I'm 31-11 for the season, 5-0 on Thursday games, 21-9 on Sunday games and 5-2 on Monday games. I was recently asked how I determine what games to pick, and here is the answer I pick the Thursday, Sunday and Monday night games because they are nationally televised, this week there is a Saturday night game and I fill in the rest with games of interest maybe for the playoffs or for example Dolphins vs. Jets, a few weeks ago, because the Jets are trying to get a win. Here are this week's picks;
1. Denver vs. Houston (Thurs.)
Teacher Mike Shanahan vs. pupil Gary Kubiak. The Broncos are coming off perhaps their best game of the year, and Jay Cutler looked confidant last week throwing 4 TDs. Sage Rosenfels gets the start for Houston, but they will likely be without RB Ron Dayne and may turn to undrafted rookie Darius Walker. Both teams have slim playoff hopes, but both are teams that could use this win as they build for next season. The Broncos are only 2-4 on the road and Houston is coming off a strong win at home against Tampa Bay. PICK: Broncos
2. Cincinnati vs. San Fransisco (Sat.)
Both teams had high hopes coming into the season and now are just playing out the schedule and to make things worse, the 49ers 1st round draft pick is going to the Patriots. The Bengals passing game will be hard for the Niners secondary to stop. And if you thought the 49ers offense was bad under Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer, who knows what its going to look like under Shaun Hill? PICK: Bengals
3. Washington vs. NY Giants
The Redskins come into this one fighting for their playoff lives and will be fighting with QB Todd Collins who has not started a game in 10 years, but has been in OC Al Saunders offense for 7 seasons dating back to his days in KC. The Giants D will look to put pressure on Collins and force mistakes. The Giants have been desperate for a hint of life from the offense and need 1 win to clinch a playoff berth. Some how the Giants keep finding ways to win. PICK: Giants
1. Denver vs. Houston (Thurs.)
Teacher Mike Shanahan vs. pupil Gary Kubiak. The Broncos are coming off perhaps their best game of the year, and Jay Cutler looked confidant last week throwing 4 TDs. Sage Rosenfels gets the start for Houston, but they will likely be without RB Ron Dayne and may turn to undrafted rookie Darius Walker. Both teams have slim playoff hopes, but both are teams that could use this win as they build for next season. The Broncos are only 2-4 on the road and Houston is coming off a strong win at home against Tampa Bay. PICK: Broncos
2. Cincinnati vs. San Fransisco (Sat.)
Both teams had high hopes coming into the season and now are just playing out the schedule and to make things worse, the 49ers 1st round draft pick is going to the Patriots. The Bengals passing game will be hard for the Niners secondary to stop. And if you thought the 49ers offense was bad under Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer, who knows what its going to look like under Shaun Hill? PICK: Bengals
3. Washington vs. NY Giants
The Redskins come into this one fighting for their playoff lives and will be fighting with QB Todd Collins who has not started a game in 10 years, but has been in OC Al Saunders offense for 7 seasons dating back to his days in KC. The Giants D will look to put pressure on Collins and force mistakes. The Giants have been desperate for a hint of life from the offense and need 1 win to clinch a playoff berth. Some how the Giants keep finding ways to win. PICK: Giants
4. Chicago vs. Minnesota (Mon.)
The Vikings have been hot, winning 4 in a row and establishing themselves as the team to beat for the 6th NFC playoff slot. Adrian Peterson returned from injury 2 weeks ago, but was held to 3 yds last week. QB Tavaris Jackson has been steady recently making the Vikings a dangerous team come January. The Bears will start their 3rd QB of the year Kyle Orton, who was very successful his rookie season at the helm. The Vikes are on the way up and the Bears on the way down, it looks to remain that way. PICK: Vikings
The Vikings have been hot, winning 4 in a row and establishing themselves as the team to beat for the 6th NFC playoff slot. Adrian Peterson returned from injury 2 weeks ago, but was held to 3 yds last week. QB Tavaris Jackson has been steady recently making the Vikings a dangerous team come January. The Bears will start their 3rd QB of the year Kyle Orton, who was very successful his rookie season at the helm. The Vikes are on the way up and the Bears on the way down, it looks to remain that way. PICK: Vikings
5. Jacksonville vs. Pittsburgh
Both teams come in 9-4, trying to establish momentum for the playoffs. Both teams possess great running games, but the Steelers are 7-0 at home this season winning those games by an avg. 16 points. PICK: Steelers
Both teams come in 9-4, trying to establish momentum for the playoffs. Both teams possess great running games, but the Steelers are 7-0 at home this season winning those games by an avg. 16 points. PICK: Steelers
6. Arizona vs. New Orleans
Both are fighting for playoff spots, and the winner will still need some help to catch the Vikes. The Cards have been dealing with a banged up WR unit, and a secondary that doesn't stop the other teams passing game. The Saints passing game has been working pretty well and should be able to attack the Arizona secondary. The Saints are without RB Reggie Bush and that may not be such a bad thing as Aaron Stecker rushed for 100 yds last week, something the overrated Bush had not done all season. PICK: Saints
Check back later in the week for results.
Send questions or comments to Tony at TTOHBLOG@hotmail.com
