Ah the constraints of time in the universe. Such is life, but I am checking in just in time to let you know that I was 9-5 straight up last week (67-35 overall) and a sparkling 10-3-1 against the spread (54-46-2) although I did stumble on the over/under at 5-8-1 (57-42-2). I’m beating the hell out of Vegas, but take your own chances on betting this is just for entertainment purposes. Arizona (2-4) @ Dallas (4-3): Fella’s feeling DAL -7.5/under 40

All I can think about here is Jake Plummer leading his Cardinals against these ‘Boys in a monstrous playoff upset to essentially end the era of the Triplets. These days Snake (or Fake if you believe the critics) is in Denver and Aikman is in the booth. We’re left with McCown against Bledsoe. That really isn’t the biggest factor though. This defense that the guys with the star on their helmet have assembled is good. I felt like it would be and it has come along very well. I know Boldin and Fitzgerald are good receivers with the ability to hurt the secondary deep, but without a ground game to speak of I don’t see that happening. It hurts not to have Julius Jones, but they have made good with his backups so far and will again in this game: Dallas 23, Arizona 12

Cleveland (2-4) @ Houston (0-6): Fella’s feeling HOU -2/over 37.5

The running joke is that no team in the city of Houston has won a game in a while now. Their Astros were swept out of the World Series and after that disappointment all the fans can look forward to is the Reggie Bush Derby also known as losing for the sake of retaining the #1 draft spot. No one will admit to throwing away a season, but at this point being so clearly out of the race you certainly could understand a team shutting down a guy like Andre Johnson or David Carr feigning an injury just to hold onto what is left of his confidence and ego. Trent Dilfer is holding onto his starting job by a thread and at least his shaky team has two wins, but they are pretty weak too. In the pit of my stomach I feel I will regret this pick and hop on a flight to Texas so I can personally slap Dom Capers, but we’ll give it a ride: Houston 24, Cleveland 20

Jacksonville (4-2) @ St. Louis (3-4): Fella’s feeling JAX -3/over 42.5

This game will be marked more by who will not play more than who will. Bulger, Holt and Bruce are expected to miss the game for the Rams while Fred Taylor could sit out for the Jaguars. Obviously that means you will see Leftwich open up in the air while Steven Jackson counters on the ground for the home team. The difference to me is coaching and defense. In both cases I favor Jacksonville. Del Rio has his team doing the little things to win games while Vitt is babysitting a ship that seems ready to sink. I wish more people would recognize what a fine player Leftwich is instead of slobbering all over Vick: Jacksonville 26, St. Louis 19

Minnesota (2-4) @ Carolina (4-2): Fella’s feeling CAR -7.5/under 44.5

I would love to see the Vikings turn things around because I, like a lot of people, expected them to make a move in the post-Randy Moss era. Instead they have crumbled in every imaginable way. John Fox runs a tight ship for the Panthers and in a battle of wits with Mike Tice this is really no contest. Daunte should be taking over games, but instead he is making excuses. Delhomme to Smith is a fantasy connection and while their running game isn’t statistically great they should be able to move it well here: Carolina 28, Minnesota 14

Washington (4-2) @ NY Giants (4-2): Fella’s feeling NYG -2.5/under 42

As far as I’m concerned, both of these teams are still relatively weak and limited in what they can do. The Redskins must shut their opposition down to have a chance to win. On offense they really only hurt you with Santana Moss and Clinton Portis, the latter of which scored his first 3 touchdowns of the season last week against San Franciso. With the Giants playing for their fallen owner I think the emotion will carry them. They have a more versatile offense with Barber, Shockey and Burress if he is healthy enough to play. On defense you can expect them to be flying to the ball left and right. It is enough to carry them to a heartfelt victory: NY Giants 16, Washington 12

Chicago (3-3) @ Detroit (3-3): Fella’s feeling DET -3/over 32.5

Hell has frozen over, pigs are flying and dogs are playing with cats everywhere. Like the battle for first place in the AFC East, this is a game featuring two teams that lost 10+ games last year playing for the right to lead their division. I suppose this is what the league wanted when they created a miserable salary cap system. The Lions were wasted at Soldier Field by these guys earlier this season, but are now armed with Jeff Garcia. He isn’t Joe Montana, but he does make those around him better. The Bears have a rookie quarterback who is ready to choke in a big game played in front of a hysterical Ford Field crowd. I expect Kevin Jones to make a better showing than he did the first time around while Thomas Jones will also get his yards but not dominate as he has a few times this season: Detroit 22, Chicago 17

Green Bay (1-5) @ Cincinnati (5-2): Fella’s feeling CIN -7.5/over 46

Is that stench I smell an upset in the making? The Bengals were exposed for being a bit overrated last week against Pittsburgh. Everyone knows that even with a depleted supporting cast Favre is still dangerous. Tony Fisher needs to run like his life depended on it and the old gunslinger has to protect the football for a shocker to take place. I like playing the odds and Palmer has a lot of weapons to pick apart a terrible defense. This one could be 17-7 after the first three possessions by which time Favre probably can’t dig them out given how badly his defense will continue to be beaten: Cincinnati 33, Green Bay 19

