Vegas Hags Pigskin Picks

It wasn’t pretty, but the Eagles found a way to win last weekend. Donovan torched the second-team secondary of the Falcons and Andy Reid finally ran C-Buck 20 times. Now I want to see it all again on Monday night.

Can McNabb throw with accuracy with people in his face against a real secondary? Will coach Reid trust the run in a tight game or if they fall behind? For the answers to these questions and previews and predictions for every NFL game this weekend, keep reading...

Chicago (+2) at Detroit: Not pretty. Please don’t force me to watch this one!

Lions 20 – Bears 17

Miami (+5) at Tennessee: The game of the week in the AFC, this should be a battle. I like the rested Titans knocking off the fins late.

Titans 23 – Dolphins 20

Atlanta (+10½) at N.Y. Giants: The Giants will either be exhausted or flying high after their big OT win against the Jets. I vote for flying.

Giants 28 – Falcons 20

Seattle (-3½) at Washington: The Seahawks stink on the road; the Redskins just stink.

Seahawks 27 – Redskins 20

Arizona (+7½) at Pittsburgh: The Cards have played well of late using a healthy dose of Marcel Shipp to turn things around. It won’t be enough as the Steelers finally put up a W at home.

Steelers 24 – Cardinals 13

Houston (+5½) at Cincinnati: Both of these teams are improving but still not quite there. I think the home team pulls it out behind Rudi Johnson. The Texans aren’t ready to win on the road yet, even against a mediocre opponent.

Bengals 26 – Texans 23

Tampa Bay (-3) at Carolina: Two tough teams that usually ride their defenses, but the Bucs have quietly become a passing team under Jon Gruden. Look for the Bucs to pass often and somewhat effectively and the Panthers to give Stephen Davis 30+ carries.

Bucs 20 – Panthers 16

Cleveland (+10) at Kansas City: KC should be well rested after their bye and they are tough to beat at home. Meanwhile, the Browns look like a team in disarray.

Chiefs 30 – Browns 23

Indianapolis (-6) at Jacksonville: The Colts look like the real deal. I think this could be a letdown game for them, but good teams get through those situations. I like a big win here for the Colts.

Colts 30 – Jags 20

Minnesota (-5½) at San Diego: San Diego has to deal with an angry Vikings team that let one slip away last week to the Pack. Look for a rebound and a butt-kicking by the Vikes.

Vikings 31 – Chargers 17

Buffalo (+4) at Dallas: I’m still not sure I buy into the Cowboys as the real deal. The Bills aren’t very good on the road (or overall for that manner), but they do show flashes. I think they put it together here and dump the Cowboys closer to reality. Take Buffalo in the upset of the week.

Bills 22 – Cowboys 17

N.Y. Jets (-3) at Oakland: Wow, how the fortunes of these two teams has reversed! Just last year, they battled it out in Round 2 of the AFC playoffs and now they are both trying to salvage a chance at a .500 record. Since the Jets have their starting QB and the Raiders are down to third stringer, Rick Mirer, I’ll take the visitors.

Jets 27 – Raiders 23

Baltimore (+7) at St. Louis: O vs. D. Bulger, Holt and Faulk vs. Ray Lewis and company. Sounds like a great match-up, but you have to actually score to win games and the Ravens won’t be able to keep up with the Rams, nor will they shut them out.

Rams 24 – Ravens 10

Philadelphia (+4½) at Green Bay: Monday Night Football at Lambeau Field. Eagles Packers. 30 degrees. This is football! This will be a great game that will come down to whether the Eagles can stop Ahman Green and who gets a few turnovers. McNabb will play OK, but will not post huge numbers. Neither will Favre. In fact, I think Brett will throw a few picks. Look for a close one decided by a late field goal. David Akers from 47 yards out...it’s up...it’s long enough...it’s good!!!

Eagles 26 – Packers 23

Enjoy the games.

Vegas Hags last week: Against the spread: 10-4 Straight up: 8-6

Vegas Hags record to date: Against the spread: 66-61 Straight up: 83-44

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Author: Vegas Hags