DownSwinging.com

Texans (+5) over BENGALS
I think that the Bengals pull out a victory here thanks to the renaissance of Cedric Benson and Carson Palmer. This Cincinnati team believes in itself in tight games, the Texans simply don’t. And I think this game will come down to wire. Bengals win but don’t cover the spread.

PACKERS (-13.5) over Lions
This is a statement game for the Packers. This team is coming off of the bye week, something this team needed desperately after playing subpar just about everywhere. I see the Pack jumping out big early and not looking back.

Panthers (-3.5) over BUCCANEERS
This seems like a horrible matchup for the Buccaneers. As a defense, they are 28th against the run, allowing over 150 yards rushing a game. On Sunday, they face one of the best tandems in the league in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Though neither back has performed to 2008 standards, this seems like the perfect time for both Williams and Stewart to find their stride. I can’t see this game being close.

JAGS (-9.5) over Rams
How many times has a team been beaten 41-0 and then been 10 point favorites the next game? It may be unbelievable but it would be difficult to set this line too high. Look for Maurice Jones Drew and the Jaguars to have a huge rebound game against the lowly Rams.

STEELERS (-14) over Browns
Two words: Troy Polamalu. And: Steelers roll.

VIKINGS (-3) over Ravens
This Ravens secondary has been suspect lately and this Vikings team is too complete for a struggling Baltimore team. The Vikes can beat you in so many different ways. Take the gunslinger and the points at home.

Chiefs (+6.5) over REDSKINS
The Redskins have done something this year that no team has ever done before; play a winless team in each of their first six games. Two of the leagues worst teams meet in Washington this weekend. No idea who walks away with the win, but I can’t see Washington covering the spread.

SAINTS (-3) over Giants
Eli Manning is fighting injury and the Saints love to get after the quarterback. The Giants have yet to face a contending team and have five wins over teams with a combined 6-19 record. The Giants have also been middle of the pack against the run and were gashed by Dallas early in the season. This looks like an ideal early test for the Saints who should improve to 6-0.

Cardinals (+3) over SEAHAWKS
Seahawks fans are pinning their hopes on this game. This game looks like it’s going to be a high scoring affair and I believe that this game will come down to which defense can make more plays/less mistakes. While Hawks fans believe that Aaron Curry will have another tremendous performance against Kurt Warner and make life uncomfortable for the Arizona quarterback, I just don’t see Seattle putting Warner on his back enough to win this game. More so, Larry Fitzgerald loves running through this undersized secondary.

Eagles (-14.5) over RAIDERS
Honestly not sure you could make this line high enough. In losing efforts, the Raiders average losses of 21 points. Meanwhile, the Eagles average wins by a margin just over 22 points. I think this line may be too low. Now if the Raiders were given 20 points, I may have paused to think about this game.

PATRIOTS (-9.5) over Titans
Both of these teams are trying to recapture past success. The difference in this game is that the Patriots still remember how. Tom Brady should have no trouble slicing through this Titans secondary. Tennessee goes from a team that finished last season 13-3 to an 0-6 team this year.

Bills (+9.5) over JETS
I know how awful this Buffalo team is. But despite the 1-4 record they’ve played two tough games against the Patriots and the Saints and have shown an ability to stop other teams quarterbacks from putting up big games. I still think the Jets will win this game, but expect a closer score than projected.

FALCONS (-3.5) over Bears
The Falcons look as though they’ve found a rhythm on offense. And what an incredibly balanced offense it is. This team can beat you a lot of different ways. This will be the first week that the Bears have to defend the pass and the run equally, something I’m not sure they can do.

Chargers (-3.5) over Broncos
I have a very difficult time accepting that the Chargers are a 3.5 point favorite at home against the Broncos. The rule of thumb with Vegas lines is that home field advantage gives three points to the visitors. If that’s the case in this game, it means that the Chargers are still favorites at a neutral site. I can’t buy that. What I can buy however, is that over the past five years, the Chargers have been disgusting at home. Take the Chargers to cover the spread. Denver gets their first loss.

Last Week: 7-7