Oakland (2-4) @ Tennessee (2-5): Fella’s feeling OAK -1.5/under 46

It wasn’t that long ago that these teams were battling away for the AFC Championship. Since then age and salary cap issues have turned them into units that need a win or the season will officially be in the tank. The talk around the media is how much the Raiders will be hurt by losing Woodson and Gibson. Looking at the other guys they have I’m not so sure it will cause much damage. The players behind them are hungry to succeed and will surprise many with their play. Oakland’s defense is better than advertised, and should get a few shots on the returning Steve McNair. The Titans are a well coached and disciplined team which is a huge advantage over the Raiders with their mistake prone ways. Nevertheless, with so little talent at receiver and running back I don’t believe the Titans can move the ball consistently. In the meantime, Jordan is going to pound them all day long and even a banged up Randy Moss will hurt them. If he doesn’t, the other receivers surely will: Oakland 24, Tennessee 17

Miami (2-4) @ New Orleans (2-5): Fella’s feeling NO -2/over 41

I do feel sorry for the Saints. They have gotten so many bad breaks and it never ends. From bad calls to having to play home games on the road and more bad luck than I can mention, it has been a tough season. Now the disadvantage is meeting the Dolphins in a “neutral” Baton Rouge setting where many in the crowd figure to be Nick Saban lovers while thanks to Wilma the visitors will have had two extra days to prepare. I think everything will work out fine for them because they are due for a little luck. Neither team really has an identity at this point so you can flip a coin and make your choice: New Orleans 27, Miami 22

Kansas City (4-2) @ San Diego (3-4): Fella’s feeling KC +6/under 51

The Chiefs have an opportunity to really put a hurting on a tired Charger team in this game. A loss could spell a very difficult decision for Marty when it comes to the Brees and Rivers situation. Many feel that a playoff berth cements Drew as the franchise player, but at 3-5 in the AFC and firmly in third place I don’t think anyone would be ready to anoint them a wild card spot. Would they put Rivers into the lineup for a spark at that point, desperate to find out if he has the juice to take over their leading role? I don’t think they are ready to face that decision just yet. On a neutral field, given how tired the Chargers are from playing well rested teams I would say this is the end for them. However, they have lost so many close games that it probably turns around here: San Diego 24, Kansas City 21

Philadelphia (4-2) @ Denver (5-2): Fella’s feeling PHI +3.5/over 43

The Eagles are skating by and the Broncos are leaving great stat sheets but certainly not dominating anyone either. The winner of this game will be looking very good at the top of their division while the loser is going to be letting doubt creep into their psyche. Everyone knows Philadelphia has no interest in running the ball, but can stop the run happy Broncos from taking it right at them. If Westbrook and Owens manage to make plays on a regular basis they will be tough to beat. However, Denver has more offensive options and the ability to be pretty good in all three phases of the game. Perhaps this is a little hometown bias showing through against the hated Broncos, but Philly is a great road team and I believe can turn in a very tough win: Philadelphia 24, Denver 23

Tampa Bay (5-1) @ San Francisco (1-5): Fella’s feeling SF +11/over 36

The 49ers are down to Dorsey who opened the season as their third string quarterback while the Bucs will have to finish the season behind Simms. Both were accomplished college quarterbacks who slipped on draft day and neither has been able to draw enough confidence in their professional teams to be anointed the future of the franchise. This isn’t really that important. What does matter is that even if the 49ers look like a high school team on the road they play out of their mind at Monster Park and after all it is Halloween weekend. They will claw their way into this game despite the fact that Cadillac will be flying by their defense on a regular basis. They still lose: Tampa Bay 21, San Francisco 16

Buffalo (3-4) @ New England (3-3): Fella’s feeling NE -7/under 44

I can’t think about this one without recalling the booked 31-0 scores that marked this season series. That was when Lawyer Milloy was cast aside for Rodney Harrison, leading to the champs falling by that margin on opening day only to gain their revenge to end the season en route to another title. This is another bold result as the Patriots seek to show everyone how good they still are on national television. They are going to punish this team badly: New England 33, Buffalo 10

Baltimore (2-4) @ Pittsburgh (4-2): Fella’s feeling PIT -8.5/under 33

The Steelers are mostly trying not to overlook the Ravens in this game. On MNF as the lights shine down in front of their home fans I don’t see how they can. Lewis and Reed won’t play so defensively Baltimore is crippled. Willie Parker will be able to do a lot more damage and therefore keep Big Ben throwing his usual low number of passes leading to an easy win. Things have fall apart for the Ravens and a change at starting tailback would do them, and my fantasy team, some good: Pittsburgh 19, Baltimore 10