Week 15 picks
LW: 1-3 -2.3 stars Season: 28-20 + 11.7 stars
Dal E (8-5, 7-5-1) vs. Wsh (5-8, 5-6-2)
Skins ha ve picked it up lately and the Boys have been forced to realize their considerable physical limitations. Nevertheless, I will take the Dallas team here in the perhaps mistaken belief that Parcells will have his team ready after back to back disheartening losses to Mia. and Phi. Spurrier’s outfit is playing better these days, gaining covers in five of their last six, but they can’t be too interested at this point and Dallas needs this game for a lot of reasons, cinching a playoff spot and regaining some momentum being the two biggest.
Two stars on the Cowboys.
Bal-6.5 (8-5, 7-4-2) at Oak (3-10, 2-10-1)
If HC Bellick has a brain in his head he will run Jamal Lewis thirty times and let his defense do the rest. Raiders were finished before they started this year and the Ravens are starting to have that look they had in 2000, albeit with a somewhat weaker defense. They have allowed over twenty points four times this year and have held teams to ten or under in four games. A trip to the West Coast as a favorite is never a great situation, but if QB Wright can avoid a horrendous game, this one should come in.
Two stars on the Ravens
Den-10.5 (8-5, 7-6) vs. Cle. (4-9, 4-9)
While it is true that the Broncos have performed inconsistently at home this year, they also have rushed for some 860 yds. the past four games. They are facing a defense that has played pretty well vs. the run at times this season, but has also been shredded by Jamal Lewis and Shaun Alexander. Cleveland’s offense will find the going pretty tough vs. a Denver defense that impressed me vs. a potent KC outfit last week. Laying double digits is not a favorite position of mine, but this looks pretty good.
Takin’ the hated Broncos for two stars
StL-6.5 (10-3, 8-4-1) vs. Sea (8-5, 7-5-1)
Consecutive trips to the midwest cannot bode well for the Seahawks, who have had a hell of a time on the road anyway. The Rammies were lucky at Cle. last week, and while they are a team that is difficult for me to believe in, at home they are 5-0-1 ATS, averaging two Tds per cover.
Hard to believe the dome can stay on old Edward Jones what with all that “genius” emanating from the sidelines, but here goes.
Two stars on the Rams
