A 3.5 is a B-plus -- and it's also the point spread for many of the pro football games this weekend. Players in our charity underdog game have these options:
11 ARIZONA at Green Bay
10 BUFFALO at Houston
9.5 KANSAS CITY at San Diego (Thursday, pick due at 5:20 p.m. Pacific)
5 MINNESOTA at Seattle
4 DALLAS at Atlanta
3.5 PHILADELPHIA at New Orleans (Monday)
3.5 PITTSBURGH at New York Giants
3.5 CAROLINA at Washington
3.5 JACKSONVILLE vs. Detroit
3.5 TENNESSEE vs. Chicago
3.5 CINCINNATI vs. Denver
3.5 CLEVELAND vs. Baltimore
1 INDIANAPOLIS vs. Miami
1 TAMPA BAY at Oakland
Lots of home 'dogs on the lower floors of the kennel. To win the points listed, a player needs to choose an underdog that can win its game outright. Good luck, 'dognosticators!
Comments (5)
If I was in the pool, I'd go with Kansas City. Chargers are playing HORRIBLE football right now, and 9.5 points would be a pretty decent score for one weekend.
JACKSONVILLE (+3.5) vs. Detroit -- I was leaning at first to Carolina at Washington, but the Panthers are just too unreliable and the Washington rushing game + super-rookie QB RG3 will be just too much for Carolina on the road. So, I got to thinking: after last week's near-upset of the Packers at Lambeau, the Jaguars defense is going to play with extra intensity to win before a restless home crowd. It helps that with the Jags running game hobbled with star, Maurice Drew-Jones, out, and his backup, Rashad Jennings, having difficulty approaching the level of performance required of a starter, that 2nd year QB Blane Gabbert (who's having his own struggles so far this season) will be facing one of the weakest pass defenses in the NFL.
I look for Gabbert to rise to the occasion and display the consistency on 1st and 3rd downs that the Jaguars need to succeed in this contest. There's a chance that the Lions could bust out early and slay the home crowd, but just as easily a turnover here or there could give the Jaguars the spring in their leap that they've been missing. The Lions have been overrated. Here in week 9 with a record of just 3-4, going on the road and playing outside on grass, I expect the Lions' whisker-thin playoff chances to incur another slash.
David Bowie & Stevie Ray Vaughan - Cat People From the rare Dallas Moonlight sessions, the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan brings a new life to some classic Bowie songs in this rehearsal. (4:20) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nyZncWOGwk
PITTSBURGH (+3.5) at NY Giants -- THE Game Of The Week! It's a tough time for the defending Super Bowl champion Giants to be facing the resurgent Steelers, who bring a powerful and efficient offense into the Meadowlands against the still-banged-up NY defense. While very good at forcing turnovers, the Giants defense will be trying to cope with the multitude of weapons the Steelers employ in a ball-control rush-and short-pass-with-super-speedy-deep-threat. The Steelers lead the lead in 3rd down conversions and Roethlisberger has an accuracy percentage of 77.4. Add to that, the jelling of Pittsburgh's offensive line both in pass protection and especially in the running game, the Giants defense which is ranked down at 19th in the league vs. the run, and it's readily apparent how the stage is set for this upset.
NY QB Eli Manning is also going to be facing the NFL's #1 pass defense (and #3 vs. the run -- #2 overall total defense; the Giants are 24th, btw). There's going to be exciting individual match-ups at just about every position on the field, but keep an eye on the Giants WRs vs. the Steelers CBs. Also, taking over for the Steelers injured superstar safety, Troy Polamalu (who is still recovering from a calf muscle injury), S Ryan Clark is a superb backfield general and devastating hitter. This could be a rough day for Eli as the Steelers DL and LBs will prove once again that they're "aging" very well, thank you. Eli, let me re-introduce you to James Harrison. James, chase & sack Eli, over & over. Heck, Pittsburgh's shutdown CB Ike Taylor might even hang on to an interception or two for a change.
Hard end to a terrible week around NYC-NJ-PA, this shapes up -- no matter what the outcome -- to be a very exciting 3-hour respite of the highest quality of sports entertainment. Interesting note: any in NY-NJ will probably not be able to see the game on TV due to widespread power outages, and so will be listening to the game on the radio -- WFAN 660AM/101.9FM.
