Pro pigskin survivor pool picks
By ASHTON GREWAL | November 29, 2007
The end is so near that potential survivor pool winners can almost reach out and grab the finish-line ribbon. Of course the real battle of wits begins now as players are left with the fat and grizzle of a once juicy 32-team NFL steak.
Have no fear, Covers is here.
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-1 ½)
A matchup of two of the league’s worst teams presents a perfect opportunity to nab a win from a cellar-dwelling club.
The Ricky Williams reclamation project is finished for this season. The former Heisman Award-winner lasted only six carries before suffering a torn chest muscle. Jesse Chapman is still nursing a sore ankle and Ronnie Brown was lost for the season several weeks ago.
Because of the rash of injuries it appears Samkon Gado will be the main running back this weekend against the Jets.
The Dolphins’ recent under trend doesn’t mean the defense is improving. The low-scoring contests are a direct result of offensively challenged opponents and poor field conditions.
Expect the Jets to rob the Fish of their best chance to end the 11-game losing streak.
Pick: Jets +1 ½
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (+3 ½)
Mike Shanahan left Soldier Field with a bad taste in his mouth. Denver’s head coach made the mistake of kicking to Chicago Bears return man Devin Hester. The result: a 75-yard punt return and an 88-yard kickoff return.
Hester was the Bears’ lone threat and his two scores cost Denver an important win in the chase for first place in the AFC West.
Shanahan and the rest of the Broncos will take their revenge out on Oakland.
The Raiders have been successful when they’ve been able to run the ball. The stats indicate they should be able to do this against Denver, which is 29th against the run. But something tells me the Raiders will struggle this weekend.
Oakland’s game plan with the football is predictable. The club tries its best to move the chains with runs on first and second down. Denver will stack the box and walk away from the West Coast with a win and an easy cover.
Pick: Broncos –3 ½
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (-3 ½)
I could have sworn I was watching another team play after observing the Vikes’ opening drive against the New York Giants. Minnesota connected on a long pass on the second play of the game for a 60-yard touchdown.
The Vikings still stuck with a heavy dose of Chester Taylor, but QB Tarvaris Jackson looked much better. Super-rookie running back Adrian Peterson returns this weekend making the ground game a larger threat. The extra punch will induce safeties to bite more often on play-action.
The Lions have now dropped three straight games and their once impressive passing attack looks very average. Quarterback Jon Kitna is being given an inadequate amount of time to find his receivers on deeper routes.
Detroit drops this contest and sees its playoff hopes evaporate.
Pick: Vikings –3 ½
AI
