Since the rest of these so-called "writers" are lazy bums who can't do a thing, I'm flying this one solo. I know that they're just scared of my superior football acumen. Anyway, the top story of this week: the Redskins actually have a chance to win a game!
| Nick | 113-63-0 |
| Izzy | 110-66-0 |
| Pratik | 112-62-0 |
| Mike | 97-63-0 |
Sunday December 5, 2004 Arizona at Detroit - 1 p.m. (Detroit -6)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Detroit | Detroit | - | Detroit |
Pratik says: Dennis Green has gone insane. He switched to Shaun King after he didn't like what he saw from Josh McCown. Now, he's benched King for John Navarre! Anyway, Green usually has an idea of what he's doing, so maybe there's a method behind the madness, but I think not. Meanwhile, the Lions are still reeling from the savage beating that Peyton Manning unleashed on them last week. He threw for six touchdowns in less than three quarters. To put this in perspective, Josh McCown has six touchdowns, in
ten games! I don't blame the Lions defense, even though they should probably be ashamed, because Manning has been doing this to every single defense he's faced. Anyway, expect a reenergized Lions team to take out their frustrations on the wayward Cardinals.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay - 1 p.m. (Tampa Bay -1.5)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Atlanta | Atlanta | - | Atlanta |
Pratik says: Last time these two teams met, I bet against the Falcons and lost. I won't make the same mistake here. The sad fact of the matter is that the Buccaneers look nothing like the Super Bowl Champs, one year removed. I mean, their hallmarks were defense and special teams. Now, teams like Carolina, who has half their starting lineup on the bench, are starting to put up three touchdowns against the Bucs. And don't even get me started on the Martin Gramatica situation. Two years ago, this guy was one of the best kickers around. Now, teams won't even pick him up off waivers. Anyway, expect the Bucs to get Vick-timized again.
Buffalo at Miami - 1 p.m. (Buffalo -3.5)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Buffalo | Buffalo | - | Buffalo |
Pratik says: Wow. With Travis Henry out, you'd think the Bills would panic. But not when you have Willis McGahee in the backfield! This one won't even be close as the Bills will beat up on their southern rivals.
Carolina at New Orleans - 1 p.m. (New Orleans -1)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Carolina | New Orleans | - | Carolina |
Pratik says: This one was a hard game to call as Carolina has gone on a surprising three game winning streak and New Orleans has been their usual inconsistent self, losing big to Denver and barely losing to Atlanta. Anyway, since this is a toss-up, to me at least, I guess I'll go with the Saints.
Cincinnati at Baltimore - 1 p.m. (Baltimore -6.5)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Baltimore | Baltimore | - | Baltimore |
Pratik says: This one's not even close, as the Ravens will run all over the Bengals defense and Ray Lewis will ensure that Chad Johnson and Rudi Johnson don't give the Bengals any semblance of offensive attack. By the way, who though that the Bengals and the Browns would combine to score 106 points?
Houston at New York Jets - 1 p.m. (New York Jets -6)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| New York Jets | Houston | - | New York Jets |
Pratik says: People (meaning Izzy) are laughing at me because I'm picking the Texans over the Jets in this one, but I really think that the they have a good chance to win the game. The Texans defense is good enough to contain Santana Moss and Curtis Martin and its not like the Texans don't have some offensive firepower of their own either. Expect David Carr and Andre Johnson to hook up at least once in the endzone as the Texans pull a stunner in the Meadowlands.
Minnesota at Chicago - 1 p.m. (Minnesota -7.5)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Minnesota | Minnesota | - | Minnesota |
Pratik says: This rivalry used to mean something back when both of these teams were good, but now it's just a crush. The Vikings have way too much firepower, especially with Randy Moss back into the fray. The "Superfreak" was hobbling around last week, yet he still nabbed a spectacular touchdown grab and gained forty yards. Anyway, the Vikings are gonna win and there is nothing that the Bears can do to stop them.
New England at Cleveland - 1:00 p.m. (New England -8)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| New England | New England | - | New England |
Pratik says: I wonder what the record is for the greatest point turnaround. I mean, there's a high chance that the Browns could go from scoring 48 against the Bengals to scoring zero. I don't need to bother with this pick, do I?
