NFL Picks
For the first time in the two year history of the Stool we were forced to ban ourselves from making picks last week. Yup, it’s gotten that bad in the NFL. It’s just been one losing week after another. As a result I spent the last two weeks doing a lot of soul searching and self reflection. I wondered whether I was tough enough for this business? And I’d be lying if I said I’m not scared about the future. I’d be lying if I said in my darkest moments that I didn’t think about quitting. But the bottom-line is this; the bye week got me healthy. My head is clear and I feel a shift in the winds coming on. Nobody said it was going to be easy and nothing worth fighting for ever is. Sometimes you just need to take a few steps backwards before you can go forward and that’s exactly what we did with our self imposed embargo from gambling.
Season Record – 14-18
Last Week – Self Imposed Embargo
Mortal Lock Record 1-5-1
Carolina at Chicago +3
The Panthers are my Superbowl favorite. They are absolutely destroying everybody in their path recently. Carolina has won their last 3 games by at least 20 points each which is unheard of in the NFL. Meanwhile the Bears are 6-3 and in total control of the NFC Central. Unfortunately for the Bears they haven’t beaten anybody good and that may be a gigantic understatement. Here is who Chicago has beaten; Detroit twice, Minnesota, Baltimore, New Orleans and SF. Not exactly the 04 Patriots. Essentially the Bears have beaten everybody they should beat and lost to everybody who you’d expect them to lose to. Look for this trend to continue as the Panthers roll over the Bears by double digits.
The Pick – Carolina
Indy at Cincy +5.5
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times. I’m not sold on the Indianapolis Colts. If they can go into Cincy and beat the Bengals this week than maybe I’ll start to think about changing my mind. But I don’t think it’s going to happen. This will be the toughest game of the season for them.
The Pick – Bengals
Tampa Bay at Atlanta -6
Raise you hand if you owe Chris Simms an apology. I have no idea what got into him last week, but he actually played very well vs. the Redskins. Just two weeks ago I was talking about how Chris Simms had the potential to save my gambling season because I was going to bet against him every single week. Oh how times have changed. I’m actually going to bet on the Bucs vs. Atlanta. Truth be told I’m not so much betting on Chris Simms, but rather on the fact that Michael Vick always struggles against Tampa Bay. There is no way that the Falcons should be giving 6 points here. It wouldn’t shock me if the Bucs win this one outright. As a side note if Chris Simms screws up and costs me this game I will never forgive myself for this pick.
Mortal Lock - Tampa
Buffalo at SD -10
What do you do if you’re the Buffalo Bills? You started the season with J.P. Losman who was absolutely horrible. He was single handedly killing your season and this was proven by the fact that once Kelly Holcomb took over you started winning games. Now Holcomb is hurt so you are forced to go back to Losman who everybody knows sucks. It’s not a good situation. And it’s not good timing because the Bills have the Chargers coming off a bye week. Everybody keeps saying that SD isn’t going to make the playoffs, but I think they will. In fact I think they are one of the favorites for the Superbowl. Every game is a must win for SD so they won’t overlook the Bills no matter how pathetic Losman is. This should be an easy victory for the Bolts.
The Pick - SD