PressBox: NFL Picks: Week Seven

NFL Picks: Week Seven

By Stan "The Fan" Charles

Note: Stan "The Fan" Charles made his pick for the Thursday game before it kicked off.

Picking The Winners

Seattle at San Francisco (Thursday)
Tennessee at Buffalo
Arizona at Minnesota
Cleveland at Indianapolis
Baltimore at Houston
Green Bay at St. Louis
Dallas at Carolina
Washington at NY Giants
New Orleans at Tampa Bay
NY Jets at New England
Jacksonville at Oakland
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Detroit at Chicago

*winners in bold

Picking Against The Spread

Washington at NY Giants -5 ½
Robert Griffin III will put on a show, but this looks to be a tough spot for the rookie quarterback. The betting line went down by a point during the week, which usually indicates one should take the points. But Giants coach Tom Coughlin really coached up his boys last week, and maybe the team got its wake-up call. The Giants thus far have lost at home to the Cowboys and had close wins against Tampa and Cleveland.
Prediction: NY Giants 26, Washington 16

NY Jets at New England -10 ½
The Jets pulled out a nice, easy home win versus the Colts last week. But I'm betting that Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck won't be wearing No. 12 for the Patriots, and the guy who's really in that jersey will be able to put more than a few points on the board. The big problem here for the Jets is the Patriots, despite having just a 3-3 mark, are plus-10 in the turnover department. It's hard to imagine that Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez won't contribute to that number.
Prediction: New England 29, NY Jets 16

Cleveland at Indianapolis -2 ½
The Jimmy Haslam era has begun in Cleveland. It started with a win, was quickly followed by the news that team president Mike Holmgren is going to retire at the end of the season, and there are rumors general manager and Holmgren protégé Tom Heckert will get the boot after the season. Haslam looks to be much more of an activist, a big departure from previous owners Al and then Randy Lerner. But current coach Pat Shurmur can control his destiny by winning some games -- like this one.
Prediction: Cleveland 23, Indianapolis 17

Baltimore at Houston -6 ½
Baltimore fans haven't seen a Ravens defense so porous since 1999. Now they lose cornerback Lardarius Webb and linebacker Ray Lewis. But last season, the Ravens were 4-0 during games Lewis didn't play. However, that defense included linebackers Terrell Suggs and Jarret Johnson and defensive end Cory Redding. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees has not been dealt a favorable hand with age, injury and disappointing young players. It may get better, but not here.
Prediction: Houston 30, Baltimore 19

Jacksonville at Oakland -4
The new Raiders finally showed up last Sunday during a close loss to the Falcons. Now they come home to one of the league's weak sisters. Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer should have his biggest game during his tenure in Oakland, and even if he doesn't, Sebastian Janikowski should be good for 4-6 field goals.
Prediction: Oakland 31, Jacksonville 17

Green Bay at St. Louis +5 ½
The Packers caught the Texans when they were due for a stinker. Green Bay had the emotional edge last week; it came into Houston with a king-size chip on its shoulders. These Rams may not make the playoffs, but under new head man Jeff Fisher, they have made progress on both sides of the ball. The 2012 version of the Rams is 5-1 versus the spread and an outright 3-0 in their dome. They'll be fighting until the last whistle.
Prediction: Green Bay 28, St. Louis 26

Record

58-33 picking winners (5-9 last week)
18-27-2 picking against the spread (2-4)

Posted Oct. 20, 2012