Boy, my crystal ball is very cloudy this week -- keeps saying "Ask Again Later."

But for now I see Denver as the most likely upset up there. So to make sure I don't fail to pick on, I'll pick Denver ...

Remember the Titans? I do. Give me Tennessee to beat San Francisco.

Not ready to pick yet, but on the Dog theme, thought I would share this gem from the 6th circuit (courtesy of howappealing.law.com) http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/09a0383p-06.pdf.

And ... wow. Denver is the underdog in Denver?

On the safer side I'm liking Arizona over Chicago and Cincinnati over Baltimore. My high-point what-the-heck-take-a-risk game would be Miami at New England.

For low percentage big points, I like Miami over New England. For a more realistic risk/return proposition, Kansas City over Jacksonville has potential. If my risk tolerance declines further, I'll be looking hard at Arizona and Denver.

I'll take Detroit this week. I'm starting to think that playing the small point games can't work in the long run. Even if you win each week, you lose 7 points to anyone who picks a 10 point winner. If someone wins a 10 point game twice then you need 7 3-point winners to beat their two wins. There are only 9 games left in the season. And when you look at the 3-point games they seem like just as much of a coin-flip as the higher point games.

How about players disclosing the charity that they are playing for - if you want to? It would be kind of interesting to see the mix of organizations that we are going to support. Not binding of course, just for fun. Plus it will introduce other blog reader's to some deserving organizations that they might not otherwise think about.

I'm playing for the Community Cycling Center in Portland. Working to provide bikes to kids.

www.communitycyclingcenter.org

Since jmh, inc. is not a registered 501(c)3, I am playing for Water Watch of Oregon. They protect and restore flows in our rivers to sustain the native fish, wildlife, and the people who depend on healthy rivers.

The only 2 with any chance at all are Denver and Dallas (I don't really think Dallas will win in Philly).

I am going to take DETROIT because Lions can obviously beat Seahawks. In fact, what is a Seahawk?

I am playing for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. In case any of your are wondering Asheville is known as the Paris of western North Carolina, although not by anyone who has ever been to Paris France.

I'm playing for the Glory Hole Homeless Shelter here in Juneau. Some of my favorite clients stay there.

PS - looking forward to Indianapolis losing this weekend.

As a Bears fan, who lived in Indiana for 7 years, I enjoy anytime the Colts lose, but especially after Superbowl XLI. That was the year the Bears defense, Devin Hester, and Dennis Green did this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYoApt68uhg&feature=player_embedded

I'll take Detroit. Seattle was bad to begin with, losing several key players hasn't really improved their chances of winning on "any given Sunday."

I'll take Miami

Tennessee is my dog this week and genop's mom has selected Houston from the pound. I might begin to ponder a charity once I achieve a victory. Finding a winning dog in the pack is a tad more difficult than I thought. In the meantime my thoughts are directed toward preserving my dignity as a sports afficianatto.

I'm going to take Tennessee. Still not sure about my charity of choice...I'm going to give it some more thought.

Nothing is certain but death and Texans rounding up the Colts. Put me down for Houston this week. My charity is the Clackamas Service Center, a great organization that provides emergency food, clothing and other services for the needy.

Matt Schaub is a UVA grad. Good enough for me. Houston please.

My charity of choice is Albertina Kerr Centers, a 100 year old social service agency in Portland that supports people with mental health challenges and developmental disabilities. I've been a volunteer for a few years.

My theory is that I'd be getting ahead of myself if I were to think about any charities who would benefit from any largess I was able to swing their way. In chess the rule is play the game, don't think about the result or the standings. I do better when I follow the rule.

I've got half a dozen groups listed in my will. Seems likely that one or more of those might wind up with something if I'm given a say in where the pot goes -- but there's a lot of upsets to pick before that could happen.