Posted by
one hot minute on Sunday, September 24, 2006 12:59:23 PM
My computer crashed before I could save my draft of this week's NFL predictions, thus, I am here shortly prior to kick-off in order to re-submit my picks before the games begin, though, minus the illuminating analysis which is forever lost in the black hole of computer crashes.
Last week I was 12-4 in my picks, boosting my record thus far this season to 21-11.
As I state each week, I'm picking straight win or lose, as opposed to the point spread.
There are several intriguing match-ups this weekend, most notably Pittsburgh/Cincy, Indy/Jacksonville, and Chicago/Minnesota.
But may God have mercy on the loser of the Carolina/Tampa Bay match-up, who will dip to 0-3 with a loss.
Prior to the season, both teams were believed to be of playoff caliber, while Carolina was even a trendy Super Bowl pick following last season's run to the NFC Championship game.
President Bush gave a pep talk to the Buccaneers as he was in Florida this week---I'm not going to pick against the wisdom spoken by "El Diablo;" Tampa will prevail.
After last week's miraculous comeback vs. the Eagles, I don't think I can pick against the G-Men the rest of the season, even as they travel to Seattle.
The Monday night contest between the Saints and Falcons is "A Sort of Homecoming," if I may borrow that song title from the canon of Irish rock quartet, U2.
The Saints will be playing in the freshly repaired Superdome, for the first time since Hurricane Katrina elicited its wrath.
Thus, Monday night is a momentous occasion which will feature a specially taped messaged from President Bush, as well as a halftime performance by U2.
U2's guitarist, David Evans, has been instrumental in fundraising for New Orleans musicians whose instruments and livelihoods were literally washed away in the flooding.
As a big fan of the Irish lads who has spent many an hour deciphering their lyrics, allow me to give 5 'guesses' of which song(s) they will play at halftime;
1) A Sort of Homecoming
2) I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
3) When Love Comes To Town
4) Beautiful Day, a song which includes the lyric, "...after the flood all the colors came out..."
5) Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own
On to the actual games; my picks are in bold;
at Buffalo 5 1/2 N.Y. Jets
at Pittsburgh 1 1/2 Cincinnati
at Indianapolis 7 Jacksonville
at Miami 11 Tennessee
Washington 4 at Houston
Chicago 3 at Minnesota
Carolina 3 at Tampa Bay
at Detroit 7 Green Bay
Baltimore 6 1/2 Cleveland
at Arizona 4 1/2 St. Louis
at Seattle 3 1/2 N.Y. Giants
Philadelphia 6 at San Francisco
at New England 7 Denver
Monday nite
Atlanta 3 1/2 New Orleans
Dallas, San Diego, Oakland, and Kansas City all have a "Bye" and do not play.