Hale's NFL Picks

NFL Picks

What happened in Week 9?

This week, the Best Bets continued their roll, and yes, Hale was wrong about Green Bay. Hey, the Bucs had 196 total yards, and the Pack passed for over 61%, and they STILL can't cover 17? Puh-leeze.

The Over/Unders continued their winning ways, going an astounding 7-2.

Best Bets (last 7 weeks): 10-4

Quick Recap of Week 9's Games

• "As much as Hale's been a believer in Carolina all season, this is Eagle team that has momentum and will be focussed on beating a Panther team that's ho-hum on the road." Result: the Eagles cover easily.

• "The Colts just don't seem to have an answer to the Washington offe which, among other things, averages 7.4 yards per pass (#2 in NFL) and makes very few mistakes." Result: Washington averages 7 yards per attempt and makes no INTs or fumbles in this victory.

• "Pittsburgh rolls up over 300 yards in a laugher." Result: Pittsburgh rolls up 311 yards, but gets sacked 4 times and coughs the ball up.

• "Dallas' rushing defense should be semi-effective, but Hale's expecting the probable return of Marino to spark the #4-ranked pass completion offense (61%) to an upset victory." Result: The Cowboy rush defense is effective, limiting the Fish to 48 yds on the ground, but Miami couldn't buy a completion as the upset doesn't come through. Waah.

• "Hale wouldn't be surprised at all if the Oilers upset and win outright." Result:Oilers SHOULD'VE upset, if they knew how to run a 2-minute drill...and why doesn't McNair start?

• "Hale takes the points and looks for a spirited Bengal team to cover." Result: Bingo.

• "However, after going to a reliable and trusty source, Hale takes the Giants and puts Magic 8-Ball back in the drawer." Result: One of the bigger upsets of the day. But not as big as...

• "Yet, for some reason, Hale goes with his gut (does that make it a gutsy prediction?) and is looking for the Jets to upset and score their first outright win of the season." Result: Jets pull off the unlikely upset, winning by 10.

• "Hale leans slightly towards the Chiefs." Result: Hale's caught leaning -- 10 yards penalty.

• "A small play on the Ravens." Result: The 6-point spread leaves Hale fit to be tied.

• "The Chargers win by a touchdown." Result: Wait... 4 I-N-Ts and Seattle STILL wins by 20?

• "Green Bay might actually score 50 in this one, but don't let impressionable small children watch the gory carnage." Result: Hale would rather not talk about it.

• "Hale looks for the same result as the last two times Buffalo's played tough competition (Dolphins and Steelers): a lop-sided loss, (and that doesn't even count the revenge factor)." Result: When was the last time you actually saw a Hale Mary work in the pros?

  Best Bets (last 7 weeks): 10-4

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  Week 10 Picks

  Every game handicapped in e-mail
  • Vikings + 1.5
    With KC as a RoadFav against the NFC, they're 6-2. In road games with tight spreads, KC's 9-4 (4-0 if favored). The Vikings are 9-1 as HomeDogs (4-0 lately). All HomeDogs that were HomeFavs which lost are 15-6, going back 15 years. This Minnesota team, though, has had some tough company visiting (Packers and Carolina), and has beaten them both. While the Vikings may not have an answer for Marcus Allen and his running buddies, their under-rated defense is expected to do a job on KC, who may be caught looking ahead to the Packers next week.

  • Buffalo/Washington UNDER 40

  • New England/Miami OVER 42

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  As you probably already know, past success is not a guarantee of future results. While many hours of preparation and research go into each week's picks, Hale provides no warranty, implied or express, for their success. And anyone who can guarantee you a win is either lying or has ties to organized crime.

  
  
  Last revised on 27 Oct 1996