Dave Hackenberg's picks

11/28/2004

A 1-1 Thanksgiving Day was part turkey, part dressing for Blade pro football writer Dave Hackenberg, who goes back to work picking winners, against the point spread, for the rest of this weekend's NFL games:

Cleveland (+5 1/2) at Cincinnati: Apparently, Browns have time to save Butch Davis' job. Is that a good thing? Pick: BENGALS.

Baltimore (+7) at New England: Kyle Boller is improved, but Jamal Lewis is iffy, and patched-up Patriots find a way. Pick: PATS.

Philadelphia at New York Giants (+7): Eagles can lock up division, but Eli pulls a Peyton and delivers a thriller. Pick: GIANTS.

Tampa Bay at Carolina (+2): Two improving teams, the points at home might be the difference. Pick: PANTHERS.

Washington (+11) at Pittsburgh: No pressure on Big Ben, as the 'Burgh defense could well pitch a shutout. Pick: STEELERS.

Jacksonville (+6) at Minnesota: Jags defense is stout, but Randy Moss makes a splashy return for Minnesota. Pick: VIKINGS.

San Diego (+3) at Kansas City: NFL's biggest surprise faces the league's biggest bust. Pick: CHARGERS.

Tennessee at Houston (+1 1/2): David Carr bounces back from poor performance against Packers. Pick: TEXANS.

New Orleans (+9 1/2) at Atlanta: That's a lot of points, but Mike Vick will make it no contest. Pick: FALCONS.

Buffalo (+5) at Seattle: Gut feeling, nothing more, nothing less. Pick: BILLS.

Miami at San Francisco (Pick 'em): Yawn. Pick: DOLPHINS.

New York Jets at Arizona (+3): Jets may be 7-3, but they're not a particularly good 7-3. Pick: CARDINALS.

Oakland (+10 1/2) at Denver: Mike Shanahan takes another bite out of old boss Al Davis. Pick: BRONCOS.

St. Louis (+5 1/2) at Green Bay: MNF at Lambeau Field is one of our Favre-ite things. Pick: PACKERS.

Thanksgiving: 1-1. Season: 87-74.