Every 'dog has his weekend
As noted here earlier, we finally picked a winner in the pro football underdog pool last weekend. We went with our gut instinct -- Carolina over Seattle -- and we were right. We even got to catch the end of the game on the tube and whoop it up a little, which is what the pool was supposed to be about.
We're waaaaaaay out of the money, but happily we've stopped our descent into the cellar of the standings. And who knows? Maybe we can sneak up a few more notches this weekend. See any underdogs on this list (in caps) who can win their game outright? The number to the left of each game is how many points I'll score if I pick that 'dog and it wins:
22 MIAMI at New England
13 OAKLAND at Jacksonville
10.5 CAROLINA vs. Dallas (Saturday)
10 ATLANTA at Arizona
9 CHICAGO vs. Green Bay
8.5 NEW YORK JETS at Tennessee
8.5 DENVER at San Diego
7.5 ST. LOUIS vs. Pittsburgh (Thursday)
7 HOUSTON at Indianapolis
7 SAN FRANCISCO vs. Tampa Bay
6.5 WASHINGTON at Minnesota
5 KANSAS CITY vs. Detroit
3 CINCINNATI vs. Cleveland
3 BUFFALO vs. New York Giants
3 PHILADELPHIA at New Orleans
Anybody else think the 'Skins look good for Sunday night? Can KC win at home against Motown, with both teams playing for next year? How about the Rams getting it done at home against a strong but fading Pittsburgh? If that last one looks good to you, better speak up quick: Kickoff is at 5 this afternoon.
I'm thinking even Houston has a shot. Indy's a lock in the playoffs already, and the Colts might phone this one in. Anyway, readers, as usual I'm all ears.
| Posted at 12:40 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (8)
Hey Jack,
Any reason for not listing the Ravens-Seahawks game? I know they've lost 8 games in a row, but it seems unfair to pretend that the Ravens don't even exist. Although they are unlikely to be a victorious underdog this weekend, the Ravens do play Seattle on Sunday.
Posted by Tim | December 20, 2007 6:15 AM
Let's put this in financial terms...
Aggressive risk: OAKLAND at Jacksonville.
Moderate risk: SF over Tampa Bay
Conservative: BUFFALO over Giants
Seattle/Baltimore is OFF THE BOARD. Maybe too many questions about who is actually going to start for the Ravens. Or Seattle, for that matter. They have won the division, but don't get a bye - so they could easily skate a week or two to rest players intermittently. About the best explanation I can come up with.
Posted by Mark Mason | December 20, 2007 8:54 AM
The Baltimore-Seattle game does not appear in the pool I play in. Not sure why that is. Usually a game is held for uncertainty about a key player's ability to play, or the fact that the oddsmakers can't pick a favorite.
Posted by Jack Bog | December 20, 2007 1:13 PM
Now that we know Troy Smith is starting QB for the Ravens, odds on that game will be up shortly.
Potentially amusing antecdote. Jack, I was at dinner the other week and realized you were at the table next to me. With some of your work cohorts I think. I mentioned to my wife who you were, and that I read your blog, etc. She asked why I didn't say Hi.
"Because I've been feeding him lousy NFL picks all season long!"
So here's another to continue tradition: Houston (playing for nothing) over Indy (playing for nothing but resting starters).
Posted by Sebastian | December 20, 2007 4:06 PM
You should have said hello. Of all the commenters here, your NFL picks have actually been among the more helpful.
I would have offered to buy you an "Aviation cocktail." Those things are wicked good.
Posted by Jack Bog | December 20, 2007 8:33 PM
Late update:
10.5 BALTIMORE at Seattle
Posted by Jack Bog | December 20, 2007 10:25 PM
Pick Carolina over Dallas! Check out this site-
http://www.ruinromo.com/
Posted by Not so Expdx | December 21, 2007 1:21 AM
Either Carolina or Chicago. My perennial picks, I think. Maybe Favre will do what Grossman did last year: "well, it was the last game of the season ... we're already in the playoffs ... it's holiday time."
Posted by Kevin | December 21, 2007 10:26 AM