Email this article
Printable version
FLC's Clarke voted RMAC coach of year
The Green Side of Life
Gridiron Guru
The Guru keeps a scroll of new moons that traces back to medieval times. My attic's full of haunted relics, and my library's stocked with memoirs penned by history's great seers.
So what gives, spirits?
Have I not deprived myself of a month's food just to read your signs in the constellations? Is my misery some wicked comfort to your cosmic existence?
Despite centuries of devotion and countless sacrifices to the powers-that-were, the Guru went 8-5 and 5-8 against the spread last week, while upstart Peter Carey of Durango beat Gina Aspromonte in a tiebreaker to win the Gridiron Green in his first attempt of the season.
Carey said he doesn't have any kind of system or advice for other players, "just pick with your heart."
Heart? I gave up mine for the '74 Super Bowl pick ...
Monday
Steelers at Broncos- Pittsburgh would seem to present many of the same problems as the Ravens, but there are two key differences between this game and Denver's 30-7 loss in Baltimore: 1. Although Ben Roethlisberger has completed more than 70 percent of his passes and is on pace for 4,713 yards, passing defense is the forte of the Broncos' refurbished defense that (still) ranks No. 1 in the NFL. 2. Denver wasn't playing at home on the heels of a motivating loss that, to paraphrase Mr. Carey, lit a fire under their (ahem).
Guru:Denver 21-19; Vegas:Steelers by 3.
Sunday
Redskins at Falcons- Atlanta is unbeaten in three games at home this season and gave the mighty Saints a run for their money Monday night, but they have conceded 39 more yards per game (379) than they have gained (340). It might be a product of a tough schedule, but it also might be an indication the Falcons are due for a swan dive.
Guru:Atlanta 23-17; Vegas:Falcons by 10.
Cardinals at Bears- Another team without a home loss, Chicago faces a squad that suffered a tough start to the season, looked fantastic on a three-game win streak that included road wins against the Giants and Seahawks, then lost 34-21 to the Panthers last week at home. The more you know about this one, the less you know.
Guru:Chicago 35-27; Vegas:Bears by 3.
Ravens at Bengals- Baltimore allowed 100-yard rushers for consecutive weeks before again buckling down against the Broncos to look like the Super Bowl contenders that began the season 3-0. The Bengals, meanwhile, sit atop the AFC North with a 5-2 record after crushing Chicago 45-10 prior to last week's bye. Not for long.
Guru:Baltimore 24-0; Vegas:Ravens by 3.
Texans at Colts- Indianapolis, winner of its last 17 regular-season games, has won 13 of its last 14 against Houston. Both teams are likely to air it out, with Matt Schaub hoping to best Peyton Manning and the NFL's No. 1-rated passing attack to push the Texans' win streak to four.
Guru:Indianapolis 42-28; Vegas:Colts by 10.
Dolphins at Patriots- Tom Brady and Chad Henne have the same pedigree - unheralded late draft picks from the University of Michigan - but that's where the comparisons end. The Patriots have averaged 100 yards more per game than the Dolphins and given up 43 less. Miami, however, has scored six wins against New England since the Patriots dynasty began in 2001.
Guru:New England 21-13; Vegas:Patriots by 11.
Packers at Buccaneers- Although he just got out-Favred at Lambeau Field, Aaron Rodgers still leads the league with a 110.4 rating in a great year for quarterbacks. At 0-7, Tampa Bay has little hope of stopping him.
Guru:Green Bay 34-10; Vegas:Packers by 10.
Chiefs at Jaguars- Kansas City got back to its losing ways after a win against Washington, but Jacksonville's lackluster passing attack is the perfect foil to the Chief's woebegone secondary. Maurice Jones-Drew is averaging 5.5 yards per rush, and the Jaguars would be advised to put the ball in his tiny hands more often.
Guru:Kansas City 14-9; Vegas:Jaguars by 7.
Lions at Seahawks- Seattle's two wins have come by a combined score of 69-0. Outside of that, they've looked atrocious. To their credit, the Lions have been consistently atrocious for two years now, preventing the Rams from matching their team-record 19-game losing streak with a 17-10 loss last week.
Guru:Seattle 19-17; Vegas:Seahawks by 10.
Panthers at Saints- The only team to hold New Orleans under 27 points was the No. 1-ranked New York Jets defense, and the Saints scored 24 against them. Nobody has kept them below 35 at home, and Carolina isn't about to start.
Guru:New Orleans 45-20; Vegas:Saints by 13.
Chargers at Giants- New York has lost three in a row after a 4-0 start, with Drew Brees, Donovan McNabb, Kurt Warner, and now Philip Rivers all taking turns against their vaunted pass defense. The Giants will no doubt be amped up, but are they worn out?
Guru:San Diego 30-27; Vegas:Giants by 5.
Titans at 49ers- Alex Smith has put together two solid efforts in a row as San Francisco's starter du jour, now he's charged with exploiting one of the league's worst pass defenses. By the by: Chris Johnson - not Adrian Peterson - is the NFL's leading rusher with 824 yards on an astonishing 6.9 yard-per-carry average.
Guru:San Francisco 24-20; Vegas:49ers by 4.
Cowboys at Eagles- Similar teams with a rich recent history, the Cowboys hold a narrow edge with a more prolific rushing attack headed by Marion Barber.
Guru:Dallas 25-21; Vegas:Eagles by 3.
Bye weeks go to Buffalo, Cleveland, Oakland, St. Louis, Minnesota and the New York Jets.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
advertisement
A beautiful 640-acre ranch with great views of the Black & Barble Mtns. Only 25 mins east of Cortez, gateway to the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde & the Ute Tribal Park. Here, in the archaeological heartland of the US, vast cultural resources & outdoor recreation opportunities await your discovery. Bordered on 3 sides by thousands of acres of BLM lands, this ranch is an exceptional hunting property. $875,000
Durango Herald Calendar of Events
