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The Lineman: Week Seven NFL Picks

By Steve Keating

That was more like it, a very solid 5-1 effort in Week 6 after a very tough month of average results.

Could we be perfect in lucky Week 7? Feels good.

Record: 19-17. Last week 5-1

Pick of the Week: 5-1

PICK OF THE WEEK

Green Bay Packers (6-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-5)

The Lineman: Week Three NFL picks

Had a Baltimore Ravens type Sunday last week, going 2-4 after a brilliant (if I do say so) 5-1 start to the season. But like the Ravens, I look for a big bounce back in Week 3.

Record: 7-5. Last week 2-4; Pick of the Week: 2-0

PICK OF THE WEEK Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-1) (Line: Chargers minus-14.5)

The Chargers usually play with about as much energy as a dead battery early in the season but I am not expecting the Bolts will need to dig deep to blow out the dreadful Chiefs, who have been outscored 89-10 in their opening two games. Even on a good day, the Chiefs have not fared well at Qualcomm Stadium, recording just one win in their last seven visits, including a 31-0 pummeling last season. All signs point to another thrashing. A bad season just keeps getting worse for KC, who have already lost All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry to season ending injuries. The Chiefs have been a turnover machine handing over the ball nine times in two games and sit last in scoring and rushing. The Detroit Lions’ Matthew Stafford and St. Louis Rams’ Sam Bradford each shredded the Chiefs secondary for four touchdown passes and now face a quality Chargers offence led by Philip Rivers. The Chargers laboured to a win over the Minnesota Vikings at home in their opener and then turned in a sloppy effort losing to the Patriots but only Tom Brady and super-rookie Cam Newton have tossed for more yards through the first two weeks. The Chargers also tend to play better at home going 12-2 in their last 14 regular season games and I love those powder blue uniforms. Unless Southern California slips into the Pacific this one is a lock. Lightning strikes. Take the Bolts and give up the 14.5. - – - - Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2) (Line: Panthers minus-3.5) Panthers super rookie Cam Newton could pass for a gazillion yards this season but it will not mean much unless he can produce a few wins. The Panthers triggerman, who has indeed impressed tossing for a rookie record 854 yards in his first two contests, will get a chance on Sunday to prove there is some steak to go along with that sizzle. Newton has played in just two games but compared to Jaguars rookie pivot Blaine Gabbert, who will be making his first career start, he is a grizzled veteran. That stench coming out of Jacksonville is the smell of desperation as coach Jack Del Rio searches for a quarterback. After cutting loose incumbent QB David Garrard just before the season opener, Del Rio needed only two weeks to decide Luke McCown was not the answer. Jacksonville ranks 30th in passing after two games, McCown getting the hook after tossing four interceptions in a 32-3 loss to the New York Jets. The Jaguars have a quality running back Maurice Jones-Drew and … umm, well let us leave it at that. The Panthers have the NFL’s second ranked offense and second ranked passing attack. Wide receiver Steve Smith leads the league in receiving yards with 334. While Newton’s aerial show has been grabbing the headlines, look for the Panthers to try for a more balanced attack with running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart getting work. Playing at home and with Chicago, New Orleans and Atlanta in the on deck circle, I’ve got to believe this is a game the Panthers have had circled for a while. This looks like a purrr-fect spot for Panthers win. Take the Panthers give up the 3.5. - – - - Detroit Lions (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2) (Line: Lions minus-3.5) Having lived in Detroit the previous four years, including that miserable 0-16 season, I have been slow to jump on the Lions bandwagon. The vibe has not been this upbeat in the Motown since Stevie Wonder and the Supremes were churning out gold records. But now it Ndamukong Suh recording the hits as the Lions bid for their first 3-0 start since 1980. Counting last season and the pre-season games, the Lions are on a nine-game winning streak, including a 48-3 thrashing of the Kansas City Chiefs, and I can see no reason for it to end at the Mall of the Americas. Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson are as good as any pass-catch combo in the league. The Lions finally have an offense that has teeth, ranking second in league scoring while Johnson is tied for the lead in touchdown catches with four. Led by Suh, the Lions defence has shown some bite with eight takeaways. About the only thing the Vikings have going for them is the running of Adrian Peterson and history. Peterson ranks fourth in rushing with 218 yards in two games while the Lions have not won in Minny since 1997, a run of 13 straight losses. Fire up the bandwagon – I’m in. Take the Lions and give up the 3.5. - – - - Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-2) (Line: Ravens minus-3.5) Of all the letdowns last week this is the one that confused me the most. The Ravens looked liked Super Bowl champs crushing the Steelers in their opener then were just plain Super Bad against a very ordinary Tennessee Titans team. You do not expect that type of letdown from Ray Lewis and company. For that reason alone I am looking for a big bounce back this week from the Ravens when they visit the injury-ravaged Rams. After a big step forward last season the Rams will be desperate to avoid starting the season 0-3 but with workhorse running back Steven Jackson on the limp, gaining mileage against a tough Ravens run defence will be difficult. Baltimore held Tennessee’s Chris Johnson to a measly 53 yards last week but the problem was a leaky pass defence that Matt Hasselbeck was able to exploit. Ravens QB Joe Flacco has been doing a good Jekyll and Hyde impression, throwing for three touchdowns against the Steelers then serving up two interceptions to the Titans. Bottom line. Losing does not sit well with the Ravens. After their last eight defeats, the Ravens have responded with eight big wins. Make that nine. Take the Ravens and give up the 3.5. - – - - New York Giants (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) (Line: Eagles minus-7.5) Ok, the $100 million question hanging over this one is will concussed Eagles quarterback Michael Vick play? Nothing has been confirmed but all signs point to Vick being under centre on Sunday when the Giants pay a visit. While the football world has been focused on Vick’s headache, the New Yorkers have bigger problems with an injury list that includes wide receiver Mario Manningham (concussion), receiver and return specialist Domenik Hixon (torn knee ligaments), defensive end Osi Umenyiora (knee), first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara (foot) and tight end Travis Beckum (hamstring). Already out for the season with torn knee ligaments are starting middle linebacker Jonathan Goff, cornerback Terrell Thomas and reserves Clint Sintim and Brian Witherspoon. Second-round draft choice Marvin Austin (torn pectoral muscle), cornerback Bruce Johnson (Achilles) and backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels (illness) are also on injured reserve. OUCH. If Vick is unable to go Mike (who is this gu?y) Kafka is expected to get the start. While Kafka represents a serious drop-off, he will have a full complement of weapons to choose from including big play threats DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin. Eagles wide receiver Steve Smith, who caught passes for the Giants the last four seasons, gets his first crack at his former team. The Giants may have some success running the ball but Eli Manning could be in for a long day against a five-star Eagles pass rush and secondary. The New Yorkers have lost the last six meetings between the longtime rivals and are still stinking from last year’s humiliating defeat when they coughed up 28 points in the last eight minutes allowing the Eagles to comeback and claim an unlikely 38-31 win. Vick or no Vick, the Giants are too banged up to pose too much of problem to the Eagles, who will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week. The Eagles have landed. Take the Eagles and give up the 7.5. - – - - Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) (Line: Falcons plus 1.5) The Falcons were tipped by a lot of people as Super Bowl material but have yet to display a champions pedigree after being demolished by the Bears in Week 1 and then squeaking past the Eagles in Week 2. It is only Week 3 but it is crunch time for the Falcons as they fly south to take on NFL South rivals Tampa in a key early-season clash. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan finally looked in sync last week firing a career-high four touchdown passes in a comeback win over Philly but success in Tampa is likely to hinge on running back Michael Turner. Only the St. Louis Rams have a worse run defence than the Buccaneers who are giving up an average of 156 yards a game on the ground. Turner is among the NFL’s early rushing leaders ranking sixth with 214 yards. Tampa QB Josh Freeman is the master of the comebacks and did it again last week rallying the Bucs to a win over the Vikings. The Falcons are chasing their fifth straight win at Raymond James Stadium. Games between these two NFC rivals have been traditionally close with the Falcons coming out on top. Getting points is a bonus. The Bucs stop here. Take the Falcons and the 1.5.

