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Thursday, August 31
Picks: Rams' perfect story will continue
By Dave Goldberg
Associated Press

With apologies to the Dallas Cowboys, the St. Louis Rams are now America's Team.

Kurt Warner
Rams quarterback Kurt Warner has put up incredible numbers.
How else to explain why they're 3½-point favorites in Nashville on Sunday against the 5-1 Titans.

OK, the Rams have won their six games by an average margin of 36-10, while four of Tennessee's five wins are by a total of eight points.

Also consider:

  • Kurt Warner now has played well in six straight games, an indication that he's not a fluke who will be shut down once opponents watch enough tape.

  • Marshall Faulk has been brilliant the past two weeks. Who do you load up on? Faulk? Isaac Bruce and Warner?

  • While everyone's been watching the St. Louis offense, the defense has allowed only 63 points, lowest in the NFC.

  • The Titans, coming off a bye week, might have a rusty Steve McNair back at quarterback rather than Neil O'Donnell, the winner in four games since McNair went out.

    No, the Rams haven't beaten a team with a winning record. But the Titans have done it only once, at Jacksonville. Rams 24, Titans 10.

    CHRIS MORTENSEN'S PICKS
    Bills over Ravens
    Falcons over Panthers
    Redskins over Bears
    Saints over Browns
    Jaguars over Bengals
    Giants over Eagles
    Rams over Titans
    Chiefs over Chargers
    Patriots over Cardinals
    Dolphins over Raiders
    Colts over Cowboys
    Broncos over Vikings
    Bucs over Lions
    Packers over Seahawks

    Seattle (plus 5½) at Green Bay (Monday night): Mike Holmgren returns to Lambeau Field. Brett Favre thwarts him in the final seconds. Packers 24, Seahawks 23.

    Dallas (plus 3) at Indianapolis: The Cowboys have lost their last two road games by the same score -- 13-10. This won't be 13-10. Colts 30, Cowboys 26.

    Miami (off) at Oakland: The "off" is becuse of Dan Marino, who will sit while Damon Huard plays. Plus, Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon is questionable. Four of Miami's five wins are by a total of 10 points. The Raiders haven't had a game decided by more than a touchdown. Raiders 16, Dolphins 14.

    Minnesota (minus 2) at Denver: This was supposed to be last season's Super Bowl. The mighty have fallen, but the Broncos have fallen farther. Vikings 34, Broncos 31.

    San Diego (plus 5½) at Kansas City: The Chiefs might actually be good. Chiefs 17, Chargers 6.

    Chicago (plus 8½) at Washington: After the Bears make this close, as they usually do, who will Dan Snyder fire? Redskins 20, Bears 16.

    Tampa Bay (minus 2½) at Detroit: Why did the spread increase when Tony Dungy decided to start Eric Zeier instead of Trent Dilfer? Lions 16, Bucs 10.

    Jacksonville (minus 12) at Cincinnati: The Jags have some tough schedule. Jaguars 27, Bengals 3.

    Cleveland (plus 10) at New Orleans: Tampa Bay's first-ever win was a 33-14 victory at New Orleans. Browns 33, Saints 14.

    New England (minus 3½) at Arizona: The Patriots are another team that plays everything close. Patriots 16, Cardinals 13.

    New York Giants (minus 2½) at Philadelphia: The Giants were 4-point favorites until both free safeties were declared out. If the Eagles could pass, it would matter. Giants 13, Eagles 9.

    Buffalo (minus 3) at Baltimore: The Ravens are trying Tony Banks. Bills 17, Ravens 9.

    Carolina (plus 1½) at Atlanta: Both coaches have seen better days. Panthers 10, Falcons 9.

    Last week: 7-7 (spread); 11-3 (straight up). Season: 44-52-4 (spread); 60-40 (straight up).







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