|
Team Rankings
|
|
Rk
|
Team |
Rk
|
Team |
Rk
|
Team |
Rk
|
Team |
|
1
|
Tampa Bay |
9
|
Pittsburgh |
17
|
San Diego |
25
|
Dallas |
|
2
|
Philadelphia |
10
|
San Francisco |
18
|
St. Louis |
26
|
Seattle |
|
3
|
Atlanta |
11
|
New England |
19
|
Kansas City |
27
|
Chicago |
|
4
|
Oakland |
12
|
New Orleans |
20
|
Jacksonville |
28
|
Carolina |
|
5
|
Miami |
13
|
NY Giants |
21
|
Baltimore |
29
|
Arizona |
|
6
|
Green Bay |
14
|
Tennessee |
22
|
Washington |
30
|
Houston |
|
7
|
Denver |
15
|
NY Jets |
23
|
Buffalo |
31
|
Detroit |
|
8
|
Indianapolis |
16
|
Cleveland |
24
|
Minnesota |
32
|
Cincinnati |
|
Offense Rankings
|
|
Rk
|
Team |
Rk
|
Team |
Rk
|
Team |
Rk
|
Team |
|
1
|
New Orleans |
9
|
Denver |
17
|
Buffalo |
25
|
Washington |
|
2
|
Kansas City |
10
|
New England |
18
|
Tampa Bay |
26
|
Seattle |
|
3
|
Atlanta |
11
|
Indianapolis |
19
|
NY Jets |
27
|
NY Giants |
|
4
|
Oakland |
12
|
San Francisco |
20
|
Baltimore |
28
|
Chicago |
|
5
|
Green Bay |
13
|
Jacksonville |
21
|
San Diego |
29
|
Detroit |
|
6
|
Philadelphia |
14
|
St. Louis |
22
|
Cincinnati |
30
|
Houston |
|
7
|
Minnesota |
15
|
Miami |
23
|
Cleveland |
31
|
Carolina |
|
8
|
Pittsburgh |
16
|
Tennessee |
24
|
Arizona |
32
|
Dallas |
|
Defense Rankings
|
|
Rk
|
Team |
Rk
|
Team |
Rk
|
Team |
Rk
|
Team |
|
1
|
Tampa Bay |
9
|
Atlanta |
17
|
Pittsburgh |
25
|
Seattle |
|
2
|
Miami |
10
|
Carolina |
18
|
Green Bay |
26
|
Buffalo |
|
3
|
Denver |
11
|
New England |
19
|
St. Louis |
27
|
New Orleans |
|
4
|
NY Giants |
12
|
Cleveland |
20
|
Chicago |
28
|
Kansas City |
|
5
|
Philadelphia |
13
|
Washington |
21
|
Tennessee |
29
|
Minnesota |
|
6
|
Oakland |
14
|
San Francisco |
22
|
San Diego |
30
|
Cincinnati |
|
7
|
Dallas |
15
|
Baltimore |
23
|
Jacksonville |
31
|
Detroit |
|
8
|
Indianapolis |
16
|
NY Jets |
24
|
Houston |
32
|
Arizona |
New England Patriots (-6) at Detroit Lions
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
5
|
QB
|
Tom Brady
|
NE
|
25
|
RB
|
Antowain Smith |
NE
|
|
13
|
RB
|
James Stewart |
Det
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
WR
|
Troy Brown |
NE
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
TE
|
Mikhael Ricks |
Det
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
TE
|
Christian Fauria |
NE
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
PK
|
Adam Vinatieri |
NE
|
|
|
|
|
Nothing says Thanksgiving like a classic Patriots/Lions clash. If there was
ever an example of why these games need to be rotated here it is. This is a
game that the Patriots should be able to to dominate. However, their defense
will allow Stewart to make enough yardage to keep it close for a while. Speaking
of great defense, Brady looks poised for another 3-TD day.
The pick: Patriots 28-17.
