Okay, coming off a good week where all 4 picks covered without the Teasing points. Let's make it 7-1.
PHI EAGLES +14½-110 (B+13)
IND COLTS +9½-105 (B+13)
DAL COWBOYS +3½-110 (B+13)
OHIO STATE -1-110 (B+13)
This was a very tough week to make selections - not because there were not many good games, but because there were so many good games. Could have taken NE+7, KC+6, Cleve+6, Det+9.5, GB+15.5, Seattle +7.5, Balt +10 and there were even some O/Us that looked really good. But in the end - decided to go with Quality Teams that should deliver.
Eagles +14.5 vs. AZ All the Sharps seem to be on the Eagles this week. AZ has not covered 14.5 in any of its wins this year, and Eagles could very well win this game outright. Even if the AZ blitz causes problems for the Eagles (instead of playing right into many of its standard plays) - the Eagles should be able to make that number on the back end, if necessary. The Eagles come off a bye, and Chip Kelly has had extra time to prepare for the AZ defense.
Colts +9.5 vs. Pitt Steelers' fan RJ has been warning about how Pitt might fare against a real QB with the loss of CB Ike Taylor, and the Colts are just among the best performing teams in the League at the moment. I always try to imagine the worst case scenario when I am moving the line 13 points, and again I can imagine this game taking one or more bad swings for the Colts, but I see Luck as someone who will make a game of it and bring any loss within one score. But Pitt has been awful with loss to TB and blowout to Cleveland and near loss to Jags. They were lucky against Tx and Colts were very unlucky due to turnovers and penalties in their blowout of Bengals. I generally like to stay away from road teams - looking for every advantage, but I expect the Colts to feel challenged going into Pitt and look for them to get up for the challenge.
Cowboys +3.5 vs. Wash Once again I'm taking the Cowboys in a historically bad spot, but I think they are basking in the limelight at the moment, and look to show off to the country in prime time against a Washington team that is so troubled that it is turning to its 3rd string QB. Looks like a chance for Colt McCoy to return home to Tx and be a hero, and again, I can imagine some Rudy moments here where Wash jumps out ahead, but the Cowboys have too many weapons, especially where McCoy is not much of a deep threat. If Wash pulls off a miracle win - no more than FG. But don't be surprised if the Cowboys cover the spread again - like they did against Giants.
Ohio State - 1 This is Dave Malinsky's Best Bet pick on Friday Podcast with OSU - 14, and I have to say, I really think Meyer has his Team cover that number easily - let alone win the game, which is essentially all they need to do a -1. Last year OSU beat Penn. St. 63-14 and you can bet that Meyer will have no mercy for PSU again this year. I know Fezzik says not to tease CFB, and I rarely ever do a pure CFB tease, but there are occasional games that I like to throw in, and so far they have been easy winners. PSU has lost two games in a row, including getting blown out by Northwestern at home, while OSU has been on a steady rise after a slow start, blowing out everyone in their path.
GL to all. Looking forward to hitting the 9-1 mark in the next few weeks, going 90%. Only one Lost in all the games picked so far -- Seattle +4 losing by 7 at home to Cowboys.