The latest pack of mutts is available for inspection by the players in our charity pro football underdog game. Here they are, in caps:
10.5 ARIZONA at Seattle
10.5 OAKLAND vs. Denver (Thursday, 5:20 p.m. Pacific)
10 MIAMI at San Francisco
7 DETROIT at Green Bay
7 PHILADELPHIA at Tampa Bay
6 NEW ORLEANS at New York Giants
5.5 TENNESSEE at Indianapolis
5.5 KANSAS CITY at Cleveland
4 HOUSTON at New England (Monday night, pick still due Sunday morning)
3.5 CAROLINA vs. Atlanta
3 ST. LOUIS at Buffalo
3 DALLAS at Cincinnati
3 SAN DIEGO at Pittsburgh
2.5 JACKSONVILLE vs. New York Jets
2.5 MINNESOTA vs. Chicago
Baltimore/Washington is a pick 'em and therefore out of play.
We see some intriguing possibilities there. Remember, though, that to win points, our players' chosen 'dogs must win their games outright, without the benefit of the point spread.
The regular season goes for three more weeks after this one, followed by the playoffs. Our game continues through Week 20 -- the conference championships -- but once we reach Week 18, the slate of games gets smaller, and the point spreads tend to be smaller as well. Some of our players have already begun the ritual Launching of the Hail Marys, while others have stayed the course with modest picks. Good luck to all of them as things start to get serious.
UPDATE, 6:12 p.m.: We just added the customary note about the Thursday night game -- this week it's home 'dog Oakland. If you want that one, players, your pick is due by kickoff time, 5:20 p.m. Thursday Pacific. For all other games (including the Monday nighter), the deadline is 10:00 a.m. Sunday, also Pacific.
Comments (3)
In the "Gamblers' Corner" (>+7) I'd pass on Thursday's long shot and go with Arizona at Seattle.
Plus, the Cardinals still have an excellent defense -- ranked #7 overall. If they can keep the Seahawks strong rushing game in some reasonable degree of control, especially on 1st & 3rd downs, the Cardinals may very well surprise us this weekend. After starting the season 4-0, the Cards are 0-8. High rollers should bet against the streak.
MINNESOTA (+2.5) at Chicago -- Everybody's picking this upset tomorrow because of the list it is the best bet. Some might take Dallas at Cinci, but I can't justify that gamble. The Bengals are one of the most underrated of the second tier teams in the NFL this season and they're picking up some momentum. While the Vikes' occasional superstar WR/KR Percy Harvin is out, they still have a formidable running game with their OL shoving people out of the way of the amazing Adrian Peterson.
With the Bears' defensive keystone, LB Brian Urlacher out of this game, the Vikings have an excellent opportunity to pick up a win. The Bears are 7-15 without Urlacher, and Christian Ponder is on Cloud 9 after announcing his engagement to ESPN Reporter Samantha Steele. Minnesota is just one game out of a playoff spot and have everything to play for. That provides the edge in this game.
Some will be tempted to take the Chargers over the Steelers in Pittsburgh, but that's certainly not a Best Bet. Big Ben's back in action, along with Polamalu, and the Steelers are geared up for securing a playoff spot and an upcoming showdown when the Bengals come to town. Meanwhile, the Chargers have been short-circuiting for two years now and the don't even have the power of a joy buzzer left in them.
Mojo's Mumble: They should've fired Turner and his staff last year. Phillip Rivers' chances at making a Super Bowl are down to vapors. He should put up pictures of Favre & Elway and Moon & Marino in his locker. Could go either way for him now. Still recalling that heroic AFC Championship game he had in a loss to the Patriots in January 2008. You can only feel sympathy for the players, especially the great RB LaDanian Thomlinson, who ended up moving on from San Diego after that bitter loss.
Upset Special
(Last Week: 0-1; Overall: 6-7 (.462))
HOUSTON (+4) at New England -- Really, isn't everybody going to jump on THIS one? Of course, all of the sports media talking heads are going with the Patriots as the favorites, but we're talking gambling on an underdog here. Houston has all of the offensive weapons to give the Patriots and Belichick fits all day. The Patiots best chance is to try and go with a ball-control offensive game plan. Watch for lots of no-huddle and mix 'em up play calling by Brady & Belichick utilizing Welker and Woodhead a lot.
This is where we find out between these two teams who's got the right stuff to make it to the Super Bowl for the AFC this season.
KEY STAT: Over the last two seasons, Schaub has compiled an 18-4 record as a starter, including 9-2 on the road. In his last 16 starts, Schaub is 15-1. During that stretch, the Texans average 30.1 points and allow 16.4. During his 15-1 run, Schaub has 24 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. During that 16-game stretch, Schaub has helped the Texans go 8-0 on the road. He has 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.
(Lindy's Sports, 12/7/12).
FUN FACT: There's never been a meeting of two teams with better records than the Texans (11-1) and the Patriots (9-3) this late in the season on Monday Night Football.
Gamblers' Corner
ARIZONA (+10.5) at Seattle -- See Dec. 5 comment above.
Update/Insight: In his blog presenting his views on the keys to this game, Danny O'Neill of the Seattle Times points out: The Cardinals have one of the league's most dangerous punt returners in the league in cornerback Patrick Peterson, who has yet to run a punt back for a score this year after scoring four touchdowns as a rookie.
