Danny's Week 16 NFL Selections

Detroit Lions (+3) @ Miami Dolphins - PICK: LIONS 24 - 23

Washington Redskins (+6.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars - PICK: JAGUARS 20 - 17

San Francisco 49ers (+3) @ St. Louis Rams - PICK: 49ERS 24 - 20

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills (+7.5) - PICK: PATRIOTS 31 - 24

New York Jets @ Chicago Bears (-2.5) - PICK: BEARS 20 - 16

Baltimore Ravens (-3) @ Cleveland Browns - PICK: RAVENS 24 - 20

Seattle Seahawks (+6.5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers - PICK: BUCCANEERS 27 - 24

Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs (-4.5) - PICK: CHIEFS 28 - 20

Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) @ Oakland Raiders - PICK: Colts 30 - 24

Houston Texans (-3) @ Denver Broncos - PICK: Texans 30 - Broncos 20

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers (-3) - PICK: PACKERS 31 - 24

San Diego Chargers (-8) @ Cincinnati Bengals - PICK: CHARGERS 34 - 23

Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles (-14) - PICK: EAGLES 27 - 10

New Orleans Saints (+2.5) @ Atlanta Falcons - PICK: SAINTS 27 - 24

Danny's Week 15 Selections - NFL

Kansas City Chiefs (off) @ St. Louis Rams - PICK: Chiefs 24 - Rams 17

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans (-1) - PICK: Titans 27 - Texans 23

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts (-5) - PICK: Colts 27 - Jaguars 17

Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers (-3) - PICK: Panthers 31 - Cardinals 23

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals (-1) - PICK: Bengals 20 - Browns 13

Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins (-5) - PICK: Dolphins 27 - Bills 17

Philadelphia Eagles (+3) @ New York Giants - PICK: Eagles 24 - Giants 23

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys (-7) - PICK: Cowboys 31 - Redskins 13

Detroit Lions (+5) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers - PICK: Buccaneers 20 - Lions 17

New Orleans Saints (+1) @ Baltimore Ravens - PICK: Saints 31 - Ravens 27

Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks (+7) - PICK: Seattle 24 - Atlanta 20

New York Jets (+6) @ Pittsburgh Steelers - PICK: Steelers 20 - Jets 17

Denver Broncos (+7) @ Oakland Raiders - PICK: Broncos 27 - Raiders 24

Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots (0ff) - PICK: Patriots 27 - Packers 10

Chicago Bears (off) @ Minnesota Vikings - PICK: Bears 13 - Vikings 3

Eric's Locks of Week 15 NFL

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys (-7)

Shanahan really has a way with his players. No doubt free agents will come a runnin’ to Washington after witnessing Shanahan’s professional and courteous touch. Haynesworth probably deserved some of the treatment, but McNabb surely does not. McNabb struggled this season but the Redskins gave him a long term deal. However, the Skins added a caveat allowing them an out after this season if they should decide to part ways with McNabb. The benching announced today makes that look like a psychological ploy to get McNabb comfortable and see what happens. Shanahan dropped McNabb to third on the depth chart behind Rex Grossman and John Beck. That’s an attack on McNabb, he’s still got a couple of decent years left in him and could provide a franchise some stability while developing a future starter. After all, he isn’t Derek Anderson. McNabb once faced Jake Delhomme in a NFC championship game- that seems like a life time ago. The Redskins are throwing in the towel and unless they can get Ryan Torain rolling they’re getting their doors blown off.

I attended the Dallas game last Sunday night and I’ve got to say, the crowd was very lively for a seemingly meaningless game. The fans appreciate how the team has played since Jason Garrett took over. Despite injuries and an atrocious record, the team continues to work hard. DeSean Jackson is the fastest human being I’ve ever seen in person, but fortunately for Dallas, the Skins do not have anyone that can match his speed. Jason Garrett hasn’t locked up the head coaching position yet and Jon Kitna knows this might be his last year in the sun. Many of the other players are playing for their roster spots next year as it appears the Cowboys will have a high draft pick and almost every position is a need.