Washington Redskins (-1.5) at Dallas Cowboys
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
22
|
RB
|
Stephen Davis
|
Was
|
26
|
RB
|
Emmitt Smith |
Dal
|
|
20
|
WR
|
Joey Galloway |
Dal
|
34
|
WR
|
Rod Gardner |
Was
|
After a plate full of turkey, this contest just might put you to sleep. The
only reason to tune in will be to see if Dallas can continue their mastery over
the more talented Redskins.
The pick: Redskins 14-11.
Arizona Cardinals (+9.5) at Kansas City
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
6
|
QB
|
Trent Green
|
KC
|
25
|
WR
|
Eddie Kennison |
KC
|
|
11
|
QB
|
Jake Plummer |
Ari
|
30
|
WR
|
Frank Sanders |
Ari
|
|
1
|
RB
|
Priest Holmes |
KC
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
RB
|
Marcel Shipp |
Ari
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
TE
|
Tony Gonzalez |
KC
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
TE
|
Freddie Jones |
Ari
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
PK
|
Morten Andersen |
KC
|
|
|
|
|
The Cardinals are terrible. The Chiefs are not. Holmes should be amazing.
The pick: Chiefs 34-20.
Tennessee Titans (+3) at New York Giants
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
10
|
RB
|
Tiki Barber
|
NYG
|
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
RB
|
Eddie George |
Ten
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
WR
|
Amani Toomer |
NYG
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
WR
|
Derrick Mason |
Ten
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
TE
|
Jeremy Shockey |
NYG
|
|
|
|
|
Both teams stumbled last week against inferior teams and look to bounce back
this week. These teams are very similar, but a slight edge goes to the Giants
with the home field.
The pick: Giants 17-16.
Atlanta Falcons (-4) at Minnesota Vikings
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
2
|
QB
|
Michael Vick
|
Atl
|
29
|
RB
|
Warrick Dunn |
Atl
|
|
9
|
QB
|
Daunte Culpepper |
Min
|
33
|
RB
|
Moe Williams |
Min
|
|
23
|
RB
|
Michael Bennett |
Min
|
36
|
RB
|
TJ Duckett |
Atl
|
|
12
|
WR
|
Randy Moss |
Min
|
13
|
TE
|
Alge Crumpler |
Atl
|
|
24
|
WR
|
Brian Finneran |
Atl
|
16
|
TE
|
Byron Chamberlain |
Min
|
|
6
|
PK
|
Jay Feely |
Atl
|
18
|
TE
|
Jim Kleinsasser |
Min
|
|
12
|
Def
|
Atlanta Falcons |
Atl
|
|
|
|
|
This could be the most exciting game of the week. Atlanta is coming off their
2nd straight pummeling of the Panthers and needs to keep playing at a high level.
Daunte Culpepper has cut down on his errors (not entirely though) and should
be able to keep this game close. In the end, Vick will make enough plays to
win.
The pick: Falcons 30-23.
Denver Broncos (-3) at San Diego Chargers
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
7
|
QB
|
Brian Griese
|
Den
|
28
|
WR
|
Curtis Conway |
SD
|
|
5
|
RB
|
LaDainian Tomlinson |
SD
|
31
|
WR
|
Ed McCaffrey |
Den
|
|
7
|
RB
|
Clinton Portis |
Den
|
17
|
TE
|
Stephen Alexander |
SD
|
|
4
|
WR
|
Rod Smith |
Den
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
TE
|
Shannon Sharpe |
Den
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
PK
|
Jason Elam |
Den
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
Def
|
Denver Broncos |
Den
|
|
|
|
|
This is a matchup of an excellent team (Denver) against an excellent player
(Tomlinson). The team wins this one. Also note there's a chance that both Brian
Griese and Shannon Sharpe will return for this game. Stay tuned for the Players
in the News Updates through the week.
The pick: Broncos 26-19.
Baltimore Ravens (-3) at Cincinnati Bengals
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
8
|
RB
|
Jamal Lewis
|
Bal
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
RB
|
Corey Dillon |
Cin
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
WR
|
Travis Taylor |
Bal
|
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
WR
|
Chad Johnson |
Cin
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
TE
|
Todd Heap |
Bal
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
Def
|
Baltimore Ravens |
Bal
|
|
|
|
|
There are a few good plays in this game. It's too bad the game itself is pretty
much meaningless.
