Sunday NFL Picks

For my first pick, take the Vikings -2 at Detroit. These are two teams going in different directions right now. Detroit is in total disarray. They have quit and they just fired their head coach. They got hammered last week at home against Atlanta, a team that has struggled as of late. The Vikings however are hot. They have won 4 straight and under Brad Johnson, are playing very well. They are still in the hunt for the playoffs in their terrible division. Perhaps Dante was the problem here. They won and covered earlier in the year against the Lions...and that was when the Lions still thought they had a chance to be competitive. Brad Johnson is not great, but hey, he does have a Super Bowl ring. The Vikings are not great either, but they are a whole lot better than the Lions. This is the birdman's number one game for today.

Vikings -2 (***)

For my next complementary pick I am giving you Cleveland +3 against Jacksonville. I know Jacksonville is 8-3, but they are not as good as it seems. They have played a horribly easy schedule and it gets easier in the road ahead. If Leftwich is playing, then no way I would play this game, but Gerrard is in and this guy can not throw a lick. Yeah, he can break a few runs off, but not against a team that has planned all week for his running ability. He can only suprise a team when he comes in for Leftwich as a team does not plan for a running quarterback when the slowest quarterback in the NFL is playing. Also, this game is in Cleveland where it will be downright frigid. I never like taking a warm weather team (who isn't that good to begin with) going on the road to below freezing weather. Romeo will not let Cleveland quit...they are preparing for next year. Cleveland wins this game.

Cleveland +3 (**)

Also take Cincinnati. They need this win and are pumped up for it. Pitt is not playing well and Big Ben is going to "try to play" although his thumb is in a lot of pain. Pitt will not be able to move the ball. Cincinnati wins here too.

Cincinnati +3 (**)


And if you are in a gambling mood, take the Chiefs +1 at home against the Broncos. The Chiefs are 16-1 in their last 17 home games in December. They have beat Denver 5 of the last 6 in Kansas City, even when they get drilled at Denver. Also, ran into Len Dawson (quarterback for the 1969 Chiefs SuperBowl team and now their radio announcer) last night at dinner and I asked him if they Chiefs were going to get it done. His response, "We'll get em." Len Dawson's word is good enough for me.

Chiefs +1 (*)