I've said before that I'm never comfortable with a double-digit point-spread, just because there are so many things that could go wrong. I feel like in the modern NFL, it's too difficult to say conclusively that any team is that much better than any other.
I stand corrected. After last week, I'm throwing that strategy in the trash, along with my other useless theories like "Kurt Warner is washed up" and "The Titans can't be as bad as they look."
Eleven of the thirteen games in week seven were decided by ten or more points, and six of them were by at least four touchdowns. This week felt like a pre-conference college football weekend, the games weren't even competitions. Of the six biggest blowouts, the average halftime score was 23 to 2.
It was like watching old-school wrestling, when the outcome was never in doubt and the stars would beat down some hapless jobber to promote their upcoming match. These weren't competitive games. This was Ivan Koloff beating Chick Donovan like a bass drum, then screaming into the mic that he'd do the same to Dusty Rhodes Saturday night at the Omni.
Hopefully I'm a bit wiser this week after last week's 7-6 debacle, although let me point out, my Dolphins over Saints pick was looking pretty smart for part of the afternoon. Here's the picks for this week, as always, they are just for the purposes of discussion. No wagering. No pepper games. No, I can't go for that (no can do).
Week Eight:
Houston at Buffalo
Cowboys fans have noted with glee Bills receiver Terrell Owens has 18 catches and a touchdown this season, which is less than Miles Austin has in his last three games. That would be like Dallas dumping Tony Romo, and the next season he gets outperformed by...well, me.
Pick: Texans
Cleveland at Chicago
I don't know if I would feel comfortable picking Cleveland to win an inter-squad scrimmage at this point. Browns fans plan to protest the game by showing up late. Why not protest the game by staying home?
Pick: Bears
Seattle at Dallas
I describe Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams as "gazelle-like," which means that he is very fast, and has little hooves for hands.
Pick: Cowboys
St. Louis at Detroit
In physics terms, this game is the resistible force against the movable object. The game is blacked out in Detroit, which leads me to wonder if Lions fans won't watch it, who on Earth is actually going to see it?
Pick: Lions
Jacksonville at Tennessee
Bud Adams wants Vince Young to quarterback this game. At this point, Kerry Collins probably wants that too.
Pick: Titans
Carolina at Arizona
Jake Delhomme has thirteen interceptions for the season, and four touchdowns. He's overshooting his targets like a Northwest Airline pilot.
Pick: Cardinals
Minnesota at Green Bay
The best thing about this game is that it's a rematch, so we've already had one round of the Favre vs. Vikings saga. At this point, it's only at the level of Blair Witch Project 2.
Pick: Vikings
Also, I'll take the Ravens over Broncos, Colts over Niners, Dolphins over Jets, Giants over Eagles, Chargers over Raiders, and Saints over Falcons. I'll also take It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia over The League, Real Housewives of Atlanta's Kim over Sheree, and ABC's Modern Family-led Wednesday night comedy lineup over every other Wednesday in the history of television.
For more: Check out Reid's picks from last week, or follow him on Twitter or Facebook.
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