Amazingly, Detroit opened as a 1.5-point favorite. Anyone who watched Arizona run past Detroit last week knows it will take a miracle in Motown for the Lions to devour the Giants. However Detroit has already reached its quota on divine intervention. In Week 2 against Minnesota, quarterback and Christian missionary Jon Kitna got knocked out with a concussion in the second quarter, then returned in overtime to lead the Lions to a 20-17 win. Kitna characterized his return as "a miracle." Doctor of philosphy dp says Jon's sacrifice of body (and mind?) is just medically stupid, not a true miracle like the Siamese Queens pictured here:
The miracle is simply the easy money that was out there at the beginning of the week when you could pick the Giants and still be getting points. So many gamblers did so that the line has jumped four points. New York will roar past the Lions, whose remaining schedule includes two games with Green Bay, plus Dallas and at San Diego. If 6-4 Detroit wants to make the playoffs, they better keep praying in Kitna's bible study groups.Saints at Houston (opened even; Houston -1.5 now):
N'ahleans gets back on track in Texas.
San Diego at Jacksonville (-3)
Jacksonville will win if David Garrard plays; check the starting lineup early Sunday and pick the Chargers if he doesn't.
Cleveland (-2) at Baltimore
Cleveland is on the rise and the Ravens are spiraling down. Of their playoff hopes, quoth dp, "Nevermore."
Tennessee at Denver (-2) The line has tightened down a point or so because the Titans are a popular upset pick. Stick with Denver, still tough at home on Monday night. Titans DT Albert Haynesworth missed last week's game and Jacksonville gashed the Titans' D for 166 rushing yards. Haynesworth missed practice this week and is a game-time decision. Meanwhile, Denver looks to have improved its run defense.
