STONE COLD LEAD PIPE DOCKS - WEEK 12

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here is one small play I will be doing today on Turkey Day, just to keep things interesting. I will have my regular Sunday picks up later. I really wanted to bet on the Giants today, but I swore if they didn't cover for me last week, that I wouldn't bet on them again. Knowing my luck, this will be the week they cover. Hope you guys have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Vik's Thanksgiving Bonus Pick:

2 Team 7pt Teaser:

Lions +18 Lions/Packers over 41

I know everyone is on the Packers today, but I like this teaser. Staff, CJ, KSmith and co. really showed me some heart last week in that come from behind victory. And I know it was vs the Browns, but still, that was awesome. With Staff and CJ suiting up today, I see them at least keeping this game respectable. This Lions squad doesn't seem like your old Lions anymore, and I see them at least playing hard today. I also see both teams putting up a lot of points, because both D's are really banged up. GB will take care of their share, but will the Lions? I never thought I would say this, but let's go Lions!

Here are the rest of our picks...

Vik's Pix:
(Last Week 1-5 + Thanksgiving Pick)
(Overall 22-19-1)

Dolphins -3
I know the Bills play people tough, but they have some bad matchups in this game. They also have a lot of key injuries to their squad. The Fins have a top 12 run Defense, and on top of that the Bills OLine is banged up badly, which will affect their running game. On the flip side, the Bills have one of the worst rush defenses, and to add insult to injury, they are missing their best DT, in Stroud. This is not good vs an awesome run Offense, in the Fins. I know the loss of Ronnie Brown was huge, but the Fins have two other good running backs in Ricky Williams and Hilliard. I also got to give it to up to Henne, the kid is winning important ball games. They are still in the playoff hunt, so I see them winning this game by at least a TD.

Texans +3
I don't know, but year in and year out, game in and game out, I love the Texans and always pick them. I feel bad for this squad, because I thought they deserved to win the past few weeks, but both CBreezy's let them down. The Texans have played the Colts tough in the past, so hopefully they can do it in this one. I know the Colts have a nice pass D, but they are without their best corner Hayden. Bears fans, remember he picked off Sexy Rexy in the SB? This game will be a shootout, so it will be fun to watch. Like the Ravens, now with their season on the line, they need to win this game. Let's go MATT BALDO SCHAUB!!! For the Texans, and for my fantasy teams!

Ravens -2
I really doubt Big Ben is going to play this game, so I'm putting this bet in early. He really looked lost in overtime last week, and I don't think the Steelers risk his health by playing him today. Without Big Ben, this is a totally different Steelers squad on offense. And if Dixon starts, the Steelers might try to rely on Mendenhall, who is normally solid, but is a bad matchup this week vs the Ravens run defense. On top of that, the Steelers are already missing their QB of the defense, in Troy P. Their defense has not been the same when he has been in there. For the Ravens, this is a must win. They have lost some really tough games, and if they want to make the playoffs, they will need to win this game, plain and simple.

Redskins +9
I want to take the Eagles in this one because this solid Skins D is banged up, but I'm going against all my normal matchup thoughts in this one and am just taking the pts. I will always take 10 pts in a tough divisional matchup. After I figured the Skins were dead this year, they have showed me a lot of heart. I hate Zorn, and I know Haynesworth and Hall might be out, but I still can't pick against the Skins in this one. I'm liking the pts. because I saw the Eagles barely beat my bad Bears team. I'm thinking this is a grind it out kind of division game that ends in a FG.

Jags -3
This looks like a battle of two squads headed in different directions. The Jags look like they have turned their season around, while the Niners are sputtering out of control. I thought after the Niners beat the Bears, they could string together some wins, but that hasn't been the case. Just shows how sad the Bears are too. Sad... Anyways, without Takeo Spikes being in, I see MJD having a nice day. The kid is a sick football player, and look for him to carry this Jags squad on his back today. The Niners have a lot of injuries in their secondary, so I see the Jags taking their shots down the field. Their OLines and DLines are also playing better, big things for me, so I will take them to cover in this one.


