Week 7 NFL Against the Spread Picks

With only one human over .500 for the season, oddsmaker Mike Seba of Las Vegas Sports Consultants has been prodding us to pick the entire slate for the remainder of the season. We politely declined.

Brien (14-15-1, .483)

Well, I took quite a beating last week, but hopefully this week will turn out better.

Week 7 looks like the week of the WTF line. A first glance at the lines had me scratching my head. Baltimore only giving 3 at Buffalo? Tampa Bay getting points at Detroit? This has been a crazy season for gamblers, and this week's lines look like a gift from Vegas. I'm probably wrong, but regardless, I'm tempting fate and betting all the WTF lines this week (and taking only road teams). It can't be worse than last week, right?

Baltimore (-3) over BUFFALO - The Ravens defense against Trent Edwards? I learned my lesson betting on Gus Frerotte last Sunday. Fair warning, the Bills are coming off their bye week, and the Ravens are heading into theirs, followed by 3 straight divisional games. If Baltimore is going to have a letdown game, this is it. I'm still going with the Ravens, though. They're the better team, no question.

Tampa Bay (+2) over DETROIT - The Bucs still aren't getting credit for how good they are. They're a dangerous team for anyone, and should handle the Lions easily.

Kansas City (+3) over OAKLAND - The Raiders are really bad, and lately the Chiefs have been showing signs that they don't suck as much as we thought they did.

Pittsburgh (-3.5) over DENVER - The Steelers are rested, healthier, and shouldn't have any problems handing the Broncos their 4th loss in a row.

Indianapolis (-3) over JACKSONVILLE - I know the Jags are pretty good this year, but they're not going to beat Peyton Manning on Monday Night Football.

There you have it, 5 road teams and 5 WTF lines. And yes, I realize I'm going with 90% of gamblers on most of those games. I think by Tuesday morning, there are going to be a lot of happy sports bettors saying "Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in."

Jeremy (14-11-5, .550) and Magic 8 Ball (17-8-5, .650)

Jeremy's Picks:

Well as the only human picker with an above .500 record, I feel the added pressure of being the person who I know all 6 of our readers are banking their money on (if they're not smart enough to use the Magic 8 Ball by now). On to the picks...

WASHINGTON (-8.5) over Arizona - I think I've gotten hosed by the 'Skins everytime I've picked them this season, but I see the 'Skins D-line feasting on Tim Rattay, and I don't see Edge having much luck with the run (which will screw me over in fantasy). Cards lucky to put up 10.

Atlanta (+9) over NEW ORLEANS - This week's WTF line... how the hell is a team with one win getting nine points over another team with one win? Vegas hates Leftwich it seems.

Baltimore (-3) over BUFFALO - Rookie QB and Marshawn Lynch against the Ravens D... yeah, the Ravens better enjoy this part of their schedule.

Indianapolis (-3) over JACKSONVILLE - The Jags pass defense is good, but not this good.

Pittsburgh (-3.5) over DENVER - Another game where I don't see a team with enough weapons to counteract the other team's stingy D... if the Seahawks couldn't score a point against the Steelers, why would Denver?

Magic 8 Ball Picks: Am I kicking everyone's ass with my picks? My sources say yes.

Arizona (+8.5) over WASHINGTON - "My answer is no." [Redskins don't beat spread]

NEW ORLEANS (-9) over Atlanta - "Signs point to yes." [Saints beat spread]

Baltimore (-3) over BUFFALO - "My answer is no." [Bills don't beat spread]

JACKSONVILLE (+3) over Indianapolis - "My sources say yes." [Jaguars beat spread]

Pittsburgh (-3.5) over DENVER - "No." [Broncos don't beat spread]

J-Red (12-16-2, .433)

Time for a get-well week. No particular theme this week, just trying to pick out five winners.

DETROIT (-2) over Tampa Bay - I'm going to be that idiot that keeps betting against Tampa Bay.

New England (-16.5) over MIAMI - New England is going to throw in a clunker eventually. It's too hard to stay that good each and every week. Maybe next week.

Baltimore (-3) over BUFFALO - What would the Bills' offense look like if Marshawn Lynch were held under 40 yards? Let's find out Sunday. Either way, start Lee Evans.

Pittsburgh (-3.5) over DENVER - I haven't seen anything to like about Denver. Pittsburgh is above-average and well-coached, just like they are every single year.

DALLAS (-9.5) over Minnesota - Ok, I'm not taking the Redskins to beat anybody by 8.5 with Gibbs as the head coach (though Tim Rattay on the road against a pretty good defense is REALLY tempting). I'm not taking Indy because they really struggle with Jax, and especially MJD. I'm not taking any of the mediocre home favorites, and I'm not touching Tennessee-Houston. That only leaves this game.

Russell (11-18-1, .383)

Since I was the only human to improve my percentage last week, the "bet against Russell" strategy might be faltering. My picks this week should put an end to such discussions.

NEW ORLEANS (-9) over Atlanta - The Falcons are imploding (6 offensive TDs in 6 games), while the Saints might have finally figured things out.

NY GIANTS (-9.5) over San Francisco - The Giants look really good right now, and the Niners don't.

CINCINNATI (-6) over Ny Jets - The Bengals will cover at some point, and I'm still picking them, waiting... The Jets are certainly crushable.

Chicago (+5.5) over PHILADELPHIA - Bears D Line vs. Winston Justice and Co., plus Urlacher can run down Westbrook.

Pittsburgh (-3.5) over DENVER - Pittsburgh is similar to San Diego but better. Expect the boo birds to come out again, and then leave to put their Rockies gear on.

RECAP AND STANDINGS

Brien - BAL, IND, KC, PIT, TB
Jeremy - ATL, BAL, IND, PIT, WAS
J-Red - BAL, DAL, DET, NE, PIT
Russell - CHI, CIN, NO, NYG, PIT
Magic 8 - ARI, BAL, JAX, NO, PIT

Magic 8 (17-8-5) - .650
Jeremy (14-11-5) - .550
Brien (14-15-1) - .483
J-Red (12-16-2) - .433
Russell (11-18-1) - .383