Week 15 – Picks Against the Spread (2013)

We are back with our weekly picks against the spread. Sorry for missing last week, I was out of town. I’ll be in touch with Brandon to see if he’s working on his COLLEGE BOWL SPECIAL. During the last BOWL SPECIAL, Brandon was 10-3 ATS. You’ll definitely want to check his picks out when they hit the wire. We’re still a few weeks away from Bowl Season, but we have some NFL action this week and the battle for playoff contention is heating up. During this time of year, I like to pick teams that have something left to play for against those that don’t. For example, Redskins over Browns and Seahawks over Bills. Both teams are road favorites, but I like them this week.

Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5) over PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — I’m an Eagles fan and the BOO birds are out. The Eagles snapped an 8-game losing streak stifling the Bucs in Tampa last week, but I’ve been so fed up with them this year that I just expect them to lose out the rest of the year.

Green Bay Packers (-3) over CHICAGO BEARS — Packers are 4-0 ATS against the Bears. I was tempted to take the home dog, but I gotta go Packers here. They just have the Bears number.

New York Giants (-1) over ATLANTA FALCONS — The Falcons have cooled off. 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games. Giants recently laid the smack down on the Saints and Packers and look like they’re running on all cylinders.

Minnesota Vikings (+1) over ST. LOUIS RAMS — The Rams defense has been solid over the last few weeks, but A.P. has just been running wild and the Vikings are still in playoff contention.  What would keep me away from this game is the Vikings awful 1-5 record on the road compared to the Rams 4-3 record at home, but I have to give a slight lean to the Vikings. Adrian “Put Da Team On My Back” Peterson should come through again. Click the link, it’s one of the greatest videos of all time.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-4) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers — I’ve been high on the Bucs and then they go and drop one to the Eagles at home after the Eagles have lost 8 straight games. I was very tempted to take the Bucs (+4) in this spot since I’ve been riding their success this season, but I have to go Saints at home.

Washington Redskins (-1) over CLEVELAND BROWNS — Both teams are streaking. The Browns — are you ready for it — have won and covered three straight games. The Redskins have won and covered four straight games. The Redskins streak has been far more impressive by topping the Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, and Ravens. When you beat your division opponents in three straight games and then beat an AFC Super Bowl contender in overtime, you’re playing some pretty damn good football. RGIII is questionable, but is expected to play, and I expect him to have a solid game against the Browns and extend the streak to 5. I would love to see the Skins in the playoffs and they’re still in contention at 7-6 right now. Hopefully, they get some help if the Steelers beat the Cowboys, Rams beat the Vikings, or Saints beat the Bucs.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (-7) over Jacksonville Jaguars — I saw “Battle of the Florida Doo Doo Bowl” over at the Covers.com thread and it gave me a good laugh. The public is torn here 50/50 and so am I. The Dolphins don’t deserve to be 7-point favorites, but the Jaguars offense stinks and Miami’s defense has been solid. I don’t expect the Jags to put up more than 10-13 points. I think Dolphins get the cover with a 24-13 win. I’ll be cheering on Reggie Bush who I’m starting at the flex in a fantasy football playoff matchup.

Denver Broncos (-3) over BALTIMORE RAVENS — Peyton Manning looks to extend the streak to 9 games and jock for playoff position. The Broncos benefit from some extra rest and will be facing a defense that’s been banged up. The Ravens surrendered a lot of points to Redskins last week and I think you’ll see Manning pick them apart this week.

Indianapolis Colts (+10) over HOUSTON TEXANS — The public is pounding the points and I’ll take the points in this one too. It’s a division game, the Colts have been solid, and should be able to hang in there. The Texans have one of the top defenses in the league, but not lately after they’ve been hit by the injury bug. One thing could make this game hell for Andrew Luck though and that’s RT Winston Justice out and his backup having to handle J.J. Watt. The Colts better double-team Watt with a TE all game or Luck will be getting pressured on every play. If I’m playing this game, I would rather tease Texans (-3) since I see them winning by touchdown.

Detroit Lions (-6) over ARIZONA CARDINALS — Ryan Lindley will start for the Cardinals which should mean that the Cardinals get blown out. Lindley’s average QB rating is 42.6 and he has 0 TDs and 5 INTs. If you’re in the playoffs in your fantasy football league, try to grab the Lions defense this week. Thanks to the Cardinals 8 turnovers last week, 2 of which were returned for touchdowns, Seattles D put up 41 points last week.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (+3) over San Diego Chargers — Cam Newton was a stud last week against the Falcons and I’m anticipating another big game from him.

Seattle Seahawks (-5.5) over BUFFALO BILLS — I’m taking a lot of road favorites this week, which I don’t typically like, but the Seahawks have been strong and are close to locking up a wild card spot. The Bills don’t have anything to play for while the Seahawks do. The Seahawks managed to beat the Bears on the road two weaks ago and just obliterated the Cardinals last week. That has them fired up.

DALLAS COWBOYS (+1.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers — The public is favoring the Steelers on the road here. Dez Bryant’s injury is a concern, but I’m going to go Cowboys at home.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (-3) over Kansas City Chiefs — Chiefs are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 in Oakland, but I’m going to go against the trend.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-4.5) over San Fransisco 49ers — The Patriots are playing just too damn good. I’m not worried about the 49ers D. Tom Brady is at the top of his game and playing at home.

New York Jets (+1) over TENNESSEE TITANS — What a garbage prime-time game. Why couldn’t we get Broncos vs. Ravens or Packers vs. Bears in this spot? The Monday Night games have been weak this year. Fine, I’ll take the damn Jets.