Sunday, October 28, 2001
Curnutte's NFL picks
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Steelers and Jerome Bettis are looking to keep Monday night habits alive against the Titans.
Pittsburgh has won eight straight Monday night home games, and Bettis has rushed for an average of 112 yards a game in his nine Steelers Monday night games, including road games.
“It's the one time you get to really show yourself to the country, so I try to raise my level of play just a little bit more,” Bettis said.
In the past four seasons plus 2001, Bettis (5,832) and Tennessee's Eddie George (5,796) are Nos. 1 and 2 in rushing yards, followed by Curtis Martin (5,694), Marshall Faulk (5,474) and Corey Dillon (5,335).
CARDINALS (2-3) at COWBOYS (1-4): Dallas has won 11 in a row at Texas Stadium against Cardinals, outscoring them an average of 32-10. Not this time. Arizona's pass offense will be difference. CARDINALS 21-16.
BILLS (1-4) at CHARGERS (4-2): Doug Flutie gets a shot at the team that let him go, against the QB who beat him out for the Bills job, Rob Johnson. Flutie was 21-9 starting for Buffalo. Johnson is 8-10. CHARGERS 27-14.
JAGUARS (2-3) at RAVENS (3-3): Baltimore comes home after road losses at Green Bay and Cleveland. Wonder if Brian Billick regrets letting Dilfer go in favor of Grbac and his eight interceptions. Nah. RAVENS 17-10.
DOLPHINS (3-2) at SEAHAWKS (3-2): Speaking of Dilfer, what does this guy have to do to play? He's won 13 starts in a row, including two for Seattle, yet he's back on the bench in favor of Matt Hasselbeck and his 1-2 career mark as starter. DOLPHINS 23-20.
VIKINGS (3-3) at BUCCANEERS (2-3): Home team has won last seven meetings in this series. Tampa Bay wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson has 18 catches for 299 yards in last two games. BUCCANEERS 17-13.
PATRIOTS (3-3) at BRONCOS (3-3): Game features two former University of Michigan quarterbacks, Brian Griese and Tom Brady, the latter of whom is 3-1 as New England starter in place of injured Drew Bledsoe. BRONCOS 28-20.
SAINTS (3-2) at RAMS (6-0): Saints won two of three last season, including wild-card game, which was first postseason win in franchise history. What's different this season is St. Louis' improved defense. RAMS 31-17.
GIANTS (3-3) at REDSKINS (1-5): Coach Jim Fassel gets back to basics after late Monday night loss to Eagles. New York will continue dominance of Redskins on the ground. Running back Tiki Barber is getting more than 100 yards a game total offense in last three against Washington. GIANTS 24-10.
JETS (3-3) at PANTHERS (1-5): The Jets' fifth-ranked rush offense (Martin, 579 yards) should have its way against Carolina's porous rush defense. Martin is on pace for best season of career. JETS 22-13.
RAIDERS (4-1) at EAGLES (3-2): Reunion for coaches who were on Green Bay staff from 1992-94, Jon Gruden (WRs) and Philadelphia's Andy Reid (tight ends, assistant offensive line). Eagles' top-ranked pass defense should get better of Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon. EAGLES 18-16.
49ERS (4-1) at BEARS (4-1): This matchup hasn't meant this much since the 1980s. Niners haven't been to Chicago since their January 1989 NFC title game victory. Teams are relatively equal, with exception of SF quarterback Jeff Garcia's big-play ability. 49ERS 20-17.
TITANS (2-3) at STEELERS (4-1): Bettis and the Pittsburgh ground game face a test in the Titans' front seven. George figures to have more problems with Steelers defense that has shut him down better than any in AFC at 3.2 yards a carry. STEELERS 19-16.
COLTS 35, CHIEFS 28. I admit it. I forgot to pick Thursday's game last week, so I wrote a mental note to myself predicting a 35-31 Colts victory. Indy did win, but because I omitted my pick from the paper, I'm giving myself a loss. What's another L considering the week I had?
LAST WEEK: 2-11. OVERALL: 47-38.
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Curnutte's NFL picks 
