Well last night did not go quite as well as I planned. After another 0-3 weekend, my overall record drops to 6-18. Time to get on a roll this weekend. Here’s this weekend’s picks!
Oakland Raiders (3-5) at New York Giants (2-6): After starting the season with six straight losses, the New York Giants have won two straight. The question is… Will the Giants make it three straight Sunday? A home game against the 3-5 Oakland Raiders is the perfect formula for another win for the G-Men. If the Giants win Sunday and the Dallas Cowboys lose, they’ll still be just two games out of first place in the loss column. Who would of thought considering how slow the Giants were out of the gate.
I like the Giants in this game for two reasons; Eli Manning and Andre Brown. Say what you want about Eli and his interceptions, but I’d still take him over most of the other quarterbacks in the league. Manning gives the Giants a chance to win any given weekend. Giants running back Andre Brown’s activation from the injured reserve will give the G-Men a much needed boost to a pathetic run game. Giants: 24-17
Carolina Panthers (5-3) at San Francisco (6-2): Where did the Panthers come from? After starting 1-3, the Panthers have won four straight and are in second place in the NFC South behind the New Orleans Saints. We know Carolina can win at home, the question is… Can the Panthers win on the road? Sunday will feature a big test for these Big Cats and will give everyone a better idea of where this team is really at.
I’m leaning towards San Francisco in this one, but only slightly. The reason I’m going with the 49ers is pretty clear, the return of pass-rushing outside linebacker Aldon Smith. Smith is playing in his first game since taking a leave of absence to straighten out his life off-the-field. Believe it or not, Smith’s exit from the team after Week 3 has sparked a run of five straight games for the 49ers. Smith will be used sparingly Sunday for the 49ers, but his presence will be just enough to knock Panthers quarterback Cam Newton off his pedestal. 49ers: 28-20
Dallas Cowboys (5-4) at New Orleans Saints (6-2): Alright Cowboys, want to prove to people that you’re not a good, but great team? Win a game on the road! Show the NFL that your Week 8 meltdown in Detroit was a fluke and beat one of the best teams in the league in their own dome.
However… I don’t see that happening this weekend. The Saints should be out for some redemption themselves after a tough loss at the hands of the New York Jets. Expect Drew Brees to be back and firing on all cylinders this weekend. Dallas has the second-worse pass defense in the NFL, which does not bode will for this match-up. Watch Brees go for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. Saints: 42-34
