Here are the lines for this weekend in our charity pro football underdog game. Houston-Denver is a pick-'em, which by rule means it's off the board:
9 ST. LOUIS at Chicago
9 KANSAS CITY at New Orleans
7 MINNESOTA vs. San Francisco
7 TAMPA BAY at Dallas
4.5 OAKLAND vs. Pittsburgh
4 ARIZONA vs. Philadelphia
3.5 CINCINNATI at Washington
3.5 SEATTLE vs. Green Bay (Monday, pick still due Sunday)
3 TENNESSEE vs. Detroit
3 ATLANTA at San Diego
3 MIAMI vs. New York Jets
3 NEW ENGLAND at Baltimore
3 CLEVELAND vs. Buffalo
2.5 JACKSONVILLE at Indianapolis
1 CAROLINA vs. New York Giants (Thursday 5:20 PM Pacific)
Players must have their entries to underdog central by 10 a.m. Pacific time on Sunday (unless picking Carolina, in which case the deadline is kickoff time Thursday). Please be sure you receive your confirmation email shortly after you submit your pick.
The horses of Denver did not prevail last night, and so our standings remain where they were Sunday night. Only one player scored this past weekend, for 3 points.
On a happier note, it's time to talk prizes. We have 42 entries in the game, for a charity pot of $840. It will be split as follows:
First prize: $475 to player's favorite charity
Second prize: $150 to player's favorite charity
Third prize: $100 to player's favorite charity
Fourth prize: $70 to player's favorite charity
Fifth prize: $45 to player's favorite charity
All charities designated must be entities recognized as tax-exempt section 501(c)(3) organizations.
We also have a generous sponsor who will add $500 to the pot, but on the condition that her match go only to charities whose primary function is to provide "food, school, or medicine." If all five top finishers designate charities that fit within that description, the combined prizes would be as follows:
First prize: $760 to charity
Second prize: $240 to charity
Third prize: $160 to charity
Fourth prize: $110 to charity
Fifth prize: $70 to charity
If only some of the winners' charities meet the "food, school, or medicine" description, the $500 will be reshuffled among the players whose charities do fit that bill. In all, $1,340 will go to charities as a result of the game this year. And that ain't hay. So get pickin', players!
Comments (3)
A moment of silence for a man who helped make our experiences of the NFL unforgettable:
Steve Sabol helped turn NFL Films into a Super Bowl champion
ATLANTA (+3) at San Diego -- While the Chargers defense has started off the the season stout and stuffing the run against the talented Chris Johnson and Darren McFadden, that was as much a result of poor offensive line play by the Titans and the Raiders as it was play-making by the Chargers DL and LBs. The Falcons should be able to get their premier back, Michael Turner, some open holes to make some good runs at key times, while QB Matt Ryan gets the ball out to Julius Jones and TE Tony Gonzalez. Turner should be extra-motivated after his DUI episode earlier this week.
NEW ENGLAND (+3) at Baltimore -- The Ravens' defense isn't what it used to be, especially with LB Terrell Suggs out. Baltimore gave up almost 500 yards in total offense to the Eagles last week. The Patriots are a confident road team. The Patriots will have a good defensive game plan to control the Ravens dangerous RB Ray Rice, while on offense, QB Tom Brady will carve up these birds. Look for WR Wes Welker to bust out of Belichick's doghouse in spectacular fashion.
Upset Special
SEATTLE (+3.5) vs. Green Bay -- Could be a great national coming out party for Seahawks' rookie QB sensation, Russell Wilson. The Seahawks lead the NFL in Monday Night Football game winning percentage. They're 17-8 and have won their last five appearances in a row, featuring 3 shutouts and a 24-14 win over Green Bay. The key to this game is that the Packers' defense is ranked 26th against the rush. Seattle should be able to control the ball, with their superb RB Marshawn Lynch getting well over 100 yards, and Wilson picking up some key 3rd downs with his own excellent running skills.
Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks' running game in high gear After he asked for help midway through last season, Marshawn Lynch has given the Seahawks a solid running game. Lynch has run for at least 100 yards in seven of the past 11 regular-season games
By Danny O'Neil, Seattle Times staff reporter (September 21, 2012) http://seattletimes.com/html/seahawks/2019226904_seahawks22.html
Picking up an extra half-point could be a difference-maker in the standings at the end of this charity game, too.
