Thursday, August 31
Picks: Defense fits the Bills




After two Thanksgiving appetizers, it's time to get down to the main course.

Drew Bledsoe
Drew Bledsoe has thrown eight interceptions during the Patriots' current two-game losing streak.
Here's a look at the forecast for Sunday and Monday in the NFL.

New England (plus 4) at Buffalo: The Bills play very good defense at home. Bills 20, Patriots 13.

Tampa Bay (plus 6) at Seattle: Trent Dilfer isn't made for the Kingdome. Seahawks 20, Bucs 9.

Green Bay (minus 6) at San Francisco (Monday night): Another example of how far the 49ers have fallen. Packers 27, 49ers 6.

New York Jets (plus 7) at Indianapolis: Bill Parcells thinks the Jets might still be alive for the playoffs. Not after this week. Colts 24, Jets 9.

Kansas City (plus 2½) at Oakland: Two teams falling fast from the playoff race. Raiders 20, Chiefs 17.

Jacksonville (minus 7) at Baltimore: The Jags won 6-3 two weeks ago, setting off a crisis in Jacksonville. Jaguars 16, Ravens 3.

New Orleans (plus 14) at St. Louis: No rest for Ricky and the Billy Joes. Rams 31, Saints 10.

Philadelphia (plus 10) at Washington: The Eagles can't beat the Redskins twice in three weeks, can they? Redskins 38, Eagles 12.

Arizona (plus 4) at New York Giants: Two teams that shouldn't be alive for the playoffs but are. Giants 13, Cardinals 6.

San Diego (plus 13½) at Minnesota: Two teams going in opposite directions. This year, that probably means the Chargers will win. Vikings 28, Chargers 13.

Cincinnati (plus 10½) at Pittsburgh: The Steelers can't score at home. But these are the Bengals. Steelers 27, Bengals 3.

Tennessee (minus 10½) at Cleveland: The Titans snoozed to a 26-9 win in Nashville. Home field makes a difference. Titans 26, Browns 10.

Atlanta (plus 4½) at Carolina: George Seifert has made the Panthers good enough to beat bad teams. Panthers 24, Falcons 16.

Last week: 9-6 (spread); 12-3 (straight up). Season: 71-82-5 (spread); 96-62 (straight up).







ALSO SEE
NFL Week 12 previews

Week 12 injury report