Don's Crystal Ball Week 4 Picks

[thedon]

THE DON'S

Crystal Ball

2009 SEASON

WEEK 4 PICKS

By DonCanabis/D'BOYZ

Analyst/Godfather

Ok the bye weeks have started we usually complain about this early bye’s I for one believe they should ran from week 6-12 instead of 4-10, it’s a long season so getting a week’s rest in midseason is a huge advantage. But, it’s a fact that this bye couldn’t come at a better time for 3 of the teams. Philadelphia will get the time to have their offense back healthy; Carolina and Arizona will use the break to regroup before their season goes to the toilet.

Ok some Quick Hits from last week.

•The thing with Washington is that I believe Zorn is doing too much; he’s the HC, OC and QB Coach. For a first time HC that hasn’t even been an OC it’s a big pill to swallow, rookie HC with no or little experience usually have someone too lean back on. Tomlin has LeBeau, Harbaugh had Ryan and McDaniels has Nolan to name a few, to be successful you need someone with experience to guide you at first.

•I do believe this is Zorn last year as a HC in Washington no matter what the result is at the end; too much money spent in this franchise to produce and too many hot names Head Coaches available.

•We complain of how many coaches changes we see each year, but it’s impressive what a new coach with a new approach can do to a team, Rex Ryan in NY, Nolan with the defense in Denver, and Singletary in SF to name a few.

•I don’t get what they’re doing in Tampa they drafted a QB in the 1st round to be their Franchise QB and when they decide to make a change in QB they go with the other backup. They know this is a rebuild year, so why not give the young kid some playing time if he’s the future?

•Teams are overdoing the Wildcat with little to no success. If it’s not part of your regular package like it is in Miami and you plug a gimmick player to run it and take away the QB teams are prepared for it. Do you understand Philadelphia?

•I think it’s ironic that The Eagles at one point had 4 capable starters Qb’s in their rosters and teams like Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Oakland and others can’t find 1.

•Raise your hands if you believed that after 3 weeks Pittsburgh and Tennessee would have a combined record of 1-5; and Cincinnati with Denver a 5-1 record. That’s the NFL got to love it

On to the games

Tampa Bay at Washington -7 Ovr/Und 37

Washington has been able to move the ball but when it’s time to get it in the endzone they’re just falling short. TB is looking for anything that will get their offense started; Johnson before last week had taken zero snaps. I expect Washington to come out and show off to their crowd after last week’s debacle.

Straight: Was

Spread: Was

Ovr/Und: Und

Tennessee at Jacksonville 3 Ovr/Und 41.5

One of these teams finally showed up last week and it wasn’t who I expected. I’m worried about the Titans loss of their DC I didn’t thought it would hurt as much because of the talent they have but man teams have passed all over them. This game means the season for the Titans I don’t see them giving this one up.

Straight: Ten

Spread: Ten

Ovr/Und: Ovr

Oakland at Houston -9.5 Ovr/Und 42

Houston is 0-2 at home where they used to be really good, their defense is a joke but worse that the Texans defense is Oakland’s offense that’s just nonexistent. I still don’t get why they let go of Garcia before the season well maybe they will call him after this week’s loss.

Straight: Hou

Spread: Oak

Ovr/Und: Und

Cincinnati at Cleveland 5.5 Ovr/Und 38.5

Well Cincinnati showed up what I expected after week 1. To think this team could be 3-0 if not for a wacky last second play. I don’t get Manginni he’s giving the starting job to Anderson the guy had 3 int coming from the bench the same amount Quinn had in all the 3 games he played. Comeback Player of the year Cedric Benson .Come on! Usually players go to teams like the Bengals to end their careers not start it.

Straight: Cin

Spread: Cin

Ovr/Und: Ovr

Seattle at Indianapolis -10 Ovr/Und 44

Peyton is playing just out of this world right now, Seattle not only doesn’t travel well but they are playing with their backups. Wallace played better than I expected and they put Chicago in trouble but we’ve seen what Peyton can do in 40 seconds ask Miami.

Straight: IND

Spread: IND

Ovr/Und: OVR

New York Giants at Kansas City -8.5 Ovr/Und 42.5

Every week it looks more and more that my 8-8 prediction for KC was more of a pipe dream. NY defense finally showed up last week. Injuries have taken their toll to the Giants, good thing they face one of the worst olines in the business.

Straight:NYG

Spread: NYG

Ovr/Und: Und

Detroit at Chicago -10 Ovr/Und 39

I’m still not convinced with the Bears. They won a game they shouldn’t against the Steelers and they almost lost a game that they should have won easily to the Seahawks. Their defense is hurt and their offense hasn’t found their Identity, Detroit is playing better each week and I expect them to at least put a fight.

Straight:Chi

Spread:Det

Ovr/Und:Ovr

Baltimore at New England -2 Ovr/Und 44.5

I expect Baltimore to look in what their old coach Rex did to stop Brady a few weeks ago in use it. New Englands offense finally showed up last week to win a game they had to, but their defense is still not what it used to be. One thing is for certain these aren’t the ‘07 Patriots.

