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The
following picks are for purely recreational purposes. Don't even
think of holding me accountable if you bet according to my picks!
San
Francisco at Dallas: Dallas, 1-2, and San Francisco, 0-3, are
both suffering serious question marks at quarterback. Troy Aikman,
still recovering from his ninth career concussion has turned over the
reigns temporarily (perhaps permanently?) |
Jimmy
The Roman's game of the week: New York Jets at Tampa Bay Bucca-neers..
2 undefeateds head-to-head. Pick: Tampa Bay |
to
old-timer Randall Cunningham. In San Francisco, Jeff Garcia is
getting more boos than Jamie Foxx did at the Primetime Emmy Awards
ceremony. I'll bet Bill Walsh wishes he had signed Steve Young now!
Pick: Dallas
Tennessee
at Pittsburgh: Steelers Head Coach Bill Cower has been chanting
the praises of the league officiating committee all week--especially
after they saved his ass by admitting they didn't stop the clock at
the end of the Browns game when QB Kent Graham was sacked, relieving
him of criticism that he fumbled clock management. That still doesn't
explain why Jerome "The Bus" Bettis was throwing a
pass--buses don't have wings. Pick:Tennessee
New
England at Miami: They're calling the Dolphins defense
"vanilla," but it's been working--they're 2-1. They also
call Patriots head coach Bill Belichick a "defensive
genius," and his team is 0-3. Go figure. Jay Fiedler had a
stellar game Sunday night in the shadow of the celebration
commemorating the great Dan Marino's 17-year career. Meanwhile, Drew
Bledsoe admitted this week he is depressed that his team is losing.
Here's a clue, Drew, look no further than your boss, buddy--just ask
anyone from Cleveland. Pick: Miami
Cincinnati
at Baltimore: The Ravens defense has been fierce this season,
topping even the seemingly unbeatable Jacksonville Jaguars. Cinci
looked pathetic against the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago, and the
running game they had last year with Corey Dillon seems to have
vanished. The question for Baltimore will be, will we see the Tony
Banks who picked apart the Jaguars, or the Banks who floundered
against the Dolphins? Pick: Baltimore
Detroit
at Chicago: Detroit finally scored a touchdown last week against
Tampa Bay--and lost. Chicago's Cade McNown has shown signs that he
may be deserved of his starting role, but without a running game, the
Bears just aren't "da Bears." Pick: Detroit
Philadelphia
at New Orleans: The ugly red-headed step-children of the NFL
will do battle in the deep south. Here's hoping each team puts their
kicker through some rigorous workouts this week. This game is another
of those field goal matches. Pick: New Orleans
St.
Louis at Atlanta: A divisional game with long-term playoff
implications for both teams. Jamal Anderson has thus far shown that
he is no longer hobbled by his season-ending injury of a year
ago--unfortunately, the rest of the offense seems to be phoning it
in, and the defense is suspect, at best. They should be easy prey for
Kurt Warner, who is poised to break Dan Marino's 16-year-old record
for passing yardage in a season. Pick: St. Louis
Green
Bay at Arizona: After a week off, Jake Plummer and the rest of
the Cardinals will be well-rested and well-prepared for the anemic
assault of the Packers. Packer QB Brett Favre may find himself in a
position controversy if things don't start to brighten up soon. Pick: Arizona
NY
Jets at Tampa Bay: WR Keyshawn Johnson welcomes his former team
to his new home, but don't expect any tearful reunions. Former
teammate Jets WR Wayne Chrebet has implied that as much as KJ talks
about him, he must be in love. "Tell him I'm not
interested," Chrebet replied. Ouch! A nasty divorce indeed!
Pick: Tampa Bay
Kansas
City at Denver: After a solid victory over the hapless Chargers,
the Chiefs can finally breathe. Unfortunately, that's not so easy to
do at Mile High Stadium. Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced
this week that QB Brian Griese is 50/50 after tearing a ligament in
his throwing shoulder. This means backup Gus Frerotte is on deck,
though he has never taken a snap with the first team this season (or
preseason, for that matter). As well as Griese has been playing, this
could be a problem for the Broncos. Pick: Kansas City
Cleveland
at Oakland: The second-year Browns are playing their hearts out
behind the inspired performance of QB Tim Couch. Now ensconced in a
tie for first place, the Browns face their most serious opponent
since their opening day loss to Jacksonville. Oakland, coming off of
a physical loss to Denver last week, is hungry to get back in a
winning mode. Pick: Oakland
Seattle
at San Diego: San Diego has big problems--receivers who don't
know their routes, and a QB controversy rendered moot by an injury to
QB Moses Moreno (who stole the starting job from the disappointing
Ryan Leaf last week). Leaf will start this week, and with his dismal
record as a starter, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren might find his
second victory of the season. Pick: Seattle
Washington
at N.Y. Giants: Giants coach Jim Fassel has a lot to smile
about, with the outstanding play of QB Kerry Collins (the Carolina
Panther reject who had a penchant for team disharmony) and his
"thunder and lightning" rushing duo of Ron Dayne and Tiki
Barber. Redskins coach Norv Turner is left scratching his head after
going 1-2 through the first three games. After all the money sunk
into the Redskins organization during the off-season to make them an
immediate contender, some heads may roll if the tide doesn't turn
soon. Pick: Washington
Jacksonville
at Indianapolis: The Colts are shocked to find themselves at
1-1, but not as shocked as the Jaguars are to be 2-1. Colts RB
Edgerrin James will have a tough time against a defense that roped in
Cincinnati's Corey Dillon last week. Mark Brunell will need another
week-one performance (300+ yards vs. the Cleveland Browns) in order
to win this Monday night matchup. Pick: Jacksonville
Buffalo,
Carolina and Minnesota all have BYE weeks.
Jimmy
The Roman, a
salute to the deceased sports journalist "Jimmy the Greek,"
is a periodic columnist at YourMVP.net
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