Week 6 NFL Tips

(Mendenhall and the Steelers get even better this week with Big Ben's return.

AP Photo/Gene Puskar)

So far it has been a terrible season for gamblers in the NFL with results being harder to predict than many could have imagined going into the season. Luckily for us, the season is only one quarter of the way through and we still have plenty of time to get back what Vegas has taken from us and profit.

Head To Head Picks (43-33)

Falcons (W) @ Eagles

Chiefs @ Texans (W)

Browns @ Steelers (W)

Seahawks @ Bears (W)

Lions @ Giants (W)

Ravens @ Steelers (W)

Chargers (W) @ Rams

Dolphins (W) @ Packers

Saints (W) @ Buccaneers

Jets @ Broncos (W)

Raiders @ 49ers (W)

Cowboys (W) @ Vikings

Colts (W) @ Redskins

Titans @ Jaguars (W)

Picks Against The Spread (34-39-3)

5U

Falcons (+3) @ Eagles

The Eagles are banged-up right now and the Falcons are rolling. Look for Turner to have a big game rushing for ATL.

3U

Chiefs @ Texans (-5)

Everyone seems scared about this line but the Texans are primed to bounce back from last week's loss.

Seahawks @ Bears (-6)

This may be the Seahawks' best chance for a road win this year having had two weeks to prepare. So it's a shame for them that they will be smothered by the Bears' D.

Ravens (+2.5) @ Patriots

I love the Ravens. Best team in the NFL right now. This will be a great game. They have too much for the Pats on both sides of the ball.

Dolphins (+) @ Packers

The Packers are so injured it's not even funny. They are just holding on right now. Miami will be looking to avenge their horrific loss two weeks ago to the Pats with a strong showing. Note: Line not out yet because of Rogers' uncertainty.

Raiders (+6.5) @ 49ers

Until the 49ers win 3 straight they don't deserve this kind of line. Ridiculous. Oakland are pesky. Close game.

Colts (-3) @ Redskins

Peyton Manning. Primetime NFL. Never bet against Manning during primetime. Enough said.

2U

Chargers @ Rams (+9)

3 road games (Chiefs, Seahawks, Raiders) so far for the Chargers this year...3 Losses. The Rams are fiesty at home. Take the points.

1U

Browns @ Steelers (-13.5)

Good luck Colt McCoy. First start ever for the rookie Browns' QB and he gets the Steelers in Pittsburg. Plus Big Ben is back. I know it's a large spread but the Steelers D should get at least one score.

Lions @ Giants (-10)

Another large spread but home teams favoured by 7 pts or more this year are 6-5 ATS on the season. So I'm playing the percentages and taking the Giants as well. They are hot right now and the Lions scored all of their points last week.

  

Saints @ Buccaneers (+4)

The Saints just aren't the team that won it all last year. This is the Bucs' chance to prove (yet again) that they are legit. Great atmosphere for this close one. Saints have no running game. Bush and Thomas out again.

Jets @ Broncos (+3)

Speaking of no running game. Broncos anyone? Against all logic, I'm taking the Broncos here. It's a gut call but on short rest and travelling west, the Jets just might be in for a letdown.

Titans @ Jaguars (+3)

There are 4 home teams that are underdogs this week. I'm taking 3 of them ATS, including the Jags. The Titans are far too unpredictable and home-dogs are 19-12-2 ATS this year. Big Mon Night game in J'ville and the Jags always love a division game at home.

0.5U

Cowboys (+1) @ Vikings

The 'Panic-Bowl'. This is too close to call so I've given it 0.5 units. The Cowboys have the better roster and Favre is really annoying me this season. Go Cowboys!

Good luck people. Let's get going this week.



Week 5 NFL Results

(San Diego's inept Special Teams were at it again on Sun in their road loss to the Raiders,

AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

What a terrible week. I'm really feeling a bit hard done by. If Crosby hits that field goal for the Packers and Favre doesn't throw that INT at the death, then I go 7-7 for the week and profit. But, that's just my luck right now. Nothing is going right at all. I know this is bound to change at some point so I'm still keeping a positive outlook on the weeks ahead.

