Masa's Week 9 Spread Picks
well, i do enjoy the revival of this conversation, but i'd like to move on to something different this weke: spreads.
As I am unemployed, betting on the spreads provides me with a source of income. In short, you bet not only on which team will win the game, but if the 'favorite' can score a certain amounf more than the 'underdog'. That number is the spread.
Arizona vs Tampa Bay (Tampa +3.5)
A game I don't want to bet on, but have to in my 'best of all' groups... Both these teams are flaky as hell, and Tampa has lost two in a row with Garcia finally looking bad in the last one. But Tampa has a solid defense and Kurt Warner is hurting...
Masa's taking: Tampa, but don't be surprised if they win and don't break the spread...
Denver vs Detroit (Denver +3)
Detroit is for real. They are starting to run the ball more (gashed da Bears last week) and they have an excellent passing game. Denver is struggling to get consistency out of Jay Cutler, and teams preparing to stop their running attack will win. This game being in Detroit makes me wonder why the spread isn't higher.
Masa's Taking: Detroit
Carolina vs Tennessee (Tenessee + 4)
A potential trap... Carolina did get blown out by Indy last week, but they stuck with them for awhile. Vince Young was positively horrible last week, and I guarantee they won't be able to run the ball on Carolina like they did against the Raiders. How well players have recovered from injuries will decide this one. Titans have been getting points from field goals and not TDs, but they play at home and have a solid defense... I strongly feel that they'll win. Something tells me picking them to beat the spread is much more questionable, but...
Masa's taking: Tennessee
Green Bay vs Kansas City (Kansas City +2)
At first glance the spread here looks wrong. KC struggled early on, Favre's been playing hero as of late, and the KC offense still isn't much to write home about. But KC is at home where they play very well. Green Bay lost DeShawn Wynn, who I believe to be their most talented RB option, last week, and he's out for the rest of the season. KC's defense has been stout as hell recently. But one seemingly insignificant thing makes up my mind on this game: Brett Favre has beaten every team in the NFL except for Kansas City. And that's exactly why-
Masa's Taking: Green Bay
San Diego vs Minnesota (San Diego +7)
The Chargers absolutely raped fools last week. Minnesota still isn't utilizing Adrian Peterson to his full extent. I have no idea who their quarterback is. Seven is a wide margin to bet on, especially for a team going on the road that really didn't live up to expectations this early on this year. But LT and the Chargers D make picking Minnesota sound crazy.
Masa's Taking: San Diego
Jacksonville vs New Orleans (Saints + 3)
Quinn Gray won his first NFL start for the Jags, and the Jags have a brutal running game. The Saints aren't as physical on defense. It's in New Orleans, and maybe the Saints recapture some of their magic from last year, but...
Masa's taking: Jacksonville
San Fransisco vs Atlanta (Atlanta + 3.5)
Wow, one of these teams has to win? All I really know about them is that Frank Gore is hurting, Vicklicious' departure has sapped the Falcons, and San Fran sucks at scoring. I expect a boring, boring game that is decided with special teams and maybe a pivotal turnover.
Masa's Taking: San Fransisco
Washington at New York Jets (Washington +3.5)
Kellen Clemens gets the start and revitalizes a team whose only win is against the Dolphins? Not with how wild he looked in the 4th quarter against Buffalo. Washington's defense is even tougher. The 4 point spread makes this one easy.
Masa's Taking: Washington
Cinncinati vs Buffalo (Cinci +1)
When the line for this game first came out on monday, it had the Bills as the favorite by 2 points. Buffalo is one of those teams that almost always wins in the spread but loses the game, but that can't happen this week. Cinci can score like woah, and I think it's going to be a long day... I'd really love for the Bills to pull this one out, but starting Losman scares me... He can throw it deep and maybe keep a shoot-out going, but he holds on to the ball for too long...
Masa's Taking: Buffalo But I'd advise everyone to pick Cinci for this one.
Seattle vs Cleveland (Cleveland + 1.5)
Shaun Alexander looks like his old MVP self, rushes for a 100+ yards in the Dog House, gets pelted with milk bones. Derek Anderson throws some TD bombs, but one of them is a pick by the other team that cuts the legs out from under the upstart Browns.
Masa's Taking: Seattle
Houston vs Oakland (Oakland + 3)
Another game I wouldn't bet on where I could avoid it... Rosenfals leads a sagely road victory? Or Daunte redeems himself and finds paradise in Oakland? Neither. Okay, then what? The fact that I can't name either teams' starting RB makes this no easier... In games like this where I'm really just spitballing, I always go with the underdog
Masa's Taking: Houston
New England vs Indianapolis (New England +5)
The big game, huh? The media circus around this whole thing ensures I come back from the sports bar after Brady's first TD drive and organize Hentai Traders some. I still feel like an ass for thinking that Washington would cover the 17 point spread from last week...
Masa's Taking: New England
Dallas vs Philadelphia (Dallas +3.5)
Sunday Night football. This is a game I will certainly watch, as my pick for the NFC East (Philly) struggles to keep themselves relevant in what has become the toughest division in not just their conference, but in all of football. Watch Brian Westbrook be the most complete offensive player in a losing effort. Philly needs serious help on defense. They would do well to take a page from the Bills' a few weeks ago and throw the kitchen sink blitz schemes against Romo. If they can't get pressure, he'll torch 'em.
Masa's Taking: Dallas
Baltimore vs Pittsburgh (Steelers + 9)
Willie Parker brings all the boys to the yard. And they're like "he's better than ours!" The Ravens are coming off a bye and hope to have Todd Heap back, but they've yet to win a game against a team with a winning record, and playing in the Steel City is no picnic. There's no question that Pittsburgh wins this game. The only question is if Ray-Ray and that once unstoppable D can keep them within the spread. I hate betting on a game when an over-emotional murderer and his cronies hold the key to it...
Masa's Taking: Pittsburgh
Teams on bye this week:
Dolphins (0-8): boy do they need it...
St. Louis (0-8): ditto
Chicago (3-5): trying to find some defense is going to be tough
NY Giants (6-2): you bet they'll be watching Sunday Night's game also.