Michael Robinson (VIP Sports)

October 27, 2004 

This article was written for, and is the exclusive property of VIP Sports 

Week 7 proved to be a turnaround for our selections. If the Broncos had actually shown up for Monday Night Football against the Bengals, it could have been a perfect 4-0 week. They didn’t however, at least mentally, and we will have to settle for a 3-1 mark. The year to date record is 13-16. 

The first win was San Diego getting three points from Carolina on the road. San Diego has been the better team all year, and the Panthers have really struggled due to poor play and injuries. Carolina running back, Stephen Davis had to sit out this one with a knee injury, and the Chargers took advantage, for 17-6 win. 

The second win was Tampa giving 6.5 points to Chicago. Chicago has really struggled of late on offense, and it seemed that Tampa Bay had more than enough firepower for a 19-7 victory. Bears’ quarterback, Jonathan Quinn has been benched after this game in favor of Ohio State rookie, Craig Krenzel. 

The third win was Arizona getting seven points from Seattle at home, and winning 25-17. Seattle has been struggling, and it figured to be a close game either way. Emmitt Smith continues to baffle his critics with another 100 yard game, and Arizona has now covered the spread at home in eight of their last ten games. 

The only loss of the week was the aforementioned Broncos loss to the Bengals. Denver was a six point favorite, but you wouldn’t know it by the tempo of the game. This was the first time Cincinnati has hosted MNF since 1989, and both sides of the ball played with an intensity that has been lacking all year. Cincinnati cruised to a 23-10 win behind 149 yards receiving from Chad Johnson.
 

New England (-3) at Pittsburgh 

The Patriots improved to 6-0 last week in a win over the previously unbeaten Jets. It was a typical New England win in that the game was close in the 4th quarter. The Jets had the ball inside the New England 30 yard line inside three minutes, but the Patriots defense came up with a big stop, and won 13-7. 

Running back Corey Dillon is 4th in the AFC in rushing and averaging almost five yards per carry. His presence forces defenses to respect the run and not just concentrate on Tom Brady. Brady hopes Deion Branch returns this week from a knee injury, but David Givens is playing like a number one receiver.  

The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-1) are coming off a bye-week and had a chance to appreciate their early season success. Rookie quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger had to step into the starting lineup and he has played like a 15 year veteran. However, the Patriots defense will try to confuse him into throwing a couple of picks.   

The Steelers are playing typical Bill Cowher football. They are running successfully with Duce Staley and playing stout defense. Pittsburgh must throw effectively this week, as the Patriots will limit Staley and force the rookie to beat them. The loss of nose tackle, Casey Hampton really hurts the Steelers’ run defense. 

The Patriots have now won 21 games in a row, smashing the league record for most consecutive victories. In that span, they are 16-3-2 against the spread. This is the Patriots’ toughest test since week one against Indianapolis, but the Patriots should be able to win by at least a field goal. Take New England. 

Pick: New England 

Detroit (+3) at Dallas 

Dallas (2-4) is now free-falling after a 41-20 loss at Green Bay. Some fans want Drew Henson to replace Vinny Testaverde but the passing game hasn’t been the problem. The Dallas defense was one of the best units in the NFL last year, but they are struggling this year, especially when it comes to stopping the run.  

To make matters worse, receiver Terry Glenn will miss at least a couple of weeks with a sprained foot. Recently acquired, Quincy Morgan could start in Glenn’s place but he is day to day right now with a hamstring injury. The Cowboys’ offense relies on their passing game due to a woeful rushing attack. 

The Detroit Lions have the inverse record of the Cowboys at 4-2. This comes after an upset road win over the Giants, 28-13. Detroit is now 3-0 on the road this year, after setting a league record with 24 straight road losses from 2001-2003. That statistic shows what a remarkable job coach, Steve Mariucci has done. 

The Lions fortunes rise and fall with their quarterback, Joey Harrington. Harrington was 18-22 with 230 yards and two touchdowns against New York. More importantly, he did not throw an interception. Rookie receiver, Roy Williams still has an ankle injury, but he is learning how to play in pain, and still excel.  

Dallas coach Bill Parcells, has publicly blamed himself for his teams’ misfortunes. Privately, you know that Parcells is looking at both player and coaching changes. This should be a close game that comes down to a field goal in the fourth quarter. We’ll take the Lions in hope that they continue their road dominance.   

Pick: Detroit 

Cincinnati (+3) at Tennessee 

Tennessee’s (2-5) 20-3 loss at Minnesota puts them dangerously close to being out of the playoff chase. Past Titans teams may have been able to make a run, but this team has lost too much talent to free agency over the last couple of years. The Titans can also blame a good deal of their problems on injuries. 

Quarterback, Steve McNair is banged up again this year, the difference is that it is affecting his play more. McNair has a hematoma in his sternum and there is a good chance he sits. Backup, Billy Volek struggled with three picks against Minnesota. Running back, Chris Brown may also rest due to turf toe.
Cincinnati (2-4) hopes they do not have a hangover from their impressive win over Denver on Monday Night. The win ended a three game slide, and now Cincinnati needs a victory on the road. The Bengals are 0-3 on the road, and Tennessee is 0-3 at home. One of those streaks will come to an end this week. 

For Cincinnati to be successful, Carson Palmer needs to avoid throwing an interception in a game for the first time this year. They could also use another 100 yard rushing effort from Rudi Johnson. The Bengals will catch a huge break if Brown is out for Tennessee, as they have played a matador run defense for most of the season.  

Cincinnati has a golden opportunity for a win, but they need to play with the same intensity they had against Denver. The Bengals started last season at 1-4, and then won seven out of nine. While no one expects a run like that, especially with a first year quarterback, Cincinnati could win this game outright.  

Pick: Cincinnati 

Oakland (+6) at San Diego

Oakland’s 31-26 loss to New Orleans last week is another crushing blow for a team that had Super Bowl aspirations heading into the year. The Raiders (2-5) are in the middle of the pack statistically, in both offense and defense, but their -12 turnover margin is tied for the worst in the NFL, with San Francisco.  

The Raiders are also hurt on the injury front. They just lost guard, Frank Middleton and wide receiver Carlos Francis to season ending injuries. On defense, Ted Washington and Charles Woodson are both questionable for this week, and the loss of either would be a big boost to the Chargers’ surging offense.  

San Diego (4-3) is coming off an impressive 17-6 road win over Carolina. Granted, the Panthers have struggled mightily this year. Quarterback Drew Brees continues to excel, having only one interception in the last five games. His biggest weapon is Antonio Gates, who leads all AFC tight ends in receiving yards. 

Chargers’ coach Marty Schottenheimer is coaching a resilient group of guys. LaDainian Tomlinson has been slowed by a groin injury, but Jesse Chapman has stepped up with a couple of big games. Receiver, Reche Caldwell is out for the year, but Keenan McCardell was acquired from Tampa, and has fit right in.

These are two teams clearly headed in opposite directions. San Diego has won three out of their last four games, and Oakland has lost four straight. The Raiders have also lost 11 consecutive games on the road. Look for San Diego to get a touchdown plus win over a franchise that has dominated them over the years. 

Pick: San Diego