Week 11 NFL picks

Well, that was a bruising week but 2-4 still leaves the Lineman above .500.

After the last 2-4 we had a big bounce back week so that’s the game plan again.

I was going to start off by making the Miami Dolphins my Pick of the Week but since that game has been played, well that would be cheating (I think).

Anyway, I get the impression many of you think I would still make the wrong pick – even if the game had been played.

But the Lineman can take a hit and is looking for revenge this week — starting with Pick of the Week.

Week Nine NFL Picks

Okay, the first string is back calling the shots this week after Week 8 backup CBall got pounded 1-5 (ouch).

CBall’s fumbles have left Team Lineman (6-0 in the Lineman’s last start in Week 7 in case anyone forgot) perilously close to the .500 mark but the big guy is back and so is the momentum as we head into the second half the schedule.

Record: 25-34. Last week: 1-5. Pick of the Week: 4-4

PICK OF THE WEEK:

Houston Texans (5-3) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0) (Line Texans plus 9 1/2) Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has been red hot at the controls of the NFL’s top ranked passing game. But wait a second; who is that guy ahead of him leading the league in most yards passing and touchdown passes? Why it’s Texans quarterback Matt Schaub.

Texans monster wide receiver Andre Johnson is scary good and leads NFL with 697 yards on 44 catches but Manning’s favourite target Reggie Wayne has just eight yards less on 55 catches.

After a stuttering start to the season the Texans have won three straight and are 3-1 on the road so should not be intimidated coming into the “Big Oil Drum” Lucas Oil Stadium.

Week Seven NFL Picks

The Lineman had been in a bit of slump the last three weeks. After a very solid start to the season he has picked just six winners the last three weeks.We were hit hard by upsets last week (give me a break Raiders and Bills both picking up wins). But we are still ..500 on the season and Pick of the Week is back at .500.

Record: 18-18. Last week 2-4. Pick of the Week: 3-3

PICK OF THE WEEK:

New Orleans Saints (5-0) at Miami Dolphins (2-3) (Line Saints minus 6 1/2): OK, am I missing something? The Saints have won every game by more than 14 points, last week they torched the unbeaten New York Giants 48-27 and quarterback Drew Brees has put on an air-tossing 13 touchdowns including four against the New Yorkers, who came into the Big Easy with the NFL’s top ranked defence.

The Dolphins looked like fish out of water the first three weeks before putting together back-to-back wins and are coming off a bye week. Chad Henne has done a better than expected job taking over the signal calling for injured Chad Pennington but this one has Fish Fry written all over it.

Take the Saints and happily surrender the 6 1/2 points.

- – - -

Week Six NFL picks

After a Week Four meltdown the Lineman is back heading in the right direction going 3-3 in Week Five. We are still stinging after missing Pick of the Week by 1/2 point but we can back to .500 this week with the Panthers.

Record: 16-14. Last week 3-3

Pick of the Week: 2-3

PICK OF THE WEEK

Carolina Panthers (1-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-5)

(Line Panthers minus 3 1/2)

The Lineman says avoid the trap, take the Bears

Ouch, the Lineman took a couple of hard hits last week but is still narrowly about 50-50 so still standing. A win by the Colts over the Phish on Monday saved the day but better to come this week – gulp.

Record: 7-5; Last week 3-3; Pick of the Week: 1-1

PICK OF THE WEEK: Chicago Bears (1-1) at Seattle Seahawks (1-1) (Line Bears minus-2) Fragile Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is out with a broken rib and Chicago QB Jay Cutler started to look comfortable leading da Bears to nice win over the Steelers last week. Bears are learning to live without linebacker and defensive leader Brian Urlacher while the Seahawks are are already looking beat up.

No Bear traps here. Take the Bears and give up the two points.

Tennessee Titans (0-2) at New York Jets (2-0) (Jets minus-2.5) What sounds weirder? Titans 0-3 or the Jets 3-0? The Titans finished last season with the NFL’s best record but have stumbled out the gate while the Jets have been flying high with rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez at the controls. Remember the Titans are still a pretty good team (and not a bad movie) while Sanchez is about to hit some turbulence. Fasten your seatbelts.

Take the Titans and the 2.5 points.

Green Bay (1-1) at St Louis Rams (0-2) (Line Rams plus-6.5) Are the Detroit Lions the NFL’s worst team or is it really the Rams? The Rams have scored just seven points in two games this season and have lost 12 straight going back to last season. The Packers, one of the pre-season faves, have dropped five straight on the road and have not looked sharp. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 10 times but will not see the same pressure from the Rams defence he got from the Bengals last week giving him time to locate dynamic pass catching duo of Greg Jennings and Donald Driver.

The Lineman basks in glory, fears the worst

Well, the Lineman got the season off to a perfect start (click the link). Steelers get the win, Titans cover, score one for the Lineman.

We will bask in the glory while it lasts because the Lineman understands this is just the first play in a long season. Let’s hope we are still on the right side of the scoreboard come Tuesday.

Record won-loss: 1-0.

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PICK OF THE WEEK: Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns (plus 3.5): Future Hall of Famer Brett Favre is back (again) and has something to prove. Adrian Peterson is the NFL’s top running back.

The poor Browns aren’t catching any breaks in Week 1 with the NFL allowing Vikings defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams (two of the best in the business) to continue to play while their long-running drugs saga works it way through appeals.

Nasty pass-rusher Jared Allen spearheads a Minnesota defence that might be one of the league’s best guaranteeing it will be a long day for the Browns starting quarterback, the not so mighty Brady Quinn.