-61
USAT Tom Pedulla 115-61
ESPN Hoge 114-61
USAT Jon Saraceno 114-62
USAT Jim Corbett 115-61
USAT Robert Klemko 112-64
ESPN Schefter 108-68
PFT Florio 108-68
ESPN Mortensen 107-69

Week 13 Preview:

Well, that was a disgusting display of football the Eagles put forth on Thursday night, they ought to hang their heads in shame though by the look of things it appeared as if many have already checked out on the season.

The Sunday Games:

At Buffalo

-1.5

Tennessee

43

Stevie Johnson was the unanimous winner of the Knucklehead of the Week award for his end zone performance last Sunday. The Jets had the last laugh, though as Johnson’s penalty opened the door to a go-ahead touchdown. The Bills have been fading in recent weeks and have fallen back to the ranks of the mediocre. The Titans had a good afternoon against Tampa Bay and (with Houston’s quarterback issues) see a chance for top spot in the division if the Texans falter. 

Projected Final Score: Tennessee 23, Buffalo 21

At Chicago

-8.5

Kansas City

37

The drop off in performance between Cutler and Caleb Hanie was rather pronounced in Oakland on Sunday.  The Bears remain in the Wild Card hunt despite losing Cutler but face a tough challenge against a Chiefs’ squad that gave the Steelers everything they could handle on Sunday night.

Projected Final Score: Chicago 20, Kansas City 16

At Miami

-3.5

Oakland

43

Even though the Dolphins lost in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day they played their hearts out as the Cowboys won on a last-second field goal. Despite the fact that they’re playing out the string the Dolphins are determined to fight hard every week. Oakland is in first place in the AFC West and need a win to fend off the hard-charging Broncos.

Projected Final Score:  Oakland 24, Miami 17

At Pittsburgh

-6.5

Cincinnati

42

How ‘bout them Bungles? A last second win over the Browns and they’re only a game behind the Ravens and the Steelers. This will be a tough game for the Steelers, who barely escaped with a victory in KC on Sunday night. This week, they’re home where they’re world beaters but can’t overlook the Bengals for a moment.

Projected Final Score: Pittsburgh 27, Cincinnati 20

Ravens

-6.5

At Cleveland

37.5

Contending teams know how to perform against lesser opponents. The Ravens are coming off a hard-fought home win on Thanksgiving night over the ‘Niners and have an additional few days to prepare. The Browns gave the Bengals a real go of things last week and would love nothing more than to knock off a hated divisional rival.

Projected Final Score: Ravens 23, Cleveland 13

NY Jets

-3.5

At Washington

38

Let’s not forget that the Jets had to comeback late to win against Buffalo and probably should’ve lost but for a dropped sure fire touchdown pass by Stevie Johnson.  The Jets are 6-5 and have their backs up against the wall relative to their playoff chances and need to win out for a chance to qualify. The ‘Skins have to be sky high after winning on the road last week and are looking to continue the roll at home.

Projected Final Score: NY Jets 23, Washington 20

Atlanta

-2.5

At Houston

39

Who will quarterback the Texans this week?  Most likely it’ll be T.J. Yates, the third string rookie out of UNC. This will be a really tough challenge for an untested kid, but that’s what the circumstances dictate. The Falcons had a workmanlike win over Minnesota; maybe they played to the level of the opposition last week but can ill afford to play like that against Wade Phillips’ defense.

Projected Final Score: Atlanta 24, Houston 20

At Tampa Bay

-3.5

Carolina

48.5

Who installed the Bucs as favorites here? They lost last week to Tennessee, while the Panthers had an easy time of things with Indy. The one thing we know is that Cam Newton and the offense can put points up on the board. Stopping the opponents is the Panthers’ problem. The Bucs have been out of sync all season and there ought to be a lot of caution in considering them favorites under any circumstances.

Projected Final Score: Tampa Bay 27, Carolina 23

At Minnesota

-1.5

Denver

37.5

All Tim Tebow has done is to win five out of six games as a starter. Granted, most of the wins have been ugly, but a win is a win. The Broncos took San Diego to overtime last week before winning on a field goal after the Chargers’ kicker missed. Adrian Petersen was out of last week’s loss to Atlanta and his absence was acutely noted. He'll be out again this week and without him, the Vikes are really limited.

Projected Final Score: Denver 23, Minnesota 21

At New England

-20.5

Indianapolis

49.5

Look at that spread. What is this, Oklahoma against the Little Sisters of the Poor? There’s no way that an NFL team should be installed as a three-touchdown favorite against any opponent, even one that’s 0-11. The Patriots can certainly defeat Indy by the suggested line. Last week, the Patriots started off slowly, spotting Philly a 10-point lead before overwhelming them 38-20 (it wasn’t even that close as the Eagles scored their final touchdown in garbage time). But the Pats’ defense gave up 400 passing yards to the utterly mediocre Vince Young. OK, so Curtis Painter isn’t even in VY’s class but it’s the Pats’ defense that remains a matter of concern.

Projected Final Score: New England 31, Indianapolis 13

At San Francisco

-13.5

St. Louis

37.5

Sorry Rams fans, but your team really sucks. If the Rams had any special teams depth, they would’ve prevented Arizona’s Patrick Peterson from running wild last week. His punt return for a touchdown was the difference between victory and defeat. The 9-2 49’ers are coming off a 10-point loss to the Ravens and return home looking to punish someone. Unfortunately for the Rams, they play the role of punching bag this week.

Projected Final Score: San Francisco 24, St. Louis 10

Dallas

-4.5

At Arizona

46

“Mr. November”, Tony Romo, led the Cowboys to a last second win over Miami on Thanksgiving Day. With three extra days to prepare, they travel to the Valley of the Sun for a date with the 4-7 Cardinals. The Cards (who stink) are coming off of a three-point win over the hapless Rams courtesy of Patrick Peterson’s wizardry with the football.

Projected Final Score: Dallas 27, Arizona 20

Green Bay

-7.5

At NY Giants

52.5

The 11-0 Packers look to extend their winning streak over the struggling G-Men. On Thanksgiving Day in Detroit, they made the Lions look like jive-ass turkeys as they easily won 27-15. The Giants had a rough night in the Superdome on Monday night as Drew Brees carved up the Giants’ secondary as if it was (you guessed it) a big ol’ turkey. The Giants are in a rough spot here as they have to win to keep pace with Dallas in the NFC East.

Projected Final Score: Green Bay 31, NY Giants 21

At New Orleans

-9.5

Detroit

54

The Saints are coming off of a big home win over the Giants and are in the driver’s seat in the NFC South. They have a short week to prepare for Detroit, who have an extra three days’ to prepare for Sunday night’s game. It looks as if Ndamukong Suh will be watching the action from his couch after his despicable acts last Thursday. This isn’t the first time that Suh has been called to the principal’s office and he can expect a hefty fine and lengthy suspension for behaving like a miscreant.

Projected Final Score:  New Orleans 33, Detroit 20

Monday Night Preview:

San Diego

-2.5

At Jacksonville

39

Speaking of teams that suck, in this corner we have the San Diego Chargers. Every year they’re expected to do big things and invariably find new ways to fail. Last week, they went to overtime with Denver and their kicker (who publicly relieved himself moments before) shanked a makeable field goal. The defense then allowed McGahee to run wild and the Broncos kicked the winning field goal. The Jags, well, they’re mediocrity defined. They lost to Houston by a touchdown even though they knocked the starting quarterback out of the game with a broken collarbone. After the loss, Coach Del Rio was canned. They return home on Monday night before a national audience who’s still trying to figure out what they’re made of.

Projected Final Score: San Diego 24, Jacksonville 21