In dogged pursuit (Jack Bog's Blog)

One thing you should never do when you're engaged in sporting competition is show disgust for the game you're playing, just because you're getting your butt whipped. Over the last two weeks, I fear, my despair at my bad performance in the NFL Underdog Pool may have caused me to lapse into that mode. I meant no disrespect with my new methodology for picking a winner from among the week's underdogs, but the tepid response from readers last week tells me that I may have been perceived that way. (BTW, Bill the Cat didn't pick a winner either week he played, although he came close, and now he's too busy to think about football.)

Anyhow, I'm not giving in to negativity -- no way! Game on! I'm not mathematically eliminated yet, and there are a couple of spectacular point spreads on the board this week that could conceivably put me right back in the hunt for the season title.

And so today I ask readers to play along with me on two levels. First, if (like me) you had to pick from among Philadelphia, Miami, the Jets, or Atlanta, which of those hopeless cases would you pick to win their game outright?

Then, on Level 2 (back to our good sport mode), pick one underdog from any game, even one in which the oddsmakers say the outcome will be closer.

Remember, on both levels, the 'dog you pick (in caps below) has to win its game outright -- the point spreads are there only to show how many points a winning team will rake in for a player who picks that team.

Also, please note, if you're picking a game that's being played tomorrow, you've got to make the call today!

22 PHILADELPHIA at New England
16 MIAMI at Pittsburgh
14 NEW YORK JETS at Dallas (Thursday)
12 ATLANTA vs. Indianapolis (Thursday)
10 SAN FRANCISCO at Arizona
9 BALTIMORE at San Diego
7.5 BUFFALO at Jacksonville
7.5 MINNESOTA at New York Giants
5.5 OAKLAND at Kansas City
3.5 HOUSTON at Cleveland
3 CAROLINA vs. New Orleans
3 ST. LOUIS vs. Seattle
3 DETROIT vs. Green Bay (Thursday)
3 WASHINGTON at Tampa Bay
2 DENVER at Chicago
1 CINCINNATI vs. Tennessee

Give me a longshot, or any shot. I still need, and want, your help. I'm also sending a shout out to this guy.

Comments (14)

Long shot: Raiders over Chiefs. Hey, on any given Sunday.....

Posted by KISS | November 21, 2007 7:12 AM

my picks to win (and beat the spread):

9 BALTIMORE at San Diego
5.5 OAKLAND at Kansas City
3.5 HOUSTON at Cleveland
3 WASHINGTON at Tampa Bay
2 DENVER at Chicago
1 CINCINNATI vs. Tennessee

Posted by ecohuman.com | November 21, 2007 8:13 AM

In order

5.5 OAKLAND at Kansas City - KC doesn't have a RB.

9 BALTIMORE at San Diego - SD seemes to be neglecting Tomlinson, so hopefully the pattern continues and Balt and can cover them. I just hope they can put a TD.

2 DENVER at Chicago - Hoping Denver has one of its good days.

Posted by Steve | November 21, 2007 8:17 AM

I second the motion for Raiders over the "Chefs", in spite of growing up in the distant shadows of Arrowhead Stadium. KC may be playing with a naked backfield this Sunday with todays news that Priest Holmes is now out for the game, as well as Larry Johnson. Not such a long shot...5.5 points for Jack.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Posted by Kevin Francke | November 21, 2007 8:19 AM

Hehe...the Chefs! I second that as a good level 2 upset pick.

For your home run, I think I gotta go with Miami. Pitt is banged up, and the Phins are playing their superbowl every week at this point.

Posted by Sebastian | November 21, 2007 8:39 AM

You serious? The top four are locks. But if there is a crack in the armor, let's go with PHILLY at New England. How long can that streak go on? Outside the box, SF (new offensive assistant)(rehash of the Dennis E. era) might throw some new plays into the mix. They'll beat the Cardinals.

Posted by Mark Mason | November 21, 2007 8:50 AM

Add my vote to Oakland over the Chiefs. They are long time AFC rivals; and I'm sure they would like to win this one after their recent loss.
Also, Buffalo over Jacksonville. Sure they looked bad against the Patriots; but so does almost everyone else. Besides, they are playing in a division where New England has a lock on the playoff spot and they can potentially beat everyone else in their division.

Posted by Dave A. | November 21, 2007 9:06 AM

Thanks for the input, people. Keep it coming.

Posted by Jack Bog | November 21, 2007 9:14 AM

Locks? Oh come now, Joey gets his job back this weekend. Look for Atlanta to come alive.

Actually, I think think Detroit has a shot over GB. The Lions are always tough at home especially on Thanksgiving. How long can Favre keep doing it all himself?

Posted by Chad | November 21, 2007 9:19 AM

16 MIAMI at Pittsburgh
9 BALTIMORE at San Diego
2 DENVER at Chicago

Miami is unrealistic - but entirely possible. Baltimore, I believe is likely. Denver is surprising that they are even the underdog. Oh, my poor Bears. It was a fun game to go down to Seattle from Juneau last weekend though.

Posted by Kevin | November 21, 2007 9:21 AM

There is not really the faintest odor of a winner from your desperation group. If I had to I'd go with Philly. In the middle group I'd go with Oakland and the pick I really like is Washington. Now, if your cat is not busy Friday night I'd like to take him with me to La Center for a little blackjack.

Posted by Gannicott | November 21, 2007 10:45 AM

According to espn.com, there is a very good chance that McNabb won't be playing this weekend.

Posted by Kevin | November 21, 2007 11:32 AM

Picks in bold. Of course, the following are provided AS IS, w/no warranty whatsoever:

10 SAN FRANCISCO at Arizona
SFO: This one is a real tosser; a match-up of two teams who are inconsistent at best.

5.5 OAKLAND at Kansas City
KC: OAK can't get out of their own way this season no matter how bad KC is (and I'm usually a Raiders fan)

3 CAROLINA vs. New Orleans
CAR: Panthers already beat NO this season as a visitor. Could get back on track with this as a home game.

3 ST. LOUIS vs. Seattle
STL: Sorry Seahawk fans, but Seattle's road record is dismal

2 DENVER at Chicago
DEN: Broncos looked decent last Monday night and the Bear's home record is pathetic.

Posted by Nick | November 21, 2007 1:28 PM

Well, I suppose Miami could still beat Pittsburgh. I'll always be fine with calling it wrong when I say the Bears will lose. Devin Hester, you are ridiculous.

Posted by Kevin | November 26, 2007 9:05 AM

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Wednesday, November 21, 2007

In dogged pursuit

Comments (14)

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