WEEK 9

Five plays (so far) this weekend...

Texans  +4.5  Vikings (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Vikings

The Vikes have had the foul taste of defeat in their mouths ever since that crushing loss to the Bear two weeks ago (including a bye). Look for this talented, yet underperforming squad to play hard against a Texans team that's enjoyed great success recently, but not against top tier competition.

Ravens  +1.5  Browns (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Browns

True, this is not the impressive Browns team of 2007, but Romeo Crennel's roster is finally catching some fire. The Ravens, however, are far overdue for a correction. Add to the mix that this is a game of two division rivals with playoff hopes (the Ravens won their first meeting of the season), and the home team pick becomes even more appealing. 

Dolphins  -3  Broncos (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Broncos

Similar to the Vikings (above), the Broncos are coming off a bye week in which they had to strew over an embarrassing 41 - 7 loss to the Patriots. That special blend of anger, rest, and renewal will prove the difference in this one.

Packers  +5.5  Titans (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Packers

The Titans are the real deal, but they're not going 16 - 0 this season. Loss #1 could very well come this week. The Titans are playing off a short week after their Monday night plastering of the Colts. By contrast, the Packers will be well rested after a bye week (catching the pattern here?). 

Patriots O/U @ 17.5 vs. Colts (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: OVER

If the Colts lose this game, their season is essentially over, so expect a big offensive output from Manning and company. In return , I expect the Pats to keep pace and put points on the board. 

WEEK 8

Sorry for the late notice this week. Here's what we got:

Chargers  -3  Saints (in UK)

DeVoodoo's pick: Chargers

Both teams are desperate for a win, but the Saints are simply too beat up right now to compete in this one. 

Giants  +3  Steelers (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Steelers

We might be seeing the beginning of the end in NY. I don't think the Giants will be ready for the extremely physical play of the Steelers.

Seahawks  +5  49ers

DeVoodoo's pick: Seahawks

Nolan's firing made no sense in terms of proper timing. SF is a franchise that is fortunate Oakland is just across the Bay, so their own dysfunction doesn't seem so bad by comparison. But things are bad in SF. And do you really think Mike Martz will try his best to make Mike Singletary look good? 

Colts O/U @ 17.5 vs. Titans (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: OVER

The Colts are due for a big offensive day, and the Titans are due for a downer. I see points for the Colts. 

MNF

Broncos  +3  Patriots

DeVoodoo's pick: Patriots

More than anything, I'm betting on the combination of Belichick, home field advantage, and Monday Night Football. 

DOLPHINS/RAVENS

Another game has caught my attention...

Ravens +3 Dolphins (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Dolphins
The Ravens are piling up injuries, they're on the road, and their rookie head coach inadvertantly gave bulletin board material to the Dolphins. Not to mention the fact that the Dolphins are actually playing pretty good football, I'll take the Fins.

WEEK 7

Six game pique my interest this week...

Bengals (H) O/U @ 14 vs. Steelers

DeVoodoo's pick: OVER

The Bengals desperately need a first win, so expect a colossal effort against the hated Steelers. Cinncy's offense may not get 14 points by themselves, but look for additional points to come from defense, special teams, or both. 

Cowboys  -7.5  Rams (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Rams

The Cowboys have lost a lot of their early season mojo. Romo's got a busted pinkie finger (no official word yet on his playing status), Pacman is history, T.O. is huffing and puffing, and the desperate addition of Roy Williams is only going to make things worse in this already volatile locker room. Meanwhile, the Rams have been energized by interim head coach Jim Haslett. I'll take the home team getting all those tasty points.

Saints  +3  Panthers (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Panthers

The Panthers are pissed after last week's blowout loss at the hands of Tampa Bay. I think they'll use that angst to play exceptionally violent football against a finesse oriented Saints team. Sheer intimidation should earn them victory.

Jets  -3  Raiders (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Jets

I'll pretty much take any NFL team only giving three points to the silly Raiders.

Browns  +7  Redskins (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Browns

The Browns aren't as good as they were last year, but they're not as bad as they've been this year, either (if that makes any sense). The Redskins are just the opposite — not as good as their current record would lead you to believe. 

Colts  -1.5  Packers (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Colts

To be honest with you, I'm wavering on this pick. I like it less and less, but I made the play because I think the Colts are starting to gel, and Manning doesn't get many opportunities to play at Lambeau Field — for someone who honors the history of the game as much as he does, I think he'll try to make the most of his time on one of football's most hallowed grounds. 

WEEK 6

Bears  -3  Falcons (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Bears

The Dirty Birds have been impressive. Running game is strong. But they're due for a market correction.

Lions   O/U @ 17  vs. Vikings

DeVoodoo's pick: OVER

With Millen gone, change is (finally!) afoot in D-town. Everyone is auditioning for jobs, including the head coach. Look for the Lions to air it out, put up some points, but still lose the game.

Packers  O/U @ 21.5 vs. Seahawks

DeVoodoo's pick: OVER

The Seahawks D is just terrible. I expect them to play better this week, but not good enough to contain Green Bay's aerial attack. 

Cowboys  -5  Cardinals (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Cardinals

Too many distractions in Dallas right  now. Pacman is emotionally regressing. People are questioning Wade Phillips' leadership, and T.O. is being a bitch. The Cards, meanwhile, are a divisional rival home dog. Hmm...

Giants  -7.5  Browns (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Browns

I keep waiting for the Giants to get exposed as the B+ team they actually are. Giving up more than touchdown on the road on Monday night against a desperate Browns squad? Let's take the points. 

WEEK 5

There's a lot to like in week five. We're getting to that point in the season where true team  identities are starting to reveal themselves. So here we go... 

Titans  -3  Ravens (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Titans

The Titans are solid along both the offensive and defensive lines, and it's amazing how unappreciated these aspects are to the eyes of a layman. Furthermore, the Ravens are coming off a very physical Monday night game in Pittsburgh (in which they lost), and I'm not sure they'll be able to rebound, both mentally and physically, in time for the Titans.

Eagles (H)  O/U @ 24 vs. the Redskins

DeVoodoo's pick: OVER

Speaking of being unable to rebound from week four, the Redskins upset the Cowboys in Dallas. To accomplish this required such intensity on the part of the Skins that I doubt they'll be able to muster the same focus for week five. So look for the Eagles to hang a lot of points on them.

Buccaneers  +3  Broncos (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Broncos

The Broncos got embarrassed by the Chiefs last week, so I expect all their frustrations to be taken out on the Bucs. 

Bengals O/U @ 14 vs. Cowboys (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: OVER

At some point the Bengals offense will show signs of life. I'm betting it's this week.

Patriots  -3  49ers (H)

DeVoodoo's pick: Patriots

The Pats had a bye week to stew over their humiliating home loss to Miami. That means they also had two weeks to prepare for a shaky 49ers team. I expect the Pats to absolutely crush the 49ers. This line won't be -3 in a few days, so grab it now!