BLD Picks NFL Games Against the Spead: Week 12
By Brad Andrews
Let’s be real: a lot of people love football because it’s the easiest and funnest sport to gamble on. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Personally, I’m too broke to gamble (being a first-year public school teacher isn’t too lucrative), but I sure do watch a lot of football. I figure I should help* my loyal readers out with some gambling advice. Each week I’ll pick four games plus a fifth “Lock of the Week.”
*Help not guaranteed to be actually helpful.
Well, the Washington gravy train finally broke down last week, as the Redskins finally covered the spread in their close loss to the Cowboys. Looks like I need a new terrible team to gamble against…sadly, all logic dictates it probably should be the Bills. Buffalo’s somehow only a 9-point underdog this week at the Jets, and I probably should jump over that. But it would just break my heart to wager against the Bills. I can’t do it. I think my new patsy is going to be the Chiefs. They’ve quit on Todd Haley.
Anyway, on to Week 12’s games:
(Home teams in CAPS)
Panthers (-3) over COLTS
I know the Panthers haven’t looked good lately, but that line is just low enough I have to grab onto it. The Colts are not competing right now. They’ve mailed it in, and the Panthers are still playing hard. Of course, looking at the rest of Indy’s schedule, this might be their only shot to win a game. They might show up pretty motivated. I’m scared here, but I’m putting my trust in Cam Newton.
Cardinals (+3) over RAMS
Take a look at Arizona’s last several games – wins over St. Louis and Philly, decent showings against Pittsburgh and Baltimore – they’ve been somewhere between decent and pretty good recently. Getting three points against a putrid Rams team? I like it.
Patriots (-3.5) over EAGLES
Taking so many road teams this week, but this one just makes too much sense. Can’t see the Vince Young-led Philly attack scoring enough here to keep up. Pats by double digits, and Philly’s season officially dies.
SEAHAWKS (-3.5) over Redskins
Despite last week’s setback, I’ve had way too much fun gambling against the Redskins to stop now. I really wish that line was a half-point lower, but Seattle has played well the last two weeks and enjoys a great homefield advantage. That should be enough to stop Rex Grossman.
And now…
*Note: don’t take the word “Lock” too seriously.
Steelers (-10.5) over CHIEFS
My only concern here is that the Steelers simply throw it in cruise control and win by 7-10 points instead of the 11 I need. The Chiefs have totally quit. Todd Haley should have been canned after the Pats game on Monday.
Last Week: 2-3
Overall: 29-23-3
Lock of the Week: 7-4