Atlanta at New Orleans, (NO LINE) 1:00pm
The Prophecy: We don't know which Billy Joe will be starting for the Saints. Hobert had has neck wrenched while scoring the Saints only TD. Expect Billy Joe Tolliver to start. He didn't do much last week. Tony Graziani also suffered a concussion and is questionable. But Danny Kanell actually engineered some offense. There really is no compelling reason for the Falcons to win other than Super Bowl teams don't go 0-5 and the Saints are bottom feeders. It will be tight, but Atlanta finally gets one.
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: FALCONS/POINT SPREAD PICK:
Chicago at Minnesota (-13), 1:01pm
The Prophecy: The line is as high, but Nostradamus remains very optimistic on the Vikings. They showed signs of busting loose last week before Tampa Bay's D' tightened up. Watch the scoreboard roll as the Vikes win 38-7. LOCK IT IN!
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: VIKINGS/POINT SPREAD PICK: VIKINGS
Cincinnati (-3) at Cleveland, 1:00 p.m.
The Prophecy: Interesting match-up for two reasons. Now that Ohio State has lost two already, winner of this game has bragging rights in the Buckeye state. Also, 2 of the 3 top draft picks, QBs Tim Couch and Akili Smith are starting. At this juncture, Cleveland still seems to climbing the learning curve, allowing the Bengals to get the best of them -- this time. It will be within a TD or even a field goal. Cleveland will return the favor when they meet again. X-Factor: The Bengals may be playing hard to save Bruce Coslet's Job.
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: BENGALS/POINT SPREAD PICK: BENGALS
Dallas (-9.5) at Philadelphia, 1:00 pm
The Lock-Prophecy of Nostradamus:
Birds of prey struggle before a vile mob,
The Stars once again master over putrid Green.
Ineptitude of all squads proves fatal to the Corpulent General,
His future as commander awaits to be seen.
The Author's Thoughts: How wretched is the Eagles offense. In the last 15 quarters, the Eagles defense has scored 11 points while the offense managed 12. In essence, the Eagles offense has not engineered a TD, via sustained drive, all season. Their defense is actually improved over recent years, but the Cowboys will capitalize on Eagles turnovers to put it out of reach early. Expect to see #2 pick, Donovan McNabb generate a TD or 2 during garbage time, but Dallas crushes the Eagles 38-14.
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: COWBOYS/POINT SPREAD PICK: COWBOYS
New England at Kansas City (-2.5), 1:00 p.m.
The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
The revolutionists quell the doubtsayers,
Through subduction of the Crimson in their house to cause grief.
The great Bledsoe will reign from afar,
And by a pair of breaches conquer the Chief.
The Author's Thoughts: Kansas City's overall team mediocrity will outweigh their powerful home team edge. New England has, for now, established a running game with Terry Allen. And the great Ben Coates remains underutilized with Terry Glenn going wild. Drew Bledsoe has lots of targets and he's hitting them with chilling accuracy. Why are the Pats underdogs here? New England is a Nostradamus Best Bet!
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: PATRIOTS/POINT SPREAD PICK: PATRIOTS
Pittsburgh at Buffalo (-6.5), 1:00 pm
The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
Blood is visible in the northern lake,
The errors of the Iron arm leads to shocking chagrin:
A triumph easily acquired by threatening Bison,
The general of grand mandible is devoid of grin.
The Author's Thoughts: Nostradamus remains very bullish on the Bills. Their defense is punishing and Doug Flutie is a capable field marshall who keeps the team out of trouble. It must have been '80s punk rock retro-day at Three Rivers last Sunday. Did you see Kordell Stewart keep doing "The Safety Dance." When was the last time you saw two safeties in one game. Buffalo can cover this spread and then some.
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: BILLS/POINT SPREAD PICK: BILLS
San Diego at Detroit
(-3.5), 1:01 p.m.The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
The competition of upstarts yields large corridors for Leo,
Cubits of territory captured by Batch.
A signal triumph in the city of Machines,
For Steed -- their effort fails to match.
The Author's Thoughts: Nostradamus sees an exceptional game for Charlie Batch. The Lions are tough to beat at home. Last year, the Chargers won their first away game only to lose their next 7. They won their first road game this year, so their quota is spent.
