Uncured turkey 'dogs (Jack Bog's Blog)

We had a great weekend in the pro football underdog pool. We went with the Jets over the previously unbeaten Titans, and were right on the money. The only way we could have done better was with the Raiders over the Broncos, but we simply weren't that brave.

We're still in third place, now 8½ points behind the leader and a mere 4 points behind the second-place player. (Both of the folks ahead of us are women with supernatural powers -- hard to outmaneuver.) Behind us are other hopefuls who are 8½, 9½, and 11 points in our wake.

This week's slate is intriguing. See any underdogs (in caps) on the list who you think can win their game outright? The point spreads are relevant only in that they indicate how many points we'll cop if our pick actually wins its game in the real world:

13 SEATTLE at Dallas (Thursday)
10.5 DETROIT vs. Tennessee (Thursday)
9 DENVER at NY Jets
7 SAN FRANCISCO at Buffalo
7 CINCINNATI vs. Baltimore
5 CLEVELAND vs. Indianapolis
5 ATLANTA at San Diego
4 NEW ORLEANS at Tampa Bay
3.5 WASHINGTON vs. NY Giants
3.5 CHICAGO at Minnesota
3.5 JACKSONVILLE at Houston
3 CAROLINA at Green Bay
3 ARIZONA at Philadelphia (Thursday)
3 KANSAS CITY at Oakland
1.5 PITTSBURGH at New England

On a preliminary look-see, we're attracted to the Niners, Cleveland, and Atlanta. But is this the week that the Jets screw up? Bengals at home against Baltimore?

If you like a 'dog in one of the three Thanksgiving Day games, you'll have to pipe up quick; otherwise, we've got 'til Saturday night to place our bet. With another winner, we'd be starting to look like a real contender for one of the three cash prizes. Please help us get there!

Comments (13)

Denver.

Posted by Bark Munster | November 25, 2008 9:17 PM

Atlanta

Posted by mp97303 | November 25, 2008 9:46 PM

Definitely take Atlanta. I'm a lifelong Chargers fans, and my boys are making me sick this year. They've got no spirit, and Norv seems to have given up. LT can't break 100 yards, Rivers is throwing petty little fits on the sidelines, Merriman is out...sigh. It's ugly down there, and such a talented team it is. Meanwhile Ryan is playing like a 10 year pro, Turner is scoring at will (and will be running with a chip on his shoulder, anxious to show the Chargers what they ignored for so many years)...I think Atlanta takes this one by 10 points. You gotta take them, Jack.

Posted by Dave J. | November 25, 2008 9:48 PM

I agree that Atlanta makes the most sense, but I think Denver is an interesting pick: I just don't believe in this Jets team, and Denver is somewhere between "functionally frisky" and "potentially dangerous" on the quality scale.

Posted by John | November 25, 2008 9:53 PM

Yep, I'm with the ATL pick. SD has thrown in the towel this year.

Posted by Sebastian | November 25, 2008 10:19 PM

Having watched the Saints dismantle the Packers with Brees throwing lazer darts in their victory Monday night, my pick for an upset is New Orleans. True they haven't performed well on the road, but they did beat the Bucs. early in the season and their backs are to the wall in this NFC East match up. Didn't the Lions score 17 before the Bucs rallied for the win last week?

Posted by genop | November 26, 2008 10:15 AM

Denver is the one that keeps calling out to me. I also agree with genop's assessment, the big IF being the road factor. The Saints just looked comfortable on their own field.

Posted by Kevin | November 26, 2008 10:56 AM

1 Saints
2 Arizona
3 Atlanta

Posted by PanchoPdx | November 26, 2008 3:22 PM

Denver for the lead ainec.

Posted by Geek Squad | November 28, 2008 10:25 PM

Turned out to be a good week for underdogs

Posted by mp97303 | November 30, 2008 7:06 PM

I count six 'dog winners so far -- that's what we had last week.

Posted by Jack Bog | November 30, 2008 8:33 PM

Who did you pick?

Posted by Kevin | December 1, 2008 9:47 AM

Atlanta.