Four Sunday Dogs

Detroit Lions (+12) at Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota’s offense is really bad. Like really bad. The Vikes lost at home to the Dolphins last week even though the visiting side didn’t post a single point in the second half.

Miami did everything it could to lose that game, including two late fumbles that should have breathed life into Brett Favre’s corpse. I just don’t know what we’re supposed to like about the Purple People Eaters these days other than the fact that they’re playing Detroit.

The Vikes use to be able to hang their hat on stopping the run but the Fins and Saints both ran effectively against them. So now we’re talking about an offense with an aging quarterback throwing to backs and tight ends because he doesn’t trust his wideouts and a defense that’s not particularly great at anything.

Detroit quarterback Shaun Hill was a failed miracle pass away from winning straight up last year in Minny as the Niners’ signal caller. I think he’ll fair even better this time out.

Pick: Detroit

San Diego Chargers at Seattle Seahawks (+6)

I’m applying Fargo’s lesson here. Yeah, San Diego kicked the snot out of Jacksonville and yeah, the Seahawks really let me down in Denver, but that doesn’t mean this is a gimme for the Bolts.

I'm taking the Seahawks because they’re a good bet at home any time they’re catching points. Seattle is 5-1-1 against the spread in its last seven games as a home dog.

Pick: Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2.5)

The Steelers are playing with house money. They’ve shown they don’t need their star quarterback to win and now they come to Florida all fat and happy.

Meanwhile, the Bucs are constantly being reminded that their two wins came against league weaklings.

I’ll tell you what isn’t weak: Tampa Bay’s defense.

That line is fearsome right now. The defensive tackles require constant double teams and the pressure the unit gets on opposing quarterbacks is giving ball-hawking cornerbacks like Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib chances to play pick off.

I know Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau can really confuse young quarterbacks with his schemes but I like Josh Freeman’s chances of making big plays in this game more than Charlie Batch’s.

At some point, the Steelers are going to need a big third-down conversion from their signal caller and I don’t think Batch is going to be able to deliver.

Pick: Bucs
By ASHTON GREWAL
Last week: 1-2
Season record: 3-3