Move over, little 'dog, a big old 'dog is moving in
The last line of the week is in in our charity pro football underdog pool, and it's a doozy:
10 SAN FRANCISCO at Philadelphia
That's a lot of points, but of course, the Niners will have to pull off a major upset for our players to rack them up. Picks are due by 10 a.m. Pacific Time Sunday, folks. Happy hunting.
Comments (9)
Will try to get "Mojo's Best Bets," with "Upset Special" out Friday night this week. "Best Bets" 3-3 so far, "Upset Special 1-1. Looking hard at the Raiders-Patriots matchup....
1. TENNESSEE (+1) at Cleveland -- Hasselbeck re-emerging and running this offense well. This is the week that the Titans offensive line clicks in its run blocking and Chris Johnson breaks free. Cleveland banged up, though DL is tough and will keep this game close.
2. DETROIT (+1.5) at Dallas -- Cowboys are an average team at best. The Lions are surging into the top tier of the NFL to challenge the Packers for leadership of the ole Black & Blue Division. The Lions will disintegrate a Cowboy team that doesn't really have its act together on either side of the ball.
3. OAKLAND (+4.5) vs. New England -- While the Patriots are 25-3 under Belichick after a loss, their defense is flimsy and the Raiders are a formidable offense, both running & passing. A high-scoring game that might come down to a turnover making the difference for the Raiders, who's defense is better than what the Pats are putting out there. Biggest NE news this week was that QB Tom Brady cut his hair. Big flip. Go with the home team whose confidence is backed up by solid performances.
"The
Upset Special"
INDIANAPOLIS (+10) at Tampa Bay -- The Colts defense can be the difference makers win this game over a young Bucs squad, who will be overconfident going into this game. Peyton Manning's QB 3rd-year understudy Curtis Painter will execute the Colts offense adequately with a smart mix of run with the dynamic Addai & passes to Addai & WRs Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Reggie Wayne -- with TE Dallas Clark bouncing back from a bad game last week -- to pull off this Sunday's surprise. Vinateri kicks the game winner.
"Gamblers Corner"
DENVER (+13) at Green Bay -- Really? This is not the week for picking the biggest score in this Underdog contest.
If you don't like the "Upset Special," try SAN FRANCISCO (+10) over the Eagles, but its a west coast team coming across the country into a Philadelphia home stadium on a cold, rainy day.
A better gamble would be PITTSBURGH (+4) to go into Houston and escape with a win with a cobbled-up OL holding off a tough Texans defense while the Steelers get their running game finally going and use screen passes to overcome Houston's pass rush. The Blitzburghers should get to Texans' QB Shaub as S Polamalu broke out last week, and Ike Taylor showed once again he's one of the top 2 shut-down corners in the NFL.
The gamblers among you who like to think you're really smart or talented will probably take MIAMI (+8) over the inconsistent Chargers. You'll probably have tough luck there.
An other variable that I forgot to mention is that Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field grass is being played on in the rain today in the Temple-Toledo game. Maybe 49ers' K David Akers hits the game-winner against his old team in a messy game between the disheveled but determined 49ers and the stumbling Eagles.
I like Oakland at home a lot for the upset but just can't see Belichick allowing back to back losses. Then I look at Pittsburgh and what they are capable of before I remember their aging O-line trying to hold off Houston's impressive defense. So then I start dreaming of a 10 point pick if Michael Vick continues to be abused and lets San Francisco capitalize on a few turnovers, but just can't see the 'Niners taking the game in the cold and wet after a long flight. Ok, what's left... Miami for 8? Love to see it but doubt it will happen. Indy over Tampa Bay for 10 on Monday night? Meh - not likely.
May have to resort to Jack's patented Litter Box pick if I can't figure something out soon...
Ah, er, oops, yeah -- I meant "Monday Night surprise" on the "Upset Special."
Btw, jmh, the Steelers O Line right now is very, very young (and that's their weakness). They did not sign their two starting OTs from last year's AFC Champions team, Flozell Adams and Max Starks, who are both still out of football (though the Vikes reportedly are interested in Starks).
Belichick won't be on the field Sunday to provide any of the kind of help needed by his leaky defense. Follow your intuition on the OAK-NWE game, rather than talking your way out of it -- unless you can figure a better pick once you comb over it all. Good luck to you!!
Mojo - thanks for the correction. Your point is well-taken on the age of the Steelers O-line. But the onging injuries and rotating lineup still make it tough for them to protect Big Ben. I still think Houston wins tomorrow at home.
I may regret my pick but I've committed to it now. I'm going with my gut and hoping for the best. Either way, I'm looking forward to watching the games tomorrow!
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
The Occasional Book
Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 21
At this date last year: 52
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (9)
Will try to get "Mojo's Best Bets," with "Upset Special" out Friday night this week. "Best Bets" 3-3 so far, "Upset Special 1-1. Looking hard at the Raiders-Patriots matchup....
