Sunday Smash- Week 8

Welcome back to the show, hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! I can't remember the last time I flicked through so many sports games that I legitimately cared about in prime time. There was Islanders-Sabres at 7 (5-0 Isles, 3 in a row. Shazaam.) There was Notre Dame-Washington State (just an occasional score check...everyone knew this one was a gimme for the Irish.) There was Oregon-USC at the same time (a real jaw-dropping experience if you are like me and haven't exactly followed college football your whole life...I've never seen USC get the living crap beaten out of them; didn't know if it was even possible.) Finally, after the absurd storms blew out of Philly, we had game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Yankees. Between these two lineups and, more importantly, these two ballparks, this can really be a series like no other as far as balls flying over the wall. The Yankees out-muscled the Phillies last night and can ride the back of CC Sabathia to a possible 3-1 series lead tonight. If Philadephia wins, they can ride Cliff Lee in game 5 to a possible 3-2 series lead. A pivotal game 4 tonight to say the least.

But back to the sport that brings the masses to the Sunday Smash. November has arrived, and it has always been the month where the NFL really drives into high gear. Windy days, fans braving the cold, Thanksgiving, divisional matchups. Things get pretty tasty this time of year. Starting off November? Well, only Brett Favre returning to Green Bay as a member of the hated Vikings. Only the Giants and Eagles renewing their rivalry and providing a sensational appetizer to the Yankees-Phillies main course tonight. And finally, November also brings a change to thr Reilly Sports Blog's Sunday Smash section! I was getting cranky and throwing temper tantrums choosing only 5 games per week to pick. Throw in the fact that I pick the Giants and Jets games every week, and that's only 3 games I have freedom on picking each week. I don't like it. And if I can change, and You can change, everyone can change! So from this point forward, there will be a new and expanded and, hopefully, improved picks section.

Starting...RIGHT NOW! Home teams will be in black to look more spooky. Just cover, baby.

The Locals
Giants (+2) over Eagles
If you'll remember my NFL preaseason preview (I understand if you don't...please don't go back and try to look for it, it's not crucial) you will remember I picked the Eagles to beat out the Giants in the NFC East division. But there's no way Big Blue is losing 3 in a row after starting 5-0. Their home loss to Arizona last Sunday night was a bigtime hiccup, and they will be angry and motivated. The Eagles will be amped up in their own right because of the rivalry and the World Series game mentioned earlier. This one will be fun to watch.
Giants 23, Eagles 17.

Dolphins (+4) over Jets
The Dolphins out-muscled, out-coached, and out-classed the Jets in front of a national audience on Monday Night a few weeks ago. They led the ballyhooed Saints by 21 points before falling apart in the end. Before the Jets beheaded Oakland last week, they looked like a team that was injured and lost. How the Dolphins get 4 points...I cannot explain. I think the Jets pull it out very, very late. Think about Ronnie Brown's touchdown with under ten seconds left to win the last matchup. Shonn Greene does the same and sends the Jet fans home happy, though with minor heart palpitations.
Jets 21, Dolphins 20.

Across the NFL

1. Rams (+4) over Lions
We're going to start out in the pop warner division. The toxic Lions host the decrepid Rams in a game that might be pretty darn entertaining. It may be a 2-0 game, it may be a 42-41 game. Who are we to judge? With Calvin Johnson still banged up, Steven Jackson is the undisputed best offensive player in this matchup. That combined with 4 valuable points (these teams would do horrifying, vile things for 4 points) makes me a Ram Man.
Rams 16, Lions 10.

2. Ravens (-4) over Broncos
Finally, a home team. Finally, a team favored to win. I promise, one day I will believe in the Broncos. One day. I have held that ridiculous catch in week one against my Hard Knock Bengals against them for way too long. Unfortunately it rolls on into this week. Hey Denver, you are off a bye and your first two games are against the Ravens and Steelers. Go 2-0 in these games, and you can officially count me on board. Heck, go 1-1 and I'll be impressed.
Ravens 20, Broncos 7.

3. Cowboys (-10) over Seahawks
Bigger spread, MUCH bigger home stadium. After a lukeward start, the Cowboys had an early bye week, and then two home games coming out of it. Last week, they told the Falcons and the NFL world "our stadium is ridiculous, and we plan to play awesomely here." Though I like the Seahawks, they are walking into a perfect storm here of the Dallas pass rush combined with a possibly mojo'd Tony Romo.
Cowboys 31, Seahawks 17.

4. Vikings (+3) over Packers
The Favre bowl comes at 4 pm today. Some will cheer, some will boo, some may be silent, keeping their feelings in check. Once the game starts though, it's all about football. The Vikings are a better team than the Packers. Minnesota protected their home turf against the Pack earlier this year. The X-Factor? Favre wanting to make this game all about Favre. Forcing ridiculius passes, holding the ball too long, forgetting the basics that make the Vikings a successful team. Presumably, the Vikings are hoping to turn the Favre bowl into the Adrian Peterson bowl. Good luck telling Brett, though.
Vikings 28, Packers 24.

Upset Perfiction of the Week

5. Panthers (+11) over Cardinals
Yes, Arizona is at home. Yes, they beat the vaunted Giants last week on the road. Yes, Jake Delhomme has been to the Panthers what Alka-Seltzer is to birds. But eleven points? The Cardinals can lose to anyone on any given week. I still believe in Carolina--not as a playoff contended, but as a team that can compete every week. That means taking them when they are given more than a touchdown plus a field goal. They lost to Buffalo last week. They'll come in feisty.
Cardinals 31, Panthers 24


Enjoy the games everyone! See you tomorrow (with normal, non-Halloween font) for the Monday Mash.