Sickness, NFL Picks, and Movie Goodness

*sigh*

Well, I will not make the LAN this weekend for sure now.  Not only are the wife and child still feeling under the weather (but better) but now the wife thinks she may have a kidney infection.  If it's not one thing with her, it's another.  I think our family is cursed when it comes to disease and sickness.  God brought the 2 of us together so we could create the perfect child, who, so far, shows no signs of any of the problems her parents have. 

NFL Picks for the Weekend

The pool I participate in is just straight-up picks with a point value assigned.  I post the lines to give a feel for how I make my choices.

6 Teams have a bye this week, so there are only 13 games.  I've paid $40 into the pool for 4 weeks of play so far, and I have cleared $220.  I'm hoping I can win 1-2 more weeks and stay close the rest of the season, as the end-of-the-year pot will be over $350.  At this moment, I lead the points for that pot.

Some easy picks this week, but also some really tough ones.

1.  Cincinnati at Tampa Bay - It's hard for me to pick against a home team.  Not impossible, but hard.  Cincy is favored at -5.  Tampa Bay is 0-4.  The other thing I hate picking against are teams without wins.  They are going to get a win at some point.  I can't recall the last time a team went winless in the NFL.  Cincy is coming off a bye week and a thrashing handed to them by New England.  I'm thinking they will be back from the Bye week looking crisp.  PICK:  Cincinnati  Point Value:  8

2.  Tennessee at Washington -  Tennessee's run defense is horrible.  Actually, their overall defense is horrible.   Washington has Clinton Portis.  Clinton Portis will eat Tennessee alive.  Washington is favored at -10.  PICK:  Washington  Point Value:  9

3.  Houston at Dallas - Houston has no running game.  Houston has a horrible defense.  Dallas is favored at -13.  Dallas will be looking for redemption after last week's loss to Philly.  A game they should have probably won.  PICK:  Dallas  Point Value:  10

4.  Buffalo at Detroit - Yikes.  This is a game that is tough to pick.  Detroit is 0-5 but has looked good at times.  Buffalo is 2-3 and has looked really bad at times.  The last line I looked at the game was a PUSH.  Tough pick overall.  I think Buffalo has a better defense and a more polished offense.  PICK:  Buffalo  Point Value:  2

5.  Seattle at St. Louis - Another tough match-up.  Seattle is favored at -3.5.  Seattle is coming off a bye week after being embarrassed by Chicago.  St. Louis is starting to get comfortable with their new offense.  Shaun Alexander will not be playing for Seattle.  But, St. Louis' secondary is banged-up.  Touch choice here.  I'm going with the upset.  PICK:  St. Louis  Point Value:  3

6.  New York Giants at Atlanta - Boy, are the tough choices running in packs?  Atlanta is favored at -3.  The Giants came off their bye week last week with a defense revival against the Redskins.  But Atlanta is a different team.  Then again, Atlanta doesn't pass very well.  The Giants' Offense is still trying to find a groove.  Tough pick.  I'm going with the home team on this one.  PICK:  Atlanta  Point Value:  7

7.  Philadelphia at New Orleans - What's up with all the tough match-ups?  Talk about League Parity.  MLB can suck it!.  Philly.  Wow.  Is there a hotter QB in the league other then Donovan McNabb right now?  This guy is playing the best he's ever played.  Philly is favored at -3.  I like New Orleans.  Who doesn't?  They're the feel good story of the year.  They have weapons.  Bush, Brees, Colston, Deuce.  However, Philly is on fire, and I think their defense can contain the Saints.  It may be a close game.  PICK:  Philadelphia  Point Value:  6

8.  Carolina at Baltimore - Ouch.  I consider this to be the 5th tough pick in a row.  Carolina is favored at -3.  Carolina is starting to groove with their offense.  Their defense needs to tighten up.  Baltimore's defense is outstanding.  But their offense is lacking and I think that Carolina can get to Steve McNair as Baltimore's O-line can't match up to Carolina's D-Line.  Hard to pick against the home team with the tough D.  PICK:  Carolina  Point Value:  1

9.  Miami at New York Jets - New York is looking good on offense, but stinking on defense.  Miami looks decent at defense, but horrible on offense.  New York is favored at -2.5.  Yuck.  I'm not sure I'd even want to watch this game.  PICK:  New York Jets  Point Value:  4

10.  San Diego at San Francisco - Dear lord.  This is going to be a fantasy fest for San Diego.  San Diego is favored at -10.  I have a feeling Ladanian Tomlinson will be on the bench before the end of the 3rd quarter.  PICK:  San Diego  Point Value:  12

11.  Kansas City at Pittsburgh - The final of the tough picks.  Pittsburgh is favored at -7.  What's wrong with Roeth?  Who knows.  Actually, what's wrong with Pittsburgh?  Kansas City's Defense is underrated.  Pittsburgh's D is fairly good as well.  Pitt's Offense is struggling.  I don't know how the bookies came up with Pitt at -7.  I'd put it closer to -3.  But what do I know?  PICK:   Pittsburgh   Point Value:  5

12.  Oakland at Denver - Easy pick.  Denver is favored at -15.  Oakland stinks.  Worst team in the league.  Denver's Defense is looking awesome.  They have only allowed 1 TD in 4 games.  That is amazing.  Their offense is a work in progress, but I can't see Oakland stopping them.  PICK:  Denver  Point Value:  13

13.  Chicago at Arizona - Easily the best team in the league right now.  Chicago is favored at -10.5.  Arizona has a lot of weapons, but Chicago's amazing defense will contain them and Arizona's horrible offensive line will not stop Chicago from showing Leinhart the turf of the new stadium up close multiple times.  PICK:  Chicago  Point Value:  11

Tie Breaker:  (Monday Night Total Points Scored) - 35   (39 is the Over/Under)

One Video this morning.

Movie Trailer.  Looks very good:

"A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints"

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ4iyyTBvNU[/youtube]