Games of WEEK 13

Skins +3 Giants 27 Redskins 26 Computer Projection HIT: Redskins 17 Giants 16

We had a typo in the forecast this week listing the Redskins as the favorite. Had that been the case we would be all over the Giants. Now, as we see the system going with the Skins it's a much shakier proposition. If RG III runs wild the Skins will win this one going away. The problem is, Coughlin knows this. In many ways, this is a game plan game. The Skins had better be prepared to launch quick passes before a very nasty Giants pass rush gets there. They need to control the ball and score points because Manning WILL have time to throw. If they are successful, they can revert to their inside running game after the Giants start playing honestly. It's really a matter of going with Plan B first. If you see RG III scrambling backwards and heaving the ball out of bounds, you'll know the Giants had their way. We hate having our fate rest with a coaches' game planning, but at least we have Shanahan. Betting the minimum.

Teaser: Cowboys -4 & Cows/Eags UNDER 50 Cowboys 28 Eagles 19 Computer Projection MISS: Cowboys 38 Eagles 33

What a bunch. The Cows haven't been ready to start a game all season and the Eags feature a second-string QB and a good RB with bad fumbalitis. If he does fumble again, we don't know where the Eags points will come from. If history is any indication, it may take the Cows awhile to join the game. Last week we spelled it out for Reid. Keep your safeties back or you'll lose. They didn't, and they did. We suspect they'll bring up their safeties again. Dallas should score easily once they get going, and hopefully the game will deteriorate quickly enough so that both sides just want to run out the clock. What can we say, it's Sunday night. The line on this game is 10 and 44. With the Teaser we'll make it 4 and 50.

Broncos -8 Broncos 30 Bucs 22 Computer Projection PUSH: Broncos 31 Bucs 23

This game features Manning's 5th or 6th ranked passing attack going against perhaps the worst pass defense in the league. With Denver's good D, at home we expect just average output from whatever Tampa Bay can muster passing-wise.The Buc running game won't be there. It should be enough to win by 10 or more. Last week we made this same bet but San Diego hooked us on a late, consolation TD, which was a blown call. It was a good bet that went bad. That loss was so bitter that we can't help but guard against incompetant officials. One chip.

The numbers don't look so well here. The Bengals have a strong pass rush and the Chargers have been having some offensive problems, and San Diego doesn't appear to have the resources to exploit the Bengals weak run defense. The only thing we have to go on is a pretty good Chargers D that has played well against stiff competition. Betting the minimum on the home team.

Chargers +1 Chargers 25 Bengals 24 Computer Projection MISS: Bengals 20 Chargers 13

We can't talk about stats for this game because R'berger's still out, but we like Charlie Batch and can't imagine another 8 turnover game from the Steelers. Besides, didn't the Steelers defense corral the Ravens in Pittsburgh's 3 point loss?

Steelers +7 Ravens 24 Steelers 20 Computer Projection HIT: Steelers 23 Ravens 20

The Browns are the better team here but the best team doesn't always win. The field should be a mess at kickoff. It should serve as somewhat of an equalizer, and we've got 3 points. Another case where we can't talk about statistics and another minimum bet.

Raiders +3 Browns 24 Raiders 22 Computer Projection PUSH: Browns 20 Raiders 17

We are getting no support from our supplemental forecasts as both the Recent History and No Show projections show Tennessee beating the spread and even approaching a victory. The Official forecast predicts a huge advantage in rushing and First Downs, and subsequently Time of Possession. Unofficially, the Titans have seemed to have gotten their run game together and should challenge for the ball. We want to be careful with this road favorite.

Texans -6 1/2 Texans 29 Titans 22 Computer Projection HIT: Texans 24 Titans 10

Jags +6 1/2 Bills 27 Jags 22 Computer Projection MISS: Bills 34 Jags 18

First, the bad news, Maurice Jones-Drew is still out for Jacksonville. Now for the good news, Blaine Gabbert is still out for Jacksonville. We don't like to pick on players but this is more about coaching than anything else. We could write a book about coaches who were forced to start the right player because of injuries. Ask Brett Favre. This should be a war in wet and windy conditions. The teams are evenly matched, but anything can happen, especially with poorly managed players. Still, we like to take the points in bad weather, even if it isn't dominating.

Vikings +7 1/2 Packers 27 Vikings 21 Computer Projection MISS: Packers 23 Vikings 14

This should be a classic run v pass contest. Both defenses are decent against the other team's specialty. Green Bay makes better use of their points but having more than a 7 point spread should even things out. We really wish the Vikes had a pass rush but alas, they are 29th in sacks over the last month. We are going to take a shot at hooking these guys with the points. That doesn't happen to often, so don't try this at home. Where's bad weather when you need it?

Rams +7 1/2 49rs 23 Rams 17 Computer Projection HIT: Rams 16 49rs 13

The 49rs have been victims of jetlag already this season as the Vikes had them 14-0 before they could say, "Hey, it's only 10am in Frisco." The next week they avoided jetlag by staying in Ohio before routing the Jets. They didn't do that this time, although it is possible they left early. Jetlag doesn't have to affect the team's performance, but there is an increased likelihood of a No Show when it occurs. All that aside, we would like the Rams even if not for the logistics. They aren't there yet, but the Rams are trying to BE Frisco. At home, we would expect a good run D and an average overall defense to keep them in the game. Even if the 49rs are good to go, a single fumble could turn this one the Rams way. Call it a lite, 2-chip play on the home dogs.

The Falcons have gone pass-happy this season. They throw the ball more than 60% of the time, about the same amount as the Saints. Who can blame them if they pass again tonight? They are 10-1 and facing one of the worst pass D's in the league. Of course, we do remember losing when we had the Birds in the Superdome, but in Atlanta we expect the Falcons to push it across when they have a first and goal situation this time. The Saints have been improving but it's asking a lot to play mistake free football on the road. We want to be a little cautious because the recent history forecast says the Saints could beat the spread, but we're still going to buy it down to lay 3 points and bet 1.3 chips to win 1 on what the system calls a Best Bet.

Falcons -3 (buy) Falcons 30 Saints 22 Computer Generated BEST BET HIT: Falcons 23 Saints 13

Good Luck Everyone!