Head to Head Picks Week 5: 6-8

Total H2H Picks: 43-33 (57%)

Survivor Pick Week 5: 0-1

Total Survivor Picks: 4-1 (80%). My streak ended this week at 4...

Picks Against The Spread Week 5: 5-9-0 (win-loss-push)

Total Picks ATS: 34-39-3 (47%)

5U

- Rams 6 @ Lions 44 (-25)

- Packers 13 @ Redskins 16 (-25)

4U

- Falcons 20 @ Browns 10 (+20)

- Saints 20 @ Cardinals 30 (-20)

3U

- Buccaneers 24 @ Bengals 21 (-15)

- Bears 23 @ Panthers 6 (+12)

- Eagles 27 @ 49ers 24 (+12.45)

2U

- Broncos 17 @ Ravens 31 (-10)

- Vikings 20 @ Jets 29 (-10)

1U

- Jaguars 36 @ Bills 26 (+4.75)

- Chiefs 9 @ Colts 19 (-5)

- Giants 34 @ Texans 10 (-5)

- Titans 34 @ Cowboys 27 (-5)

0.5U

- Chargers 27 @ Raiders 35 (+2.73)

Week 5 Total: -68.07

Season Total: -110.19

The climb back starts right now (Or else I'm screwed).



NFL Week 5 Tips

(No running game? No worries. Rodgers should torch the Redskins this weekend AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Week 5 and it's time to shine. I'm loving my predictions this week. So much so that I've added 2 units to my tally of bets ATS. But first, Head to Head and Survivor Picks...

Head To Head Picks (37-25)

- Jaguars (W) @ Bills

- Buccaneers @ Bengals (W)

- Falcons (W) @ Browns

- Rams (W) @ Lions

- Chiefs @ Colts (W)

- Packers (W) @ Redskins

- Bears (W) @ Panthers

- Broncos @ Ravens (W)

- Giants @ Texans (W)

- Saints (W) @ Cardinals

- Chargers (W) @ Raiders

- Titans @ Cowboys (W)

- Eagles @ 49ers (W)

- Vikings @ Jets (W)

Yep, according to me, only one of the four 0-4 teams will win this week and that will be the 49ers who will just scrape home over the Eagles.

Survivor Pick

Four weeks in and I'm still alive in my Survivor comp. About 1,800 people signed up and there are only 500 or so of us left, playing for a cool $1,000. I've used: Titans, Packers, Ravens and the Saints.

This week: Bengals (Come on Carson, get that offense going!)

Picks Against The Spread (29-30-3)

(The team with the bracketed line is who I like...Time to get over that 50% hurdle)

5U

• Rams (+3) @ Lions

The Rams are rolling right now behind Bradford and a fiesty defence. With Jackson feeling better than he did last week, the running game should be there too against the Lions (Jackson has 312 yards from scrimmage in two career games against the Lions). Emotionally, the Lions should be drained after last week's tight loss on the road to the Packers. This is a good spot for the Rams and, with Best not completely healthy and still no Stafford, the Lions shouldn't be giving the Rams a 3 point start. Rams win their third in a row.

• Packers (-2.5) @ Redskins

Will the real Redskins please show us who they really are? What is this team? All I know is that they've been burned through the air by Schaub and Bradford so with Rodgers and the Packers coming to town, this doesn't bode well for the Skins. The Packers have been sloppy the last two weeks and will be looking to stamp their authority as a premier team in the NFC. The Redskins, meanwhile, will be drained after last week's emotional win. No running game + Clay Matthews in McNabb's face = Redskins loss.

4U

• Falcons (-3) @ Browns

I think the Browns match up pretty well with the Falcons so I think this will be a fairly tight game. What I like here though is that Jake Delhomme is going to start in place of Wallace for the Browns. This means 'interception time' for a Falcons' D that leads the NFL in picks with 8. The Falcons are just too solid right now on both sides of the ball and, with a real shot at winning their division, they must go out and dominate games like these. With that type of mentality, I'm taking the Falcons here.

• Saints (-6.5) @ Cardinals

The exact same principle applies here. One team looking to win a tough division Vs a team in total disarray and who have an undrafted rookie starting at QB (Hall). The Saints have barely scraped by in the games that they've won this year (5pt W, 3pt W, 2pt W). Don't you think they're tired of that? The Cards have been awful on the defensive side of the ball and I think Brees is ready to pick them apart this week. Meanwhile, the offense will probably sputter with Hall making his first start. Saints by alot.

