Football Picks

Maybe it's just me but the 2009 Patriots are starting to remind me of the 2003 Patriots. In 2003, the Patriots were in a state of transition. They were coming off a season when they missed out on the playoffs despite a winning record (9-7). There were doubts about Tom Brady and the offense. The defense was in the midst of rebuilding around a group of talented and young players (Eugene Wilson, Asante Samuel, Ty Warren) having cut ties with a veteran leader (Lawyer Milloy). In 2009, the Patriots are coming off a season when they missed the playoffs despite a winning record (11-5). There are doubts about Tom Brady and the offense. The defense is rebuilding around a group of talented and young players (Jerod Mayo, Darius Butler, Patrick Chung, Ron Brace) having cut ties with two veteran leaders (Richard Seymour, Mike Vrabel). Well, we all know how 2003 worked out in New England. After starting out 2-2, Brady and the Pats ripped off 15 consecutive wins on their way to the franchise's second Super Bowl. I don't know for certain if the Pats will have a similar path to the Lombardi Trophy but the end result will be the same... All picks are against the spread (courtesy of BoDog) and home team is in capitals. NCAA Wisconsin (+3) over MINNESOTA Michigan (+3.5) over MICHIGAN STATE GEORGIA (-3.5) over Louisiana State Auburn (+2.5) over TENNESSEE OREGON (-35) over Washington State Last Week: 3 - 1 - 1 Season: 10 - 6 - 1 NFL HOUSTON (-9) over Oakland Tennessee (-3) over JACKSONVILLE PATRIOTS (-2) over Baltimore Cincinnati (-6.5) over CLEVELAND KANSAS CITY (+9.5) over NY Giants Detroit (+10) over CHICAGO Tampa Bay (+7.5) over WASHINGTON SEATTLE (+10.5) over Indianapolis NEW ORLEANS (-7) over NY Jets Buffalo (-1.5) over MIAMI SAN FRANCISCO (-10) over St. Louis DENVER (+3) over Dallas San Diego (+7) over PITTSBURGH MINNESOTA (-3.5) over Green Bay Last Week: 7 - 8 Season: 27 - 20