Bad break for Pittsburgh

You've got to feel a bit bad for Pittsburgh right now and any who started Willie Parker for their fantasy championship game only have him injured on the first play of the game against St. Louis. Losing the NFL's leading rusher is not going to help the Steelers in the playoffs two weeks from now; especially if they have to face a tough defense like Jacksonville's.

Dallas (-10.5) at CAROLINA

If I actually bet on or even picked Cowboys games, I would take the Panthers in this one. Romo's thumb injury and a line that high seems like a good combination to me. Also, apparently, the Eagles game wasn't the first that Jessica's attended this season meaning that it's just a bad idea for Tony's girlfriend du jour to attend home games against Philly.

Packers (-8.5) over BEARS

With Kyle Orton at the helm again and the Packers fighting for home-field advantage it's hard to pick against Green Bay. It may be a close game just because these two teams are bitter division rivals, but I doubt it.

Browns (-3) over BENGALS

Really? only three points for a possible division winner against a floundering 5-9 team? Would anyone not take the Browns here?

PATRIOTS (-22) over Dolphins

The Pats have had a string of close games recently but since they're playing against the nearly winless Dolphins at home in a cold-weather scenario, it's easy to think that 22 points is too low of a line.

Texans (+7) over COLTS

The Colts should be resting their starters about halfway through this one. The Texans are talented enough to keep it close against the Colts second-stringers.

LIONS (-5) over Chiefs

Two teams that have some serious off-season thinking to do. I wouldn't put money on either team but a pick has to be made. And whatever happened to the Lions team that was leading the league in interceptions a few weeks ago? What happened to that defence?

VIKINGS (-6.5) over Redskins

Interesting fantasy development of the week: I have Chester Taylor starting while my opponent has Adrian Peterson. I'm sure he has an advantage here but this makes for a very interesting carries-oriented subplot. Who gets more and who's in for goal-line TD vulture dives? Please let it be Chester.

SAINTS (-3) over Eagles

The Saints have something to play for, the Eagles don't. It's as simple as that.

BILLS (+3) over Giants

Can you actually believe that the Bills will lose with Kevin Everett in attendance? Any emotional boost like that can do wonders. Also, I'm not so sure that the Bills deserve to be the 'dog in this one; the Giants are choking and Elisha's playing on the road.

JAGUARS (-13) over Raiders

Maybe next year Oakland... Maybe next. And how about the Jags being the best five-seed in recent memory? A 12-4 wild card team is scary for some week division winners like the Browns, Chargers and beaten up Steelers.

Jets (+8.5) over TITANS

When anyone questions why Vince Young isn't performing as well as last year, why is the first and only answer not "the Madden Curse"? All this hub-bub isn't for nothing people.

Bucs (-6) over NINERS

The Niners are a sad, sad team.

CARDINALS (-10) over Falcons

Kurt Warner's playing for a 2008 contract. At least I hope he is for the sake of my beloved Coney Island Whitefish.

SEAHAWKS (-10.5) over Ravens

I will never argue against Seattle at home. These Ravens just keep on finding ways to lose as well.

Broncos (+8.5) over CHARGERS

The Broncos still have some fight left in them and shouldn't be given this many points. As for the playoffs, the Chargers might get that first-round win but they're not even coming close against Indy or New England on the road.

This week: 0-1
Last week: 5-10
This season: 100-99-9