3U

• Buccaneers @ Bengals (-6.5)

Last time the Bengals played at home they absolutely somothered the Ravens. The same will happen here. Back home after a 2 week road trip, Palmer, Benson, T.O. and Ocho will be chomping at the bit to move the chains and rack up the points. This is the week I finally think the Bengals put all of their pieces together in attack. The Steelers did just that in Tampa Bay's last game, and that was with Charlie Batch at the helm (he's not that much better than Palmer is he?)

• Bears (-1.5) @ Panthers

The Bears were humiliated last week on national television. With Cutler back on his feet and feeling OK, the Bears are a must-take here at -1.5. The Panthers have lost Steve Smith (their only threat in the passing game) for the week, leaving Clausen with nothing to do apart from hand it off to Williams and Stewert (he's struggled to even do that mind you). With this in mind, the Bears D will snuff out the Panthers running game while Mike Martz and the offensive line will work things out (the Panthers only have 4 sacks). Having lost a heartbreaker last week, the Panthers are in line for a further blow. Bears on the road.

• Eagles (+3.5) @ 49ers

With Vick and McCoy out, many will be wondering how the Eagles will win this game. The bigger question is...how will the 49ers? They've lost close ones and blowouts and it's now or never for the niners. And, while I think having home field advantage in this one will get them over the line, I love the spread here for the Eagles. Bell will fill in at RB and was effective last year in an extended role with the Saints. Meanwhile, Kolb (having had no preparation last week remember) will be looking to prove that he has what it takes to make it as a starter. No better time than primetime right Kev?

2U

• Broncos (+7) @ Ravens
• Vikings (+4) @ Jets

1U

• Jaguars (-1) @ Bills
• Chiefs (+7.5) @ Colts
• Giants @ Texans (-3)
• Titans @ Cowboys (-6.5)

0.5U

• Chargers @ Raiders (+6)

Can you smell that? Smells like victory. cam_crawford@msn.com is where you can reach me. Peace out.

Week 4 NFL Results

(Why did they let me go again? McNabb was successful in his return to Phili. AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Agggghhhhh! I just can't seem to put back-to-back quality weeks together at the moment which is a shame. I was pretty unlucky this week going 7-7 ATS with a couple of my multi-unit picks failing in large part to QB injuries (Cutler and Vick). It proved to be a tough week for tiptsers as no other expert that I'm following beat me with that mark. My return to the 'green zone' (profit) is now a little further away. Nevertheless, the season is still young and my charge might just start next week.

Head To Head Picks Week 4: 8-6

Total H2H Picks: 37-25 (60%)

Survivor Pick Week 4: 1-0

Total Survivor Picks: 4-0 (100%)

Picks Against The Spread Week 4: 7-7-0 (win-loss-push)

Total Picks ATS: 29-30-3 (49%)

5U

- Jets 38 @ Bills 14 (+22.75)

- Bears 3 @ Giants 17 (-25)

4U

- Patriots 41 @ Dolphins 14 (-20)

3U

- Broncos 26 @ Titans 20 (-15)

- Panthers 14 @ Saints 16 (+13.65)

- Colts 28 @ Jaguars 31 (-15)

- Redskins 17 @ Eagles 12 (-15)

2U

- Seahawks 3 @ Rams 20 (+8.70)

1U

- 49ers 14 @ Falcons 16 (+4.75)

- Lions 26 @ Packers 28 (+4.30)

- Bengals 20 @ Browns 23 (-5)

- Ravens 17 @ Steelers 14 (+4.75)

- Cardinals 10 @ Chargers 41 (+5)

0.5U

- Texans 31 @ Raiders 24 (-3)

Week 4 Total: -34.10

Season Total: -42.12

With my current trend of profiting in odd weeks, let's hope week 5 rains money!

Week 4 NFL Tips

(J! E! T! S! Jets! Jets! Jets! Edwards and co. should roll on this week at Buffalo. AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

After a good week last time out, let's hope I continue the momentum. Here are my Week 4 predictions...

