PIGSKIN picks

It’s a big football weekend on both sides of the border. The CFL semifinals see Hamilton at Ottawa in the East final while Saskatchewan visits Calgary in the West. Ex-Colonel Gray and UPEI standout Billy Fisher likes the Tiger-Cats, so we’ll jump on that wagon and stay with the Cats for the duration.

The NFL heads into Week 11 and it started Thursday night when Seattle Seahawks dumped Green Bay 27-24. Packers backer and Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park handicapper Les MacIsaac is not a happy camper as the loss may have ended Green Bay’s playoff hopes.

Let’s take a look at Sunday games.

Carolina Panthers (6-3) at Detroit Lions (3-6) – A good Panthers club meets a poor Detroit club. I wouldn’t bet the Lions with confederate money. The Lions have no defence and have no interest in playing D, an easy Carolina win.

Dallas Cowboys (4-5) at Atlanta Falcons (4-5) – The loser is just about out of the playoffs, and last week the Cowboys rose to the occasion and Atlanta faltered. The Cowboys have momentum, have finally decided to throw on first downs and their D is solid. The Cowboys haven’t won back-to-back games since last December, but still I Look for a Cowboys upset. Houston Texans (6-3) at Washington Redskins (6-3) – The Skins lost three of their starting five offensive linemen two weeks ago, yet still won 16-3 against Tampa Bay last week. This is a gritty, tough club, with a smart QB in Alex Smith and a big runner in Adrian Peterson. Houston is coming of a bye week, is much healthier than the Skins and haven’t lost since September. I see a Houston upset. Minnesota Vikings (5-3-1) at Chicago Bears (6-3) – In the last 16 starts at Soldier Field, the home Bears are 13-3 against the Vikings, the three losses by three points. A close game, but the Bears are healthy, hot and home, I’ll take Chicago by a field goal.