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 (5)
If I was in the pool, I'd go with Kansas City. Chargers are playing HORRIBLE football right now, and 9.5 points would be a pretty decent score for one weekend.
Posted by Dave J. | October 30, 2012 10:14 PM
One of the top three is going to hit, but which one? And two Thursday nights in a row?
Posted by Jack Bog | October 30, 2012 10:40 PM
Maybe Buffalo, they're due and Green Bay showed the Texans' may not be all that they're chapped up to be.
Posted by Mojo | November 1, 2012 7:09 AM
Steelers at Giants - a Battle of NFL Nobility
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/steelers-giants-battle-nfl-nobility-fans-respect-025100821--nfl.html
Posted by Mojo | November 1, 2012 10:34 PM
Mojo's Best Bets
"Fall Back" Edition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfBoUQxA7o0
"Best Bet"
(Last week, 1-1; overall, 6-5 (.545))
JACKSONVILLE (+3.5) vs. Detroit -- I was leaning at first to Carolina at Washington, but the Panthers are just too unreliable and the Washington rushing game + super-rookie QB RG3 will be just too much for Carolina on the road. So, I got to thinking: after last week's near-upset of the Packers at Lambeau, the Jaguars defense is going to play with extra intensity to win before a restless home crowd. It helps that with the Jags running game hobbled with star, Maurice Drew-Jones, out, and his backup, Rashad Jennings, having difficulty approaching the level of performance required of a starter, that 2nd year QB Blane Gabbert (who's having his own struggles so far this season) will be facing one of the weakest pass defenses in the NFL.
I look for Gabbert to rise to the occasion and display the consistency on 1st and 3rd downs that the Jaguars need to succeed in this contest. There's a chance that the Lions could bust out early and slay the home crowd, but just as easily a turnover here or there could give the Jaguars the spring in their leap that they've been missing. The Lions have been overrated. Here in week 9 with a record of just 3-4, going on the road and playing outside on grass, I expect the Lions' whisker-thin playoff chances to incur another slash.
David Bowie & Stevie Ray Vaughan - Cat People
From the rare Dallas Moonlight sessions, the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan brings a new life to some classic Bowie songs in this rehearsal. (4:20)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nyZncWOGwk
"Upset Special"
(Last week, 0-1; overall 3-5 (.375))
PITTSBURGH (+3.5) at NY Giants -- THE Game Of The Week! It's a tough time for the defending Super Bowl champion Giants to be facing the resurgent Steelers, who bring a powerful and efficient offense into the Meadowlands against the still-banged-up NY defense. While very good at forcing turnovers, the Giants defense will be trying to cope with the multitude of weapons the Steelers employ in a ball-control rush-and short-pass-with-super-speedy-deep-threat. The Steelers lead the lead in 3rd down conversions and Roethlisberger has an accuracy percentage of 77.4. Add to that, the jelling of Pittsburgh's offensive line both in pass protection and especially in the running game, the Giants defense which is ranked down at 19th in the league vs. the run, and it's readily apparent how the stage is set for this upset.
NY QB Eli Manning is also going to be facing the NFL's #1 pass defense (and #3 vs. the run -- #2 overall total defense; the Giants are 24th, btw). There's going to be exciting individual match-ups at just about every position on the field, but keep an eye on the Giants WRs vs. the Steelers CBs. Also, taking over for the Steelers injured superstar safety, Troy Polamalu (who is still recovering from a calf muscle injury), S Ryan Clark is a superb backfield general and devastating hitter. This could be a rough day for Eli as the Steelers DL and LBs will prove once again that they're "aging" very well, thank you. Eli, let me re-introduce you to James Harrison. James, chase & sack Eli, over & over. Heck, Pittsburgh's shutdown CB Ike Taylor might even hang on to an interception or two for a change.
Hard end to a terrible week around NYC-NJ-PA, this shapes up -- no matter what the outcome -- to be a very exciting 3-hour respite of the highest quality of sports entertainment. Interesting note: any in NY-NJ will probably not be able to see the game on TV due to widespread power outages, and so will be listening to the game on the radio -- WFAN 660AM/101.9FM.
"Gamblers' Corner"
(Last week 0-1; overall 2-5 (.286))
BUFFALO (+10) at Houston -- It's kinda like Jack said, but...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnzl6qkIc_M
Posted by Mojo | November 3, 2012 12:04 PM