Earning my professional status

I did this once before, a couple of weeks ago where I picked the Top 25 college games that were on the board on Saturday (going 12-10 if memory serves me correctly).  Well time to try my hand at the professional game and see how I do.  The lines are reflective of the curent listing on ESPN.com and the point spreads are based on the home team.  With that stipulation out of the way, let's see what the NFL has on tap for us this fine, fine Sunday.

Houston @ Cincinnati (-5.5) - When was the last time Cincy was this big of a favorite?  That being said, most of their games have been close contests this year, decided by a touchdown or less (one loss by 5, four wins by totals of 7, 3, 3 and 3), if you are giving me 5 and a half points I am taking Houston +5.5.

Detroit @ Green Bay (-14.5) - That is a lot of points, but Detroit is playing without Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith is also banged up, so I will lay the 14.5 and take Green Bay.

Baltimore @ Minnesota (-3) - Defense, defense and more defense in this one.  After having their streak of not allowing a 100 yard rushing performance by a back snapped last week at 35 games, I look for the Ravens to make Adrian Peterson pay for that.  This is why the Vikings got Brett Favre, to win games like this one, here is saying they can't.  I'll take Baltimore +3.

NY Giants @ New Orleans (-3) - Battle of undefeated teams, the issue with New Orleans in recent years was they could score points but couldn't stop anyone.  While the defense is better this year, it still isn't that good, I am taking the Giants +3.

Cleveland @ Pittsburgh (-15) - Which Cleveland team will show up, the one that took Cincinnati to overtime two weeks ago before losing, or the one that saw Derek Anderson complete 2 of 17 passes last week.  Tell the truth it doesn't matter, both Cleveland teams suck, Pittsburgh -15 for me.

Carolina @ Tampa Bay (+3) - What happens when the movable force meets the resistible object?  Anyone with the stomach to sit through this game may find out, for me I am not sold on rookie QB Josh Freeman and Tampa Bay's defense was on the side of my milk carton this morning.  I'll take Carolina -3.

Kansas City @ Washington (-6) - Scarily as bad as the Redskins are this year (averaging less than 15 points a game), a win here and they are a 3-3 ball club.  And they are 2-0 at home.  I hate to give away 6 points when a team is this bad offensively, but with Kansas City (0-5) I will make an exception, I am taking Washington -6.

St Louis @ Jacksonville (-10) - In 5 games St Louis has scored a total of 34 points.  If this was almost any team besides Jacksonville they might have taken the game off the betting board completely.  Jacksonville -10.

Arizona @ Seattle (-3) - In Seattle's two wins this year they shut out their opponents (28-0, 41-0), in their three losses they have lost by an average of 12 points.  Can they shut out Arizona?  I say thee nay, which means a twelve point loss could be in the offing, so give me Arizona +3.

Philadelphia @ Oakland (+15) - I just realized something, this is the fourth double digit favorite I am taking.  Then again, Oakland couldn't stop my grandmother from crossing the street on a don't walk, there is no way they are stopping Philadelphia.  Philly -15.

Buffalo @ NY Jets (-9.5) - It is never a good sign when the only news in Buffalo is whether or not they are going to trade their biggest off season free agent acquisition (Terrell Owens).  Then again, as the baseball adage goes, we can lose without him just as easily as we lose with him.  NY Jets -9.5.

Chicago @ Atlanta (-3.5) - Let it be said here Atlanta is just better at the skill positions on offense, Roddy White is better than Devin Hester, Tony Gonzalez is better than Greg Olsen, Michael Turner is better than Matt Forte and Matt Ryan is better than Jay Cutler.  Those four are worthy of taking Atlanta and laying the 3.5.

Denver @ San Diego (-3) - This screams of being a trap game, Denver is undefeated and catching points?  The obvious choice is Denver, so I am taking the bait.  Denver +3.