STONE COLD LEAD PIPE DOCKS OF THE WEEK - WEEK 4

I'm going to go off the topic real quick. As you can tell by our weekly Minka pictures, we are huge Minka and Friday Night Lights fans. So, if you haven't read this article, check it out asap. It talks about the show and our boy Zach Gilford from Evanston aka Saracen the QB. Our favorite part of the article? A high school friend tattooed "Pip 33" on him in honor of Scottie Pippen, and his dog is named Pippen. Now if you know me, I am a huge Bulls fans, and I especially am one of the World's biggest Scottie Pippen fans! I'm serious. Every password or signature I have has 33 after it, pretty much because of Pippen. Hopefully I get to meet him one day. Anyways, that article just took my love for Minka and FNL show up ten notches, so be sure to check it out soon.

That being said, today is FRIDAY, and with football right around the corner, we are back with our picks of the week. Last week in the NFL was solid as usual. We saw the Bills, Giants, Jags, and Bucs come from behind to win. Thanks Bears thanks, for that heart breaking/ bone headed loss. The Broncos and Saints game didn't disappoint with a nice shootout to watch. Thank you to my Cutler and Brandon Marshall combo for my fantasy league. The Boyz, Ravens, SHawks all waxed. The Vikings got their first win, the Lions struggled as usual, and the Eagles beat the Steelers in a tough defensive battle. We also saw the stunner of the year with the Fins crushing the Pats. Whoever had the Pats in a survivor league last week, my condolences.

Now back to the picks...Last week IP went 2-3 bringing him to 7-8 overall, and I went 3-2, bringing me to 9-6 overall. Hopefully we can get a little streak going starting this weekend. Gluck!

IP'S PIX: (Last week 2-3) (Overall 7-8)

San Diego at Oakland (Chargers -7) - A left coast battle in the AFC WEST. Lane Kiffin's boys have all sorts of distractions surrounding the coach and Big Al Davis. They have a improved defense and some talent on offense with Mr. McFadden. The Chargers just got too much though. Phillip Rivers is stepping his game up to lead his team from an 0-2 start. Honestly this team should be undefeated and are peeved that hey are not. Look for a whopping on the left coast. Chargers 35-17

Arizona at Jets (Jets -3) - The magical Kurt Warner let me down last week against the Skins.....he is having a magical season as the second highest rated QB in the league. Winning on the road though in the NFL is tough..... especially with a well coached team like the Jets. Look for Favre and the J-E-T-S to R-O-L-L in this game. Jets 28-17

Washington at Dallas (Skins +12) - America's team is the best squad in the L right now. Romo has the offense humming and the defense is sound also. They got the swag going but alas they play in the NFC East. Jason Campbell has really impressed me this season. He has improved from last year and I feel this will be the difference in that will prevent the Cowboys from covering. Cowboys 24-14.

Denver at Kansas City (Denver -9) - No need for a huge explanation here....even though its a division game KC has nothing on offense. Jay Z Cutler is the truth. Broncos in a waxing. Denver 35-10.

LOCK OF THE WEEK


Green Bay at Tampa Bay (Packers -1) - The Packers have really surprised me this year...I thought they would be a Cinderella team and fall apart but it appears they have the stuff to be a contender in the NFC. Aaron Rodgers has show a lot of poise and is playing like a veteran. I like this team on the road against a tough and scrappy Tampa team.
Packers 21-17

VIK'S PIX: (Last Week 3-2) (Overall 9-6)

Vikings at Titans(Titans -3) - I've been riding the Titans all year long, and that won't stop this weekend. Yes the Vikings got a much needed W last week vs a good Panthers team, but they were at home, and the Panthers blew a lot of chances in that game. While Gus F is a lot better than TJax, this will be his first game on the road, and the Titans got an incredibly just sick defense. They are going to confuse, bruise, and batter Gus F in this one, and their D can definitely contain an ailing Apete(hammy). Kerry Collins is the right choice at QB, and look for him to continue his winning ways this weekend. Combine that with the Titans ball control offense, and two solid running backs who can stay fresh vs the Vikings solid run defense, and I think the Titans win this one by at least a TD. Until the Titans let me down, and the Vikings prove they are legit, I will stick with what I know best, and that is the Titans at home.

'Skins at 'Boys (Skins +12) - I know this is a dangerous play, but right off the bat I'm loving getting 12 pts in a division rivalry game. I also love the fact that JCampbell has really come a long way from Game 1 to now, and their offense seems to really be opening up. I look for the Skins to control this game with Portis on the ground, and then take some deep shots with Moss and RE in between. The Boys played a solid game last week, and that is why I think the number is inflated. While the Boys have been pretty much unstoppable this year, I think the Skins can contain the Boys running game a little bit in this one. I see this as a usual Skins Cowboys game, with a lot of big hits, good defense, and a close outcome. I see the Boys pulling out the W but over 10 pts is just wayyy too much for me to pass up to take.

Ravens at Steelers(Ravens +7) - Yes I know the Steelers are coming off a tough defeat on the road at Philly and are going to be amped up in this home game. And yes I know that the Ravens are starting a rookie QB and are on the road. But getting 7 pts in this game was just too much to pass up. The Ravens D is back, and they always put on a show under the bright lights, and this is exactly that. MNF vs a division rival. Look for their hatred of the Steelers and their defense to keep this one close. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Ravens even win this game straight up. Big Ben is still ailing, FWP is out, the Steelers OLine is suspect, and they have some other injuries they are dealing with. The Ravens will play Ravens football, by running the ball all day, winning the Special Teams battle, and by playing great defense. We all remember the Ravens vs the Pats from last season, and how much pride this D takes in itself playing on National Television. Look for Ray Lewis and the boys to be ready for the Steelers in this one.

Broncos at Chiefs (Broncos -9) There once was a time when the Chiefs were amazing at home, and never lost. Unfortunately for them, those times have changed. They will be starting their fourth QB in four games, and the Broncos are coming to town as probably the HOTTEST team in football right now. While LJ got back on track last week, I just don't see the Chiefs having enough firepower to hang with the Broncos in this game. I know 9 pts is a lot, but I expect the Broncos to bomb the Chiefs by at least a couple of TD's. Last week the Chiefs got lit up by Ryan to Roddy White, so what do you think is in store for them this weekend when Cutler and Marshall come to town? Please tell me who is going to stop Cutler to Marshall for the Chiefs? Unfortunately for them, no one. This one is going to be a rout. Maybe take the Broncos for the half in this one too, if you bet halves.

Chargers at Raiders(Chargers -7) - The Chargers showed me something on MNF this week, and that was that they are a solid all around football team that can overcome adversity. Even though they lost two heart breakers in a row, and even though they have been hampered with a ton of injuries, they have not given up, and are playing with a lot of heart. I personally don't like Rivers, but he is playing great football, and I look for that to continue in this one. LT also proved he was back with a great game on MNF, and him and Rivers and co. might be too much for the Raiders too handle. The Raiders are playing a lot better right now, but the Chargers are just too good of a team for them to defeat in my opinion. The Raiders also just have too much going on with their Owner, that it is pretty sad/ridiculous for their players, coaches, and fans. I bet the Coach and the Assistant Coaches are even wondering when the ax is coming down, and that is probably preventing them from doing a great job when it comes to football. Definitely a sad state of affairs in Oakland. And we thought the Bears had it bad.
Anyways, look for the Chargers to win big in this one.

GLUCK EVERYONE!!!