The pick: Ravens 23-21.
Houston Texans (+11.5) at Indianapolis Colts
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
3
|
QB
|
Peyton Manning
|
Ind
|
34
|
RB
|
Jonathan Wells |
Hou
|
|
4
|
RB
|
Edgerrin James |
Ind
|
14
|
TE
|
Marcus Pollard |
Ind
|
|
1
|
WR
|
Marvin Harrison |
Ind
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
TE
|
Billy Miller |
Hou
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
PK
|
Mike Vanderjagt |
Ind
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
Def
|
Indianapolis Colts |
Ind
|
|
|
|
|
The Colts dominated Houston 23-3 in their week three matchup. The Texans won
last week and don't have what it takes to put together a winning streak. Look
for the Indy players to excel.
The pick: Colts 27-10.
Carolina Panthers (+7.5) at Cleveland Browns
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
10
|
QB
|
Tim Couch
|
Cle
|
28
|
RB
|
William Green |
Cle
|
|
24
|
RB
|
Lamar Smith |
Car
|
35
|
RB
|
Jamel White |
Cle
|
|
29
|
WR
|
Muhsin Muhammad |
Car
|
36
|
WR
|
Kevin Johnson |
Cle
|
|
11
|
PK
|
Phil Dawson |
Cle
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
Def
|
Cleveland Browns |
Cle
|
|
|
|
|
The Panthers give thanks on this Thanksgiving Day that the Falcons are not
on the schedule any more. Atlanta beat Carolina by a total of 71-0 this season.
Yikes. The Browns are heading in the right direction at the moment and will
keep the Panthers losing streak intact.
The pick: Browns 24-10.
Seattle Seahawks (+9) at San Francisco 49ers
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
1
|
QB
|
Jeff Garcia
|
SF
|
26
|
WR
|
Koren Robinson |
Sea
|
|
16
|
RB
|
Garrison Hearst |
SF
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
RB
|
Shaun Alexander |
Sea
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
WR
|
Terrell Owens |
SF
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
PK
|
Jeff Chandler |
SF
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
Def
|
San Francisco 49ers |
SF
|
|
|
|
|
How do you let Koy Detmer eat your defense alive? After a horrible Monday Night
effort, the 49ers must bounce back. They've dropped two in a row and have scored
only 17 points in each of their last three games. That won't get it done. Luckily
for them, the Seattle defense is a sieve.
The pick: 49ers 31-20.
Chicago Bears (+9.5) at Green Bay Packers
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
8
|
QB
|
Brett Favre
|
GB
|
34
|
RB
|
Anthony Thomas |
Chi
|
|
3
|
RB
|
Ahman Green |
GB
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
WR
|
Donald Driver |
GB
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
WR
|
Marty Booker |
Chi
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
TE
|
Bubba Franks |
GB
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
TE
|
John Davis |
Chi
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
PK
|
Ryan Longwell |
GB
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
Def
|
Green Bay Packers |
GB
|
|
|
|
|
Favre is thrilled to be out of Minnesota and Tampa Bay (two places he usually
struggles). Back home at Lambeau, the Packers will turn things around. Of course
it helps to be playing the Bears. For Chicago, look for Thomas to see a little
more pine as Leon Johnson will get a few more looks.
The pick: Packers 28-17.
St. Louis Rams (-2.5) at Philadelphia Eagles
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
12
|
QB
|
Kurt Warner
|
StL
|
17
|
QB
|
AJ Feeley |
Phi
|
|
15
|
RB
|
Lamar Gordon |
StL
|
27
|
WR
|
Torry Holt |
StL
|
|
20
|
RB
|
Duce Staley |
Phi
|
15
|
TE
|
Chad Lewis |
Phi
|
|
17
|
WR
|
Isaac Bruce |
StL
|
|
|
|
|
|
22
|
WR
|
Amani Toomer |
Phi
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
TE
|
Ernie Conwell |
StL
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
PK
|
David Akers |
Phi
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
Def
|
St. Louis Rams |
StL
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
Def
|
Philadelphia Eagles |
Phi
|
|
|
|
|
If they are to make the playoffs, this is a must-win game for St. Louis. If
the Eagles win this game, then they could insert Joe Bryant at QB and be competitive.