Suman's Pix:
(Last Week 1-4)
(Overall 31-26)

Packers -11

This is a direct result of the rule that bad teams don't know how to maintain success. The Lions are a bad team still. It doesn't help that rookie stud Matt Stafford is out for this one. But teams like the Lions generally don't put together 2 straight good weeks, especially on a short week. They played in the NFL's game of the year thus far, and played courageously while rallying from a 21 point deficit. But I think they get stomped this week by a Packers team that is rolling on offense. While Green Bay did lose 2 important cogs on defense for the year, I think their offense will be too much for the Lions on Turkey Day.

Bengals -14

The Browns looked pretty good on offense last week. Actually real good. Besides their last drive of the game, they pretty much did what they want when they wanted to against the Lions. But lets be honest, the Lions D is pathetic to begin with and was suffering from an injury-depleted secondary. I'm using the same theory as the Packers/Lions game in that I don't think the Browns can pull the covers over our eyes for 2 weeks in a row. This is a bad team as well. Plus you add the fact that the Bengals lost a game they shouldn't have....and I think the Bengals dominate this one.

Redskins +9

I don't really have any viable reasons for picking this game other than I don't see any other lines I like, and when in doubt I choose divisional games. I think this may be too many points to give in a rivalry game like this, between two average teams. Its true the Skins running game is injury-altered, but I think Rock Cartwright is a good runner. The defense played well last week against Dallas even without Albert Haynesworth. The Eagles played decently against the Bears. But they didn't play so amazing that you were blown away. It was nice to see Mike Vick bust that one long run, but is this wildcat really working?

Colts -3

This has more to do with how deflating that loss was against the Titans than anything else. That was a must win for the Texans, and they choked. I think they stumble outta the blocks in this one. Peyton is 14-1 against the Texans in his career, and at this point the Texans don't seem like big money players. I'll take Peyton in this one. How impressive was that win in Baltimore that week. I really think we are watching the greatest quarterback of all-time right now in his prime. It's amazing, and I'll definitely watch this game on Sunday.

Bears +10.5

See the write-up for the Skins/Eagles game. There is no reason to pick this game. But I think the Bears will keep this division game close. Jay Cutler could not have played any worse last week. The Bears definitely could have won that game against the Eagles with some average throws from Cutler, but he was throwing some horrid passes. The defense is semi-struggling without their big dawg, but its still making plays. Brett Favre has been magic in the dome, but for some reason I feel the Bears keeping this one close.

Ip's Pix:
(Last Week 2-2-1)
(Overall 23-23-2)

Chargers (-14) - the Bolts are rolling baby! Vik hates on the Chargers and my guy Rivers but this team always makes a run at the end of the season. look for LT and Co. to roll on the Chiefs, who do play hard but will not knwo what hit them this Sunday. Bolts by 17.

Ravens (-2) - This is the defining moment for both the Ravens and Steelers. The Steelers have become quite pass happy and are having trouble keeping Big Ben's jersey clean. This game is going to be a classic grind it out slug fest but I believe the Ravens will prevail. I also think Big Ben will not finish the game. Ravens by 7.

Saints (-1.5) - Pats and Saints is gonna be fun to watch. To offenses that can light it up and WILL light it up. I just don't see anyone slowing down the Saints. They have such harmony in the way they play right now that it they can win whatever style of game it is. Plus the Superdome is just impossible for road teams. Look for the Saint to win by 10.

Colts (-3.5) - the Colts have been good to me all year and I will show faith in them even though this seems like a trap game. manning will find a way and will cover the spread. Colts by 6.

Redskins (+9) - NFC East games are tough battles, and I just think 9 points is too much to be giving the Redskins. I think the Eagles will win but it will be by a much slimmer margin. Take the Skins here.

Gluck everyone. Stop in with your thoughts or comments...