Clement's Weekly Picks and Prognostications...Week 5

Unfortunately, technical difficulties delayed both the writing and posting of this week's article.

With that in mind, you'll be viewing a more abbreviated version of the weekly set of rants, raves, and other r-related NFL and fantasy banter.

The NFL and fantasy MVPs, per usual, seem to have similar names.
...in no particular order...
-Tom Brady [Officially his to lose after the first four weeks of the season.]
-Randy Moss [A mortal lock for Comeback Player of the Year, don't be surprised if he steals a few votes from the above Pat.]
-Peyton Manning [His team is 4-0 and the only legit AFC threat, right now, that doesn't play in Foxboro.]
-Tony Romo [4-0 and flying high. The botched FG seems a distant memory right now in Dallas.]
-Brett Favre [Another 4-0 QB playing out of his mind. Is it 1995 again?]
-Vince Young [2-1 sure, but the Titans may be the AFC's third-best team. When you consider the supporting cast, Vinsanity is reigning in the NFL already.]

NFL Picks: [6-6]
Chicago @ Green Bay (-3)
Griese clearly wasn't the answer last week, but don't blow up the Bears just yet. Even though Favre and company are 4-0, the Bears have to realize just what a 4-game hole in the division will mean. Even with that all being said, the Bears are too injured and Favre has been too good. Take the Pack to win and cover the spread, which is strangely shrinking by the day.

Seattle @ Pittsburgh (-6.5)
Pittsburgh was exposed, more than a little bit, last week in the desert against the Cards. Meanwhile, the 49er and Ram freefalls have left Seattle sitting rather pretty at a quiet 3-1. If this game were in Seattle, I'd easily take the Hawks. However, the Super Bowl XL rematch will go to the Steelers, even at 6.5 points.

Baltimore @ San Francisco (+3.5)
The Ravens clearly aren't the team many predicted them to be. In fact, Steve McNair may be losing his coach and team's confidence by the snap. While it's not Boller time just yet (he is 1-0 though), the Ravens need a statement win. Hello old pal, Trent Dilfer! Unless Dilfer can get the Ravens from stacking eight in the box to shut down Gore, it's gonna be an ugly day at home for Mike Nolan's crew. Take the Ravens, but only with monopoly money on the line with that spread.

NCAA Picks: [4-2]
#9 Florida @ #1 LSU [-7]
The spread has shrunk by the day, even though LSU has had its fair share of upsets against the Gators in the Bayou. However, it's been quite some time since the teams met when LSU was #1 in the polls. While last week's loss at home to Auburn is a great motivator, the sweltering heat in Louisiana will give the Bayou Bengals a pick-six at the end to clinch a non-score-indicating double digit W.

#4 Ohio State @ #23 Purdue [+7]
Neither team may be as legit as the records tell us; however, this game may mean a ton for the respect Jim Tressel's kids will or won't receive. They have a lot of credibility that needs to be built back up after the disaster last season in the Orange Bowl. While it won't completely erase those memories, take the Buckeyes...big.

3 Must Starts and Must Sits
START
...Last Week...
Marshawn Lynch: The TD was more than enough for a fantasy rookie gem.
Ben Roethlisberger: Cheap yards and cheap TDs. A perfect example of how fantasy stats never tell the story.
Travis Henry: No TD, but tons of yardage love. I can't be blamed for these drug test allegations though.

...This Week...
Anthony Gonzalez: Yep, pick him up and plug him in at #3. This will be a good day for the rookie.
Maurice Jones-Drew: The KC D loves to give up big plays. While he's been brutal to owners thus far, start him with confidence.
Bobby Engram: He's a nice redzone threat on a team that has needed one, out of the receiving corps, for years. Easy play this weekend.

SIT
...Last Week...
Julius Jones: That TD was odd in itself; yet, I still stand by the overall pick.
Wes Welker: An easy selection. Although, I won't make it often. Where's Donte Stallworth exactly?
Roddy White: Falcons wideout? DUH! Although I didn't expect Michael Jenkins to catch 2 instead.

...This Week...
Joey Harrington: Sure, it seems safe. But it isn't. It just isn't.
Marshawn Lynch: Unless you have to, trust 2 other back this weekend.
Patrick Crayton: This will be TO's week. Not Crayton's.

Early to rise and early to bed.

Until next time...