Head To Head Picks

- Jets (W) @ Bills

- Seahawks @ Rams (W)

- 49ers @ Falcons (W)

- Lions @ Packers (W)

- Bengals (W) @ Browns

- Broncos @ Titans (W)

- Panthers @ Saints (W)

- Ravens (W) @ Steelers

- Texans (W) @ Raiders

- Colts (W) @ Jaguars

- Redskins @ Eagles (W)

- Cardinals @ Chargers (W)

- Bears (W) @ Giants

- Patriots @ Dolphins (W)

Survivor Pick

So far, I've been correct each week. I've used the Titans, Packers and Ravens so they can't be chosen anymore. This week I'm taking the Saints to knock off the Panthers at home.

- Saints

Against The Spread Picks (The team with the bracketed line is who I like to cover the spread)

5U

• Jets (-4.5) @ Bills

Mark Sanchez has been great through the air the last two weeks. And, coupled with the rejuvenated L.T. and the running game, the Jets' offence is starting to roll. I know the Bills are going to get better as shown by last week's flourish, but I think they will get smothered in this match up. Jets to cover the spread away from home.

• Bears (+4) @ Giants

I truly believe in what the Bears (3-0) are doing right now. And I also truly believe in what the Giants (1-2) are doing right now. Rather than feel a letdown after last week's huge win over the Packers, I think the Bears will gain confidence from their last few wins and continue their surge in the NFC North. The Giants are struggling with discipline and cohesion and a 4 point start is too many to give to the Bears. I like them alot here in a tight one.

4U

• Patriots @ Dolphins (+1)

The Patriots have struggled in Miami recently going 4-5 in their last 9 games. And that's against some pretty average Miami teams with some pretty special Patriot teams. I really like the Dolphins here. The New England defense is terrible at the moment (33 points leaked at home against the Bills last week) and with Henne and Marshall starting to fire, the Dolphins have a well balanced offence to go along with their stiff D. The Patriots look inferior when compared to the Jets and Dolphins in the AFC East right now. Dolphins improve to 3-1.

3U

• Broncos @ Titans (-6.5)

The Broncos are in the mix right now but just can't seem to execute in the red zone in both attack and defence. Their only road game this season saw them lose to the lowly Jaguars in Week 1. That doesn't bode well here as the Titans look set to take the victory in this one. I'm not expecting a blow-out but a 7-10 point victory seems likely here as the Titans will simply be too much at home.

• Panthers (+13.5) @ Saints

When you start talking about two-touchdown spreads, you know one team is significantly better than the other. And here, this is just the case with the Saints looking in another league when compared to the Panthers. Although they won't win the game, I really think the Panthers can make this thing close enough to cover the spread. The Saints were pounded by the run last week and that's what the Panthers do best with Williams and Stewert. If they can eat-up the clock with long drives, the Saints' offence won't be able to put up too many points to be too far out of reach. Besides, Brees and co havn't looked the same this year anyway. Plus, Thomas is banged up at RB to go along with Bush.

• Colts (-8) @ Jaguars

Some may argue that this game is always close between two divisional foes. But let's face the facts here. This is not the same Jags team as a couple of years ago and, believe it or not, Peyton Manning is getting better. Now that is scary for this terrible Jags secondary who have been torched the last 2 weeks. Even if Manning only has the same receiving core as last week to work with, it should be enough to overcome the fact that they're on the road in a divisional game. Colts by double digits.

• Redskins @ Eagles (-6)

My initial thought and hope was for McNabb to march back into Phili and show the Eagles why they shouldn't have let him go. But, unfortunately, he has nothing to work with over in Washington. The running game is hopeless at the moment and the new 3-4 defence has been picked apart by the Texans and Rams in consecutive weeks. The Eagles are riding high right now and should have far too much talent at home for the Skins to cope with.

2U

• Seahawks @ Rams (+1)

1U

• 49ers (+6.5) @ Falcons
• Lions (+14.5) @ Packers
• Bengals (-3) @ Browns
• Ravens (+1) @ Steelers
• Cardinals @ Chargers (-9)

0.5U

• Texans @ Raiders (+3)

Time to profit people! cam_crawford@msn.com is where I will answer any questions. See ya on the other side of the weekend.