Posted by Mojo | September 28, 2011 9:28 PM
Police: Stripper bus for Lions game may be illegal
http://news.yahoo.com/police-stripper-bus-lions-game-may-illegal-183913298.html
Posted by Mojo | September 29, 2011 2:52 PM
Mojo's "Best Bets"
1. TENNESSEE (+1) at Cleveland -- Hasselbeck re-emerging and running this offense well. This is the week that the Titans offensive line clicks in its run blocking and Chris Johnson breaks free. Cleveland banged up, though DL is tough and will keep this game close.
2. DETROIT (+1.5) at Dallas -- Cowboys are an average team at best. The Lions are surging into the top tier of the NFL to challenge the Packers for leadership of the ole Black & Blue Division. The Lions will disintegrate a Cowboy team that doesn't really have its act together on either side of the ball.
3. OAKLAND (+4.5) vs. New England -- While the Patriots are 25-3 under Belichick after a loss, their defense is flimsy and the Raiders are a formidable offense, both running & passing. A high-scoring game that might come down to a turnover making the difference for the Raiders, who's defense is better than what the Pats are putting out there. Biggest NE news this week was that QB Tom Brady cut his hair. Big flip. Go with the home team whose confidence is backed up by solid performances.
"The
Upset Special"
INDIANAPOLIS (+10) at Tampa Bay -- The Colts defense can be the difference makers win this game over a young Bucs squad, who will be overconfident going into this game. Peyton Manning's QB 3rd-year understudy Curtis Painter will execute the Colts offense adequately with a smart mix of run with the dynamic Addai & passes to Addai & WRs Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Reggie Wayne -- with TE Dallas Clark bouncing back from a bad game last week -- to pull off this Sunday's surprise. Vinateri kicks the game winner.
"Gamblers Corner"
DENVER (+13) at Green Bay -- Really? This is not the week for picking the biggest score in this Underdog contest.
If you don't like the "Upset Special," try SAN FRANCISCO (+10) over the Eagles, but its a west coast team coming across the country into a Philadelphia home stadium on a cold, rainy day.
A better gamble would be PITTSBURGH (+4) to go into Houston and escape with a win with a cobbled-up OL holding off a tough Texans defense while the Steelers get their running game finally going and use screen passes to overcome Houston's pass rush. The Blitzburghers should get to Texans' QB Shaub as S Polamalu broke out last week, and Ike Taylor showed once again he's one of the top 2 shut-down corners in the NFL.
The gamblers among you who like to think you're really smart or talented will probably take MIAMI (+8) over the inconsistent Chargers. You'll probably have tough luck there.
Posted by Mojo | October 1, 2011 8:41 AM
Dang - hard week to pick. The sure things are REALLY low points, and I can't get a handle on the larger point spreads with any comfort. Ugh.
Posted by jmh | October 1, 2011 10:48 AM
That's a fact, jmh.
An other variable that I forgot to mention is that Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field grass is being played on in the rain today in the Temple-Toledo game. Maybe 49ers' K David Akers hits the game-winner against his old team in a messy game between the disheveled but determined 49ers and the stumbling Eagles.
Akers leaves Eagles past behind
http://articles.philly.com/2011-09-29/sports/30217133_1_eagles-kicker-david-akers-lincoln-financial-field-playoff
Eagletarian blog:
"Here is a look at what we will be watching during Sunday's Eagles-49ers game"
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/dneagles/130904438.html
Posted by Mojo | October 1, 2011 11:57 AM
Eeeny-meeny-miney-moe...
I like Oakland at home a lot for the upset but just can't see Belichick allowing back to back losses. Then I look at Pittsburgh and what they are capable of before I remember their aging O-line trying to hold off Houston's impressive defense. So then I start dreaming of a 10 point pick if Michael Vick continues to be abused and lets San Francisco capitalize on a few turnovers, but just can't see the 'Niners taking the game in the cold and wet after a long flight. Ok, what's left... Miami for 8? Love to see it but doubt it will happen. Indy over Tampa Bay for 10 on Monday night? Meh - not likely.
May have to resort to Jack's patented Litter Box pick if I can't figure something out soon...
Posted by jmh | October 1, 2011 3:19 PM
Carolina babies.... Chicago's O line sucks and while I hate to admit it Cam Newton is good.
Posted by LucsAdvo | October 1, 2011 4:33 PM
Ah, er, oops, yeah -- I meant "Monday Night surprise" on the "Upset Special."
Btw, jmh, the Steelers O Line right now is very, very young (and that's their weakness). They did not sign their two starting OTs from last year's AFC Champions team, Flozell Adams and Max Starks, who are both still out of football (though the Vikes reportedly are interested in Starks).
Belichick won't be on the field Sunday to provide any of the kind of help needed by his leaky defense. Follow your intuition on the OAK-NWE game, rather than talking your way out of it -- unless you can figure a better pick once you comb over it all. Good luck to you!!
Posted by Mojo | October 1, 2011 4:39 PM
Mojo - thanks for the correction. Your point is well-taken on the age of the Steelers O-line. But the onging injuries and rotating lineup still make it tough for them to protect Big Ben. I still think Houston wins tomorrow at home.
I may regret my pick but I've committed to it now. I'm going with my gut and hoping for the best. Either way, I'm looking forward to watching the games tomorrow!
Posted by jmh | October 1, 2011 6:27 PM