Thursday, August 31
Picks: Another close one for Pats, Fish




Did Jimmy Johnson's harsh words about Dan Marino spur Marino to a vintage performance in Indianapolis last week? Or was it just Dan being Dan again?

Dan Marino
Dan Marino was not afforded the glorious exit he deserved.
We'll never know, and the principals won't tell. What's sufficient to know is that it sets up a nice big game in Foxboro on Sunday when Jimmy, Dan and the rest of the Dolphins drop in on Drew Bledsoe and the Patriots.

New England, coming off its first loss of the season, is favored by two points. It would probably be more had not the normally reliable Adam Vinatieri missed a 32-yard field goal as time expired in Kansas City, keeping the Pats from becoming the only 5-0 team in the NFL.

But that's life this season -- teams that shouldn't be 5-0 won't be, and New England's first four victories were by a total of 19 points.

In the last two years, Miami and New England have met five times, including a playoff game. The Patriots have won four times, three by three points or less as Bledsoe has become a late-game quarterback on a par with Marino.

This should be just as close in a division that looks like it will come down to the final week, with the Bills also involved. Patriots 20, Dolphins 19.

Green Bay (minus 3½) at Denver: What would be more apt than Brett Favre's fourth-quarter heroics in John Elway's old home? Packers 24, Broncos 23.

Seattle (minus 1½) at San Diego): With the demise of the Broncos, these two teams are both in the AFC West race. Go with the better D. Chargers 10, Seahawks 7.

Dallas (minus 3) at New York Giants (Monday night): Deion Sanders embarrassed the Giants on Monday night last year and Jerry Jones embarrassed them the previous time they played a Monday nighter in the Meadowlands. Giants 16, Cowboys 12.

St. Louis (off) at Atlanta: Last year's Falcons play this year's Falcons. Last year's Falcons are due. Falcons 24, Rams 23.

Indianapolis (minus 3) at New York Jets: Rick Mirer's not the guy to pull a Dan Marino on the Colts. Colts 20, Jets 10.

Oakland (plus 3½) at Buffalo: The Raiders have the defense to give Dougie a few problems. But not enough. Bills 20, Raiders 17.

Washington (minus 3) at Arizona: The Washington defense revives Jake Plummer. Cardinals 41, Redskins 40.

Minnesota (minus 3½) at Detroit: It looks like the Lions need Barry after all. Vikings 20, Lions 16.

Tennessee (minus 2½) at New Orleans: The Titans keep winning small. This week they lose small. Saints 12, Titans 11.

Cleveland (plus 17) at Jacksonville: The Jaguars have only one more game left with a winning team. Jaguars 24, Browns 6.

Philadelphia (plus 7) at Chicago: Closer than it looks. Bears 10, Eagles 6.

Pittsburgh (minus 5) at Cincinnati: The Bengals come back to earth after the battle of Ohio. Steelers 17, Bengals 16.

Carolina (plus 5) at San Francisco: If anyone knows how to shut down San Francisco, it's George Seifert. Panthers 20, 49ers 19.

Last week: 3-10 (spread); 4-9 (straight up). Season: 27-39-2 (spread); 42-29 (straight up).







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