DownSwinging.com

Chargers (-4.5) over CHIEFS

The Chargers have taken a whole lot of criticism for their slow start this year. This past weekend however, I saw a Chargers team that was one tackle on special teams away from potentially beating the Broncos. I’m taking the Chargers and the points in this game as San Diego looks to get on track in Kansas City. Bottom line, guys like Phillip Rivers, LT, and Shawn Merriman have been in this league long enough to know that this Chargers team could still be a contender down the road.

TEXANS (-3) over Niners

Despite the return of Frank Gore, I don’t see the 49ers being able to match the output of the Texans. The Texans have a multitude of weapons offensively and Matt Schaub has figured out how to utilize them. And though the 49ers have gotten good, physical play from corners Dre’ Bly and Nate Clements, early in the season, they struggled mightily against the Atlanta Falcons. To me, that’s the “make or break” matchup for this game. Can Bly and Clements effectively stop Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter? I say no.

Patriots (-14.5) over Buccaneers

This could get really ugly really quickly. The Patriots are going to want to put on a show in front of 90,000 people so I’d expect more of what you saw from this team last Sunday.

Colts (-13) over RAMS

This is my weekly “could this line have been too high” game?

Vikings (+4) over STEELERS

This game is going to be won and loss at the line of scrimmage. Which is why I’m taking the Vikings plus the four points. Right now the Vikings lead the NFL in sacks, are stingy against the run, and have forced the second most turn-overs in the NFL. The Steelers have had a hard time opening holes for their backs and when facing Pat and Kevin Williams, that’s an especially bad thing.

Packers (-7) over BROWNS

Is it just me or is this a no-brainer at seven?

PANTHERS (-7) over Bills

The Panthers 8^th best rushing attack is up against the league’s worst rush defense. After intercepting Mark
Sanchez 5 times, could we see the Panthers run the ball over 50 times in this game – again?

Jets (-6) over RAIDERS

I see this as a bounce back game for the Jets. Mark Sanchez is going to mange the football mostly by handing the ball off to Thomas Jones and Leon Washington) and let the Jet defense win the game. I have to wonder what the line for the over/under of Jamarcus Russell’s quarterback rating would be for this game. I see Rex Ryan making this game a nightmare for Russell who won’t know what hit him.

Bears (+1.5) over BENGALS

Wrong team favored here. I know Cedric Benson may be running with a little extra gas in his tank after the “blackball” allegations, but Antwan Odom’s season-ending injury is a huge blow for this Bengals team (Bears win in a close game.

Falcons (+4) over COWBOYS

Most certainly have the wrong team favored here. The Cowboys have wins over Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Kansas City. Falcons have wins over Miami, Carolina, San Francisco, and Chicago. Enough said.

Saints (-6.5) over DOLPHINS

For some reason people think this is the Saints week to lose. They believe that the Saints won’t be able to stop the Wildcat because nobody else has been able to stop the wildcat. They’re wrong. The Saints will stop the wildcat because the Dolphins won’t be able to run it when they

’re trailing by multiple scores the entire game. And the Dolphins can’t stop Drew Brees.

Cardinals (+7) over GIANTS

I’m picking the Giants to win this game, but not to cover the spread. The Giants just got gashed by Drew Brees and the Saints and face another formidable opponent in Arizona. The Cardinals seem to be hitting their stride after their early season stumbles and are going to New York at the right time. The Giants win this game because a. they’re a better team and b. NFC West teams

are like 3-2543 when they go east. (The Cardinals are 1-

9 on the East Coast in the

past 2 seasons).

Eagles (-7) over REDSKINS

The Eagles and Andy Reid are angry – and good. Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins plays are being called by a retiree who was working at a bingo parlor two weeks ago. And the Eagles are just 7 po

int favorites. I’m taking the Eagles minus the points.