Dallas get a big win (big for them- it’s all they have left) in a route.

PICK: DALLAS -7

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts (-5)

It would seem Vegas has little faith in the Jaguars. The Jags have played very well as of late and Jones-Drew has been unstoppable. Manning played well last week but I can’t shake the image of him throwing pick after pick in the 2 weeks prior. The team is still missing a number of key players and they can’t seem to stop the run against anyone they play. The Jags can’t stop the pass and the Colts have the number one passing team in the league. That’s partially due to their having the worst running game in the league. They rank 29^th against the run and face a Jags team with the second best rushing attack in the NFL.

Look for Jacksonville to play keep away from Manning and limit his chances to score. The Colts will do their best to get after Gerard and force him into a few poor choices. The Colts will do just enough to pull this one out but the Jags cover and the AFC South picture gets muddier.

PICK: JACKSONVILLE +5

Thursday Night Football - Week 15

San Francisco 49ers @ San Diego Chargers (-10)

Chargers are in must win mode, and rarely do they lose in December. Phillip Rivers is money in the bank and the fact that Frank Gore isn't even in the picture tonight is a huge disadvantage for the 49ers offense. Alex Smith will be back to his old form. Don't be surprised by another shutout by the Chargers defense.

PICK: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 27 - San Francisco 49ers 3

Eric's Locks of Week 14

New England Patriots (-3) @ Chicago Bears

Does Tom Brady have hair plugs? My girlfriend says he does and the Sports Guy mention something to that effect? I am certainly not a patriots fan but in a time when America is constantly questioned, doesn’t he seem like the appropriate ambassador? He’s not effeminate like Euro soccer guys and always gives an air of I don’t care to the media. I’ve seen him play and hair plugs aside, its beautiful thing. Jay Cutler dates Laguna Beach has-beens, Brady dates (marries) girls who are too good for Victoria’s Secret. Three points? Nope- give em seven and I still take the Pats. New England wins big in a route.

PICK: NEW ENGLAND -3

Kansas City @ San Diego (-9)

Phillip Rivers is an easy player to hate. On the field, he often comes across as an arrogant jerk to the casual Charger’s observer. However, what Rivers has accomplished thus far is nothing short of great. General Manager AJ Smith, made a big miscalculation. The Chargers cast aside LaDanian (French for the The Danian) Tomlinson and drafted running back Ryan Matthews in the first round. As it turns out, Tomlinson isn’t dead and Ryan Matthews isn’t good. To be fair, Matthews has struggled with injuries and Tomlinson appeared washed up last year. To make matters worse, two of the team’s best players left tackle Marcus McNeil and receiver Vincent Jackson were both embroiled in public contract disputes. McNeil resigned to a long term deal with the Chargers and Jackson returned to obtain a vested year in order to gain unrestricted status after the season. Further exacerbating the team’s personnel troubles, top receivers Malcolm Floyd, Legadu Nanee and All Pro Antonio Gates have become fixtures on the team’s injury report. Despite all of this, Rivers continues to put up Pro Bowl numbers. You may loathe Philip Rivers on a personal level, but he’s a baller on par with any of the top QB’s in the league.

I love seeing Kansas City relevant again. Growing up, I was married to the NFC. Those games mattered and AFC games didn’t. There was a period when the NFC dominated. Beginning with ’84 49ers and ending with the ’96 Packers, the NFC won every single Super Bowl. The AFC was like a mistress for me- just a little fun on the side. The Steve DeBerg-Marty Schottenheimer days are long gone but it appears Todd Haley and his big name staff has a little something going. Matt Cassel’s play has flown slightly under the radar. He’s developed a nice rapport with Dwayne Bowe and the combination of Thomas Jones and Jamal Charles gives them enough to grind out games.

