Author: Michael J. Martinez

Did anybody else have the Benny Hill song in their head as the Colts tried their fake punt against the Patriots last week? It was a masterful work of bumbling about, somehow even more pie-in-the-face than the last episode of Doctor Who, which needless to say, I didn’t like very much.

Speaking of bumbling, let’s hear it for the Seahawks and Giants, two teams with the opportunity to begin breaking out of the pack and failing worse than Stormtroopers at target practice. I’m particularly disappointed in the Seahawks, whose offensive line is letting more folks in than the crumbling walls of Helm’s Deep.

Now, on with the picks. (Winners in italics.)

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Finally, a decent record! Took far too long, but then this season’s been a bit off. The usual suspects have been struggling, and formerly bad teams got good. Parity — more than just an empty word, apparently.

Still, the good teams you expected to be good remain, well, good. The Patriots are playing like a team possessed, though not Poltergeist-possessed, more like chip-on-shoulder possessed. They always have chips on their shoulders. You know, nobody’s really disrespecting you, Pats. Y’all play fine ball.

Denver also remains good, though Peyton Manning has little to do with it, surprisingly. I’m a huge Manning fan, and it’s been incredible to see his career unfold. But this year has seen a deep, depressing downturn in his play. He’s still got the mind for the game, but it’s the defense that’s carrying the team, not Manning’s arm. Honestly, it’s disconcerting — like seeing the Thing from Fantastic Four join the Guardians of the Galaxy. Which is a thing that happened, so I’ve read. Weird.

Anyway, on with the picks. (Winners in italics.)

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