We're feeling all cocky after picking a big winner in last week's pro football underdog pool. The object of this game is to pick an underdog team each weekend that you think will win their game outright. The point spread matters only in that the bigger the upset, the more points you score; best cumulative score at the end of the season wins the pool.
I couldna done it last week without the advice of our sage readers, and so here are the games this week, with the underdogs in caps. Which one of them can come out on top? Commenters, help me out:
16.5 BUFFALO at New England
8.5 SAN FRANCISCO at Pittsburgh
8 ARIZONA at Baltimore
6.5 DETROIT at Philadelphia
6 HOUSTON vs. Indianapolis
4.5 GREEN BAY vs. San Diego
4.5 TENNESSEE at New Orleans
4 ATLANTA vs. Carolina
4 NEW YORK GIANTS at Washington
3.5 ST. LOUIS at Tampa Bay
3 CINCINNATI at Seattle
3 CLEVELAND at Oakland
3 JACKSONVILLE at Denver
3 MIAMI at New York Jets
3 DALLAS at Chicago
2.5 MINNESOTA at Kansas City
Comments (21)
I'd go with Cleveland over Oakland, or Minnesota over K.C. There's a few other tempting ones, but I think those are the sure things. K.C. absolutely stinks this year, and I think Minnesota can run them over with Peterson.
Well I'm 0-for-2 so far and can see my chances of victory slowly slipping away. Do I go for the big money again this week? Or do I just try and get on the board?
This decision could go down to the wire Saturday night.
Consistent success at a "bragging rights" site will sometimes lead to some guy in Vegas putting millions of real dollars on your posted predictions without your knowing about it.
This is gettting tougher, now I have to think since after a couple of weeks the line is actually starting to reflect reality, thought the SF game has me intrigued..
How does Playboy mix with NFL? Go with Minnesota, otherwise, I think the good pick would be St louis, Steven Jackson is going to have a big game on Sunday...
I'm going with Dallas and Arizona this week. The 49ers mostly lucked out in that monday night game against the Cardinals. And they gave Seattle a scare on sunday. They are young and ready for some wins this season. Also thought that Dallas looked good in their opener. Romo is turning into a very decent quaterback.
Last week I picked Buffalo and the Raiders. Oakland is showing signs of life this year. I think they will surprise a few folks. Also thought that Buffalo would have some extra zip in their game after Everett was hospitalized. But got blown out by the Steelers.
I'm going to stick my neck way out and say that Green Bay is going to deliver the smack down on San Diego. It's a home game for Green Bay and Brett Favre is looking darn good these days.
Go with the Niners. Big Ben is a pretender QB and this season is going to reveal it. Gore is on his stride and Smith is coming into his. It's the Niner's game.
Just so I can blow my string, in order of preference:
1) Dallas - When Chicago's off is on the field it is a wash. When Dallas off on the field, I think they can beat Chi on line play.
2) Tennessee - Something's wrong with NO's off line. Tenn can overcome the NO def easy.
3) SF - I realize they barely crawled past StL, but this team is 50% better than last year and Pitt hasnt improved that much.
4) Minn - It's going to be a long season for KC
5) Cinn - I just don't like Sea and they are getting older/slower.
I really don't like this week at all for picking the dogs, especially road dogs. Too many teams in a situation where they need to salvage their season at home (Philly, NO, Oakland, NYJ, KC). Week 3 is usually when a bunch of these teams come out guns blazing and get it done, at least for one week.
I'd be really tempted to pick GB, but I think SD is not gonna be screwing around. Too much power on both sides of the ball.
I've only got three I'd risk, in order of shortshot to longshort:
Dallas - Pretty even matchup, but I'm a bit wary. Chicago's big weakness is their passing game. The Dallas weakness is their pass D. Hmmm.....Could this mean a good game for Grossman? Dallas hasn't faced a D this good yet.
Green Bay - Ok, I couldn't lay off. GB's defense is legit, and Norv Turner is still a horrible coach. I dunno how we all forgot this. It appears the loss of Cam Cameron as O-coordinator has derailed the Chargers high-powered offense. I think GB could win by a FG.
Arizona - Nope, I'm still not sold on the Ravens. If Clemens WR didn't totally let him down last weekend, that could've been an upset. Someone is marching into Baltimore and beating the Ravens...soon. And McNair is starting this weekend. That's not necessarily a good thing, IMO.
Sebastian, I very impressed. You were 2 out of 3 and you missed on Arizona by a mere 3 points. I'm going to puff my chest out a little because you and I were the only ones to make the call on Green Bay over SD.
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Comments (21)
I'd go with Cleveland over Oakland, or Minnesota over K.C. There's a few other tempting ones, but I think those are the sure things. K.C. absolutely stinks this year, and I think Minnesota can run them over with Peterson.
Posted by Dave J. | September 18, 2007 7:24 PM
Oakland woke up a bit last weekend. I'd be a little leery of going against them. Sooner or later they're going to win a game.
Posted by Jack Bog | September 18, 2007 7:27 PM
How about Cleveland scoring 51 points? Where the hell did that come from?
