Smitter�s Week 17� Picks:
Last week: 6-10���
Overall: 113-127� 47.1%��
FLG�s last week:� 0-3�� Overall�
22-26� 45.8%
Well, I definitely thought wrong last week. I thought that
the home teams would have the advantage, thinking that visitors wouldn�t want
to be away from home on Christmas Eve. As it turns out, home favorites were
1-11 last week. 1-11???? That is crazy. Home dogs were 2-2 last week, and fell
to 64.1% for the year, 50-28.
NY Giants (- 2 �) over Washington � Nothing like a
dose of the Redskins to help your playoff aspirations. Giants get out of their
funk long enough to beat the Redskins.
Pittsburgh (+ 6 �) over Cincinnati � The possibility
of keeping the Bengals out of the playoffs will motivate the Steelers. Not
finishing with a losing record will motivate the Steelers. The nasty taste of
not making the playoffs will at least be made a little easier because we will
knock the Bengals out.
Baltimore (- 9 �) over Buffalo � Baltimore playing
for the first round bye will be enough to beat the Bills, who still got to be smarting
after letting the Titans beat them last week.
Dallas (- 12 �) over Detroit � Tony Romo has been
playing like the local pizza delivery guy, TO is, well, acting like TO.
Parcells got to right the ship in a hurry for the Cowboys to have any chance in
the playoffs. Things take an upturn this week against the Lions.
Cleveland (+ 4 �) over Houston � Rumors are
floating around that Romeo will get canned next week. Ahhhh, the ineptitude of
the Brownies continues. Cleveland ends the season on an up note, beating the
Texans.
Indianapolis (- 9 �) over Miami � Colts need to get
things turned around fast, so won�t rest as many people as they normally might
have.
Kansas City ( - 2 �) over Jacksonville � Jags looked
like an automatic playoff team just a few weeks ago. Now, they look like the 3rd
place team in their division, watching the playoffs from home.
Minnesota (+ 2 �) over St Louis � If Giants win
Saturday, this game is meaningless, so I�ll go with the home underdog.
New Orleans (+ 3 �) over Carolina � If the Saints had
something to play for, they would be about a TD favorite instead of a FG
underdog. I don�t think they will be resting that many people to lose at home
to the Panthers.
Oakland (+ 12 �) over NY Jets � Something unexpected
is going to happen this weekend, and I think it is this game. In the upset of the
week, the Raiders beat the Jets, knocking them out of the playoffs. (or at
least keep it close enough to scare the Jets)
Philadelphia (- 7 �) over Atlanta � Eagles are on a roll, and even though Atlanta could still make the playoffs, the Jeff Garcia Express will roll over the Falcons.
Seattle (+ 3 �) over Tampa Bay � In another game
of resting some people, I still think Seattle plays enough key people to win
this game.
New England (+ 3 �) over Tennessee � Tennesee�s
magical run towards a possible playoff�
ends with a loss to the Pats.
Denver (- 10 �) over San Francisco � Jay Cutler
keeps improving each week. I thought San Fran was on their way to a possible
8-8 division title, but couldn�t beat the lowly Cards last week. Niners have
nothing to play for, Broncos have lots to play for.
Arizona (+ 13 �) over San Diego � Philip River�s
problems continue against the same lowly Cards mentioned above. Cards keep it
close in what has to be Dennis Green�s last game.
Chicago (- 3 �) over Green Bay � Green Bay could
still have a chance at the playoffs come Sunday night. Either way, Bears,
resting starters, will still beat the Packers.
FLG�s
New Orleans over Carolina
Oakland over NY Jets
Seattle over Tampa Bay