Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
First of all, take these all with a grain of salt.
Secondly, these are for educational purposes only.
Third - I think it is a major mistake to try and predict all games.
My ranking system is based on "Stars", which gauges how strongly I feel about each pick.
Week 16 was better than Week 15 but still a losing week at 5-7. Ouch. The wrong move would be to try and make up for it this week, but come on - this is Week 17. No one mails it in better than the NFL in Week 17. There's not enough to even be concerned about so I'm staying mostly away from games this week. Not so much a retreat to preserve the 56% win percentage (good, not great, but still a winner) - this is all about the games. I count several that I won't touch simply because one or both teams will leave the car running as they head for the golf course come Monday.
So when I was on a roll I always said "Stay Humble". Well, two humbling weeks later, here we stand. Not much to love this week, but here goes.
Here we go:
*ONE STAR GAMES*
Kansas City Chiefs (+3) at Cincinnati Bengals - (1 star)
The Chiefs are playing far better than anyone gives them credit for it seems. After a tough loss to San Diego (22-21 folding at home) and then another loss (38-31) to Miami, I think that they take advantage of the lesser competition in orange and black on Sunday. Yes, Cedric Benson looked good last week - but that was against Cleveland. The Chiefs are givign up points but it was to teams fighting to get into the playoffs. The Bengals are a long, long way from that. KC wins this game 34-20.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+12.5) at Baltimore Ravens - (1 star)
This is a purely a "value play". I could see the Ravens packing it in early if New England loses (they likely won't) so that chance is certainly there for a later kickoff. Derrick Mason is playing with one arm and needs some time off if he can get it. Baltimore had been steamrolling teams with 30+ points a week before Pittsburgh (and the wacky Dallas ending hardly counts) but their offense is a little off as of late. I can see them getting 20+ against the Jaguars but all Jacksonville needs is a few field goals and a touchdown to keep it inside of 14. I think that's a reasonable possibility, but I'm far from in love with it. Baltimore 24-13.
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (UNDER 45.5) - (1 star)
Arizona is struggling and they are limping to the postseason. Seattle should be so lucky, as they are just limping. No Hasselbeck is actually good news for them, but I don't see this game as a big shootout. Kurt Warner could easily get two scores and take a seat at halftime. Seattle can't run the ball and the secondary for the Cards will be all over the limited options for Seattle's offense. Again, kind of a value play here with both offenses struggling, but it could be that both defenses make the opposing offenses look far better than they should. I could be wrong, but it feels like a 24-17 kind of game.
**TWO STAR GAMES**
New England Patriots (-6) at Buffalo Bills - (2 stars)
The Patriots simply must win to put pressure on the late games, particularly Baltimore and the Jets / Dolphins. The Bills are not playing well despite what they did in Denver. Marshawn Lynch is hurting (but you have to like Fred Jackson, don't you?). The Bills won't do well at the Pats and aren't favored in any matchup, especially at head coach. Patriots win by at least 10, and likely more. New England 34, Buffalo 13.
***THREE STAR GAMES***
NONE.
Good luck this week, and remember that if you are tempting fate and actually wagering on these games to bet with your head and not over it.
Enjoy the games.
Lastly, the record:
Secondly, these are for educational purposes only.
Third - I think it is a major mistake to try and predict all games.
My ranking system is based on "Stars", which gauges how strongly I feel about each pick.
Week 16 was better than Week 15 but still a losing week at 5-7. Ouch. The wrong move would be to try and make up for it this week, but come on - this is Week 17. No one mails it in better than the NFL in Week 17. There's not enough to even be concerned about so I'm staying mostly away from games this week. Not so much a retreat to preserve the 56% win percentage (good, not great, but still a winner) - this is all about the games. I count several that I won't touch simply because one or both teams will leave the car running as they head for the golf course come Monday.
So when I was on a roll I always said "Stay Humble". Well, two humbling weeks later, here we stand. Not much to love this week, but here goes.
Here we go:
*ONE STAR GAMES*
Kansas City Chiefs (+3) at Cincinnati Bengals - (1 star)
The Chiefs are playing far better than anyone gives them credit for it seems. After a tough loss to San Diego (22-21 folding at home) and then another loss (38-31) to Miami, I think that they take advantage of the lesser competition in orange and black on Sunday. Yes, Cedric Benson looked good last week - but that was against Cleveland. The Chiefs are givign up points but it was to teams fighting to get into the playoffs. The Bengals are a long, long way from that. KC wins this game 34-20.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+12.5) at Baltimore Ravens - (1 star)
This is a purely a "value play". I could see the Ravens packing it in early if New England loses (they likely won't) so that chance is certainly there for a later kickoff. Derrick Mason is playing with one arm and needs some time off if he can get it. Baltimore had been steamrolling teams with 30+ points a week before Pittsburgh (and the wacky Dallas ending hardly counts) but their offense is a little off as of late. I can see them getting 20+ against the Jaguars but all Jacksonville needs is a few field goals and a touchdown to keep it inside of 14. I think that's a reasonable possibility, but I'm far from in love with it. Baltimore 24-13.
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (UNDER 45.5) - (1 star)
Arizona is struggling and they are limping to the postseason. Seattle should be so lucky, as they are just limping. No Hasselbeck is actually good news for them, but I don't see this game as a big shootout. Kurt Warner could easily get two scores and take a seat at halftime. Seattle can't run the ball and the secondary for the Cards will be all over the limited options for Seattle's offense. Again, kind of a value play here with both offenses struggling, but it could be that both defenses make the opposing offenses look far better than they should. I could be wrong, but it feels like a 24-17 kind of game.
**TWO STAR GAMES**
New England Patriots (-6) at Buffalo Bills - (2 stars)
The Patriots simply must win to put pressure on the late games, particularly Baltimore and the Jets / Dolphins. The Bills are not playing well despite what they did in Denver. Marshawn Lynch is hurting (but you have to like Fred Jackson, don't you?). The Bills won't do well at the Pats and aren't favored in any matchup, especially at head coach. Patriots win by at least 10, and likely more. New England 34, Buffalo 13.
***THREE STAR GAMES***
NONE.
Good luck this week, and remember that if you are tempting fate and actually wagering on these games to bet with your head and not over it.
Enjoy the games.
Lastly, the record:
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I think so! Me too - for Westbrooks sake as well.
I think so! Me too - for Westbrooks sake as well.
