The Expert Picks

If you've been reading the columns this week for Pats-Colts, you've probably seen the sentence "everyone is picking the Patriots" many times. I just assumed that was true, since I read it so often.

ESPN Experts:

Pats: Keyshawn, Wickersham (right, me neither)
Colts: Golic, Mortensen, Jackson, Emmitt, Ditka

USA Today: 8 out of 10 columnists/experts picked the Pats

CBS Sportsline: 1 out of 5 columnists/experts picked the Pats

Indy Star: 0 out of 4 columnists/experts picked the Pats

Boston Globe: 4 out of 5 columnists/experts picked the Pats

SI.com: 2 out of 2 columnists/experts picked the Pats (i have no idea what SI Swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker's pick was because that video with her and Dr. Z is beyond unwatchable).

So from that sampling, 17 are picking the Pats, 16 are picking the Colts.

Doesn't really add up to "everyone is picking the Pats" does it?

But here's the thing. At the beginning of every NFL week where there is a big game coming up, everyone has a knee-jerk reaction like "Patriots are just going to win going away" and then the same columnists/analysts talk themselves out of it by the end of the week. Why is that? First off it doesn't pay to agree when you're an analyst/columnist. Usually they'll wait to see how the wind is blowing before they make their picks. Some people stick to their guns (or are homers), and some talk themselves into rationalizing an upset. If they're right and they went against the conventional wisdom, they make themselves out to be much more credible than if they took the safe route and won.

Here's my pick: Pats 38-28. BUT...there will be some terrible ref call that Colts defenders will be able to point to as having changed the outcome of the game. That's pretty much how these overly hyped games go.

And for the hell of it: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, Jacksonville, Washington, Tampa Bay, Carolina, Seattle, Houston, Dallas, and Pittsburgh.

That Ravens-Steelers matchup will be a good Wild Card weekend preview.

Enjoy the game.