Sports: NFL Picks, Week 7

Ah, that's quite a bit better. 9-5 is pretty good, though I've yet to have a breakout week of picks this year. There were a whole lot of close games last week, though the number of surprises dropped significantly (perhaps why I did better...). On the helmet-to-helmet hits, since everyone seems to be chiming in: I have somewhat mixed feelings, but I definitely lean more towards the NFL here. As the league says (even if it is also pushing an 18-game season, which is completely hypocritical), player safety is the most important thing. Although I've never played tackle football, I can understand how the players would be frustrated that the culture of hard-hitting that they have been raised in is suddenly being frowned on (although I question players who say they were taught to make launching, helmet-to-helmet hits - sounds like bad coaching). And it would be fair to say that the NFL is being blatantly reactionary here, after several hits happened the same week. But if the NFL can clean this up, I think the players will appreciate it if their brains are not mush by the time they are 50 or even 40. Everyone's "line" is different, but the fact is that the brain is the most precious part of your body and it needs to be protected from unreasonable risk, period. I'm obviously a Steelers fan, but was surprised and disappointed by Harrison's childish claim that he was thinking of retiring. I also think that Meriweather - coincidentally (or is it?) of TTSNBN - should have been suspended for his despicable hit. Anyway, on to the picks (I don't really feel like putting in explanations this week, sorry).

Cincinnati at Atlanta: Atlanta, 21-17
Washington at Chicago: Washington, 20-10
St. Louis at Tampa Bay: St. Louis, 30-24
San Francisco at Carolina: San Francisco, 13-7
Buffalo at Baltimore: Baltimore, 41-14
Philadelphia at Tennessee: Tennessee, 17-16
Jacksonville at Kansas City: Kansas City, 28-10
Pittsburgh at Miami: Pittsburgh, 24-21
Cleveland at New Orleans: New Orleans, 27-14
Arizona at Seattle: Seattle, 21-20
TTSNBN at San Diego: TTSNBN, x-x
Oakland at Denver: Denver, 31-14
Minnesota at Green Bay: Minnesota, 28-24
NY Giants at Dallas: Dallas, 17-14

2010 Picks: 52-38