TAMPA — There are some football games you watch and you just have to sit there and shake your head in wonder.
Last Sunday afternoon in the press box at Raymond James Stadium here in Tampa, a number of local media types were forced to focus on the field and watch Carolina beat Tampa Bay 28-21. Granted there were two lousy football teams playing, but I will say this, despite the fact there were 25,000 empty seats in the building, real football fans missed one important thing: Carolina runningback DeAngelo Williams.
Williams rushed for 152 yards and scored two touchdowns on 30 carries. This guy is a horse and no matter how bad the 2-3 Panthers might be, Williams is still a big-time running back.
Now, having said that, I didn’t ay all that much attention to Williams after he scored his first touchdown of the game. Like many in the press box in Tampa, I couldn’t pull myself away from the press lounge TV where the Minnesota Vikings held on to beat the Baltimore Ravens 33-31.
There have been some great performances this year – and we’ll get to the Saints and Pats later – but undefeated Minnesota’s win over Baltimore was so spectacular it transcended words. It was just one of those games you have to sit back and enjoy.
It didn’t hurt that the Vikings either, considering both Dr. Sports and I picked them to knock off the Ravens. And, really? In the end? Isn’t that what all this is about?
We’re here to pick winners and we’ll keep at it no matter the outcome. Let’s take a close look at Week 7 while we leave our good memories of Week 6 behind.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Chicago Bears 3-2 at Cincinnati Bengals 4-2 (-1.5)
This is a big game for both teams — teams that are both coming off ugly losses. For TV purposes, it’s Carson Palmer vs. Jay Cutler, but the running games and the defences will decide this one.
Dr. Sports: Bengals to win and cover.
The Coach: Bengals to win and cover.
Green Bay Packers 3-2 at Cleveland Browns 1-5 (+6.5)
There are a load of people who figure this one will be close, but because 12 Browns missed practice with the flu this week, it’s unlikely that team will have much left in the tank. I mean, it’s bad enough being a Brown these days, but a sick one? Good luck.
Dr. Sports: Packers to win and cover.
The Coach: Packers to win but Browns will cover
San Francisco 49ers 3-2 at Houston Texans 3-3 (-2.5)
This will be a close one that should go right own to the wire.For whatever reason, the Texans can’t put two solid games together. They’ve gone L-W-L-W-L-W this year both straight up and against the spread.
Dr. Sports: 49ers to win.
The Coach: 49ers to win.
San Diego Chargers 2-3 at Kansas City Chiefs 1-5 (+4.5)
Call us both crazy but this is a week that the Chiefs can win. The Chargers are on a short week, coming off an emotionally-draining Monday night loss to the Broncos. In fact, it wasn’t just a loss, it was a shellacking.
Dr. Sports: Chiefs to win.
The Coach: Chiefs to win.
Minnesota Vikings 6-0 at Pittsburgh Steelers 4-2 (-3.5)
This would appear to be a much bigger game for the Steelers. The Vikings are well ahead of everyone in the NFC North, so a non-conference tilt means a lot less to them. Plus, they go to Lambeau next week. The Steelers, meanwhile, are tied for first in the division and are going into their bye week. Oh yeah, and there’s this little fact; including the postseason, the Steelers have won nine straight at home.
Dr. Sports: Steelers to win, but the Vikings will cover.
The Coach: Vikings to win.
Indianapolis Colts 5-0 at St. Louis Rams 0-6 (+12.5)
OMG!
Dr. Sports: Colts to win and cover.
The Coach: Colts to win and cover.
New England Patriots 4-2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-6 at Wembley Stadium, London (+14.5)
Coming off last week’s 59-0 rout of Tennessee, the Patriots are playing splendid football. Watching Tampa Bay is like watching a bad mystery on TV. No suspense. looking as fully loaded as ever. Hard to believe they’re going all the way to England to play this dog. Even Dr. Sports would rather watch the Premiership than the Bucs.
Dr. Sports: Patriots to win and cover.
The Coach: Patriots to win and cover.
Buffalo Bills 2-4 at Carolina Panthers 2-4 (-7.5)
After two straight wins, the Panthers are quietly sneaking back into the NFC playoff conversation. The Panthers have won nine of their past 10 home games and have scored 20-plus points in all nine of those wins. The runjning game with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams has never looked better.
Dr. Sports: Panthers to win and cover.
The Coach: Panthers to win and cover.
N.Y. Jets 3-3 at Oakland Raiders 2-4 (+6.5)
Hard to believe JaMarcus Russell isn’t the quarterback in this one who is playing the worst football. It’s Mark Sanchez, folks. Oakland just might have things figured out.
Dr. Sports: Raiders to win.
The Coach: Raiders to win.
Atlanta Falcons 4-1 at Dallas Cowboys 3-2 (-3.5)
Aside from the television-created public perception that the Cowboys somehow have a wonderful organization, there really is no intelligent reason why the Cowboys should be favoured.
Dr. Sports: Falcons to win.
The Coach: Falcons to win.
New Orleans Saints 6-0 at Miami Dolphins 2-3 (+6.5)
Miami is the top rushing team in the league at 177 yards per game. But that doesn’t mean that the Fish will beat the Saints.
Dr. Sports: Saints to win and cover.
The Coach: Saints to win and cover.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Arizona Cardinals 3-2 at N.Y. Giants 5-1 (-6.5)
Although Arizona has won two straight, we just can’t see them going into Giants Stadium and beating the ‘Jints’ on a cold Jersey October night. Eli Manning against Kurt Warner should be fun.
Dr. Sports: Giants to win but the Cardinals will cover.
The Coach: Giants to win and cover.
MONDAY NIGHT
Philadelphia Eagles 3-2 at Washington Redskins 2-4 (+6.5)
For whatever reason, the Redskins just have the Eagles’ number; they swept them last year by scores of 23-17 and 10-3. And remember that like last season, Washington was the inferior squad. The Redskins will also be playing for Jim Zorn’s job. Zorn might be completely inept, but the players do like him. If the Raiders can beat the Eagles, so can the Redskins.
Dr. Sports: Redskins to win.
The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.
Doc is 59-31 on the season and 49-41 against the spread while the Coach is also 59-31, buts just 47-43 against the spread.