NFL Picks Week 8: There's at least one parade still going on today

FROM KEITH GROLLER

No Allentown Halloween parade today.

No Bethlehem Halloween parade today.

But there is one parade going on today; there's one in St. Louis.

I will be there in spirit, even if I spend this Sunday going from Norwich, NY where I spent the night after the Lehigh-Colgate game to Philadelphia where I will be part of our coverage team for the Cowboys-Eagles game.

If you asked me about it in late August, or late September or even when they trailed the Phillies 2-1 in the NLDS, I would have said there was more of a chance of a major snowstorm in the Lehigh Valley in late October than there was the chance the Cardinals would have a championship parade at the end of October and unbelievably, both things happened this weekend.

Even more of a miracle to me is that I am doing fairly well with my NFL picks -- going 8-5 outright, 8-4-1 vs. the spread and 7-6 on the over/under totals last week.

For the season, I am 60-28 outright, 52-47-2 against the spread and 51-48-2 on the over/under totals.

Because it's such a busy day, we'll plunge ahead with the picks here in Norwich -- the home of a pretty entertaining Pumpkin Festival and Fireworks Show that I attended last night -- even though it's 8:10 a.m. as I start typing away.

HOME TEAMS IN CAPS

TENNESSEE (-9) 28, Indianapolis 17 -- Over the 43.5 -- I agree with Phil Simms. "The Suck for Luck" campaign will never gain momentum in Indy as long as Peyton Manning can walk and talk.

HOUSTON (-9.5) 27, Jacksonville 14 -- Over the 40.5 -- Houston is the reverse of St. Louis. It's always football season in Houston, thank you Ed Wade, while it's always baseball season under the Arch.

Minnesota (+4.5) 23, CAROLINA 20 -- Under the 47 -- Donovan McNabb interview on The NFL Network will be interesting and he will deny, deny, deny. But at some point, doesn't he have to look in the mirror and stare at the truth?

New Orleans (-13.5) 30, ST. LOUIS 14 -- Under the 48 -- Don't worry my St. Louis brothers and sisters. Once the parade cleanup is over, spring training will only be about three months away. There may be more St. Louis people at the parade today than inside the Dome.

BALTIMORE (-13) 34, Arizona 17 -- Over the 43 -- One thing Andy Reid does know is when to get rid of quarterbacks.

NY GIANTS (-10) 24, Miami 13 -- Under the 41.5 -- At least the Dolphins are still in Luck.

BUFFALO (-5) 27, Washington 13 -- Under the 45 -- Who would have ever thought the Redskins would have to travel to Buffalo to escape the snow?

Detroit (-3) 24, DENVER 17 -- Under the 41.5 -- Why is it that every time I turn on a sports channel -- with the possible exception of The MLB Network -- I seem to see Tim Tebow?

PITTSBURGH (+1.5) 34, New England 31 -- Over the 52.5 -- The one guarantee of the weekend is that this will be the most-watched game on Sunday afternoon with only Cowboys-Eagles later beating it in the ratings.

SAN FRANCISCO (-9) 24, Cleveland 16 -- Over the 38.5 -- 49ers running away with the NFC West by default.

Cincinnati (-1.5) 23, SEATTLE 17 --Over the 37.5 -- Forget Luck. Pete Carroll would probably rather have his former USC quarterback Matt Barkley come to the great Northwest.

PHILADELPHIA (-3) 34, Dallas 24 -- Over the 48.5 -- Weird things happen to Tony Romo when the spotlight is the brightest and it will be pretty bright tonight in Philly. He'll be sure to do something dumb in a key spot.

San Diego (-3) 24, Kansas City Chiefs 17 -- Under the 44.5 -- Chargers will set up their fans and many of the NFL experts for another postseason flop.

That's it. Power to the people! Especially those who lost it yesterday.

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/