Posted by Bill McDonald | September 18, 2007 7:32 PM
Well I'm 0-for-2 so far and can see my chances of victory slowly slipping away. Do I go for the big money again this week? Or do I just try and get on the board?
This decision could go down to the wire Saturday night.
Posted by Chris Snethen | September 18, 2007 11:16 PM
What?! Pick the upset on Tuesday? Unpossible.
Posted by Sebastian | September 18, 2007 11:21 PM
Consistent success at a "bragging rights" site will sometimes lead to some guy in Vegas putting millions of real dollars on your posted predictions without your knowing about it.
Posted by FoolsGold | September 19, 2007 12:19 AM
This is gettting tougher, now I have to think since after a couple of weeks the line is actually starting to reflect reality, thought the SF game has me intrigued..
Posted by Steve | September 19, 2007 7:39 AM
I'd go with either Detroit or San Francisco. Can't go wrong with what Vera suggests though.
Posted by Kevin | September 19, 2007 9:13 AM
I like Minnesota, Cleveland, St. Louis, and Tennessee
Posted by John | September 19, 2007 10:04 AM
Vera's been posting on the wrong blog again. She'd probably find a more receptive audience here.
Posted by Chris Snethen | September 19, 2007 10:11 AM
How does Playboy mix with NFL? Go with Minnesota, otherwise, I think the good pick would be St louis, Steven Jackson is going to have a big game on Sunday...
Posted by Jim | September 19, 2007 10:49 AM
I'm going with Dallas and Arizona this week. The 49ers mostly lucked out in that monday night game against the Cardinals. And they gave Seattle a scare on sunday. They are young and ready for some wins this season. Also thought that Dallas looked good in their opener. Romo is turning into a very decent quaterback.
Last week I picked Buffalo and the Raiders. Oakland is showing signs of life this year. I think they will surprise a few folks. Also thought that Buffalo would have some extra zip in their game after Everett was hospitalized. But got blown out by the Steelers.
Posted by Dave A. | September 19, 2007 12:43 PM
I'm going to stick my neck way out and say that Green Bay is going to deliver the smack down on San Diego. It's a home game for Green Bay and Brett Favre is looking darn good these days.
Posted by Usual Kevin | September 19, 2007 12:57 PM
"Vera's" spam comment has been removed.
With my left hand.
Posted by Jack Bog | September 19, 2007 1:16 PM
"Vera's" spam comment has been removed.
Dammit. Dad's home.
Posted by Chris Snethen | September 19, 2007 1:35 PM
Go with the Niners. Big Ben is a pretender QB and this season is going to reveal it. Gore is on his stride and Smith is coming into his. It's the Niner's game.
Posted by Bronson | September 19, 2007 3:56 PM
Just so I can blow my string, in order of preference:
1) Dallas - When Chicago's off is on the field it is a wash. When Dallas off on the field, I think they can beat Chi on line play.
2) Tennessee - Something's wrong with NO's off line. Tenn can overcome the NO def easy.
3) SF - I realize they barely crawled past StL, but this team is 50% better than last year and Pitt hasnt improved that much.
4) Minn - It's going to be a long season for KC
5) Cinn - I just don't like Sea and they are getting older/slower.
Good luck
Posted by Steve | September 19, 2007 8:21 PM
Cincinnati and Detroit. guaranteed.
Posted by ecohuman.com | September 19, 2007 8:58 PM
Detroit... Philly is doing what they do best. Giants also could put it together.
Posted by travis b | September 21, 2007 8:37 AM
I really don't like this week at all for picking the dogs, especially road dogs. Too many teams in a situation where they need to salvage their season at home (Philly, NO, Oakland, NYJ, KC). Week 3 is usually when a bunch of these teams come out guns blazing and get it done, at least for one week.
I'd be really tempted to pick GB, but I think SD is not gonna be screwing around. Too much power on both sides of the ball.
I've only got three I'd risk, in order of shortshot to longshort:
Dallas - Pretty even matchup, but I'm a bit wary. Chicago's big weakness is their passing game. The Dallas weakness is their pass D. Hmmm.....Could this mean a good game for Grossman? Dallas hasn't faced a D this good yet.
Green Bay - Ok, I couldn't lay off. GB's defense is legit, and Norv Turner is still a horrible coach. I dunno how we all forgot this. It appears the loss of Cam Cameron as O-coordinator has derailed the Chargers high-powered offense. I think GB could win by a FG.
Arizona - Nope, I'm still not sold on the Ravens. If Clemens WR didn't totally let him down last weekend, that could've been an upset. Someone is marching into Baltimore and beating the Ravens...soon. And McNair is starting this weekend. That's not necessarily a good thing, IMO.
Posted by Sebastian | September 21, 2007 1:01 PM
Sebastian, I very impressed. You were 2 out of 3 and you missed on Arizona by a mere 3 points. I'm going to puff my chest out a little because you and I were the only ones to make the call on Green Bay over SD.
Posted by Usual Kevin | September 24, 2007 1:47 PM