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: LIONS/POINT SPREAD PICK: LIONS
San Francisco at St. Louis, (NO LINE) 1:00 pm
The Prophecy: While those touting the changing of the guard in the NFL will scream St. Louis, the 49ers have not lost to the Rams in years. While we still don't know the status of Steve Young, Jeff Garcia played smart against the Titans. The running combo of Phillips and Garner seems to be working out to. Remember, the combined record of the three Rams victims is 2-10. They haven't played the likes of the Niners and fail in this test.
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: 49ERS/POINT SPREAD PICK:
NY Giants at Arizona
(-3), 4:05pmBy the city in the great Desert,
The visiting gigantics are crushed unto smithereen.
The rouge birds' Plume shows flashes,
He leads them as three and one beats fourteen.
The Author's Thoughts: This is the Ugly Bowl. The Giants and Cards both gave their game ball to the Eagles offense in their disgusting wins over that awful team. I think Kerry Collins is in for a long and painful day. Jake Plummer should have a breakout game, finally. Nostradamus is so confident about this outcome, he even predicts the score.
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: CARDINALS/POINT SPREAD PICK: CARDINALS
Baltimore at Tennessee
(-7), 4:15 p.m.The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
Where rising powers gather in the southland,
The Titanic are unkind to choleric crows.
They use an elder hand -- victory ensured,
Another setback puts the visitors hopeful campaign into death throes.
The Author's Thoughts: Even in defeat, the Titans gave San Francisco all they cold handle. They have all the look of a playoff team. As for the Ravens, they remain an enigmatic team. Tennessee wins by 2 TDs.
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: TITANS/POINT SPREAD PICK: TITANS
Denver at Oakland (-7), 4:15pm
The Prophecy: The latest doomsday predictions have Denver going 3-13. With Terrell Davis out for the year, there isn't much to contradict this. But wait. Bubby Brister guided Denver to 5 wins last year. And RB Derek Loville is not Davis, but he can be a 1,000 yard runner. Finally, coach Mike Shanahan hates the Raiders with all the hate in the world after Al Davis' treatment of him when he was coach there. Look at it this way, four times Nostradamus looked to Denver to win as a favorite only to be disappointed. It only stands to reason that they should win now that they are 'dogs.
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: BRONCOS/POINT SPREAD PICK: BRONCOS
Miami and Indianapolis (-2.5), 4:15 p.m.
The Prophecy: Dan Marino had some proper counseling by Jimmy Johnson. He and the Dolphins are going to bounce back and give the Colts a beating. Indianapolis is improved, but they couldn't beat New England and they won't beat Miami. What business are they favorites? The Dolphins are Nostradamus' Dog of Distinction!
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: DOLPHINS/POINT SPREAD PICK: DOLPHINS
Tampa Bay at Green Bay (-6), 8:20 pm
The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
The Pirate crew will halt the verdant band,
Blood stains on habits of silver.
They will not be daunted by Lambeaux influence,
And helped by true tosses of Dilver.
The Author's Thoughts: Warren Sapp is back. With him, the Bucs defense can be brutal. It's about time that they bring their A-Game on both sides of the ball. The Pack somehow seems beatable these days. The Bucs pull off the upset...sez Nostradamus.
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: BUCS/POINT SPREAD PICK: BUCS
Monday, Oct. 11
Jacksonville (-3) at New York Jets, 9:0 pm
The Prophecy of Nostradamus:
The great cats will exact revenge from a prior tournament,
Their armor is of strong caliber and on the rise.
Green-clad men will be driven across the swamp,
Lack of strong arms factor in their demise.
The Author's Thoughts: New York sorely miss the services of Vinnie Testaverde. But at least Rick Mirer is not the bust everyone thought he would be. Sorry, it's still not enough for the Jets; they are just plain toast this year. Jacksonville punished Pittsburgh with a damaging defense. But don't expect much from Fred Taylor, who's been nicked up for the past few weeks. They miss him; the Jaguars, particularly Mark Brunell, played carelessly on offense. The Jaguars seem to be able to find ways to win -- the mark of a Super Bowl contender. Jacksonville is another Nostradamus Best Bet!
STRAIGHT-UP PICK: JAGUARS/POINT SPREAD PICK: JAGUARS