[tinfw17]

HOUSTON +1.61 over Indianapolis Pinnacle
The Colts are 10-0 and they’re cruising to an easy division championship with no threats in sight. Now after a holiday Thanksgiving in which they didn’t have to worry about a damn thing, they could be very ripe to get beat. These Colts have blown away weak teams but against tough teams they’ve won by the slimmest of margins. The best thing about that is they’ve played four close games in a row that all came down to the final drive and that intensity level definitely takes its toll. The Colts are coming off a bruising 17-15 win over the Ravens last week after that memorable comeback against New England the week before. In its two previous games they barely escaped with wins over these same Texans, 20-17 in Indianapolis and a narrow 18-14 victory over the 49ers, also in Indianapolis. That’s four wins in a row by a combined 10 points and now with virtually nothing at stake, we could certainly see the Colts take a breather. It’s virtually impossible to play with high intensity every game all year long and these Colts have been pushed to the limit in four consecutive games now. Enter the dangerous Texans, who incidentally, outplayed the Colts in that 20-17 loss, and whom is sitting at 5-5. This could be its playoff lives on the line and it says here that they’ll be the more focused team and the more determined team and in the world of the NFL that will almost always get you a win. Play: Houston +1.61 (Risking 2 units).

TENNESSEE –3 +1.04 over Arizona Pinnacle
Speaking of teams that could take a “breather”, one need not look further than these Cardinals. They have a comfortable three-game lead in the division and they have games left against Detroit and St. Louis to assist them in their quest to win the division should they need it. Furthermore, they have a big match-up on deck next week against the Vikes and this one is against an AFC opponent on the road, thus, it’s not that crucial. It’s also worth noting that Kurt Warner suffered a mild concussion last week and one solid hit and he could get knocked out again. The Cards are not going to take any chance of leaving him in should that happen. For the Titans, this one is extremely crucial, as they were left for dead four weeks ago but a sudden surge has them in a position to get right back in the playoff picture with a win here. Chris Johnson is in the zone right now and is virtually unstoppable. Vince Young also poses problems with his ability to run. The Cards are good and they’re well balanced but this is not a favorable spot for them and you know they’re going to come up lame sooner or later, as they always do. This looks like the perfect spot for that to happen. Play: Tennessee –3 +1.04 (Risking 2 units).

[LLXC]

Randall the Handle

Buccaneers @ Falcons

This isn’t always so complicated. The Falcons are lousy on the road (1-5) and very strong at home (4-0). The Buccaneers are lousy everywhere. Atlanta returns to the Georgia Dome for only the second time since mid-October and will remain here for the next three weeks. If last year’s surprise playoff team wants to participate in this year’s post-season, it must put together a string of wins and it must start right now, especially with Eagles and Saints on deck. Tampa offers little challenge as it continues to shuffle coaching personnel around while working with a subpar roster. TAKING: Atlanta –11½ RISKING: 2.12 units to win 2



Steelers @ Ravens
With Ben Roethlisberger woozy after being concussed last week and Troy Polamalu still out, expect the Ravens to exploit such vulnerability like a pack of lions spotting a wounded antelope. Baltimore will not lack motivation heading into this one as a win would have them tied for second place in the difficult AFC North while a loss will put them in a difficult position for post-season activity. Pittsburgh has been less than lucrative when traveling this year with just one cover in five away games. If Baltimore’s offence and defence ever decide to show up on same day, look out. TAKING: Baltimore –



Colts @ Texans

The Texans are as tough as Jello. Laden with talent, they just can’t seem to turn the toughness corner. Even so, we’re going to call for them to finesse their way to a win here against an Indianapolis team that has been winning on a wing and a prayer. While still undefeated, the Colts have won their last four games by a combined 10 points. After bruising game in Baltimore, they must stay on the road and face a Houston team that was a wide-left field goal away from taking Indy to overtime just three weeks ago. Colts coasting with five-game lead in division while Texans are desperate. TAKING: Houston +3 ½ RISKING: 2.2 units to win to 2 Sports Interaction





THE REST

Browns @ Bengals

The Bengals were embarrassed after losing to Raiders last week. The Browns are embarrassing every week. While we fully expect Cincinnati to regain its focus, it is difficult to spot two touchdowns with a team that has exceeded 18 points just once in past six games.TAKING: Cleveland +14


Bears @ Vikings

This price may seem a bit steep considering long history with these two. However, current form has them headed in opposite directions and with Chicago adding more to its already long list of wounded, Vikes not afraid to pour it on.TAKING: Minnesota –10 ½



Redskins @ Eagles

The Redskins have been badly bitten by the injury bug and with their already limited productivity, things could get progressively worse.. However, Eagles just too erratic to be giving this many points and Washington has only lost once by more than 10 points.TAKING: Washington +9



Dolphins @ Bills

Prefer rested and playoff hopeful Dolphins to a Buffalo squad that has basically thrown in the towel. The Bills lost a couple more players last week and may also be without the services of RB Marshawn Lynch. Once a tough out here, the Bills have dropped eight of past nine at the Ralph.TAKING: Miami –3½



Cardinals @ Titans

Oddly, the Cardinals are 2-3 at home while sporting a 5-0 road record. Despite their travelling prowess and being Super Bowl runner-up, Arizona still finds itself in underdog role here. Titans definitely improved but we’re not quite ready to grant this much respect.TAKING: Arizona +3



Seahawks @ Rams

Not at all interested in giving away points with this sorry Seahawks squad that is a dismal 0-5 both straight up and versus spread on road thus far. To add to its woes, this is Seattle’s third consecutive road game. Short price is justified.TAKING: St. Louis +3



Panthers @ Jets
Both quarterbacks might provide opposing team with more points than they do their own.. When the dust settles, we expect Rex Ryan’s bunch to cause more damage as an already shaky Jake Delhomme has makeshift line in front of him.TAKING: NY Jets –3



Jaguars @ 49ers

After a three-game winning streak, the Jaguars suddenly find themselves in the playoff hunt but we’re not buying it. Jacksonville’s past three home game victories have occurred by 3-points in each case to the Rams, Chiefs and Bills. This assignment is tougher.TAKING: San Francisco –3


Chiefs @ Chargers
Chargers on a roll with five consecutive wins and now find themselves atop AFC West. This might be a flat spot for them after climb and impressive win over Denver last week. Chiefs are showing gradual improvements and figure to be better than 37-7 setback in first meeting.TAKING: Kansas City +14


Patriots @ Saints
Very quietly, the Patriots have allowed the second least amount of points in the NFL. As luck would have it, the Saints have scored a league-leading 369 points. Something has to give and that being the case, the better defence combined with a dangerous offence, while getting points is the prudent move here.TAKING: New England +3