Gamblers' Corner
ST. LOUIS (+9) at Chicago -- The line on this game is down to 7 pts now. With both teams' top RBs hurting and uncertain to play or play much at all, it will come down to QBs Jay Cutler and Sam Bradford. Cutler is a sadly disintegrating disaster in progress, while Bradford is a rising NFL star, last week going 26 of 35 for 310 yards and 3 TDs in upsetting Washington.
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 (3)
A moment of silence for a man who helped make our experiences of the NFL unforgettable:
Steve Sabol helped turn NFL Films into a Super Bowl champion
Steve Sabol, who died Tuesday at age 69, was an art major who become one of the most celebrated sports filmmakers of his time. NFL Films helped shape the way many football fans have watched the game.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/football/nfl/la-sp-erskine-steve-sabol-20120919,0,1908711.column
How NFL Films transformed football
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/joe_posnanski/02/03/sabol/index.html
Ed Sabol, founder of NFL Films, is presented by NFL Films president and his son, Steve Sabol, for his enshrinement as a member of the Hall of Fame class of 2011 (10:12)
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-hall-of-fame/09000d5d821438ba/2011-HOF-Steve-Sabol-presents-Ed-Sabol
Posted by Mojo | September 18, 2012 8:08 PM
Gotta like this player -- http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/redskins-rookie-alfred-morris-still-driving-1991-mazda-212015811--nfl.html
Mojo's Best Bets, tomorrow. Rams look like a very tantalizing "Gamblers' Special"! Stay tuned.
Posted by Mojo | September 20, 2012 6:35 PM
Mojo's Best Bets
Equinox Edition
ATLANTA (+3) at San Diego -- While the Chargers defense has started off the the season stout and stuffing the run against the talented Chris Johnson and Darren McFadden, that was as much a result of poor offensive line play by the Titans and the Raiders as it was play-making by the Chargers DL and LBs. The Falcons should be able to get their premier back, Michael Turner, some open holes to make some good runs at key times, while QB Matt Ryan gets the ball out to Julius Jones and TE Tony Gonzalez. Turner should be extra-motivated after his DUI episode earlier this week.
NEW ENGLAND (+3) at Baltimore -- The Ravens' defense isn't what it used to be, especially with LB Terrell Suggs out. Baltimore gave up almost 500 yards in total offense to the Eagles last week. The Patriots are a confident road team. The Patriots will have a good defensive game plan to control the Ravens dangerous RB Ray Rice, while on offense, QB Tom Brady will carve up these birds. Look for WR Wes Welker to bust out of Belichick's doghouse in spectacular fashion.
Upset Special
SEATTLE (+3.5) vs. Green Bay -- Could be a great national coming out party for Seahawks' rookie QB sensation, Russell Wilson. The Seahawks lead the NFL in Monday Night Football game winning percentage. They're 17-8 and have won their last five appearances in a row, featuring 3 shutouts and a 24-14 win over Green Bay. The key to this game is that the Packers' defense is ranked 26th against the rush. Seattle should be able to control the ball, with their superb RB Marshawn Lynch getting well over 100 yards, and Wilson picking up some key 3rd downs with his own excellent running skills.
Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks' running game in high gear
After he asked for help midway through last season, Marshawn Lynch has given the Seahawks a solid running game. Lynch has run for at least 100 yards in seven of the past 11 regular-season games
By Danny O'Neil, Seattle Times staff reporter (September 21, 2012)
http://seattletimes.com/html/seahawks/2019226904_seahawks22.html
Picking up an extra half-point could be a difference-maker in the standings at the end of this charity game, too.
Gamblers' Corner
ST. LOUIS (+9) at Chicago -- The line on this game is down to 7 pts now. With both teams' top RBs hurting and uncertain to play or play much at all, it will come down to QBs Jay Cutler and Sam Bradford. Cutler is a sadly disintegrating disaster in progress, while Bradford is a rising NFL star, last week going 26 of 35 for 310 yards and 3 TDs in upsetting Washington.
Posted by Mojo | September 22, 2012 1:50 PM