Daunte Culpepper Returns To Action Against The Broncos
The Seer Sees: Week 7 of the NFL
The Seer now stands at 39-30, good for a 56.5% winning percentage. Not only that, but the Seer is trending upward. One curious thing, though, about this exercise: It only works if the Seer picks all the games. While each week will present one or two games that are, in the view of the Seer, Locks, most games are really just an exercise in educated hunches. The Seer knows enough to know which team will beat or cover the spread about 55% of the time, but that's because the Seer is, above all else, a generalist. Ask the Seer, though, about any individual game, and you won't get anything resembling conviction about the choice of a winner. Does that make the Seer a fraud? Hard to say; if after Week 17 we're still touting a 56.5% success rate, we'll reevaluate this perhaps overly critical self-evaluation.
On to the picks...
Redskins @ Bills, Bills by 2.5
The Redskins have a ton of injuries to deal with this week, and they have stuggled to run the ball in recent weeks. But Buffalo is in a tailspin of their own, with a general failure on offense that will be even more pronounced if Eric Moulds can't play. Both of these teams are fading fast, and the loser of this game is in trouble in their division. Can the Bills be any worse after last week's loss to the Jets?
The Seer Sees: Bills cover
Eagles @ Giants, Giants by 3
Another game of mediocrity. McNabb is struggling, and so is the Giants' offense. The Seer thinks this one ends up close.
The Seer Sees: Eagles beat the spread
Cowboys @ Lions, Cowboys by 3
Are the 'Boys back in town? They sure seem to be, and we bet you'd have to go back a few years to find the last time they were favored by 3 on the road. But really, who has Dallas played? We know the Cardinals, Falcons and Jets all Capital "S" Suck. Wins over the Giants and Philly? Eh...decent wins, nothing to apologize for. On the other hand, get a load of Detroit's tough schedule: Denver, the Vikings, the Packers, the Niners. One of these teams is slightly better than their record, and one is not as good. Of course, the great news is that we get to watch these two teams play (not each other) on Thanksgiving. Great.
The Seer Sees: Lions beat the spread
Chargers @ Browns, Browns by 5.5
Well, the Browns sure have turned it around a bit, though you have to wonder about them, still. Yeah, beating Pittsburgh and the Raiders is nice, but it's not the feat it would have been, say, last year. The Chargers just can't get anything going, but they are coming off of a bye week and the Browns are thin on the offensive line. Schottenheimer's too good a coach to continue in this free fall. Besides, if Jamal Lewis can have a big day against the Browns on the ground, LaDainian Tomlinson can, too.
The Seer Sees: Chargers beat the spread
Ravens @ Bengals, Ravens by 3
The Bengals are starting to play a lot of teams tough. We like them at home to keep this game close.
The Seer Sees: Bengals beat the spread
Broncos @ Vikings, Vikings by 4
The game of the week, no question. For starters, Jake Plummer is out with a broken foot, which means the Vikings get to see Steve Beuerline. That change removes a large chunk of Denver's playbook, and the reduced QB mobility should help the Vikings' pass rush. Denver is a quality team, who could very easily be undefeated along with the Vikings, but for their loss to Dante Hall and the Chiefs. But this Vikings team is, in the estimation of the Seer, better than the Chiefs, who don't have the multiple downfield weapons that the Vikings feature. The Vikings' offensive line is also bigger than KC's. The real matchup to watch is Denver's talented receiving corps (Ashley Lelie, Shannon Sharpe, Rod Smith) against the Vikings' no-name and no-nonsense secondary. This is the game they can make a name for themselves. It's a big spread, but the Vikings have the weapons (and the home field) to make it a reality.
The Seer Sees: Vikings cover
Titans @ Panthers, Panthers by 2
Ooh. Hot game. The Panthers are for real, though beating Indy probably removed any doubters from the pool. Does McNair's mobility neutralize Carolina's pass rush? The Seer thinks it will help, and when combined with a questionable Stephen Davis...
The Seer Sees: Titans cover
Saints @ Falcons, Saints by 2.5
People have been hard on the Saints, and for good reason. But when you look at their losses, they are to Seattle, Indy, Tennessee and Carolina. In other words, three teams we know are good, and one we think is good. The Falcons are making the very necessary switch at QB, giving Illinois alum Kurt Kittner his first NFL start. If Doug Johnson were going, this would be a no-brainer, but new QB's tend to spark things. Still, the Seer believes this Saints bunch isn't through yet, and has more overall talent. Famous last words, right?
The Seer Sees: The Saints cover
Patriots @ Dolphins, Dolphins by 6
Hey, now! That's a big line. Why? Well, Miami's defense is letting people score touchdowns. At all. They've allowed only four offensive TD's this year. The Patriots, on the other hand, are banged up, including Tom Brady, who just can't throw the ball downfield. The large line is a concern, because Miami could easily get a lead and just eat the clock up with Ricky Williams. Of course, if the Pats can't stop that, then it's not "eating clock" so much as it's "scoring a lot of points".
The Seer Sees: Dolphins cover
Packers @ Rams, Rams by 4.5
The first thing we need to know is that this game is in a Dome. Brett Favre is 11-19 in domes. The second thing we need to know is that Green Bay is 30th in the league in pass defense, and now must move forward without DE Joe Johnson. The third thing we need to know is that the Packers must still be reeling from last week's loss to the Chiefs. The only other thing we need to know is...
The Seer Sees: Rams cover
Jets @ Texans, Jets by 2.5
Yuck. Both teams have serious holes on defense due to injuries. The Jets have some momentum after last week's big win over the Bills, but the Texans are coming off a bye. Curtis Martin can't struggle forever, can he?
The Seer Sees: Texans beat the spread
Bears @ Seahawks, Seahawks by 10.5
Kordell Stewart is out, Chris Chandler is in. But he's immobile and playing in front of one of the worst O-lines in the league. Not only that, but Anthony Thomas might also be out. This could get ugly.
The Seer Sees: Seahawks cover
Buccaneers @ 49ers, Bucs by 3.5
Is it just us, or are the Bucs continually disrespected by the betting public? Of course, they are very thin in the secondary, and that will hurt them against the Niners. The Niners have three losses by one point. Maybe they aren't as bad as we thought? The Seer thinks the Bucs win this game, but...
The Seer Sees: Niners beat the spread
Monday Night
Chiefs @ Raiders, Chiefs by 4
Sorry, folks. This Chiefs team isn't as good as their record indicates, but the Raiders are moribund, and no rivalry can fix that.
The Seer Sees: Chiefs cover
12:53:05 PM 
|
