Vegas Hags Pigskin Picks

Well, that`s what you call winning ugly! The Eagles were not much fun to watch, but they toughed it out and swept the hated Cowboys. Can they beat the cross-state rival Steelers for an encore? Are they a playoff team? You`ll have to read on for Vegas Hags` take…

This week`s games and comments:

Saints (-1.5) at Panthers

Are the Aints really breathing down the Rams necks? With a New Orleans win and a Rams loss to the Giants, they would be tied for first in the NFC West. This is their first true acid test and I think they squeek out a win.

Saints by 3

Falcons (+7) at Lions

What the heck was Bobby Ross thinking? The Falcons and their stud QB Danny Kannel are coming to your house, a win makes you 6-4 and you hang `em up? Please. At least take the easy win and coast out on a high note. Oh, yeah. The Falcons suck.

Lions by 13

Chiefs (-3.5) at 49ers

Elvis and Garcia will light up the joint in this pass happy game. The Chiefs are mad, the Niners pay.

Chiefs by 10

Rams (-2) at Giants

No Faulk, no Warner, no turf - no matter. The Giants are going to burn. The Rams O ain`t the Eagles.

Rams by 7

Dolphins (-4.5) at Chargers

Another great QB match-up – where else can Jay Fiedler be far and away the best QB on the field (vs. Atlanta and Danny K)? Moses Moreno gets beat up by the Dolphins D in this put you to sleep defensive battle. Can you say 0-10, Chargers?

Dolphins by 8

Packers (+8.5) at Buccaneers

The Bucs look to be back, but Favre and company never say die. Bucs win but don`t cover.

Bucs by 7

Patriots (-7) at Browns

With Doug Pederson at the helm, you should get at least a 2-touchdown spread. Pats aren`t as bad as their record, the Browns are worse than theirs.

Patriots by 17

Bengals (+9) at Cowboys

I know the Bengals are bad, but Dallas giving 9? Corey Dillon is the great equalizer, now that Bruce (I have pictures of the owner with farm animals) Coslet is gone. Close game – take the points.

Dallas by 3

Bears (+7) at Bills

The Bears are better with Jim Miller at QB and should hang for a while in this one. Flutie should pull it out as usual, though. The Bills need this to keep pace.

Bills by 8

Ravens (+4) at Titans

This should be another snooze-fest as both teams are searching for offense. I like the Ravens to keep it close, since Eddie George is banged up.

Titans by 1

Cardinals (+13.5) at Vikings

The Cards got a win, the Vikings got shocked. I smell a blowout.

Vikings by 20

Jets (+6) at Colts

The Colts were embarrassed and the Jets were heartbroken. This should be a good one. Colts by a hair at home.

Colts by 3

Seahawks (+7.5) at Jaguars

The Jags got healthy and should put up some points. The Seahawks are playing for draft position.

Jaguars by 14

Eagles (+3) at Steelers

This should be almost as boring as last week, only more painful. I think the Eagles will struggle against the Steelers tough D and McNabb will look bad. I hope I`m wrong. He can`t look any worse than Kordell Stewart, can he? If the Eagles can pull this out, they have playoffs written all over them. I don`t think it will be that easy.

Steelers by 6

Raiders (+3.5) at Broncos

How can the Raiders at 8-1 be the underdog against 5-4 Denver? The Raiders are due to fall after being both lucky and good this year. The Broncos are better than their record and Terrell Davis seems healthy. Lay the points.

Broncos by 4

Records:

Last Week: 8-6 against the spread; 9-5 straight up.

Year to Date: 77-64-3 against the spread; 91-53 straight up

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Author: G. Haggerty