Straight: Bal

Spread: Bal

Ovr/Und: Und

Buffalo at Miami-2 Ovr/Und 37

Both these teams have fell short in crucial times. Buffalo defense is hurt and Miami lost one of their Chad’s I don’t know if that was such a bad thing because it just looked like Miami didn’t trust the old Chad that much. What’s been worse for Miami is that their defense hasn’t played to their level. This is a division match so I expect the home team to take care of it.

Straight:Mia

Spread: Mia

Ovr/Und: Ovr

New York Jets at New Orleans -7 Ovr/Und 45.5

Sanchez has played really good but he has had the chance of having one of the best defenses in the game, so he hasn’t had to carry this team to a win yet. New Orleans have found they don’t need Brees to throw the ball for 1000 yards each game for them to win and their defense is playing a lot better take the home team.

Straight: NO

Spread: NO

Ovr/Und: Ovr

St. Louis at San Francisco -9.5 Ovr/Und 37.5

First call Singletary received Monday morning came from Marvin Lewis and he only said “Coach, God it hurts doesn’t it”. Did you ever believe that a team would look better with Boller as your QB? Well that was the Rams for you last week. San Francisco didn’t only lost the game but 80% of their offense last week.

Straight: SF

Spread: StL

Ovr/Und: Und

Dallas at Denver 3 Ovr/Und 43

I’m one that believes the honeymoon is over in Denver, looking at their next few games this team could easily go to the bye 3-3. Don’t get me wrong they have showed me way more that I expect them but their true challenge begins this week. Dallas has to play smart football last week’s game shouldn’t even be close to many dumb penalties killed their drives. They still have to fix a lot of things.

Straight: Dal

Spread: Dal

Ovr/Und: OVR

San Diego at Pittsburgh : -6.5 Ovr/Und 43

I don’t know what to think of this game San Diego is hurt all over the place and the Steelers offense can’t protect Ben and can’t open any holes for the running game. But I just can’t see the SB Champs falling 1-3 somehow they will win this game but as we’ve seen this year it will be close

Straight:Pit

Spread: SD

Ovr/Und: Und

Green Bay at Minnesota : 3.5 Ovr/Und 45

At first I thought Green Bay would take this game but their oline can’t protect Rodgers and their defense even if they’re better than last year they haven’t been as good as we all expected. In the case of Minnesota I still have question on paper they look great but they beat two easy teams like they should and they needed a Favre miracle to win against a good team last week. I’m still just not sure about them.

Straight:Min

Spread:Min

Ovr/Und: Ovr

Hot Picks (10-8) 55%

Dallas (league)

Baltimore (league)

Cincinnati (league)

St. Louis

Detroit

Tennessee

[BengalszoneBilly]

Glad to see you over here from Cardinalfreak Don!

[BengalszoneBilly]

Cincinnati at Cleveland 5.5 Ovr/Und 38.5

Well Cincinnati showed up what I expected after week 1. To think this team could be 3-0 if not for a wacky last second play. I don’t get Manginni he’s giving the starting job to Anderson the guy had 3 int coming from the bench the same amount Quinn had in all the 3 games he played. Comeback Player of the year Cedric Benson .Come on! Usually players go to teams like the Bengals to end their careers not start it.

Straight: Cin

Spread: Cin

Ovr/Und: Ovr

Benson WILL be the difference in this game.

Baltimore at New England -2 Ovr/Und 44.5

I expect Baltimore to look in what their old coach Rex did to stop Brady a few weeks ago in use it. New Englands offense finally showed up last week to win a game they had to, but their defense is still not what it used to be. One thing is for certain these aren’t the ‘07 Patriots.

Straight: Bal

Spread: Bal

Ovr/Und: Und

I'm definitely hoping you're wrong on this one. Not that I have any love for New England, I'm just hoping Baltimore doesn't gather too much momentum.

[thedon]

yeah I decided it was time to visit some other teams boards... Benson has been a huge surprise I for 1 I'm impressed

[BengalszoneBilly]

yeah I decided it was time to visit some other teams boards... Benson has been a huge surprise I for 1 I'm impressed

Wait until he goes for 100+ against the Browns!

[HoosierCat]

So much for that who TEN thing, tho. Wow, have they gone to crap or what?. Fisher could be out soon...

[thedon]

So much for that who TEN thing, tho. Wow, have they gone to crap or what?. Fisher could be out soon...

I've lost all my faith with that team I'm 1-3 with them 0-3 when i've picked them to win the game. too much talent awful execution.

I've got to take my perception of each roster out of the window it's really hurting me.

[Ickey44]

yeah I decided it was time to visit some other teams boards... Benson has been a huge surprise I for 1 I'm impressed

Wait until he goes for 100+ against the Browns!

Still waiting...