Putting it on the Line
Coming off my first winning week of the season, I’d love to tell you that I’m about to go on a roll. I would love to tell you that I have some awesome sure-fire winners this week.
But I don’t. The games with close lines seem like tough calls, and the games with really big lines involve home teams (the Vikings and Texans) that have been less than impressive and road teams (the Cardinals and Bills) who could easily be beaten by double digits.
I struggled to select a “best bet,” finally settling on the Panthers (-1) against the Redskins. The Redskins are coming off a Monday night blowout loss to the Saints. The Panthers scored 33 points last Sunday against the Giants. I like the Panthers, but not as much as I usually like my top selections.
The Jets (-2½) over the visiting Colts were almost my top selection, but it’s the Jets. I can’t do it. The Chargers (-1) over the Browns were almost my best bet, but the Browns have played everyone tough. I took the Broncos (-7) over the Rams because the Broncos should never be 7-point underdogs at home.
As for the Eagles (-3), I’m taking them over the Giants, but, as is my advice for most of this week’s games, I’d stay away from it. My best bet and other top picks should be, at most, mild plays. It’s definitely not a week to bet the house. (Not that there’s ever a good week to bet the house.)
Here are my shaky Week 6 selections:
(Home team in CAPS)
(Winning team against the line in bold)
Eagles -3 at GIANTS
VIKINGS -10½ vs. Cardinals
Chargers -1 at BROWNS
Bears -3 at DOLPHINS
Panthers -1 at REDSKINS
JETS -2½ vs. Colts
Steelers +2½ at BENGALS
FALCONS -3½ vs. Bucs
RAIDERS +3 vs. Seahawks
Bills +10 at TEXANS
BRONCOS +7 vs. Rams
Jaguars -3 at COWBOYS
TITANS +3 vs. Ravens
PATRIOTS -3½ vs. Chiefs
PACKERS -9½ vs. 49ers
Best bet: Panthers -1 at REDSKINS
Other top picks: JETS -2½ vs. Colts; Chargers -1 at BROWNS; FALCONS -3½ vs. Bucs; BRONCOS +7 vs. Rams
Last week: 8-6-1 (31-41-6 this season)
Best Bet: 1-0 (3-2 this season)
Other top picks: 2-2 (8-10-2 this season)