San Francisco at St. Louis - 1:00 p.m. (St. Louis -11)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| St. Louis | St. Louis | - | St. Lous |
Pratik says: Ugh…I Really don't like St. Louis anymore because they cannot win games anymore. Fortunately for them, however, they are playing the 49ers. Anyway, St. Louis in an ugly game at the Edward Jones Dome.
Tennessee at Indianapolis - 1:00 p.m. (Indianapolis -11)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Indianapolis | Indianapolis | - | Indianapolis |
Pratik says: I think the only question here is how many touchdowns Manning is going to score. With the way that he's playing right now and with all of the weaponry he has assembled around him, there is no way that the Colts are going to lose this game. My prediction for Manning's touchdowns: four.
Denver at San Diego - 4:05 p.m. (San Diego -3)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| San Diego | San Diego | - | San Diego |
Pratik says: San Diego crept out of Oakland with a close win, but they'll make up for that with a big one at home. San Diego is on a roll as they have all of their offensive weapons healthy (namely LaDanian Tomlinson) and what with the emergence of Antonio Gates and Drew Brees, they are an offensive powerhouse. I don't think that Denver can stop them, even with their ball control rushing and big play passing attacks or with their defense, so expect the Chargers to improve to 9-3.
Kansas City at Oakland - 4:05 p.m. (Oakland -1.5)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Oakland | Kansas City | - | Kansas City |
Pratik says: Derrick Blaylock may not be Pries Holmes, but he can still run the ball and he's been putting up good numbers for Kansas City. He should continue to do that to a horrid Oakland team that just lucked out by barely scraping past Denver last week. Expect the Chiefs, led by Trent Green and Tony Gonzalez to stomp on the Raiders.
Green Bay at Philadelphia - 4:15 p.m.(Philadelphia -6.5)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Philadelphia | Philadelphia | - | Green Bay |
Pratik says: This is going to be a good game. Just about any game with quarterbacks of this magnitude turns out to be a good game. Anyway, the Eagles should come out of Lincoln Financial Field with a W, as long as they get T.O. involved in the game. Also, Brian Westbrook is proving a lot of skeptics wrong. He is carrying the load for the Eagles, and carrying it well. He has a similar running style to Duce Staley and that has helped him to gel with his offensive line. Also, he seems to have a bit more power running the ball than Staley does and has the muscle to drag two or three defenders with him into the endzone on goal-line plays. Andy Reid is just licking his chops, waiting for another run at the Super Bowl this year.
New York Giants at Washington - 4:15 p.m.(Washington -2)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Washington | Washington | - | New York Giants |
Pratik says: The football gods that be have decided to give long suffering 'Skins fans a glimmer of hope by pairing them up against the pitiful Giants. Eli Manning may be good someday, but right now, he's just fresh meat. The 'Skins defense will come gunning for him and as long as they can shut down Shockey and Toomer, Washington will be fine. On the other side of the ball, it's a toss up between the Redskins offense and the Giants defense. All the 'Skins have to do is run the ball consistently and they should be 4-8.
Pittsburgh at Jacksonville - 8:30 p.m.(Pittsburgh -3)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | - | Pittsburgh |
Pratik says: Lets put it this way, Leftwich is good, but he is no Roethlisberger. Also, Leftwich just doesn't have the defense that Big Ben enjoys or the great rushing attack. So basically, Leftwich is at a pretty big disadvantage. The Steelers will move to 11-1.
Monday November 12, 2004 Dallas at Seattle - 9 p.m. (Seattle -7)
| Izzy's Pick | Pratik's Pick | Mike's Pick | Nick's Pick |
| Dallas | Seattle | - | Seattle |
Pratik says: With the inconsistent play of Seattle, this may as well be a toss-up. One week, they look like world-beaters, the next, chumps. Anyway, Dallas has finally found some semblance of a rushing attack in Julius Jones. He squirted in and out of holes like…uh…ketchup? But then again, he was playing the Bears. If the beleaguered Seattle passing attack can find some way to capitalize on the Cowboys young and inexperienced secondary, they will win.