Week Fifteen in the NFL went a little better for this columnist, for I went 8-7-1 against the spread, bringing my yearly total to 113-102-8. Not the greatest, but remaining in the green is all that really counts in any business—even if that business is picking games.
I’ve entitled this Money for Nothing, once again, because these Picks are Free. Not a great business model, yet you can’t complain if these teams come through for you before the great Christmas Holiday now can you?
Oakland (+2) @ Kansas City. Everyone and their brother knows what the Chiefs did last week, but this isn’t Green Bay coming into Arrowhead Stadium; this is the Raiders. They have reason for revenge too—and not just because they lost last week to an impressive Lions team that the Raiders did indeed outplay. This pick makes sense because KC beat Oakland badly the last time they saw one another, by the score of 28-0. Take the Raiders, and the points.
Denver (-3) @ Buffalo because the Bills have a habit of losing, like nine-of-their-last-eleven ballgames, and the Broncos are just the opposite, with winning seven-of-their-last-nine contests. I know the observation has nothing to do with the point spread, but I’d like to think the reason for that need-to-know information speaks for itself.
Tampa Bay @ Carolina (-7 ½) is just as obvious: The Panthers are on fire; the Bucs would be lucky to be room temperature right now. Carolina already destroyed Tampa once, and they’ll do it again—probably by a number close to the 19-point margin by which they emerged victorious last go around.
Philadelphia (+1) @ Dallas has Game of the Weekend written all over it. (The Game of the Week is up next, in fact.) Philly has slim hopes of making the playoffs, yet where there’s hope, there’s a reason to keep trying. Dallas made a lot of mistakes last Saturday night; they managed to get on the plain and head back to Big D, however, with a W because they were playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Take the Eagles because while neither of these teams are perfect—far from it—I’d rather have dysfunctional talent (Philadelphia) than mismanaged talent (Dallas).
Atlanta @ New Orleans (-7). In the Game of Week Sixteen, the Superdome—and maybe the entire football world—will be rocking. The Saints do not lose at home. What more reason do you need? Seriously?
Enjoy the free picks, and if Mr. Clause doesn’t give you any dough, maybe I’ll be so kind as to lend a helping hand to my fellow man. If not, keep coming back for more anyway, for I’ll be picking games until this NFL Season concludes; I just hope the Raiders come along for the ride. Au revoir.
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