Dr. Z, who went 4-0 last week with the underdogs, picks the favorites to win on the number. (The line has moved 1/2 point in favor of the favorites since he wrote his column, so technically he was picking the underdogs at the time he wrote.)

Patriots 27, Colts 24
Eagles 20, Panthers 16

http://premium.si.cnn.com/pr/subs/siexclusive/2004/01/13/drz0119/index.html

pats vs. colts is going to be one hell of a game.

Every game the Eagles need a game-winning or game-tying drive, I remember McNabb on November 14, 1998 against Virginia Tech.

Two seconds left on the clock, Syracuse down 4 points. McNabb throws up on the sidelines, calmly walks onto the field and throws a touch down pass back across the field to a wide open tight end. He's amazing.

By the way... McNabb threw up from sheer exhaustion, not nervousness.

Duh... sorry for consecutive comments... but I forgot my picks:

New England 34, Indianapolis 31
Indy still puts points on the board, but the Pats have just enough to pull it out.

Philly 27, Carolina 16
Sorry, the Panthers already feel like they've won their big one. Eagles are hungrier.

Colts are un-stoppable right now.... even New England's D can't do it. As much as I think Carolina is a better team from top to bottom, the Eagles are due.... third trip in a row, this time they'll make it, although I will take the 4.5 points for Carolina.

Indy (to win)

Carolina (+4.5)

Lay down your $$, those are the winners.

The Colts look unstoppable but only the last 2 games. Manning torched the Pats defense a few weeks ago but still lost. Meanwhile, while the Patriots for whatever reason don't inspire fear into the hearts of their opponents they keep winning.

Homefield, cold, and they keep inventing ways to win. I think the weather might shave a field goal or two off of the scoreboard but I think betting the Pats AND the over is still the way to go here.

Patriots 34, Colts 28

Patriots 34, Colts 24

Shit! I meant Patriots 34, Colts 27

hey Paul...how about a Carolina v New England Super Bowl. Talk about a game the world would give two shits about eh. The networks have to be a bit nervous about that matchup...that NC market is huge.HA!!

No doubt TV execs and programmers want a Peyton Manning-Donovan McNabb matchup. The only knock on the Patriots, from a general interest standpoint, is that they were in the Super Bowl just a couple of years ago.

From a business angle, the game with the most on the line this weekend is, by far, Eagles-Panthers.

Carolina? Bah! I said it last week and I'm saying it again. They're just a speedbump on Philly's road to the SuperBowl. McNabb needs to show the world he's the real thing and Rush Limbaugh is a real hypocritical douchebag. Philly wins and beats the spread.

I also said the best game of the year would be Indy/New England and I stand by that. After last week's performance, Manning looks due. But it's going to be cold for the Dome-boy from the South. Also, while the Colts offense might be hot, they also gave up 31 ponts last week. Everyone talks about Manning, but where is the Colt's defense? Can they stop the Patriots from scoring? In a word -- No. It will come down to coaching. Belichek is a defensive genius. Manning won't be getting 38 points this week. It will be tight, and Indy might beat the spread, but the Patriots make it to the Super Bowl.

I gotta agree with Larry.....it'll be one or two plays that make the difference on the Pats game, called by the coach.
I like the Colts' chances, but Peyton changing the plays at the line is gonna cost him in New England.
As for Philly and Carolina, Philly is in on a wing and a prayer, and Carolina looked good in their last win. Either way, I couldn't care less who wins. I'll take Philly in a squeaker.

I like New England by 10 points plus. Indy's had a nice playoff run, but it disguises their average defense (KC didn't punt last week either). What would the line have been on this game if it were played prior to the Denver playoff game? 6 or 7? They just haven't played a team this good yet.

I would love Carolina this week IF Stephen Davis were healthy. Carolina can run the ball, control clock, and play defense. Seriously, how are the Eagles going to score? Average to below average running game and a crappy receiving corps. McNabb is the entire offense right now. I still like Carolina and the 4 1/2 even with Foster, but Davis makes that line one of the most enticing this year.

Quick question, how can a true blue Giant fan root for the hated Eagles?

3 teams (4 when I add the Saints) I could never root for are the 'boys, skins, and eagles.

They are the Giant's equivalent of the red-sux.

I'd like to see a Carolina-Colts SB.

NE's been there so I've already seen the Brady show.

Now I'd like to see Manning get his day in the sun, or under the dome or whatever they have now in Houston.

And even though I have no love for Carolina, Philly is still Philly.

W.C. Fields was right.

On his headstone it says, "I'd rather be here then in Philadelphia."

;)

Even though my picks last week were hideous, I figured I'd try again:

Philly 24, Carolina 13
Patriots 31, Indy 24

WHO'S YOUR DADDY KATCHER???