Smitter�s Week 12� Picks:

Last week: 8-8��� Overall: 74-86� 46.3%��

FLG�s last week:� 1-2�� Overall� 13-20� 39.4%

 

Last week, for the first time since the first week of the season, home underdogs suffered a losing record, at 2-3. However, New Orleans and Denver continued what has been a season-long trend of teams sucking the two weeks following playing the Steelers. That does not bode well for Cleveland or New Orleans again this week.

 

Miami (+ 3 �) over Detroit � Detroit has historically played well on Thanksgiving. However, they lost last week to the Cardinals. Miami, on the other hand, has been playing well, with three straight wins.

 

Tampa Bay (+ 11 �) over Dallas � After the Cowboys� impressive win on Sunday against the Colts, it would seem hard to pick against them this week. I think the defense of Tampa keeps this one closer than it should be.

 

Denver (- 1 �) over Kansas City � After losing a tough Sunday night clash against the Chargers, Denver has the inevitable task of taking a trip to Kansas City after a short week. So, KC may seem to have the advantage this week. I say Denver rebounds this week against a KC team that really can�t afford a loss.

 

Pittsburgh (+ 3 �) over Baltimore � This just in � Ray Lewis has already been credited for 6 tackles. Ben will scorch the Ravens defense for 3 bills, which will free up Willy for a big TD run late in the third quarter. Steelers win big.

 

Buffalo (+ 3 �) over Jacksonville � Jacksonville is coming off a short week, and having to come up north in late November, although the weather isn�t supposed to be that cold this weekend. Buffalo has been playing well, especially at home.

 

Houston (+ 5 �) over NY Jets � Both teams have been up and down all year, with the Jets being a little more up than down. Jets actually have playoff aspirations, which take a hit this weekend as the Texans play it close, maybe even pulling off the upset.

 

Cleveland (+ 3 �) over Cincinnati � Two conflicting worlds, so to speak, will collide in this game. One, is that teams usually suck the week after playing the Steelers. But, two, is that even after going 2-3 last week, home dogs are still winning at a 64.8% rate for the year. I am going for the home underdogs in this one. It is my belief that the Browns will have a big say in who makes the playoffs from the AFC North. (Including the big upset of the Ravens in a few weeks!)

 

Arizona (+ 6 �) over Minnesota � Let�s see � Arizona beat Detroit last week, but it was only their second win of the season. And Minnesota has last 4 in a row, two of them they were favored in, since beating Seattle. Go with Arizona in what may be the Ugly Game of the Week.

 

St Louis (- 6 �) over San Francisco � Two teams going in opposite directions, with the Niners only a game off the division lead. OK, admit it, who among us had pegged the 49�ers for 5-5 after 10 games and only a game out of the lead? Not me � I only had them winning 6 games all year. That being said, I am going with the Rams to rebound this week.

 

Atlanta (- 3 �) over New Orleans � Michael Vick is due for a semi-good game, and New Orleans falls prey to the Steelers� Curse once again.

 

Washington (+ 4 �) over Carolina � Home team underdog, even though Carolina�s defense will give the Redskins fits all day.

 

New England (- 3 �) over Chicago � Should be a very entertaining day on the new Field Turf in Foxboro. Patriots need this game more than the Bears.

 

Philadelphia (+ 12 �) over Indianapolis � This game has disaster written all over it for the Eagles. No McNabb, the mighty Jeff Garcia at QB for the Eagles for the rest of the season, and the Colts playing at home coming off a loss. It will be easy for the Eagles to go through the motions, but they hang tough this week.

 

Tennessee (+ 3 �) over NY Giants � This is another of those games that should be an easy victory for one team, but won�t. Giants stunk up the joint on Monday, and with all the injuries for the Giants on defense, I think Vince Young makes enough plays to keep the Titans close.

 

Oakland (+ 13 �) over San Diego � The Chargers just may be the class of the AFC now, while the Raiders can�t score. Should be an easy San Diego victory, and it just may be, but this is a lot of points.

 

Seattle (- 6 �) over Green Bay � Seattle, all of a sudden, has a sense of urgency to the season, when at the beginning of the year, they had to be thinking that by this time of the season, they would be easing to another division title. Seattle gets it in gear this week against the Packers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLG�s

Miami over Detroit

Arizona over Minnesota

Atlanta over New Orleans