It's a wild week here at Blog Central, and we're running a little behind with this week's lines in our charity pro football underdog game. Our official oddsmaker has found himself in the same boat. But now he's come through with this week's slate of games, and heeeeeere it is! The underdogs are in caps:
10 PHILADELPHIA at Dallas
9.5 MINNESOTA at Green Bay
9 MIAMI vs. New England
8 TAMPA BAY at Denver
7 ST. LOUIS vs. San Francisco
5.5 JACKSONVILLE at Buffalo
5.5 TENNESSEE vs. Houston
4.5 ARIZONA at New York Jets
4.5 INDIANAPOLIS at Detroit
4 SEATTLE at Chicago
3.5 NEW ORLEANS at Atlanta (Thursday 5:20 p.m. Pacific)
3 KANSAS CITY vs. Carolina
3 PITTSBURGH at Baltimore
1.5 CLEVELAND at Oakland
1 SAN DIEGO vs. Cincinnati
1 WASHINGTON vs. New York Giants
As ever, the object is to choose one 'dog to win its game outright (without benefit of the point spread). If you're right, you get the number of points your team was predicted to lose by. The seasons standings to date are here.
Players choosing the Saints (who did not come marching in last weekend) must have their pick to us by kickoff time tomorrow. For all other games, the deadline is 10:00 a.m. PST Sunday. We're at Week 13 and long overdue for a big hit or two. Good luck to our crew with the 'dognostication.
Just a reminder that when our game wraps up in late January, we've got $1,340 for charity, and our winning players (the top five of our 42) will get to say which charities get the moolah. Winning never felt so good -- okay, maybe Powerball winning...
Injuries all around the NFL make this a very tough week to pick up an underdog to win.
Best Bets
(Last week: 0-1; Overall: 7-9 (.438))
PITTSBURGH (+3) at Baltimore -- Pittsburgh's NFL-leading defense is crushing opponents, and stuffed the Ravens two weeks ago, losing only because of a punt return TD by the Ravens. Steelers veteran QB Batch won't have a second bad game in a row, and the Steelers OL is healthy, getting their #1 draft choice, Stanford's David DiCastro, back for this game. The Ravens are not as good as their record of wins & losses. Their defense is crippled and leaking badly. Look for the Steelers to hit lots of slant routes, and dinks & dunks under offensive coordinator Todd Haley's savvy play calls, with a lot of good play-action, and the early establishment of a good run game early. The Steelers will will the turnover battle, their bugaboo last week.
Pittsburgh also knows how to win in Baltimore, in this, the NFL's most heated rivalry. Bottom line on why the Steelers go into Baltimore and upset the Ravens? Two words: Polamalu's back!
INDIANAPOLIS (+4.5) at Detriot -- The key to this game will be who can best establish a running game to make their great passing more effective? My bets on the Colts who are overcoming all odds this year and are on a roll, giddy with playoff fever, but focused on winning one for their Gipper, Coach Chuck Pagano, who's been away from the sidelines this year in a battle against cancer. Heck, even the Colts' cheerleaders have shaved their heads in solidarity and support. This organization is together! The Lions definitely are not. A cast of individuals and one big jerk anti-social defensive lineman with an anger problem. No wonder they're an even bigger disappointment in this NFL season than the Eagles.
Upset Special
(Last week: 1-0; Overall 6-6 (.500))
TAMPA BAY (+8) at Denver -- Key injuries make the other big 'dogs (Philly, Minn., St. Louis) prohibitive picks this week. Go with Tampa Bay on the road in Denver. The Buc's are one of the hottest teams in the NFL at this point in the season, and they're 5-0 against the spread on the road this year. It's not a stretch to see them pulling this one out straight up. Denver's got a playoff spot locked up and could easily have a let down game even though Peyton's playing like a man possessed by the spirit of Norm Van Brocklin.
Gamblers Cornier --
MIAMI (+9) vs. New England -- Why not? That's why it's called gambling. Maybe the sun will get in the Patriots eyes. Or something. Crazier things have happened. Miami rookie QB Ray Tannehill would love to win this game against Tom Brady. I'm rooting for him and the Dolphins.
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
10 PHILADELPHIA at Dallas
Comments (2)
Six home 'dogs of three points or more...
Posted by Jack Bog | November 28, 2012 3:43 AM
Mojo's Best Bets
M*A*S*H Unit Edition
Injuries all around the NFL make this a very tough week to pick up an underdog to win.
Best Bets
(Last week: 0-1; Overall: 7-9 (.438))
PITTSBURGH (+3) at Baltimore -- Pittsburgh's NFL-leading defense is crushing opponents, and stuffed the Ravens two weeks ago, losing only because of a punt return TD by the Ravens. Steelers veteran QB Batch won't have a second bad game in a row, and the Steelers OL is healthy, getting their #1 draft choice, Stanford's David DiCastro, back for this game. The Ravens are not as good as their record of wins & losses. Their defense is crippled and leaking badly. Look for the Steelers to hit lots of slant routes, and dinks & dunks under offensive coordinator Todd Haley's savvy play calls, with a lot of good play-action, and the early establishment of a good run game early. The Steelers will will the turnover battle, their bugaboo last week.
Pittsburgh also knows how to win in Baltimore, in this, the NFL's most heated rivalry. Bottom line on why the Steelers go into Baltimore and upset the Ravens? Two words: Polamalu's back!
INDIANAPOLIS (+4.5) at Detriot -- The key to this game will be who can best establish a running game to make their great passing more effective? My bets on the Colts who are overcoming all odds this year and are on a roll, giddy with playoff fever, but focused on winning one for their Gipper, Coach Chuck Pagano, who's been away from the sidelines this year in a battle against cancer. Heck, even the Colts' cheerleaders have shaved their heads in solidarity and support. This organization is together! The Lions definitely are not. A cast of individuals and one big jerk anti-social defensive lineman with an anger problem. No wonder they're an even bigger disappointment in this NFL season than the Eagles.
Upset Special
(Last week: 1-0; Overall 6-6 (.500))
TAMPA BAY (+8) at Denver -- Key injuries make the other big 'dogs (Philly, Minn., St. Louis) prohibitive picks this week. Go with Tampa Bay on the road in Denver. The Buc's are one of the hottest teams in the NFL at this point in the season, and they're 5-0 against the spread on the road this year. It's not a stretch to see them pulling this one out straight up. Denver's got a playoff spot locked up and could easily have a let down game even though Peyton's playing like a man possessed by the spirit of Norm Van Brocklin.
Gamblers Cornier --
MIAMI (+9) vs. New England -- Why not? That's why it's called gambling. Maybe the sun will get in the Patriots eyes. Or something. Crazier things have happened. Miami rookie QB Ray Tannehill would love to win this game against Tom Brady. I'm rooting for him and the Dolphins.
So's this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNrM7DnYz4Y
Posted by Mojo | December 2, 2012 8:15 AM