Bob Balfe
NFL Football
Chiefs/Broncos Over 47
The Broncos have proved they can score, but they cant stop teams either. Kansas City is in need of a matchup against a soft defense. Arrowhead is always a tough place to play, but these are not your same dangerous Chiefs so I don't think it will slow Denver down. Kansas City will be without cornerback Patrick Surtain and really look to have no answer for Denver. KC will be going with Huard at QB today and I think he will be able to spark this offense for the first time this year. Look for a lot of points. Take the Over.
Bengals -3.5 over Browns
Ohio Football doesn't have much to cheer for these days. The loser of this game will be end their playoff hopes today. I like what I saw out of the Bengals last week against the Giants. The defense stepped up and the offense ran the ball and controlled the clock well. The Browns are a mess. There will be a QB change today and Cleveland has a ton of injuries on both sides of the ball. Both starting WR's are hurt. Stallworth wont even play in the game and on the other side of the ball Shaun Rogers is banged up, both outside linebackers are hurt and they have a weak and very young secondary. The Bengals are at least healthier on offense and at home should get the victory.
49ers +4.5 over Saints
The Saints will be slowed down on offense with FB Karney and TE Shockey out of the lineup. This really will effect the short passing and running game. The Saints starting LG Nesbit is out on a drug suspension and the LT Brown is banged up. WR Patten is also hurt. San Francisco is healthy and Frank Gore should run all over this weak defense. J.T. O'Sullivan should also have a huge game. This San Francisco team is very underrated. Take the 49ers.
Panthers -7 over Falcons
Atlanta has impressed me this season, but Matt Ryan on the road will struggle against a tough Panthers team at home. 3 of the 4 defensive linemen for the Falcons are on the injury list. They all probably will play, but they will not be 100%. The Falcons offense is very young which will allow the Panthers defense to confuse them all day and force turnovers. Atlanta has two very young corners which wont be able to keep up with Steve Smith when he gets into the open field. Look for Carolina to dominate. Take the Panthers.
Cowboys -11 over Redskins
These two teams hate each other and I personally think this is the biggest rivalry in the NFC. Dallas is going to put up their points, there is no doubt about that. The question will be if the Redskins can match them. I just do not think Jason Campbell has the big play ability in his game yet. Washington will be without their defensive leader Jason Taylor today. The Dallas O-Line is so much bigger than the Redskins D-Line which will open up the running game. Dallas should have no trouble scoring and should run away with this game around halftime. Take the Cowboys.
Bears +3 over Eagles
The Eagles injuries on offense are as bad as it gets. McNabb will be returning to his home town, but will not have the offensive weapons at 100%. The entire Eagles backfield is banged up or not playing. The Eagles have key players hurt on the offensive line and receiver injuries. Last week the Bears blew the game against the bucs when they committed a personal foul in overtime. Instead of the Bears getting the ball back around midfield the Bucs continued their drive and won the game. This Bears team proved it could play of the big stage when they beat up Indy on the road this year. I do not see how the Eagles will be able to put up many points. The Bears have a lot more experience up front then the Eagles do on defense and should be able to be two dimensional in running and passing to win this game. Take Chicago.