Dipping Into The NFL - Week 6

Missed the picks last week as I spent the weekend at Edinboro University Homecoming. I only did two years of graduate school at Edinboro, but have been to six Boro homecomings compared to zero at Syracuse.

Its just a different environment compared to other homecoming celebrations. Edinboro is old school and new school. Saturday morning features a parade with floats made by the Greeks (not the ones from Athens, the ones that get paddled, circle fat parts in marker, and date rape) and a lot of drinking. There's a football game, but out of the nearly 7,000 students that attend Edinboro, about 300 of them care. And there isn't anything wrong with that, it's just Edinboro. And maybe that's why I love it so much.

True story - We were at a local bar at the start of the football game and all three televisions were showing the Edinboro game. On Edinboro's first possession they marched down the field and scored a touchdown. Out of the 75 people in the bar, I was the only one who noticed and clapped. We went to a second bar and the Penn State football game was on every television. But that's Edinboro and its more fun than you could possibly imagine.

So, here are The Dip's Week 6 picks (Home Team in CAPS and spreads based on Sportsbook.com lines). Edinboro did win its homecoming game 70-19. But not that it matters.

For the Season: 8-11-1 Locks of the Week - 2-2

Houston (+6.5) at JACKSONVILLE - Houston swept the Jags last season when the Texans were worse and Jacksonville was better. Garrard is due for a three-four INT game and the Texans will focus on stopping the run game. Take out MJD's 52-yard run last week and the Jags aren't exactly moving it up and down the field. This is way too many points in this series. Think 17-13 Jacksonville.

St. Louis (+9.5) at BALTIMORE - St. Louis might not score more than 3 points, but what has Baltimore shown to suggest they would score 13? The whopping 9 they put up on San Fran last week was pathetic. The Ravens' defense might be getting points here based on last year's performance. If Gus gets more than a second to throw the ball, Torry Holt can get open on these corners. If this were the Ed Jones Dome, St. Louis could pull the upset, but in Baltimore it could be tough. Think 15-10 Ravens.

New England (-5.5) at DALLAS - The Cowboys looked awful on Monday night and not just Romo's picks. They couldn't get any run game going and the receivers dropped too many balls. Belichick watched that game and realized that Romo couldn't read the zone coverage. That doesn't bode well for the Boys against a defense that is best in the league at disguising coverages and blitzes. Dallas will get its points, but its secondary can't contain Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Watson, and Faulk. No chance. Unless Roy Williams can horsecollar every receiver for the Pats, Brady will get another 3-4 TD game. Think 34-27 New England.

New York Giants (-3.5) at ATLANTA - I had to watch the massacre that was the Giants defensive line against the Eagles offensive line two weeks with McNabb as the starting QB of my fantasy team. Needless to say, I lost that week. What are those guys going to do against the rookie tackles of the Falcons? This could be ugly. If Petrino loses his mind and goes to the statue Leftwich at any point, they should charge him with accessory to murder cause that dude will get killed. My cell phone moves in the pocket better than that guy. With the turnovers and sacks, think 28-10 Giants.

LOCK OF THE WEEK
SEATTLE (-6.5) over New Orleans - Thought about New England or New York here but hate the road favorite as the LOTW. Plus, New Orleans is a train wreck and now the Saints have to travel across the country to play in Qwest field, one of the harder road venues to play. Plus, Seattle is home after getting shut out by Pittsburgh, pouring salt in the wound from the Super Bowl two years ago. This is going to be one pissed off Seahawks team. Think 27-17 Seattle.

BONUS LOCK
ARIZONA (-4) over Carolina - Vinnie Testaverde? C'mon. He's the best they could get? David Carr's back stiffened up on the team flight to Arizona. They probably made his sorry ass ride in coach, or a flight attendant might have sacked him in the terminal while the Panthers were waiting to board. Glad I kept Steve Smith in my keeper league over Owens and Wayne. Ugh. Think 31-6 Arizona.

Other games - Just my opinions if you want them

KANSAS CITY (+3) over Cincinnati - The Chiefs suck, but can the Bengals actually stop anybody?
CLEVELAND (-4) over Miami - Cleo Lemon, really?
Minnesota (+5) at CHICAGO - Back to Earth for Brian Griese. Cedric Benson might finish with -17 yards in this game.
Philadelphia (-3.5) at NEW YORK JETS - Can McNabb and company be this bad or do they play like they did against Detroit with Westbrook and L.J. Smith back? Here's picking the latter.
Tennessee (+3) at TAMPA BAY - Think VY has a crappy game, but can the Bucs score more than 14? That's a no.
Washington (+3) at GREEN BAY - Please, God. Seriously, please.
Oakland (+9.5) at SAN DIEGO - Division games are always close.