Sunday, November 18, 2001
NFL picks
Jets try for eight straight against Dolphins
By DAVE GOLDBERG
AP Football Writer
The New York Jets came from 17 points behind at the half to beat Miami 21-17 last month. That was after overcoming a 30-7 deficit after three quarters a year ago to beat the Dolphins.
So, when the Jets go to Miami on Sunday to play for first place in the AFC East, they'll have a seven-game winning streak against the Dolphins. Still, New York is a 6-point underdog.
The Jets don't mind, though. All but one of their six victories has been ugly.
“We're the green monster that everybody calls ugly,” says Curtis Martin, the Jets' MVP and a contender for the league MVP award. “We're fine with that. As long as it's a W, we could be the ugliest thing on the planet and it wouldn't make any difference.”
The Dolphins aren't the prettiest team, either.
Jay Fiedler is tied for second in the NFL in interceptions, including one in the end zone late in the October loss to the Jets.
But that was a rarity. Fiedler is usually at his best in game situations as he was last week, when his TD pass to rookie Chris Chambers midway through the fourth quarter provided the winning points in Indianapolis.
The best thing going for Miami is that two long losing streaks have ended recently — the Eagles stopped a nine-game slide against the Giants and the Raiders beat the Broncos for the first time in eight.
DOLPHINS, 19-18
————
New York Giants (plus 2) at Minnesota (Monday night)
The Giants opened as favorites. Why? Maybe their 41-0 destruction of Minnesota in last season's NFC title game and the Vikings' 48-17 loss in Philadelphia last week.
The Vikings are 3-1 at home, but they don't match up well with the Giants — they can't run, don't stop the run, and give up sacks.
GIANTS, 24-20
St. Louis (minus 9) at New England
Closer than the spread
RAMS, 27-20
Indianapolis (plus 5) at New Orleans
Peyton Manning comes home with a broken jaw and without Edgerrin James.
SAINTS, 28-22
Chicago (plus 5) at Tampa Bay
You don't get as many good bounces on the road.
BUCS, 14-12
Philadelphia (minus 7) at Dallas
The Eagles' offense regresses. Doesn't matter.
EAGLES, 20-3
Tennessee (plus 1) at Cincinnati
One, as in 1-yard-line, is not the Titans' favorite number.
Make it seven.
TITANS, 20-13
Atlanta (plus 10) at Green Bay
Brett Favre started his career as a Falcon.
PACKERS, 32-13
San Diego (plus 9) at Oakland
The Chargers are coming back to the pack.
RAIDERS, 27-16
Cleveland (plus 8) at Baltimore
The Browns beat the Ravens at home.
RAVENS, 19-5
Jacksonville (plus 5) at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's win over Cleveland was the most one-sided 15-12 overtime game ever.
STEELERS, 22-6
Washington (plus 8 1/2) at Denver
Marty Schottenheimer rarely wins in Denver.
BRONCOS, 31-26
San Francisco (off) at Carolina
This is “off” because of the desperate QB situation with the Panthers.
Doesn't matter.
49ERs, 28-10
Seattle (minus 3) at Buffalo
Shawn Alexander slips to 166 after 266.
SEAHAWKS, 31-9
Detroit (plus 1 1/2) at Arizona
When the Lions finally win (and they will) it will be against a better team.
CARDS, 22-20
———
LAST WEEK: 9-5-1 (spread); 11-4 (straight up)
SEASON: 65-56-5 (spread) 82-45 (straight up)
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