Tackling Week 7 of the NFL (Legally of Course)

It was an interesting week in the NFL world. Instead of talking about a number of great games coming up this weekend, all of the talk was centered on helmet-to-helmet hits and the three large fines issued by the league. My stance is that the NFL needs to clearly draw a line from what is and is not a helmet to helmet shot. They also need to do this after the season is over and give the players a chance to learn and adapt to the rule. For what’s it worth, James Harrison’s and Dunta Robinson’s hits were not clearly done with malice or intent. Both looked like good football plays for the most part. Brandon Meriweather’s hit was dangerous, unnecessary and flagrant. I do not understand how the three hits could be treated equally by the league the way that they were, or how the league could implement such large fines with no precedent. In the end though, it gets back to a much larger picture.

The NFL, at least those that run the league, realizes that it is at the absolute height of its powers right now in terms of popularity and dollars. They realize that it won’t last forever, just as boxing, baseball, horse racing and others have slowly faded to where they are today. That is why the NFL continues to look for ways (such as the 18 game schedule) to expand, grow revenues and take advantage of its current popularity. The NFL does understand, however, that its gradual descent to its eventual place in our culture would speed up immensely if a tragic event occurs on their watch. Eventually, somebody is going to die on the football field from paralysis or a head shot that causes severe brain damage. The players are simply too big, too fast and the collisions are too intense. The popularity of the sport will take a big hit if and when this happens, but the fallout if the NFL were not to try and do something before to prevent this occurrence would be impossible to recover from.

Football is a violent sport, and will forever be. That does not mean it needs to be ignorantly violent. Getting hit in the head will happen, just as it does in every sport, but taking every measure to prevent these shots is absolutely imperative by the league office. The argument which is “that’s football” is ridiculous. The game is meant to be played with the hands and shoulders. Everyday there are backyard football games with no pads that feature big hits, blocking and good tackles that do not involve intentional head to head hits. College and professional football began without the use of helmets and then evolved to the use of helmets with no facemasks. Head to head contact was never intended to be part of the game. The NFL needs to step in and do their part to alleviate the game from these hits before it is too late. They also need to do it in a more professional manner in the offseason working alongside the Players’ Association.

Not to make light of the subject but speaking of taking hits to the head, that’s what it felt like last week watching my picks fall apart. Nine different games came down to the final few minutes last Sunday, at least in terms of the spread, and I ended up losing five of them and pushing two more leaving me with a 5-7-2 record for the week (40-45-5 overall). That 5-7-2 very easily could have been an 8-6 week or even better. I feel much more confident now that week five was the fluke that I thought it was and nothing more. It hurt to have all of those close losses, but those things happen and tend to even out over the course of the year (or so I keep telling myself). That means I am due for a big week, let’s get to it…

(Home teams in caps.)

Pittsburgh (-3) over MIAMI – Ben Roethlisberger was ok in his first game back from suspension. I suspect a breakout performance this week.

Cincinnati (+3.5) over ATLANTA – I think Atlanta duped us into believing they were a little better than they really are after winning a tough game in New Orleans. I think Cincinnati has us believing they are worse than they really are after blowing a home game to Tampa Bay. The truth of the matter is that both of these teams find themselves playing close games every week where luck often becomes a factor. Atlanta is slightly better, but I’m guessing this one comes down to a field goal.

BALTIMORE (-13) over Buffalo – Does Buffalo score?

San Francisco (-3) over CAROLINA – Sorry, not backing a winless team starting a rookie QB getting only a field goal. This very well may be the game Carolina gets its first win, but I think there is a better chance the 49ers are beginning to figure things out.

Washington (+3) over CHICAGO – Washington has played pretty much every game down to the wire and I think that continues this week in Chicago.

Jacksonville (+9) over KANSAS CITY – This is why picking games on Friday is tough, not to mention the line is probably nowhere near where it ends up. That is because of the uncertainty of David Garrard at quarterback for the Jaguars. If you can get the Jaguars at +9 right now though, jump on it, because the Chiefs are not nine points better than anyone no matter how improved they are.

NEW ORLEANS (-13) over Cleveland – Colt McCoy is expected to start again for the Browns and despite actually playing ok in his rookie debut the Browns were still able to manage only 10 points. Brees and company are too tough in their dome.

TAMPA BAY (-3) over St. Louis – The Rams pulled a shocker last week by upsetting the Chargers at home but they are a completely different team on the road.

TENNESSEE (-3) over Philadelphia – Philly will miss DeSean Jackson’s playmaking ability and Chris Johnson breaks another big run. The Titans win this one in a close game.

SEATTLE (-5.5) over Arizona – Max Hall, an undrafted rookie quarterback, travels to Seattle and one of the hardest places to play in the NFL. I’ll take the ‘Hawks.

Oakland (+8.5) over DENVER – Despite being 2-4 the Raiders have only been blown out once this year in the opening week. Not sure who is going to start at quarterback for them this week, but whoever it is we know the Raiders will play hard and compete. This is too many points, even in a tough place like Denver.

SAN DIEGO (-3) over New England – San Diego is 2-0 at home and 0-4 on the road both straight up and against the spread. Eventually the Chargers are going to get rolling and what better way to kick that off than by beating one of your AFC rivals.

Minnesota (+3) over GREEN BAY – I have decided that Mike McCarthy is no longer worth backing unless the situation is obvious. Plus I really like what I have seen from the Vikings the past two weeks. Brett Favre is going to win another one in Lambeau.

DALLAS (-3) over New York Giants – This is going to be the beginning of Dallas’ turnaround, at least I hope so for my preseason NFC Super Bowl pick.

College Football
Michigan St -5.5 over NORTHWESTERN
LSU +6 over AUBURN
IOWA -6 over Wisconsin
Nebraska -5.5 over OKLAHOMA STATE
Georgia +4 over KENTUCKY
Oklahoma -3 over MISSOURI