THE Silverdome always has been Brett Favre’s personal house of horrors, a place where he’s been chased down, smacked around and picked off. That will change tomorrow.
In the past, loud, enthusiastic crowds have spurred on the Lion D’s Favre hunt, but now there’s only derision in Detroit over an 0-9 team that has given up an NFL-worst 262 points, including an unconscionable 45 to the Cardinals.
The Pack’s home loss to the Falcons last week brought the spread in under a TD, a small price to pay for a good, angry team that needs the game.
The pick: Packers -6 1/2.
Broncos (-6 1/2)
over COWBOYS
Denver offense looked dead after Rod Smith went out vs. Skins, and he’s not expected back here. Still, like Packers, the Broncos need the game, are the better team and come with a bargain spread.
SUNDAY
Raiders (-2 1/2)
over GIANTS
Broadway Joe and Mark Messier never made another guarantee. So instead of going back to that well, perhaps Jim Fassel should be spending his time figuring out how to turn fumblin’, bumblin’ Kerry Collins back into the guy who won the NFC title game 41-0 in January. And Giant secondary, lit up by David Boston and Randy Moss, is in for it again vs. Tim Brown and Jerry Rice.
Ravens (-3) over JAGUARS
When Mark Brunell’s hurt, the Jaguars are unbettable. And Brunell is hurt. So a shaky nod to the Ravens to become the NFL’s most flawed 7-4 team.
BILLS (+5) over Dolphins
Bills have been feisty in recent losses to Pats and Seahawks, clearly not mailing in rest of season, and you have to wonder if Miami’s resignation over not being able to beat Jets will have any carryover.
Steelers (+2) over TITANS
Steve McNair is playing great football right now, but with bodyguard Brad Hopkins hurt, he’s in for tough day against the new Steel Curtain.
49ers (+3) over COLTS
With Jerome Pathon out and Reggie Wayne likely missing, too, Peyton Manning will have to ride Marvin Harrison, who will be a marked man. And how, exactly, will Colt defense stop Jeff Garcia?
Seahawks (+1 1/2)
over CHIEFS
Bye week won’t help KC, which at 2-7 is long out of it. Trent Green has been the biggest waste of money in the NFL this season. Shaun Alexander rolls on.
Redskins (+8)
over EAGLES
If Marty Schottenheimer can win in Denver with Kent Graham throwing a TD to Zeron Flemister, why can’t he cover a surprising, all-you-can-eat spread in Philly?
Falcons (-3) over
PANTHERS
Somehow, without Jamal Anderson, Dan Reeves would have Falcons in playoffs in season ended today. Win at Lambeau was real eye-opener.
BROWNS (-6) over Bengals
Number’s a little pricey, but don’t expect Jon Kitna and Corey Dillon to get much done against the ballhawking Brown D in the Dawg Pound.
PATRIOTS (pick)
over Saints
Tom Brady’s in a groove with Troy Brown and David Patten, and Bill Belichick will be bringing blitzers from all angles in an assault on Aaron Brooks. This Patriot team is good and getting better fast.
CHARGERS (-7)
over Cardinals
Not usually a profitable move to bet on a Cardinal winning streak. Doug Flutie’s been bad, but he should get Freddie Jones back and will enjoy an afternoon against the Arizona D.
VIKINGS (-3) over Bears
This column’s characterization of the Vikings as a poorly coached dog of a team with no heart obviously was wrong. So let’s try: Minnesota is a dangerous, streaky team that’s answered its wake-up call just in time to make a playoff run.
MONDAY
Bucs (+10) over RAMS
Bucs almost won at TWA Dome in NFC title game two years ago and beat Rams in Tampa last season on Warrick Dunn’s three TDs, so it’s a good matchup. Rams also took big physical pounding in New England Sunday night.
BEST BETS: 49ers, Redskins, Bucs.
LAST WEEK: 9-6.
BEST BETS: 2-1.
