Date: Fri 15-Sep-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: TOMW

Illustration: I

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NFL-Picks-Sept.-15-1995

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NFL Picks (Sept. 15)

B Y K IM J. H ARMON

This whole thing about the Giants this past weekend - you know, losing that

14-point lead and all - had its mixed blessings.

For the first time since I got out of college I missed two Giant games in a

row, last weekend being the second because of a softball banquet. I always

miss the first game because the opener of the NFL season falls on the day of

our big family golf outing.

But I was a little perturbed that I was going to miss another game yet, when I

got home in the middle of the overtime period with the Giants pinned close to

their own goal line, I had to count my blessings. If I had to sit there and

watch the Giants allow the Kansas City Chiefs back into the game, I probably

would have cried - or worse, broken my brand new television set.

Oh, well.

I was Mr. Consistent last week, once again going 8-6-1 and staying two games

ahead of the rampaging Wyatt, who turned his 5-9-1 opening week around and

crept within two games of the leader . . . me.

It's time to widen the gap.

Records

KH: 16-12-2 TW: 14-14-2

San Diego (+1 1 / 2 ) at Philadelphia: When is Philly going to realize that

Randall Cunningham is not a drop back passer, that he's a scrambler? Let him

run, man, let him run.

KH: Chargers TW: Eagles

Indianapolis (+4) at Buffalo: I would have been tempted to pick the Colts here

just because they had a 24-point comeback on Sunday, but then I remember - it

was against the Jets.

KH: Bills TW: Colts

Oakland (+2) at Kansas City: The Raiders have moved back to Oakland and

Hostetler has discovered there are receivers on the team other than Tim Brown.

A good sign.

KH: Raiders TW: Raiders

Cleveland (-7 1 / 2 ) at Houston: This is a tough one, because

seven-and-a-half is more than I'd like to give, but then again . . . the

Browns are good and Houstin is an expansion team. What, they're not? Could've

fooled me.

KH: Browns TW: Oilers

St Louis (-3 1 / 2 ) at Carolina: This might be the Panthers first home-game

ever, but it won't matter when Jerome Bettis is pounding for 200 yards.

KH: Rams TW: Panthers

Atlanta (+3) at New Orleans: The Falcons head inside for the first time this

season and I can't believe that Jeff George and Terence Mathis are going to be

held down for another week.

KH: Falcons TW: Falcons

Arizona (+6 1 / 2 ) at Detroit: The Arizona D had a little trouble holding the

Eagles' running game in check Sunday (168 yards allowed) and now it faces one

of the best RBs in the game. You figure it out.

KH: Lions TW: Lions

NY Giants (+5 1 / 2 ) at Green Bay: With the state that the Giants are in,

there is no way they are going to keep Brett Favre and Robert Brooks out of

the end zone.

KH: Packers TW: Packers

New England (+11 1 / 2 ) at San Francisco: The Patriots still don't have a

good running game and without it, the Niners will eat Drew Bledsoe alive.

KH: Niners TW: Niners

Cincinnati (+4) at Seattle: Yawn. Stretch. Click. Yawn. Click. Is it over yet?

KH: Bengals TW: Seahawks

Jacksonville (+7) at NY Jets: I think the Jets, after what happened to them

Sunday, will be so afraid of being the first team to lose to an expansion

franchise that they will roll. Fear is a good incentive.

KH: Jets TW: Jets

Washington (+9) at Denver: With the Redskins' QB situation being what it is,

they'd probably be better off just snapping the ball right back to Terry

Allen.

KH: Broncos TW: Broncos

Chicago (-1 1 / 2 ) at Tampa Bay: The Bears fell behind real fast against the

Pack on Monday, but the Bucs don't have that explosiveness. It will be close

but it will be Da Bears.

KH: Bears TW: Bucs

Dallas (-7 1 / 2 ) at Minnesota: Warren Moon looks pretty old and he's going

to look a lot older after he tries to pass downfield on the Cowboys.

KH: Cowboys TW: Cowboys

Monday Night

Pittsburgh (+7) at Miami: The 'Fins were a little sluggish last weekend, but

should attack the Pittsburgh defense now that Rod Woodson is out for the

season. Look for a big day in Dan Marino's stats.

KH: Dolphins TW: Steelers