The pick: Rams 20-17.
Miami Dolphins (-2.5) at Buffalo Bills
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
2
|
RB
|
Ricky Williams
|
Mia
|
14
|
QB
|
Drew Bledsoe |
Buf
|
|
9
|
RB
|
Travis Henry |
Buf
|
18
|
QB
|
Ray Lucas |
Mia
|
|
9
|
WR
|
Eric Moulds |
Buf
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
WR
|
Peerless Price |
Buf
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
TE
|
Randy McMichael |
Mia
|
|
|
|
|
Miami has righted their ship while Buffalo is taking on a ton of water. The
Bills have dropped three straight (while scoring a total of 36 points). Bledsoe
and the rest of the passing game is definitely struggling.
The pick: Dolphins 24-14.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1) at New Orleans Saints
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
14
|
RB
|
Deuce McAllister
|
NO
|
13
|
QB
|
Aaron Brooks |
NO
|
|
7
|
WR
|
Joe Horn |
NO
|
30
|
RB
|
Michael Pittman |
TB
|
|
15
|
WR
|
Keyshawn Johnson |
TB
|
32
|
RB
|
Mike Alstott |
TB
|
|
2
|
PK
|
Martin Gramatica |
TB
|
35
|
WR
|
Donte Stallworth |
NO
|
|
7
|
PK
|
John Carney |
NO
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Def
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
TB
|
|
|
|
|
A couple of weeks ago, this looked like a good bet for a Saints victory. Now,
it looks like New Orleans could easily drop their third straight and fourth
game of their last five. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers defense has just been dominating
everyone on the schedule.
The pick: Buccaneers 26-20.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
18
|
RB
|
Fred Taylor
|
Jac
|
15
|
QB
|
Mark Brunell |
Jac
|
|
27
|
RB
|
Jerome Bettis |
Pit
|
16
|
QB
|
Kordell Stewart |
Pit
|
|
3
|
WR
|
Hines Ward |
Pit
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
WR
|
Jimmy Smith |
Jac
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
WR
|
Plaxico Burress |
Pit
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
Def
|
Pittsburgh Steelers |
Pit
|
|
|
|
|
There's a real possibility that Maddox will be the QB this week. That's excellent
news after his terrible injury just two weeks ago. Neither team is a dominating
unit but the Steelers are much more explosive on offense.
The pick: Steelers 24-23.
New York Jets (+6) at Oakland Raiders
|
Sure Starters
|
Possible Starters
|
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
Rk
|
Pos
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
4
|
QB
|
Rich Gannon
|
Oak
|
32
|
WR
|
Jerry Porter |
Oak
|
|
12
|
RB
|
Curtis Martin |
NYJ
|
33
|
WR
|
Tim Brown |
Oak
|
|
19
|
RB
|
Charlie Garner |
Oak
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
WR
|
Jerry Rice |
Oak
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
WR
|
Laveranues Colts |
NYJ
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
PK
|
Sebastian Janikowski |
Oak
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
Def
|
Oakland Raiders |
Oak
|
|
|
|
|
One of these teams is riding a four-game winning streak. One of these teams
is allowing less than 13 points over those four games. This teams also has an
extremely accurate QB that is far exceeding everyone expectations. And the other
team is Oakland. Yes, the Jets are playing as well as anyone in the NFL right
now. Of course, so are the Raiders (who also have a decent option at QB). Gannon
is still looking at a chance of surpassing Dan Marino's single-season yardage
mark. Gannon is averaging over 320 passing yards per game. Unbelievable. This
should be a great Monday Night affair.
The pick: Raiders 27-21
| Results |
Straight up
|
ATS
|
| Week 12 |
8-8
|
8-8
|
| Season |
104-71-1
|
81-93-2
|
| 