San Diego needs a win here to keep pace with KC. I think they win easy with the recent news of Matt Cassel being ruled OUT due to his Wednesday appendectomy. Brodie Croyle will get the start for the Chiefs, Jamaal Charles will be running hard after being awarded a nice new contract this week, but the fact of the matter is the Chargers rarely lose in November and December. They took a nasty loss last week at home against Oakland, no chance they lose two in a row in San Diego in December.

PICK: CHARGERS -9

Eric's Locks of Week 11

Lions (-7) @ Cowboys

The Cowboys played outstanding last week. Dez Bryant has emerged into an absolute beast. This bodes well for Miles Austin, who will reap the benefits of defenses gradually shifting coverage over top of Dez. The Lions secondary cannot keep pace with the Cowboys but I have serious doubts over Dallas’ ability to keep Suh and Vanden Bosch at bay. Jon Kitna made a few plays with his feet last week, but the Giants looked lost on defense all day. Kitna’s tough as they come, but he may revert back into captain check down if Suh has his way with the interior linemen. Don’t forget, this is the same line that nearly got Romo killed and these aren’t the Lions of old. The record may not show it, but they have a lot of fight in them. Dallas will struggle to get anything deep going so look for Jason Garrett to bring out the bubble screens that he loves so dearly. They’ve rarely worked this season and I have no reason to believe they will this week.

The departure of Wade Phillips marked a departure of man-coverage-blitz approach. The Cowboys played more zone coverage last week and stayed away from blitzing every down. Keith Brooking didn’t break down and the secondary made some huge plays. The secondary did not have the personnel to play man coverage- as evidenced by every game up until the Phillips firing. The Cowboys have no answer for Calvin Johnson, but who does? As long as Ware puts enough pressure on Lions QB Shaun Hill, who likes to dink and dunk anyway, Johnson will be limited to an over the middle threat. The Cowboys win this one but it isn’t pretty and the Lions cover.

PICK: LIONS +7

Redskins (-7) @ Titans

The Redskins overachieved early in the season but take a step back and look at this team. They have no receiving threats. Santana Moss isn’t the Santana Moss of old. He would do well as the second or even third/slot option but he’s simply not a number 1 anymore. Joey Galloway was born in 1971 (not a joke). Anthony Anderson was a nice surprise but he’s got a ways to go. They produced a fairly good running game considering the injuries incurred but that had to be expected when you go into a season with veteran washed up backs. The line, although improved, remains suspect. McNabb plays well considering the dearth of weapons. However, he’s on the backside of his career and can’t carry a team any longer. Did you know the Redskins have the oldest average roster in the NFL? Not exactly what you want to see in a rebuilding team.

Tennessee plays good defense, runs the ball well, and seems to find a few deep passes every now and again. They struggled mightily against the Chargers, a pass happy offense with a quietly effective defense. The Redskins rank 25^th in the NFL against the run and 31^st against the pass. Chris Johnson will have one of those 2009 like performances and Randy Moss gets his first touchdown in a Titans uniform. The Titans win and cover. My only fear in this pick is a garbage time TD by the Skins, but I feel the Titans take a lead, eat up the clock and win by at least 10.

PICK: TITANS -7

Danny's Week 10 Selections

Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts (-7) - Colts 31 - Bengals 20

Houston Texans (+1) @ Jacksonville Jaguars - Texans 28 - Jaguars 17

Tennessee Titans (-1) @ Miami Dolphins - Titans 24 - Dolphins 20

Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears (+1.5) - Bears 20 - Vikings 17

Detroit Lions (+3) @ Buffalo Bills - Lions 35 - Bills 30

New York Jets (+3) @ Cleveland Browns - Jets 20 - Browns 6

Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7) - Buccaneers 24 - Panthers 10

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos (+1) - Broncos 20 - Chiefs 16

St. Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers (-6) - 49ers 17 - Rams 3

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals (-3) - Cardinals 27 - Seahawks 20