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)
In the "Gamblers' Corner" (>+7) I'd pass on Thursday's long shot and go with Arizona at Seattle.
Seattle CB Brandon Browner suspended 4 games
The Associated Press – 4 hours ago
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/seattle-cb-brandon-browner-suspended-204546018--nfl.html
Arizona's WR Larry "No Words" Fitzgerald should have a good game on Sunday:
John Skelton named starting quarterback for Cardinals vs. Seahawks
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/20121205ken-whisenhunt-names-john-skelton-quarterback-vs-seattle.html
Plus, the Cardinals still have an excellent defense -- ranked #7 overall. If they can keep the Seahawks strong rushing game in some reasonable degree of control, especially on 1st & 3rd downs, the Cardinals may very well surprise us this weekend. After starting the season 4-0, the Cards are 0-8. High rollers should bet against the streak.
Posted by Mojo | December 5, 2012 8:59 PM
Mojo's Best Bets
No More Signing Dogs "Jingle Bells," Puh-leeze Edition
Dave Brubeck ~ Winter Wonderland (1996)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7Y7fpEfmC4
Best Bets
(Last Week: 2-0; Overall: 9-9 (.500))
MINNESOTA (+2.5) at Chicago -- Everybody's picking this upset tomorrow because of the list it is the best bet. Some might take Dallas at Cinci, but I can't justify that gamble. The Bengals are one of the most underrated of the second tier teams in the NFL this season and they're picking up some momentum. While the Vikes' occasional superstar WR/KR Percy Harvin is out, they still have a formidable running game with their OL shoving people out of the way of the amazing Adrian Peterson.
With the Bears' defensive keystone, LB Brian Urlacher out of this game, the Vikings have an excellent opportunity to pick up a win. The Bears are 7-15 without Urlacher, and Christian Ponder is on Cloud 9 after announcing his engagement to ESPN Reporter Samantha Steele. Minnesota is just one game out of a playoff spot and have everything to play for. That provides the edge in this game.
Some will be tempted to take the Chargers over the Steelers in Pittsburgh, but that's certainly not a Best Bet. Big Ben's back in action, along with Polamalu, and the Steelers are geared up for securing a playoff spot and an upcoming showdown when the Bengals come to town. Meanwhile, the Chargers have been short-circuiting for two years now and the don't even have the power of a joy buzzer left in them.
REPORT: Chargers Will Fire Norv Turner and A.J. Smith at the End of the Season
A report from Kevin Acee says that Dean Spanos has already set the wheels in motion for the firing of both the Chargers Head Coach and General Manager. Dean Spanos disagrees.
http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2012/12/6/3737630/report-chargers-will-fire-norv-turner-and-a-j-smith-at-the-end-of-the
Mojo's Mumble: They should've fired Turner and his staff last year. Phillip Rivers' chances at making a Super Bowl are down to vapors. He should put up pictures of Favre & Elway and Moon & Marino in his locker. Could go either way for him now. Still recalling that heroic AFC Championship game he had in a loss to the Patriots in January 2008. You can only feel sympathy for the players, especially the great RB LaDanian Thomlinson, who ended up moving on from San Diego after that bitter loss.
Upset Special
(Last Week: 0-1; Overall: 6-7 (.462))
HOUSTON (+4) at New England -- Really, isn't everybody going to jump on THIS one? Of course, all of the sports media talking heads are going with the Patriots as the favorites, but we're talking gambling on an underdog here. Houston has all of the offensive weapons to give the Patriots and Belichick fits all day. The Patiots best chance is to try and go with a ball-control offensive game plan. Watch for lots of no-huddle and mix 'em up play calling by Brady & Belichick utilizing Welker and Woodhead a lot.
This is where we find out between these two teams who's got the right stuff to make it to the Super Bowl for the AFC this season.
KEY STAT: Over the last two seasons, Schaub has compiled an 18-4 record as a starter, including 9-2 on the road. In his last 16 starts, Schaub is 15-1. During that stretch, the Texans average 30.1 points and allow 16.4. During his 15-1 run, Schaub has 24 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. During that 16-game stretch, Schaub has helped the Texans go 8-0 on the road. He has 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.
(Lindy's Sports, 12/7/12).
FUN FACT: There's never been a meeting of two teams with better records than the Texans (11-1) and the Patriots (9-3) this late in the season on Monday Night Football.
Gamblers' Corner
ARIZONA (+10.5) at Seattle -- See Dec. 5 comment above.
Update/Insight: In his blog presenting his views on the keys to this game, Danny O'Neill of the Seattle Times points out: The Cardinals have one of the league's most dangerous punt returners in the league in cornerback Patrick Peterson, who has yet to run a punt back for a score this year after scoring four touchdowns as a rookie.
Pixar's Short Film For the Birds w/The Dave Brubeck Quartet (3:29)
Academy Award Winner, Best Animated Short Film, 2001
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dq2dJcZBJA
Posted by Mojo | December 8, 2012 10:13 AM
Cowboys’ Jerry Brown dead, teammate Josh Brent charged
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/08/cowboys-jerry-brown-dead-teammate-josh-brent-charged/
Posted by Mojo | December 8, 2012 3:01 PM