Let's run through the games quickly.
Tenn at Jets(-2.5). Must win game for 0-2 Tenn against a Jets squad that has been impressive in two wins. Can't go against Jeff Fisher in this situation but after last week's stinker, can't go with them either. Avoid.
Jacksonville at Houston(-4). Which Houston squad shows up, the one that was abused by the Jets or the one that beat Tenn at home? Impossible to say. Avoid.
KC at Philly(-9.5). Iggles face a somewhat easier test after getting scorched by NO last week. Kolb threw for over 300 yards but three picks were costly. Too many points to give with backup QB, so avoid.
Cleveland at Baltimore(-13.5). Cleveland sucks on both sides of the ball, and the Ravens have added some offensive punch to go with their always formidable defense. They have been lucky two weeks in a row though, so no way I trust them giving this much, avoid.
Giants(-7) at TB. If you're desperate for action this weekend, this might be one to look at. Giants are as good as any team in either conference, TB is rebuilding. Giants coming off big win in dallas though and may be ripe for a letdown. Florida heat can be brutal as well. I might change my mind and revisit this one but right now I can't get comfortable with it. Avoid.
Washington(-6.5) at Detroit. Interesting game. Lions have lost 19 staight at home and see this as their best chance to snap that streak. Skins have looked OK at times but seem allergic to the end zone. Their defense is formidable on paper but has struggled with covering receivers and tackling, and I don't like that facing Calvin Johnson. Skins fan are in a surly mood following ugly 9-7 win over St. L at home, and may form lynch mob outside Zorn's home if they lose this one. Make no mistake, Zorn's job is at stake if they lose, maybe not now but at season's end for sure. Skins should cover easily but they are underachievers and you don't lay points on the road with underachievers. Avoid.
GB(-6.5) at St. L. Pretty much same setup as Redskins/Detroit game. Underachievers against terrible team at home. Packer offensive line made Cincy defense look like the '85 Bears of Iron Mike Dikta as they sacked Rodgers six times. He will not last the season taking this kind of punishment, but this game should be a bit of a vacation for him. Still, Packers underwhelm me, so I'm avoiding.
SF at Minn(-6.5). Probably most interesting game of the week to watch. Minn has slid by two bad teams, largely by running AP relentlessly. Childress is on the hot seat and no doubt feels incredible pressure every week to do anything to win, but AP will be beat up and worn down by december at this rate. But can Brett still be Brett? Can he throw the long ball? He may need to this week against the season's surprise team, the hardnosed, physical 49ers of Coach Mike Singletary. Hard to believe I'm using those terms to describe the Niners, but Coach Mike has put his stamp on this team and no one doubts it, least of all the players. Vikes better buckle their chin straps and make some tackles because Frank Gore will take it to the house if given half a chance. I see a FG deciding this one, but I can't get comfortable with taking the points. If SF falls behind early, their run game is useless and Vikes might cruise. Avoid.
Atlanta at New England(-4). Matt Ryan returns to the scene of his college glory days. Tom Brady returns to the scene of his pro glory days. Are they all in the past? Probably not. This one could turn into a shootout, and I like the Pats in that case, just not enough to lay the points after their stinker last week. Avoid.
Chicago(-2.5) at Seattle. Up and down Bears face up and down Seahawks. I want to like the Bears a lot here, but Seattle is a tough place to play and the memory of Cutler's four INTs on the road in GB is still in my mind. Avoid.
NO(-6) at Buffalo. Oddsmakers giving Bills a lot of respect here. Are the Bills really able to slug it out with the high-flying Saints, who hung 48 on the Iggles last week? I want to lay the points here, even on the road, but I'm concerned about the Saints defense. They gave up a lot of points to Detroit and to a backup QB in Philly. They may not be able to handle the Bills wide receiver duo of Evans and TO. I may want to revisit this one but for now Avoid.
Miami at SD(-6). Fish have to go west coast after a monday nighter. Who came up with that schedule? Bolts are a bit of a mystery. Rivers throws for 400 yards and they still lose to the Ravens. They barely beat Oakland. This should be a gift-wrapped win for them, courtesy of schedule makers, but they make me nervous. Avoid.
Pittsburg(-4) at Cincy. Looks like a gift spread but Steelers are not themselves without Palamalou. Cincy has a physical defense and may be looking for payback here after years of being Steelers bitch. Steelers stinker against Bears makes me say, avoid.
Denver at Oakland(-1). Will no doubt be most boring game of the week. Total coin flip as far as I'm concerned. Avoid.
Indy at Arizona(-2). Minn/Sf is game of week for those who like running. This is the game of the week for passing game fans. Too dependent on one or two big plays to warrant taking a position. Avoid.
Monday night. Carolina at Dallas(-9.5). Carolina is not as bad as they've looked. Romo is too careless with the ball to lay 9.5. Avoid.