Dallas Cowboys (+14) @ New York Giants - Giants 34 - Cowboys 24

New England Patriots (+4.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers 24 - Patriots 20

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) @ Washington Redskins - Eagles 27 - Redskins 17

Eric's Lock of the Week

Eric's Record (11-4-2 ATS)

The Monday Night Special:

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins (+3)

The Redskins took Michael Vick out of the game early in game 1. Vick returns to avenge the loss, and he will do just that. The Redskins have overachieved this year with new management as well as a new quarterback. However, part of that new management team (Mike Shanahan) undermined the quarterback last week and had the audacity to claim McNabb’s benching resulted from poor conditioning. Perhaps Shanahan wanted to give McNabb something to think about other than his pending Eagles rematch. He surely doesn’t think Rex Grossman gives them a better chance to win, I mean, he has seen Grossman play, hasn’t he? The Redskins have found a place for Albert Haynesworth in their modified 3-4 scheme making it difficult for teams up the middle. DeAngelo Hall came into the league overrated, was exposed in Oakland and summarily released, and now finds himself once again considered among the upper tier of cornerbacks in the league. Washington plays enough defense to win games (2 home losses this season both by 3 points), but I don’t think they can account for Vick’s mobility. In round 1, they did so by breaking a few of his ribs, but that’s unlikely to occur again. The Eagles have too many weapons, Maclin, Jackson, McCoy and Celek are as good as they get at the skill positions. And Vick's relationship with DeSean Jackson is phenomenal as he is 21-31 for 400+yards and 3 TD's. Throw in a freakish athlete like Vick at quarterback and you’ve got enough to go all the way. I’ve been waiting for Vick to revert back into his Atlanta form, making poor choices, looking to run too early but that simply hasn’t happened. In game 1, the Eagles turned into a different team when Kolb came in. It threw the pace and timing of the offense off and they never rebounded. Despite the poor showing, they still had a chance to win it at the game’s close. McNabb loses round 2 and the Eagles cover.

PICK: EAGLES -3

Danny's Week 9 Selections

Record: Danny (68-49 SU / 59-53-4 ATS)

Chicago (-3) @ Buffalo *(in Toronto) - Bears 27 - Bills 17

San Diego @ Houston (+3) - Texans 34 - Chargers 30

New Orleans @ Carolina (+7) - Saints 20 - Panthers 16

Arizona @ Minnesota (-8) - Vikings 31 - Cardinals 17

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta (-8.5) - Falcons 30 - Buccaneers 13

New York Jets (-4) @ Detroit - Jets 24 - Lions 17

Miami @ Baltimore (-5) - Ravens 30 - Dolphins 20

New England (-5.5) @ Cleveland - Patriots 28 - Browns 14

New York Giants (-7) @ Seattle - Giants 31 - Seahawks 10

Kansas City @ Oakland (-1) - Raiders 20 - Chiefs 17

Indianapolis (+3) @ Philadelphia - Eagles 30 - Colts 28

Dallas (+8) @ Green Bay - Packers 24 - Cowboys 20

Pittsburgh (-5) @ Cincinnati - Steelers 23 - Bengals 13

Super Bowl XLIV

New Orleans Saints (+6) @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS - The better "team" will win this game, not the most deserved team. The Saints deserve this championship, they have been through tragedy from Katrina and have turned the emotion of the New Orleans nation to one of hope and energy due to the outstanding play of Drew Brees and the Saints. Reggie Bush has uplifted this city with his play in the playoffs so far, and how can you ever doubt the Saints offense from bringing their big play offense to every game?

However, the Colts are a more prepared team for this Super Bowl. Peyton Manning is absolutely phenomenal behind center, and the play of his rookie wide receiving sensations (Collie & Garcon), the Colts are heading in the right direction to give Peyton his second Super Bowl ring in his Hall of Fame career. Let's not forget the Colts defense that shutdown the Ravens, and then kept the Jets in check. The defense will be the key for the Colts, if they are able to force a few turnovers they will have a very strong grasp in the game over the Saints.

