The latest 'dogs -- no nitrites
It was a bit of a dud weekend in the pro football Underdog Pool in which I play. There were four winning underdogs, but only one (the Lambs) paid biggie points. The "value" games all went to the favorites.
So here we go for our eighth week -- the regular season hitting the halfway point, I think -- and with me still at least mathematically in the running for the big bucks. See anybody there in the underdog column (in caps) who's going to win their game outright? For our purposes, the point spread doesn't count, except to say how many points I'll win if I pick a winnah.
The only true home 'dogs are the Lions and the Fish -- something tells me we could be in for another lean week:
13 KANSAS CITY at NY Jets
9.5 CINCINNATI at Houston
8.5 ATLANTA at Philadelphia
8 DETROIT vs. Washington
7 CLEVELAND at Jacksonville
7 OAKLAND at Baltimore
7 ST. LOUIS at New England
5 SEATTLE at San Francisco
4.5 ARIZONA at Carolina
3.5 NEW ORLEANS vs. San Diego in London
3.5 INDIANAPOLIS at Tennessee
3 NY GIANTS at Pittsburgh
1.5 MIAMI vs. Buffalo
As ever, readers' expert advice is appreciated. Atlanta? Detroit? Cincy?
UPDATE, 10/23, 10:56 p.m.: And add this one:
2.5 TAMPA BAY at Dallas
| Posted at 10:17 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (11)
I tried to give you Arizona two weeks ago, but you wouldn't listen. Maybe this week you will...
Posted by Chris Snethen | October 22, 2008 11:09 AM
Bet with your head, not with your heart.
Posted by Jack Bog | October 22, 2008 11:11 AM
Risk/reward-wise, I'd take Cincy. They've showed some signs of life recently and Houston is still pretty woeful most of the time. Though I'd feel better about it if Carson Palmer were back and they hadn't just lost one of their top 'backers. On second thought...
Atlanta might be decent too, since they've been pretty good this season while Philly's been good, but at times inconsistent. "any given Sunday," and all that...
Oddly, aside from maybe the Giants, I don't like any of the more respectable 'dogs at all.
Posted by Nate Currie | October 22, 2008 11:36 AM
ATLANTA for the following reason: Michael Turner (RB). He has great games every other week. ATL is 3-0 when he goes over 100 yards and 1-2 when he doesn't. He is scheduled for a 100+ yard game this week. Go Falcons.
Posted by mp97303 | October 22, 2008 12:07 PM
Buffalo will thrash Miami. They are on a streak and get better every week. The Titans are looking better by the week.
Posted by Dave A. | October 22, 2008 12:10 PM
AZ
STL
ATL
OAK
AZ is the best bet on the board. They are coming off a bye, Boldin is practicing and plans to play (if cleared) and Carolina has been erratic lately (good last week, miserable the week before).
Only problem is that you aren't getting many points with AZ, so if you need higher numbers keep moving down the list.
The "Lambs" are second, IF Steven Jackson and Orlando Pace both play.
The Patriots looked really good Monday night, but they were at home and rebounding from a drubbing in San Diego. The Bronco's were decimated by injuries so I wouldn't buy into Matt Cassell just yet. Now they face a short week and the loss of Rodney Harrison.
Check on status of Jackson and Pace near the end of the week, if both return it will improve the Rams chances significantly, if not look to ATL.
Atlanta is playing way above expectations. Both teams are coming off a bye this week. Philly is a tough place to play, but Falcons keep surprising me. If Westbrook doesn't suit up (check inj reports) Atlanta's chances get a lot better.
Oakland is fourth best. Two sad sack offenses. Baltimore has the better D and should beat them, but Oakland has a puncher's chance to convert turnover's into points (especially if the game involves a lot of long FG's by both teams).
Posted by PanchoPdx | October 22, 2008 12:36 PM
Atlanta. MP nailed the reason why.
Posted by Larry K | October 22, 2008 3:46 PM
Cleveland
Posted by Pat Malach | October 22, 2008 6:49 PM
In order of likelihood:
3.5 INDIANAPOLIS at Tennessee
5 SEATTLE at San Francisco
8.5 ATLANTA at Philadelphia
9.5 CINCINNATI at Houston
Posted by Steve | October 23, 2008 7:25 AM
Take the SEATTLE game off,I thought Haseelbeck was going to play.
Posted by Steve | October 24, 2008 6:16 AM
Cleveland.
Posted by Kevin | October 24, 2008 8:33 AM