I think the Saints are a momentum team, therefore they will keep the game close no matter how efficient Peyton and his offense are. I like the Colts to win a very tight and entertaining game. I believe this will be an instant classic on ESPN-Classics by midnight Sunday night.

PREDICTION: Colts 31 - Saints 27

Week 13 Selections

Thursday Night Game

New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills (+3) - I like the Bills again this week as they are coming off a huge win against Miami where both the offense and defense played well. The Bills tend to play better at the end of the season, because they are usually out of the playoff race, open up their offensive playbook, and love to play the role of "SPOILER." And that is exactly what they will do tonight. Thomas Jones cannot shoulder the load tonight, the Jets will have to pass the ball and Sanchez is too conservative and hesitant with his throws. I do not have confidence in Sanchez to perform to the ability at which I think he will be at in a year or two. With the Bills utilizing Owens in the passing game, Freddy J in both the ground and air attack, and Ryan Fitz running the show, I like the Bills to win at home and take away every glimmer of playoff hope in the Jets locker room. Bills over the Jets 24 - 20.

Thanksgiving Day Games - Week 12

Green Bay Packers (-12) @ Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford gave the city of Detroit a glimmer of hope last week with his heroic win against the Cleveland Browns. Stafford shoved away the training staff and finished his great game with a touchdown pass with no time left on the scoreboard to give the Lions their second win of the season. Stafford threw for 422 yards and 5 touchdowns, and clearly showed that his wants to make the Lions a better team in years to come. With that being said, Stafford is hurt, Calvin Johnson is hurt, they are both expected to start, but this is not a great matchup to be in after that type of effort last week against Cleveland. Green Bay's offensive line is getting healthy and you can tell by the fact that Aaron Rodgers was only sacked twice last week by San Francisco's formidable defense, and by the fact that Ryan Grant had 21 carries for 129 yards. With a healthy offensive line, and Ryan Grant getting good chunks of yards each carry, the Packers playbook becomes wide open for Aaron Rodgers, and which will utilize his ability to use the play-action pass to take shots down the field. The Packers have a stingy pass defense, even with the departure of Al Harris to the IR, and with the amount of points they are capable of putting on the board this game will be over at halftime. Give the points, Packers over the Lions 31 - 14.

Dallas Cowboys (-14) over Oakland Raiders - Prediction: 27 - 9

Denver Broncos (+6.5) over New York Giants - Prediction: 17-6


Picks for the rest of Week 12:
-Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) over Houston Texans - Prediction: 31 - 27

-Cincinnati Bengals (-14) over Cleveland Browns - Prediction: 34 - 17

-***Philadelphia Eagles (-9) over Washington Redskins - Prediction 20 - 6

-**Buffalo Bills (+3.5) over Miami Dolphins - Prediction 20 - 16

-*****Seattle Seahawks (-3) over St. Louis Rams - Prediction 27 - 10

-Atlanta Falcons over Tampa Bay Buccannears (+13) - Prediction 31 - 20

-**Carolina Panthers (+3) over New York Jets - Prediction 24 - 17

-San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) over Jacksonville Jaguars - Prediction 20 - 13

-San Diego Chargers (-14) over Kansas City Chiefs - Prediction 38 - 10

-Minnesota Vikings over Chicago Bears (+11) - Prediction 27 - 20

-Tennessee Titans (-3) over Arizona Cardinals - Prediction 24 - 17

-Baltimore Ravens (-0.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers - Prediction 17 - 14

-New Orleans Saints (-3) over New England Patriots - Prediction 34 - 30

Week 2 Best Bets

Here are my BEST BETS for Sunday's Games

Houston + 7 Over 41

Denver -3

Baltimore +3

Bills -4.5

LOCK - GIANTS + 3

PARLAY- Giants + 3 , Pittsburgh -3, New England -4 (4 units)